State v. Karmen, 86-170
| Decision Date | 18 November 1988 |
| Docket Number | No. 86-170,86-170 |
| Citation | 150 Vt. 547,554 A.2d 670 |
| Court | Vermont Supreme Court |
| Parties | STATE of Vermont v. Charles G. KARMEN. |
Mark T. Cameron, Windsor County Deputy State's Atty., White River Junction, for plaintiff-appellee.
William E. Kraham, Brattleboro, for defendant-appellant.
Before ALLEN, C.J., PECK, GIBSON and DOOLEY, JJ., and BARNEY, C.J. (Ret.), Specially Assigned.
Defendant appeals his conviction after jury trial of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor (DUI), in violation of 23 V.S.A. § 1201(a)(2). The sole issue is whether the trial court erred in admitting the result of his breath test into evidence. We find that it did, and reverse.
Defendant was arrested shortly before midnight on September 25, 1985 and transported in handcuffs to the Springfield Police Department for processing. At police headquarters, defendant, on advice of counsel, submitted to a breath test, which was performed at 12:38 a.m. on September 26th.
Defendant was advised by the police that he would be released on citation as soon as a friend could come and pick him up. He was also advised that he had the right to have an independent blood test at his own expense, but since he was not being detained, he would have to make the necessary arrangements himself. Almost two hours passed, however, before defendant's brother-in-law came and picked him up. Meanwhile, because of his unruly behavior, defendant was handcuffed and chained to a bar in a locked room.
On leaving the police station, defendant did not ask his relative to take him to a hospital for a blood test, nor did he otherwise go on his own. He later stated that he thought it would have been too late for a blood test to be taken.
In a pretrial motion to suppress the result of the breath test, the court found that defendant was detained in custody after administration of the evidentiary test, giving rise to a statutory obligation under 23 V.S.A. § 1202(c) for the police to make arrangements for the administration of a blood test upon demand. * The court nonetheless denied the motion on the grounds that defendant had failed to make an unequivocal demand for one.
On appeal, defendant argues that it was error for the court to admit his breath test. Defendant also urges three other grounds for reversal, which we do not reach since the first issue is dispositive of the appeal.
This Court has previously examined the obligation of the police to arrange for an independent blood test under 23 V.S.A. § 1202(c). In State v. Normandy, 143 Vt. 383, 465 A.2d 1358 (1983), the police informed the defendant of his right to such a test, as follows: "Since you are not going to jail, you have to make your own arrangements [to have a blood test]." The defendant was not read the alternative paragraph, which states: "Since I am taking you to jail, you must tell me at this time if you want a blood test so I can make arrangements." Subsequently, after administering a breath test, the police decided to lodge the defendant overnight but neglected to inform him of their obligation to make arrangements for a blood test on his behalf. Finding that defendants cannot be expected to possess independent knowledge of such rights, we held in Normandy that...
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Green v. State
...State v. Smith, 321 S.C. 13, 467 S.E.2d 110 (App.1996) rev'd on other grounds, 326 S.C. 39, 482 S.E.2d 777 (1997); State v. Karmen, 150 Vt. 547, 554 A.2d 670 (1988); State v. Turpin, 94 Wash.2d 820, 620 P.2d 990 (1980); City of Mequon v. Hess, 158 Wis.2d 500, 463 N.W.2d 687 (App.1990); Olso......
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State v. Sheperd
...to contact a public defender regardless of financial position" when detained for driving under the influence); State v. Karmen, 150 Vt. 547, 548–49, 554 A.2d 670, 671 (1988) (involving right to demand blood test when detained for driving under the influence). The veterinarian requirement, i......
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State v. Sheperd
...to contact a public defender regardless of financial position" when detained for driving under the influence); State v. Karmen, 150 Vt. 547, 548-49, 554 A.2d 670, 671 (1988) (involving right to demand blood test when detained for driving under the influence). The veterinarian requirement, i......
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State v. Dake, S-93-1101
...of the State's breath test, and affirmed the motorist's conviction. While authority can be found to the contrary, e.g., State v. Karmen, 150 Vt. 547, 554 A.2d 670 (1988), many states hold that while under statutes similar to § 39-669.09 the police cannot hamper a motorist's efforts to obtai......