By Alan Sorensen
Judges from other jurisdictions handled criminal cases here while 12th Judicial District Court Judge John Warner presided over a murder trial in Kalispell last week. The following four cases all fell on April 10.
Art R. Lawrence Jr., 27, Havre, pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault. District Court Judge Richard Phillips of Sidney sentenced Lawrence to six months in jail on each count, the sentences to run consecutively. All but 30 days of each sentence was suspended and the remaining 30 days on each count were to be served concurrently. Lawrence was given credit for 24 days already served. He must refrain all alcohol and drug use, remain under the supervision of the Department of Corrections for a year, stay out of bars, be subject to random testing of his bodily fluids, remain law-abiding and pay supervisory fees and surcharges.
Richard A. Fifield, 40, Havre, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol fourth offense, a felony. Judge Phillips ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and scheduled sentencing for 1:30 p.m. May 4. The charge arose from a driving incident on Fifth Avenue and 13th Street in Havre on Dec. 13, 2000.
The penalty for the offense ranges from six months to 13 months in jail, a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000, plus a $20 prosecution fee, $10 domestic abuse fee and $5 surcharge.
Gary Dwayne Nanini, 42, Havre, pleaded guilty before Judge Phillips to criminal possession of a drug prescription. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and sentencing was set for 3 p.m. May 4. The charge against Nanini stemmed from an incident on Nov. 14, 1999 in Havre.
Nanini faces a maximum sentence of between 2 and 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, and a $15 prosecution fee, $10 domestic abuse fee and $5 surcharge.
Timothy Harmon, 24, Havre, pleaded guilty before District Court Judge John C. McKeon in Chinook to a charge of issuing bad checks by common scheme. The checks were written between July 11 and Aug. 14, 2000 and reportedly totaled $4,377.62.
Harmon was given a one-year suspended jail sentence, ordered to pay $591.62 restitution plus 10 percent, placed under the supervision of the Department of Corrections personnel, ordered to remain law-abiding and maintain employment, directed to complete chemical dependency treatment and to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He also was ordered to pay fees and surcharges.
