“We’re also proud you have taken all these steps to improve yourself,” Judge Courrier said.
By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Crystal Hinkle plead guilty July 22nd in District Court to one misdemeanor count of possession with intent to deliver and one misdemeanor count of driving while revoked second offense. Each count had the potential of one year with the driving while revoked had a fine of up to $1,000. The plea given before Judge Courrier came as a part of a plea agreement.
Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins asked for concurrent sentences, suspended with probation pending the completion of a drug rehabilitation program and $1,000 in restitution. Also asked by the prosecution was that the fine be commuted to 90 hours of community service.
Hinkle appearing in court accompanied by her attorney Morris Davis. Hinkle was sworn in to enter her guilty plea and was appraised of her rights and explained the trial option and process that she was waiving through the plea. When asked if she understood her rights, Hinkle said she did. “By entering a plea today…the case will be ended,” Judge Courrier said. “Once I accept it today, you give up the right to challenge it.”
The charges against Hinkle stemmed from a single vehicle crash on June 3, 2022 in which a vehicle operated by Hinkle crashed into a garage. During the investigation after the driver left the scene, multiple substances were found in the vehicle, specifically 14 Gabapentin pills were discovered without a valid prescription, according to Wilkins.
Judge Courrier said that while Hinkle was pleading guilty to a second offense driving while revoked, a third offense would constitute a felony. “You get another one, it would constitute a felony,” Judge Courrier said.
The only questions raised by Hinkle during the proceedings involved the amount of time she had to pay restitution and what the process would be for probation should she choose to move from the County. It was explained by Judge Courrier that it would be up to probation to determine the amount to be paid in installments. On the probation question, Hinkle was told that she would likely be required to meet with probation in Tucker County first, then transfer to her new location.
Following Hinkle’s verbal guilty plea, Hinkle through her attorney, waived the pre-sentencing report and chose to be sentenced at the hearing. Attorney Morris Davis spoke on her behalf during the proceedings, “Miss Hinkle comes before the court a much different person,” Davis said.
According to Davis, Hinkle is currently enrolled in a rehabilitation program, is over 260 days sober and is moving in with a sister in another town to put herself in different surroundings where she is away from negative influences and improve her mindset. “We ask the court to allow her to continue to improve,” Davis said.
Judge Courrier sentenced Hinkle to one year on each charge to be served concurrent, suspended; two years probation with the possibility to be reevaluation after a year if Hinkle is doing well and $1,000 fine suspended to be served as 90 hours of community service. There will also be a $5 per month supervision fee imposed. All other charges were dismissed. “We’re also proud you have taken all these steps to improve yourself,” Judge Courrier said.
