Jackson changes plea in County court case

Last March, LaWanda Jackson was charged with felony criminal child endangerment, misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol, and misdemeanor driving while suspended or revoked and pled not guilty. Jackson was back in Phillips County District Court last week pleaded guilty to the felony charge and vacated a request for a September trial.

Court records state that on or about Friday, March 3, 2017, Jackson purposely, knowingly, or negligently caused a substantial risk of death to a child under 14 years of age by operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol with a child in the vehicle.

Around 3 p.m. on the day in question, Jackson was found behind the wheel of a red van stuck in a ditch south of Dodson. Three law officials ended up at the scene, one of whom approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and immediately smelled alcohol. The officer talked with Jackson and stated that her eyes were bloodshot and she had alcohol on her breath. Jackson, after admitting she didn’t have a valid driver’s license, admitted to drinking alcohol before operating her vehicle. The officer administered a preliminary alcohol screening test and Jackson gave a breath sample of .366 (the legal limit is under .08.) Jackson told the trooper that her children in the car were ages one and two.

Jackson was placed under arrest and brought back to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office where, after being advised of her Miranda rights, submitted a blood test and then told the Trooper she had “blacked out” and drove into the ditch.

At district court last Monday, Jackson pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment. A person convicted of criminal child endangerment shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000 or both.

In exchange for the guilty plea, court records state that the Phillips County Attorney agrees to recommend that the court defers imposition of sentence for a period of three years, subject to the rules, terms, and conditions of probation set forth in the pre-sentence investigation report. The Phillips County Attorney agrees to dismiss the remaining misdemeanor charges.

Sentencing is set in the case for August 14, 2017, and Jackson, who hasn’t had any positive drug or alcohol tests since her arrest, remained released on her own recognizance and was released from certain travel restrictions and of wearing a monitoring bracelet.