Acceptance of plea of guilty to DUI -- Restrictions -- Verification of prior violations -- Prosecutor to examine defendant's record.
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(1) An entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to a criminal charge under Section 41-6a-502 is invalid unless the prosecutor agrees to the plea:
(a) in open court;
(b) in writing; or
(c) by another means of communication which the court finds adequate to record the prosecutor's agreement.
(2)
(a) Prior to agreeing to a plea of guilty or no contest under Subsection (1), the prosecutor shall examine the criminal history or driver license record of the defendant to determine if the defendant's record contains a conviction, arrest, or charge for:
(i) more than one prior violation within the previous 10 years of any offense that, if the defendant were convicted, would qualify as a conviction as defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2);
(ii) a felony violation of Section 41-6a-502; or
(iii) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207.
(b) If the defendant's record contains a conviction or unresolved arrest or charge for an offense listed in Subsection (2)(a), a plea may only be accepted if:
(i) approved by:
(A) a district attorney;
(B) a deputy district attorney;
(C) a county attorney;
(D) a deputy county attorney;
(E) the attorney general; or
(F) an assistant attorney general; and
(ii) the attorney giving approval under Subsection (2)(b)(i) has felony jurisdiction over the case.