Judge Jim Shirley had a question for Scott Thomas Thiedemann, 42, at his arraignment on Monday.
“How do you plead to the charge of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, third offense?” asked the judge.
“Unfortunately, I’m guilty, Your Honor,” said the defendant.
Public Defender Steve Cochran represented the accused. DDA Jack Bullock argued on behalf of the state of Nevada.
Thiedemann admitted that on Dec. 16, 2017, he drove a Volkswagon sedan with California license plates on a Pershing County highway.
“I knowingly got in my car after I’d been drinking,” the defendant told Pershing County’s 11th Judicial court. “I was doing my best to make it to California knowing I shouldn’t have been driving.”
Law enforcement stopped Thiedemann when they spotted him taking chains off his tires, he said.
According to court documents, the defendant’s BAC (blood alcohol concentration) registered over 0.08 percent, the legal limit for adults in Nevada. The records also showed two related convictions within the past several years.
In Aug. 2012 a Nevada County Court convicted Thiedemann of drunk driving. In Nov. 2014, in Sacramento, Calif., he pleaded guilty to a repeat offense.
The defendant faces one to six years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. He is not eligible for probation unless he qualifies for a DUI diversion program, explained DDA Bullock.
According to Public Defender Cochran, Thiedemann plans to apply for a diversion program in Boise, Idaho.
“My client recognizes the arrest as a blessing in disguise,” said the attorney.
Thiedemann agreed.
“This is the first time I’ve been sober since I started drinking in 2009,” he said.
Cochran pointed to Thiedemann’s status as a veteran. The former Marine also apprenticed with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBW) in Sacramento, Calif.
“Mr. Thiedemann has done many things right in his life, but alcohol is very destructive to him,” said Cochran.
The judge set a sentencing and eligibility hearing for May 7, 2018.
Cochran noted that his client has been in custody since his arrest two and a half months ago. The attorney asked Judge Shirley to release Thiedemann from jail with several significant conditions.
“First and foremost, the conditions will protect the community,” said Cochran. “Secondly Mr. Thiedemann will begin working on his sobriety outside of jail.”
“The most important condition is that he not drive,” continued Cochran. “He has already forfeited his driver’s license.”
Judge Shirley asked Cochran and DDA Bullock to reach an agreement about other conditions the court should impose.
“I think, at minimum we’d want ankle bracelet monitoring with an alcohol component,” said the judge. “There are several different systems out there, and I’m not sure what’s available in Boise.”
The team also discussed Interlock devices on all vehicles to which Thiedemann might have access.
“If there’s any detection of alcohol he should be taken into custody immediately,” said the judge.
“You can’t drink,” he told the defendant.
For the time being Judge Shirley remanded the Thiedemann to the custody of the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.
