People v. Keen

242 N.W.2d 405, 396 Mich. 573, 1976 Mich. LEXIS 271

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: June 3, 1976
• Docket: 56474, (Calendar No. 2)
• Status: Published

Opinions

Levin, J.

The statute provides that the result of a blood alcohol test is admissible in evidence in "any criminal prosecution for driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor”.¹

The question on this appeal is whether a blood alcohol test is admissible in a prosecution for manslaughter.

We hold that where a blood alcohol test is administered pursuant to the statute the test result is not admissible in a criminal prosecution other than for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor (DUIL) or for driving while ability to operate a vehicle was impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor (DI).²

I

In Lebel v Swincicki, 354 Mich 427; 93 NW2d 281 (1958), this Court ruled that the result of a blood alcohol tqst, based on a blood sample taken from an unconscious driver, was inadmissible in a civil action as the Michigan constitutional provision securing persons from unreasonable searches and seizures³ precludes the drawing of blood without consent. The Court, on the authority of Breithaupt v Abram, 352 US 432; 77 S Ct 408; 1 L Ed 2d 448 (1957), declared that the result of such a test would be inadmissible in a Federal prosecution. Subsequently, in Schmerber v California, 384 US 757; 86 S Ct 1826; 16 L Ed 2d 908 (1966), the United States Supreme Court concluded that the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments had not been violated by the extraction of blood without consent from an apparently drunken driver and the admission in evidence in a drunk driving prosecution of the result of a chemical test of the blood.⁴ We are asked to reconsider Lebel in light of Schmerber.

We see no need, however, to decide this case on constitutional grounds. Even if we were to conclude, on reconsideration of Lebel, that the drawing of blood from an apparently drunken driver does not violate his rights under the Michigan Constitution, the statute limits the authority of police officers to request the taking of blood and limits the use that may be made of a test result obtained pursuant to exercise of that authority.

II

Section 625 of the Michigan Vehicle Code makes it an offense to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.⁵

In 1960, after Lebel was decided, §625a was added.⁶ It made admissible in DUIL prosecutions the result of a blood alcohol test administered with the written consent of the driver. It additionally provided that the driver be advioed of his right to have or to refuse a test and established certain presumptions regarding the extent of intoxication based on the test result.

After Schmerber was decided, § 625a was modified⁷ and §§625c-625g were added.⁸ Section 625c provides that a person who operates a motor vehicle "is deemed to have given consent” to a blood alcohol test if he is arrested while driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while his ability to drive has been impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor.

Section 625d provides, however, that "[a] person under arrest shall be advised of his right to refuse to submit to chemical tests; and if he refuses the request of a law enforcement officer to submit to chemical tests, no test shall be given”.

If the driver refuses to take a test, a sworn report is required to be forwarded to the Secretary of State who shall give notice of the right to request a motor vehicle license revocation hearing.⁹ If the driver does not timely request a hearing, the Secretary of State shall suspend or revoke his license for a period of not less than 90 days nor more than 2 years.¹⁰ After a requested hearing the Secretary of State may suspend, revoke or deny issuance of a driving license.* ¹¹

Ill

In this case, the officer requested and the driver consented to the test.

While §§ 625c et seq are sometimes called the "implied consent law” and § 625c provides that a person who operates a motor vehicle "is deemed to have given consent” to a blood alcohol test, companion § 625d in terms provides that "no test shall be given” to a person who refuses to consent. Under the statute the issue is not viewed in the context of search and seizure, but solely in terms of consent.

The people rely on State v Spry, 87 SD 318, 323-325; 207 NW2d 504, 507-508 (1973). The South Dakota statute requires the officer to advise the driver of his right to refuse to submit to a blood alcohol test and the consequences of such refusal in respect to the revocation of his driving privileges. Before Spry declined to exercise his right to refuse, he had asked the officer, who was aware that the driver of the other car had died, whether anyone was seriously injured and the officer responded, "I’m afraid so”. The South Dakota Supreme Court said, "It is clear that the results of the blood test were admissible despite the failure of the police officer to inform the defendant that the driver of the other car had died as a result of the accident. The statute makes no requirement that the subject be informed of any more than that he has a right to refuse and that his license will be suspended if he does.”

The South Dakota Court considered and rejected another contention of the defendant, adding: "Aside from all that, however, we hold that a defendant’s consent or refusal is irrelevant to the admission of the results of the blood test if the test is taken pursuant to a valid arrest”.

We can accept that dictum if the South Dakota Court meant that consent or refusal is irrelevant for purposes of the Federal constitution and the South Dakota statute. But consent is not irrelevant under the Michigan statute. The South Dakota statute speaks of presumptions that arise from certain test results but is silent regarding the admissibility of test results. The Michigan statute specifically provides that test results are admissible in DUIL prosecutions. The South Dakota statute does not provide that the driver be advised regarding the use that may be made of test results. The Michigan statute provides that the driver be informed that test results would be admissible in a DUIL prosecution.

Even though the taking of an automobile driver’s blood without consent does not violate the Federal Constitution and even if on reconsideration of Lebel we were to conclude that it did not violate the Michigan Constitution, it would still be within the legislative prerogative to limit the right of police officers and others to take blood from allegedly drunken drivers. Whether consent is or is not constitutionally required, the Legislature may decide that the interest in enforcement of the drunk driving laws does not justify subjecting unconsenting drivers to blood alcohol tests — imposition of the sanction of revocation of driver’s license for unreasonable refusal to consent to a test appropriately protects the public interest.¹²

Under the Michigan statute, consent is not only relevant but determinative of whether and to what extent the result of a test administered under the authority of the statute can be used.

The scope of the consent given in Keen, whether it extended to use of the test result in a criminal prosecution other than for DUIL, depends on a construction of the statute and what occurred when Keen’s consent was solicited and given.

IV

Since its original enactment in 1960, § 625a has limited the use that may be made of the results of a test administered with the driver’s consent pursuant to the statute.

Section 625a begins: "(1) In any criminal prosecution for¹³ driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor”. The qualifying words, prosecution for "driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor” are repeated in the opening clause of both the first and second sentences of subparagraph (3):

"(3) A person charged with driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor who takes a chemical test administered at the request of a police officer as provided in paragraph (1) and (2) hereof, shall be informed that he will be given a reasonable opportunity to have a person of his own choosing administer one of the chemical tests as provided in this section within a reasonable time after his detention, and the results of such test shall be admissible and shall be considered with other competent evidence in determining the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Any person charged with driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor shall be informed that he has the right to demand that one of the tests provided for in paragraph (1) shall be given him, and the results of such test shall be admissible and shall be considered with other competent evidence in determining the innocence or guilt of the defendant. ” (Emphasis supplied.)

We read the statute to mean that test results will be used only in determining guilt or innocence in a prosecution for driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or for driving while ability to operate a vehicle was impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor¹⁴ and for no other purpose.¹⁵ In the context of an arrest for "driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor”, advice that results of a consensual test will be used to determine the innocence or guilt of the driver means innocence or guilt of the offense for which the driver was arrested.¹⁶

The Secretary of State who, pursuant to the power granted to him,¹⁷ has prescribed the advice of rights to be given by police officers to persons arrested pursuant to §§ 625a-625 of the Michigan Vehicle Code, appears to have placed that construction on the statute.¹⁸ The arresting officer is required to advise the driver:

(a) "You have been arrested for the offense of driving a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while your ability to operate a motor vehicle has been impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor.”

(b) "I am further advising you of your right to take a chemical test to determine the alcoholic content of your person * * * ”.

(c) "I further advise you * * * that the results of such tests shall be admissible and shall be considered with other competent evidence in determining your guilt or innocence in any prosecution relating to your driving a vehicle while either under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while your ability to operate a vehicle was impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor.”¹⁹

A driver advised that he has been arrested for DUIL or for DI and that if he consents to a chemical test the test results shall be admissible and shall be considered evidence in determining his guilt or innocence in any prosecution for driving a vehicle while "either” under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while his ability to operate a vehicle was impaired through intoxication would justifiably conclude that if he were to consent to the requested test the test results would only be used in a prosecution for the offense for which he was arrested and that his consent obtained on that understanding would not warrant use of the test results for other purposes.

It would exceed the scope of the consent given to allow test results obtained on the representation that they will be used in prosecutions where the maximum penalty for a first offender is 90 days imprisonment to be used in prosecutions for a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years.²⁰

A police officer has no statutory authority to request that a driver submit to a blood alcohol test unless the arrest is for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor. The officer is required to advise the driver that if he consents to a test, the test results shall be admissible in DUIL and driving while impaired prosecutions. Test results obtained following consent obtained on that advice cannot properly be used in a prosecution for manslaughter. The test results are not admissible in this case.

We intimate no opinion on the continued viability of Lebel. Lebel does not preclude the Legislature from broadening the admissibility of test results where the driver consents to a test.

V

The Court of Appeals held that by reason of People v Renno, 392 Mich 45; 219 NW2d 422 (1974), the defendant’s past driving convictions and any other misdemeanor convictions could not be used at the trial solely for impeachment purposes. Keen states that he "fears the attempt will be made to introduce these items on a 'pattern, habit or custom’ basis”. The prosecutor counters that since the people have not had a hearing on the prosecutor’s theory for such use, the issue "is untimely, premature and not ripe for decision” by this Court. We agree that since the issue has not been developed at the trial level, it is not properly before us, but do not wish to be understood as approving or disapproving of such use.

The Court of Appeals is reversed and the cause is remanded for trial.

Kavanagh, C. J., and Williams, Coleman, Fitzgerald, Lindemer, and Ryan, JJ., concurred with Levin, J.

1 MCLA 257.625a; MSA 9.2325(1).

2 Our holding is in accord with the opinion of Judge T. M. Burns dissenting in the Court of Appeals.

'T am convinced that MCLA 257.625(a); MSA 9.2325(1) applies only to criminal prosecutions for DUIL or DI. In my opinion, it is quite clear that the Legislature intended, through the enactment of the 1967 amendment changing the wording of the statute from 'relating to’ DUIL to 'for’ DUIL, that the admissibility of Breathalyzer tests and the corresponding statutory presumptions be limited to drunk-driving cases.” Separate opinion of T. M. Burns, J., People v Keen, 56 Mich App 84, 92, 96; 223 NW2d 700 (1974).

3 Const 1908, art 2, § 10 (now Const 1963, art 1, § 11).

4 Following an automobile accident Schmerber was taken to a hospital. A blood sample was withdrawn at the direction of a police officer, and introduced in evidence in a subsequent trial. Schmerber, who had refused to consent to the test, was convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

5 MCLA 257.625; MSA 9.2325.

⁶

7 Section 625a was added by 1960 PA 148. It was first amended by 1964 PA 104.

As originally enacted the section required that the allegedly intoxicated person give consent to a chemical test in writing and acknowledge in writing "that he is not required by law to give his consent”. This language was eliminated in 1964.

The 1964 amendment did provide, however, that "[t]he person charged shall be advised of his right to refuse to take any test provided for in this act” and both the 1960 and 1964 versions provided that "refusal on the part of any person to submit to any such test shall not be admissible in any criminal prosecution relating to driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor”. Conforming to other changes made by the 1967 act (1967 PA 253), this provision was eliminated and the following language substituted:

"(4) The person charged shall be advised that his refusal to take a test as herein provided shall result in the suspension or revocation of his operator’s or chauffeur’s license or his operating privilege.”

In 1966, §625b was added making it an offense for any person to operate a motor vehicle "when, due to consumption of intoxicating liquor * * * he has visibly impaired his ability to operate the vehicle.” 1966 PA 243.

The 1960 and 1964 versions provided that if there was at the time of the test 0.05% or less by weight of alcohol it would be presumed that the defendant was not under the influence; if there was in excess of 0.05% but less that 0.15% such fact shall not give rise to any presumption but could be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant and if there was 0.15% or more it shall be presumed that the defendant was under the influence. The 1967 act retained the former presumption that the defendant was not under the influence if there was at that time 0.05% or less but reduced the area of no presumption to the range between 0.05% and less than 0.10%. If there was 0.10% or more it would be presumed that "the defendant’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired within the provisions of section 625b of this act due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor”. The former rule that it would be presumed that the defendant was under the influence if there was 0.15% or more was retained.

In 1971 (1971 PA 154), the presumptions were changed as follows: (a) 0.07% or less, presumed that the defendant was not under the influence; (b) in excess of 0.07% but less than 0.10%, presumed that the defendant’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired within the provisions of § 625b due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor; (c) 0.10% or more, presumed that the defendant was under the influence.

8 MCLA 257.625c-257.625g; MSA 9.2325(3)-9.2325(7).

9 A hearing may be requested for the purpose of determining whether (i) the officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the person was driving under the influence or while his ability to drive had been impaired; (ii) the person was placed under arrest on that account; (iii) he reasonably refused to submit to a test; and (iv) he was advised of his rights.

10 MCLA 257.625f; MSA 9.2325(6).

11 Id.

A 1968 act, 1968 PA 335, made certain changes in the procedures regarding license suspension hearings and appeals.

12 While the Federal constitutional question was decided in Schmerber, the principles espoused by the four dissenting justices might dissuade legislators from dispensing with the present statutory requirement of consent.

Chief Justice Warren reiterated (Schmerber v California, 384 US 757, 772; 86 S Ct 1826; 16 L Ed 2d 908 [1966]) the views he had expressed in dissent in Breitbaupt:

"that due process means at least that law-enforcement officers in their efforts to obtain evidence from persons suspected of crime must stop short of bruising the body, breaking skin, puncturing tissue or extracting body fluids, whether they contemplate doing it by force or by stealth”. Breithaupt v Abram, 352 US 432, 440, 442; 77 S Ct 408; 1 L Ed 2d 448 (1957). Justices Black and Douglas, who joined in the Chief Justice’s Breithaupt opinion, dissented on the further ground that the defendant’s constitutional right against self-incrimination had been violated. Schmerber v California, supra, p 773. Justice Douglas, in a separate opinion, added: "We are dealing with the right of privacy which, since the Breithaupt case, we have held to be within the penumbra of some specific guarantees of the Bill of Rights. * ** * No clearer invasion of this right of privacy can be imagined than forcible blood-letting of the kind involved here.” Schmerber v California, supra, pp 778-779. Justice Fortas also dissented: "As prosecutor, the State has no right to commit any kind of violence upon the person, or to utilize the results of such a tort, and the extraction of blood, over protest, is an act of violence.” Schmerber v California, supra, p 779.

13 The 1960 and 1964 enactments use the words "relating to”. Keen contends that the change to "for” in 1967 makes clearer the limited use which may be made of test results.

14 In adding §§625c through 625g the Legislature did not make conforming amendments to §§ 625 and 625a adding after "for driving a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor” the words "or while his ability to operate a vehicle has been impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor”. It is nevertheless clearly the sense of the amendments that §§ 625 and 625a should be read as if such conforming amendments had been made.

15 Cf. People v Moore, 395 Mich 643; 237 NW2d 464 (1975) (a manslaughter prosecution) with People v Koval, 371 Mich 453; 124 NW2d 274 (1963) (a DUIL prosecution).

16 Unless the driver is arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor no such advice can properly be given. See MCLA 257.625c(l)(a); MSA 9.2325(3)(l)(a).

17 Section 625d was amended in 1968 to provide that "[t]he form of the report shall be prescribed and furnished by the department of state”. 1968 PA 335.

18 The following appears on the reverse side of the Officer’s Sworn Report of Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test:

"Advice of Rights for Chemical Test

"(The following Advice of Rights shall be read to all persons arrested pursuant to Section 625(aHf) of Act 300 of 1949, as amended)

"I am a law enforcement officer and pursuant to law I am hereby advising you that you have been arrested for the offense of driving a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while your ability to operate a motor vehicle has been impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor. I am further advising you of your right to take a chemical test to determine the alcoholic content of your person through analysis of a specimen of your blood, breath, urine, or saliva; and further I am offering you such a chemical test and requesting that you take a chemical test. I further advise you that you have the following rights:

"(1) That the results of such tests shall be admissible and shall be considered with other competent evidence in determining your guilt or innocence in any prosecution relating to your driving a vehicle while either under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while your ability to operate a vehicle was impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating liquor.

"(2) That you have a right to refuse to take any such tests, and if you so refuse, no tests shall be given to you.

"(3) That your refusal to take a test as provided may result in the suspension or revocation of your operator’s or chauffeur’s license or operating privilege.

"(4) Notwithstanding any other provision mentioned herein or anything else, you have the option to demand that only a breath test shall be given you, in which case your refusal to submit to any other test shall not constitute a refusal to take a chemical test.

"(5) That after taking a chemical test, administered at the request or direction of a law enforcement officer, you have a reasonable opportunity to have a person of your own choosing administer one of said chemical tests, within a reasonable time of detention, and that the results of such test shall be admissible and shall be considered with other competent evidence in determining your guilt or innocence in any prosecution relating to your driving a vehicle while either under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while your ability to operate a vehicle was impaired due to the consumption of intoxicating .liquor.

"(6) Regardless of any other provision, if you are afflicted with hemophilia, diabetes or any condition requiring the use of an anticoagulant under the direction of a physician, you need not consent to a withdrawal of your blood, but may take a urine or a breath test.”

The sworn report contains the statement: "I read to him the contents of the Advise [sic] of Rights for Chemical Test on the reverse side hereof’.

¹⁹

20 Section 625 provides that for conviction of driving under the influence a person shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by a fine of not less that $50 nor more than $100, or both. On a second conviction the offender may be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year and a fine of not more than $1,000. On a third or subsequent conviction within a period of ten years the offender shall be deemed guilty of a felony. Under MCLA 750.503; MSA 28.771, he may on that account be punished by imprisonment for not more than four years.

Section 625b provides that a person convicted of driving while impaired may be imprisoned for not more than 90 days or fined not more than $100, or both, together with the costs of the prosecution. On a second and subsequent conviction he may be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not to exceed $1,000, or both.

The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 15 years imprisonment. MCLA 750.321; MSA 28.553.