Parker v. State
| Decision Date | 20 January 1981 |
| Docket Number | 4 Div. 853 |
| Citation | 397 So.2d 199 |
| Parties | Henry Clayton PARKER v. STATE. |
| Court | Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals |
L. Joel Collins of Smith, Smith & Collins, Phenix City, for appellant.
Charles A. Graddick, Atty. Gen., and Helen P. Nelson, Asst. Atty. Gen., for appellee.
Driving while intoxicated; $200 fine.
Around dusk on January 11, 1980, the appellant was stopped by Alabama State Trooper Curtis Wright in Phenix City for a headlight violation. Upon observing the appellant's condition and the interior of his car, Wright placed him in the rear of his patrol car and administered a portable intoxication test. The appellant was then transported to the Russell County Jail and given a photoelectric intoximeter (PEI) test, the results of which indicated that the appellant's blood contained, by weight, .10 percent of alcohol.
Appellant contends that the trial court erred in admitting any evidence concerning the instant charge, especially the results of his PEI test, as he was the victim of an unlawful arrest. He asserts that Trooper Wright had no probable cause to stop his vehicle. Wright testified that he received a radio communication from his superior, Corporal Harry McElwee, whose patrol car was parked adjacent to his, to pursue and stop a car for a headlight violation. He did not see the violation although apparently Corporal McElwee did. Wright followed the orders given him and stopped the car which was driven by the appellant. He observed the faulty headlight and, when appellant exited his car, observed several beer bottles inside the car. Trooper Wright placed the appellant in his patrol car wherein he smelled the odor of alcohol on and around appellant.
Trooper Wright testified that he had made numerous arrests of persons for driving while intoxicated, was familiar with the smell of alcohol, and had the opportunity to observe the appellant. At the scene he administered a portable field test to determine whether the appellant was intoxicated. He informed appellant of the consequences for the failure to take a PEI test pursuant to § 32-5-192(a), Code of Ala.1975, and transported him to the Russell County Jail where he administered the PEI test with the consent of the appellant. On cross-examination by defense counsel, Wright also stated that at the scene he recognized the appellant because he had previously arrested him for the same offense.
As defined in Draper v. United States, 358 U.S. 307, 79 S.Ct. 329, 3 L.Ed.2d 327 (1959):
"Probable cause exists where 'the facts and circumstances within their (the arresting officers') knowledge and of which they had reasonably trustworthy information (are) sufficient in themselves to warrant a man of reasonable caution in the belief that' an offense has been or is being committed...."
(Citation omitted.)
The mere fact of a radio dispatch will not in and of itself supply probable cause for a police officer to make an arrest. However, when coupled with the credibility of the source, detail of the information dispatched, and other pertinent circumstances giving rise to the dispatch and arrest, it may give rise to the requisite probable cause. Rudolph v. State, Ala.Cr.App., 371 So.2d 962, cert. denied, Ala., 371 So.2d 965 (1979); Hancock v. State, Ala.Cr.App., 368 So.2d 581, cert. denied, Ala., 368 So.2d 587 (1979); Robinson v. State, Ala.Cr.App., 361 So.2d 379, cert. denied, Ala., 361 So.2d 383 (1978); and cases cited therein. See also Campbell v. State, Ala.Cr.App., 354 So.2d 325 (1977); McClendon v. State, Ala.Cr.App., 341 So.2d 174 (1976), cert. denied, Ala., 341 So.2d 178 (1977). The knowledge possessed by a superior officer may be imputed to the individual arresting officer in determining whether probable cause existed for the arrest. Robinson, supra.
In the instant case Trooper Wright was directed by his superior, who had apparently observed the headlight violation, to pursue and stop the appellant. Upon stopping him Wright personally confirmed the accuracy of the radio dispatch. Consequently, we see no illegality in the initial stop.
In addition, Trooper Wright observed the presence of beer bottles inside the appellant's car and smelled the odor of alcohol on and about appellant. He also recognized the appellant because he had previously arrested him for the same offense. He thereby had some knowledge of the appellant's reputation. Taken collectively, the circumstances amply provided the requisite probable cause for appellant's arrest.
Appellant contends that Trooper Wright was not properly certified to administer a PEI test because he did not produce at trial an operator's permit covering the period during which the test in question was given. He cites no authority to this court in support of that contention. Wright testified that he had received special training for operating a PEI machine at the Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center in Montgomery, with such training being updated approximately every six months. He stated that he had maintained a current PEI operator's permit since becoming a State Trooper, a period of about four and one-half years. Wright testified that on January 11, 1980, he was duly certified to operate a PEI machine although he did not have a copy of that permit with him. He stated that he had no reason to keep his expired operator's permit in effect on January 11, 1980, as he had a current permit issued in May, 1980. Wright's testimony was uncontradicted by the appellant. The evidence indicates that on January 11, 1980, he was duly authorized to administer PEI tests.
Appellant argues that Trooper Wright's May, 1980, operator's permit was improperly admitted into evidence; however, the record discloses that the trial court sustained the appellant's objection to its admission.
Appellant contends the PEI machine used to administer his test was not properly calibrated, certified, and operating.
Trooper Wright testified that a record book of the tests performed by the PEI machine is regularly made and maintained by each operator in the PEI room of the Russell County Jail. He testified that notations are made into the record as each test is made. He stated that inspections by the Alabama Department of Public Safety are made monthly with the results of such being entered in the record book. Testifying from the record book, Wright noted his January 11, 1980, entry concerning the appellant...
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Washington v. State
...("[T]he facts known to one officer are imputed to other officers working under the same authority."); Parker v. State, 397 So.2d 199, 201 (Ala.Crim.App.1981) ("The knowledge possessed by a superior officer may be imputed to the individual arresting officer in determining whether probable ca......
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...lead a reasonably discreet and prudent man to believe" that a crime has been committed). See also, McCants v. State, supra, Parker v. State, 397 So.2d 199 (Ala.Cr.App.), cert. denied, 397 So.2d 203 (Ala.1981), Young v. State, 372 So.2d 409 (Ala.Cr.App.1979), Knight v. State, 346 So.2d 478 (......
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Nagem v. City of Phenix City
...test and the officer's testimony that he did, in fact, follow those rules when he administered the test in question. Parker v. State, 397 So.2d 199 (Ala.Crim.App.1981), Patton v. City of Decatur, 337 So.2d 321 (Ala.1976). Third, there must be a showing that the person administering the test......
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...test and the officer's testimony that he did, in fact, follow those rules when he administered the test in question. Parker v. State, 397 So.2d 199 (Ala.Crim.App.1981), Patton v. City of Decatur, 337 So.2d 321 (Ala.1976). Third, there must be a showing that the person administering the test......