State v. Byrne

542 A.2d 667, 149 Vt. 257, 1988 Vt. LEXIS 8
Supreme Court of Vermont·Decided January 22, 1988·No. 85-262·Published·Cited by 13 cases

Opinion

*258 Dooley, J.

Defendant was convicted, after a jury trial in the Lamoille District Court, of two violations of the state motor vehicle code. The first conviction was for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor (DUI), in violation of 23 V.S.A. § 1201. The second conviction was for operating a motor vehicle while his license was under suspension (DLS), in violation of 23 V.S.A. § 674. He appeals both convictions. We affirm.

Defendant’s convictions stem from his arrest in the Village of Stowe on July 6, 1984. On the date in question, the Stowe Police Chief observed his vehicle traveling at an excessively slow rate of speed, leading a line of twelve cars, and traveling erratically. The chief radioed to an officer who positioned himself, roadblock fashion, at a point north of the defendant’s vehicle.

As defendant’s vehicle neared — still proceeding slowly and erratically — the officer activated the blue lights on his cruiser and stood in the roadway, signaling for him to stop. Defendant ignored the signal to stop and continued past the officer. At that point, the officer observed that defendant was driving the vehicle. Defendant stopped the vehicle a short distance to the north and attempted to change positions with a passenger in the vehicle.

When the officer reached the defendant, he placed him under arrest, handcuffed him, and placed him in the police cruiser. Defendant appeared to be intoxicated so that his speech was slurred and unintelligible.

While still in the cruiser, defendant was questioned by the officer and was asked to identify himself. At first he refused, but then complied when he was told that further charges could be brought if he did not answer. In response to questions, he gave his name and date of birth and indicated that he did not think that his license was under suspension. At some point, he apparently stated that he had not been driving the vehicle. The officer ran a license check and found that defendant’s operating privileges were suspended. He was then taken to the police station.

At the police station, defendant was processed for DUI. He was read his rights under the implied consent law, 23 V.S.A. § 1202, and was permitted to telephone an attorney. He then refused to submit to a breath test, at which point he was read his “Mi randa” rights.

At his arraignment defendant moved to suppress all evidence obtained against him. He argued that the stop leading to the ar *259 rest was unlawful and, thus, any evidence obtained as a result was inadmissible as the fruit of an illegal stop. His principal claim was that the arresting officer had violated his right to be protected against unreasonable search and seizure as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Chapter I, Article 11 of the Vermont Constitution. Additionally, he argued that his responses to questions asked prior to the receipt of Miranda warnings should be suppressed because his right to remain silent had been violated. Finally, he argued that he had been denied his right to consult freely and confidentially with an attorney because both the police chief and the arresting officer were seated at the same table as defendant while he spoke with his attorney by telephone. Because of the violation of his right to counsel, he claimed that his refusal to submit to a breath test should be suppressed.

Defendant’s motion to suppress was denied, and the court found that he had refused to submit to a test under 23 V.S.A. § 1205(a). In regard to the motion to suppress, the judge determined that “[u]nder the totality of the circumstances, [the] officer had probable cause to stop the defendant’s vehicle and [the] only statements made by the defendant were the result of on-the-scene questioning.” The judge also found that “defendant was given and understood his rights under The Implied Consent Law and Miranda,” and that the request to submit to a breath test was reasonable, and that “defendant refused to submit with knowledge and understanding of the consequences.”

At trial, testimony was introduced about defendant’s refusal to submit to a breath test, and the prosecution argued to the jury that the refusal was evidence of consciousness of guilt. Testimony was also introduced about statements made by him after his arrest but prior to his receipt of Miranda warnings.

On appeal, defendant raises four arguments. First, defendant contends that the police violated his right to consult freely and confidentially with an attorney by remaining in close proximity to him during his telephone conversation with counsel. Second, defendant claims that the trial court erred in refusing to suppress his post-arrest, pre-Miranda statements to police. Third, defendant contends that evidence of his failure to give police an exculpatory account of his conduct was improperly admitted at trial and violated his constitutionally guaranteed right against self-incrimination. Finally, defendant argues, as an independent alter *260 native basis for reversal, that the trial court failed to state material findings of fact in its denial of his motion to suppress.

Defendant’s first claim of error fails because it has not been properly preserved for appeal. See State v. Campbell, 146 Vt. 25, 27, 497 A.2d 375, 377 (1985); State v. Boucher, 144 Vt. 276, 282, 478 A.2d 218, 222 (1984); State v. Durling, 140 Vt. 491, 496-97, 442 A.2d 455, 458 (1981). Absent error affecting “substantial rights” of a defendant, V.R.Cr.P. 52(b), or resulting in a “miscarriage of justice if we do not recognize it,” State v. Campbell, 146 Vt. at 27, 497 A.2d at 377, this Court will not review, for the first time on appeal, issues that have not been raised at the trial level and preserved for review. At trial, defendant did not object to the introduction of evidence of his refusal to submit to a breath test. Nor was there an objection to the charge on this point. In fact, at no point did defendant, with any degree of particularity, call to the attention of the trial judge any interference with his right to consult freely and confidentially with an attorney about the breath test.

Defendant argues that he preserved the issue at his suppression hearing. The record indicates that he did argue at the hearing that his right to consult with counsel had been impaired. However, our rule is that when a different judge presides at trial than did at the suppression hearing, efforts to exclude evidence must be renewed at trial in order to provide the trial judge an opportunity to rule on the admissibility of the evidence. State v. Senecal, 145 Vt. 554, 558, 497 A.2d 349, 351 (1985). In the instant case, different judges presided over the suppression and refusal hearing and the trial. Thus, defendant’s actions at the suppression hearing are not determinative.

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State v. Byrne, 542 A.2d 667, 149 Vt. 257, 1988 Vt. LEXIS 8 (Vt. 1988).

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