State v. Darnell

508 P.2d 613, 8 Wash. App. 627, 1973 Wash. App. LEXIS 1485
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedApril 3, 1973
Docket637-3
StatusPublished
Cited by24 cases

This text of 508 P.2d 613 (State v. Darnell) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Darnell, 508 P.2d 613, 8 Wash. App. 627, 1973 Wash. App. LEXIS 1485 (Wash. Ct. App. 1973).

Opinion

Munson, J.

Defendant, Newt Darnell, appeals from *628 judgment and sentence upon a jury verdict for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor (RCW 46.61.506), and driving while license suspended (RCW 46.20.342).

On September 23, 1970, at approximately 10:30 p.m., defendant was stopped by a state trooper. The trooper observed the vehicle being driven too slowly and weaving over the center line. Defendant could not produce a valid driver’s license and, according to the trooper’s testimony, appeared very intoxicated. He was asked to step out of his car and take physical sobriety tests. At the conclusion of these tests, he was taken to the patrol car and informed he was under arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol. The trooper told defendant to stay in the patrol car; nevertheless, he got out of the car and fled the scene of arrest.

During trial the trooper related statements made by defendant on the night of the arrest. These statements, which were made pursuant to questions asked by the trooper, indicated defendant had not consumed any alcohol that evening. Defendant now contends the admission of these statements was prejudicial error because the statements were related at a time when he was subjected to a custodial interrogation, not preceded by required Miranda warnings.

Statements made by a defendant during a custodial interrogation may not be introduced into evidence at trial unless the interrogation was preceded by proper Miranda warnings. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 10 A.L.R.3d 974 (1966). Even exculpatory statements, such as those made by defendant in the instant case, are to be excluded unless preceded by proper Miranda warnings. State v. Woods, 3 Wn. App. 691, 695, 477 P.2d 182 (1970); State v. Nuckols, 1 Wn. App. 189, 191, 459 P.2d 979 (1969).

The primary question here, however, is whether defendant was in custody, or otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in; any significant way, at the time the statements were elicited.

*629 Defendant could have been cited immediately after he was stopped for failure to produce a driver’s license or for his erratic driving. The statements challenged by defendant were made after the trooper was aware of these violations. This temporary detention for traffic violations, however, is not synonymous with the in-custody interrogation necessitating Miranda warnings. State v. Gray, 3 Wn. App. 146, 149, 473 P.2d 189 (1970). The existence of adequate grounds to arrest or give a citation for minor traffic violations does not necessarily present a situation of compulsive in-custody interrogation or deprivation of freedom necessitating Miranda warnings. The facts in the instant case evidence no such compulsive interrogation situation.

Both statements admitted into evidence at trial were elicited before defendant was formally arrested. The first statement was elicited upon the trooper going to defendant’s car. The trooper asked for defendant’s driver’s license and was advised it was at defendant’s home. The trooper then testified the vehicle evidenced a strong odor of alcohol; he asked defendant how much he had had to drink. Defendant replied “none”. The trooper then asked if the defendant would be willing to alight from the vehicle and perform physical sobriety tests. Up to the time the trooper asked defendant if he would get out of his vehicle, the trooper was merely conducting an investigatory interrogation. The inquiries were not yet to the status contemplated by Miranda. State v. Cloud, 7 Wn. App. 211, 498 P.2d 907 (1972), and cases cited therein. We find no constitutional error in admitting this exculpatory statement.

The second statement apparently was made while the physical sobriety tests were being conducted. Once the trooper had stopped the vehicle for traveling at an exceedingly slow speed and crossing the center line, had sensed the strong odor of alcohol in defendant’s vehicle, and observed defendant’s physical condition, he desired to further ■confirm his suspicions by physical tests. It was at that point that the investigation focused on defendant specifically for the crime charged. Once the trooper’s reasoning brought *630 him to request these tests, Miranda applied, not to the tests about to be performed, but to any statements defendant might make during the giving of such testa Once the Miranda warning was given, defendant would know he could refrain from making any statements while performing the tests.

However, the second statement was repetitive of the first, and added nothing to the information defendant had previously given the trooper. We note defendant did not object to the admission of either statement being received in evidence. Further, he testified in his own behalf, denying that he had anything to drink prior to being stopped by the trooper. Our review of the record satisfies us that the admission of the second statement was harmless error. State v. Martin, 73 Wn.2d 616, 440 P.2d 429 (1968); State v. Slack, 3 Wn. App. 116, 118, 472 P.2d 541 (1970).

Defendant also challenges his conviction for operating a motor vehicle while license suspended. He first assigns error to the giving of instruction 7 1 which defined the elements of this misdemeanor.

Defendant contends that actual notice to the accused of his suspension is a necessary element of this misdemeanor and that failure to instruct thereon was prejudicial error. He contends that his proposed instruction to that effect should have been given. We disagree.

*631 The state is authorized to revoke or suspend driving privileges upon the occurrence of specific events. RCW 46.20.285, .291, .292, .300. The procedure for invoking these sanctions is set forth by statute and provides for notice, hearing and appeal. RCW 46.20.322-.335. The statute upon which this charge is based, RCW 46.20.342, states in part:

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Bluebook (online)
508 P.2d 613, 8 Wash. App. 627, 1973 Wash. App. LEXIS 1485, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-darnell-washctapp-1973.