Jacques Chouinard awarded Helen S. Carter Prize for 2019-2020
September 7, 2020
Jacques Chouinard, who recently began his third year at the UNM School of Law, was awarded the Helen S. Carter Prize for Outstanding Student Papers at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Titled "Scooting Under the Influence: Criminal Liability in the Age of Micro-Transit," Chouinard's paper is "about how driving under the influence statutes require an update as new transportation devices – most notably electric scooters – gain widespread use."
"I am ecstatic to win this prize!" said Chouinard. "I spent a large amount of time and effort writing my comment for my writing seminar, and it would not have been possible without the guidance of my professors and my attorney mentors. It feels good to be recognized for the work I did! I am also glad that this subject is receiving attention; the urban transit landscape is changing rapidly, and the law needs to keep up."
A member of the Student Trial Lawyers Association, Chouinard currently serves as editor for Volume 51 of the New Mexico Law Review. He was also the president of UNM Law's ACLU chapter last year. Originally from Albuquerque, Chouinard completed his undergraduate degree at the University of South Alabama and will be completing a judicial clerkship at the New Mexico Court of Appeals following graduation. His comments will be published in Volume 50 of the New Mexico Law Review.
