Driver faces second prison term for DUI

A 64-year-old Gardnerville man faces his second prison term for felony drunk driving after he was stopped May 30 at Waterloo and Toyiabe for driving without a rear license plate.

The deputy who stopped Karl Andrew Berns smelled alcohol and performed a preliminary test which indicated his alcohol content allegedly was .255, more than three times the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

Berns, convicted of felony driving under the influence in 1997, told East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl he was unaware he was facing prison again if convicted.

"I had a felony some years ago, but I did my time," Berns said. "Is this new? I didn't even know it."

"Nevada has the concept once a felony, always a felony," EnEarl said.

He explained that Nevada law dictates any subsequent driving under the influence conviction after the first felony is treated as a felony with longer prison sentences.

EnEarl increased Berns' bail to $10,000 cash after prosecutor Tyler Altom said the suspect had at least eight DUI convictions.

EnEarl appointed lawyer Tod Young to represent Berns and set his next court appearance for June 9.

The deputy stopped Berns because he was driving without a rear license plate and failed to signal. A search of his records determined that Berns' drivers license had been revoked because of his DUI conviction.