Parker v. State
Parker v. State
Opinion
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.
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 §
As defined in Draper v. United States,
"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.,
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 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.
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 and the last machine inspection prior to the appellant's test dated December 13, 1979. The book indicated that the PEI machine had been inspected and performed accurately. It indicated that the machine was subsequently inspected on January 14, 1980, with the same result. Wright stated that the inspector's notation indicates that the machine was operating properly when he completed his inspection, but could have been adjusted in order to perform accurately.
The record book was properly admitted into evidence as a business record which is an exception to the hearsay rule, and "[a]ll other circumstances of the making of such record, including lack of personal knowledge by the entrant or maker, may be shown to affect its weight, but they shall not affect its admissibility." Section
Trooper Wright testified that prior to administering the appellant's test he checked and inspected the machine in order to insure its proper functioning. He stated that such was done for every test given. He found no malfunction of the machine. Wright stated that the machine inspection was performed following rules and procedures issued by the State Department of Health. Wright testified that he followed those rules and procedures prior to and during the administering of the appellant's test. The rules and procedures promulgated in 1976 contain a certification by the State health officer.
We find no error in the trial court's admittance into evidence of those rules and procedures nor in the court's approval of the procedure followed by Trooper Wright in administering the appellant's test. Patton v. City of Decatur, Ala.,
Section
AFFIRMED.
All the Judges concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Henry Clayton Parker v. State.
- Cited By
- 30 cases
- Status
- Published