State v. Bordeaux

2006 SD 12, 710 N.W.2d 169, 2006 S.D. LEXIS 17, 2006 WL 250703
CourtSouth Dakota Supreme Court
DecidedFebruary 1, 2006
Docket23766
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 2006 SD 12 (State v. Bordeaux) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering South Dakota Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Bordeaux, 2006 SD 12, 710 N.W.2d 169, 2006 S.D. LEXIS 17, 2006 WL 250703 (S.D. 2006).

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

[¶ 1.] Gerald Bordeaux appeals his conviction for driving or actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage (DUI). We affirm.

FACTS

[¶ 2.] On the afternoon of October 4, 2004, a pedestrian on his way to a friend’s home in Sioux Falls observed a bicyclist repeatedly falling off of the bicycle he was attempting to ride on a city street. Suspecting that the bicyclist might be intoxicated and concerned for his safety, the pedestrian used a cell phone to contact law enforcement and report the matter. A law enforcement officer was dispatched to the location given by the pedestrian. On his arrival, the officer also observed the bicyclist falling with his bicycle. The officer approached the bicyclist and identified him as Bordeaux. Based upon the odor of intoxicants, Bordeaux’s admissions that he had been drinking and other indications of intoxication, the officer reached the conclusion that Bordeaux might be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. The officer administered a series of field sobriety tests and, based upon his observations and the results of the tests, placed Bordeaux under arrest for DUI. The officer transported Bordeaux to the county jail where blood was drawn for a blood/alcohol test that later revealed a result of 0.225 percent by weight of alcohol in the blood.

[¶ 3.] Bordeaux was indicted for one count of driving or actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage in violation of SDCL 32-23-1(2) and one count of driving or actual physical control of a vehicle while having 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the blood in violation of SDCL 32 — 23—l(l). 1 A jury trial was held in magistrate court on January 4, 2005. At the close of the State’s case, Bordeaux’s counsel moved for a judgment of acquittal on the basis that there was no proof that Bordeaux was “driving” or had “actual physical control” of a vehicle at the time of his alleged offense. The trial court denied the motion and the case was submitted to the jury. The jury returned verdicts finding Bordeaux guilty of both counts of the indictment.

[¶4.] On February 3, 2005, Bordeaux was sentenced for one count of DUI to one hundred eighty days in the county jail with one hundred fifty days suspended on various terms and conditions. Bordeaux appealed his conviction to circuit court which affirmed in an order entered July 13, 2005. Bordeaux now appeals to this Court.

*172 ISSUE

[¶ 5.] Did the trial court err in denying Bordeaux’s motion for a judgment of acquittal?

[¶ 6.] Bordeaux argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a judgment of acquittal because the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction.

In reviewing a denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal, we determine “whether the ‘evidence was sufficient to sustain the convictions.’ ” State v. Janklow, 2005 SD 25, ¶ 16, 693 N.W.2d 685, 693 (citations omitted).
“In determining the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal in a criminal case, the issue before this Court is whether there is evidence in the record which, if believed by the jury, is sufficient to sustain a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” In making that determination, “we accept the evidence and the most favorable inferences fairly, drawn therefrom, which will support the verdict.” Moreover, “the jury is ... the exclusive judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight of the evidence.” Therefore, this Court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence, or pass on the credibility of witnesses, or weigh the evidence.
[State v. Pasek, 2004 SD 132, ¶ 7, 691 N.W.2d 301, 305] (citation omitted).

State v. McKinney, 2005 SD 73, ¶ 26, 699 N.W.2d 471, 480. Accord State v. Shaw, 2005 SD 105, ¶¶ 44, 51, 705 N.W.2d 620, 632-34.

[¶ 7.] Bordeaux’s argument concerning insufficiency of the evidence focuses on the elements of DUI. It is an element of that offense that a person “drive” or be in “actual physical control” of a vehicle. See SDCL 32-23-1. Bordeaux argues that the State failed to prove either of those elements here because the Legislature did not intend to prohibit the operation of a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol. In support of his assertions concerning legislative intent, Bordeaux points out that one does not generally describe the use of a bicycle as “driving” and that in other statutes regulating bicycles the Legislature referred to the “operation” of a bicycle. Thus, Bordeaux argues that had the Legislature intended to prohibit the use of a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol it would have referred to “operation” of a vehicle in the statute.

[¶ 8.] The intent of the Legislature in enacting laws is ascertained primarily from the language used in the statute. State v. Schouten, 2005 SD 122, ¶ 9, 707 N.W.2d 820, 823. “We give words their plain meaning and effect, and read statutes as a whole, as well as enactments relating to the same subject.” Id. This Court is bound by the actual language of applicable statutes and their intent is determined from what the Legislature said and not what this Court thinks it should have said. M.B. v. Konenkamp, 523 N.W.2d 94, 97 (S.D.1994). “We assume that statutes mean what they say and that the legislators have said what they meant.” Crescent Elec. Supply Co. v. Nerison, 89 S.D. 203, 210, 232 N.W.2d 76, 80 (1975). Thus, “[w]hen the language in a statute is clear, certain and unambiguous, there is no reason for construction, and the Court’s only function is to declare the meaning of the statute as clearly expressed.” MGA Ins. Co. v. Goodsell, 2005 SD 118, ¶9, 707 N.W.2d 483, 485 (quoting State v. Myrl & Roy’s Paving, Inc., 2004 SD 98, ¶ 6, 686 N.W.2d 651, 653-54).

[¶ 9.] Here, the plain meaning of the applicable statutes does not support Bordeaux’s contentions concerning legislative *173 intent. SDCL 32-23-1(2) provides that “[n]o person may drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle while ... [ujnder the influence of an alcoholic beverage!.]” (emphasis added). The Legislature has specifically defined the word “vehicle” in SDCL chapter 32-23 to include “bicycles.” SDCL 32-14-l(37)(2004 rev)(currently SDCL 32-14-1(39)).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

State v. Turner
2025 S.D. 13 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2025)
State v. Dean
Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2021
State v. Armstrong
939 N.W.2d 9 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2020)
State v. Sharpfish
2019 S.D. 49 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2019)
Schwan v. Burgdorf
2016 SD 45 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2016)
State v. Garza
2014 SD 67 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2014)
State v. Nekolite
2014 SD 55 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2014)
State v. Roubideaux
2008 SD 81 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2008)
State v. Moss
2008 SD 64 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2008)
City of Brookings v. Ramsay
2007 SD 130 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2007)
State v. Johnson
2007 SD 86 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2007)
State v. Lafferty
2006 SD 50 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 2006)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
2006 SD 12, 710 N.W.2d 169, 2006 S.D. LEXIS 17, 2006 WL 250703, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-bordeaux-sd-2006.