State v. Melcher

655 P.2d 1169, 33 Wash. App. 357
Court of Appeals of Washington·Decided December 9, 1982·No. 4505-6-III·Published·Cited by 13 cases

Opinion

33 Wn. App. 357 (1982)
655 P.2d 1169

THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, Respondent,
v.
GLEN LEON MELCHER, Appellant.

No. 4505-6-III.

The Court of Appeals of Washington, Division Three.

December 9, 1982.

Steven Lacy, for appellant.

E.R. Whitmore, Jr., Prosecuting Attorney, and James E. Freeley, Deputy, for respondent.

MUNSON, J.

Glen Leon Melcher was stopped May 24, 1980, at 4:20 p.m., 15 miles west of Leavenworth, Washington, for driving erratically. Mr. Melcher failed to adequately perform physical tests and, at approximately 6 p.m., was given a Breathalyzer test. The test result was ".20 plus." He was convicted of drunk driving in Chelan County District Court, sought de novo review in superior court,[1] and now appeals his superior court conviction.

Prior to and during the superior court trial, Mr. Melcher challenged RCW 46.61.502(1) on constitutional grounds. The trial court rejected Mr. Melcher's challenges and found him guilty of driving while under the influence. He was given 180 days in jail with 150 suspended, a $300 fine, his driver's license was suspended for 60 days, and he was ordered to attend an alcohol treatment program. His appeal *359 raises only constitutional issues concerning RCW 46.61.502[2] and RCW 46.61.506(3).[3]

[1] Initially, we note that where legislation tends to promote the health, safety, morals or welfare of the public and the legislation bears a reasonable and substantial relation to that purpose, every presumption will be indulged in favor of constitutionality. Duckworth v. Bonney Lk., 91 Wn.2d 19, 586 P.2d 860 (1978). The challenging party must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the challenged statute is unconstitutional. Sator v. Department of Rev., 89 Wn.2d 338, 346, 572 P.2d 1094 (1977).

Mr. Melcher first asserts RCW 46.61.502(1) violates constitutional guaranties of due process by failing to give fair notice of proscribed conduct. He contends it is virtually impossible for an individual to ascertain when his blood alcohol level reaches 0.10 percent. This argument was answered adversely to his contention in State v. Franco, 96 Wn.2d 816, 824-25, 639 P.2d 1320 (1982).

Mr. Melcher next contends RCW 46.61.506(3) unlawfully *360 delegates legislative power without necessary procedural safeguards, i.e., the law incorrectly allows the state toxicologist to approve techniques or methods of chemical analysis. Mr. Melcher correctly cites Barry & Barry, Inc. v. Department of Motor Vehicles, 81 Wn.2d 155, 164, 500 P.2d 540 (1972) for the proposition that

adequate procedural safeguards must be provided, in regard to the procedure for promulgation of the rules and for testing the constitutionality of the rules after promulgation.

There are four answers to Mr. Melcher's contention.

[2] First, nothing in the record indicates this argument was raised at trial. The record shows RCW 46.61.502 was challenged, but does not refer to RCW 46.61.506. An argument not raised at trial is deemed waived. Brown v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 94 Wn.2d 359, 617 P.2d 704 (1980).

[3] Second, nothing in the record shows any administrative rules were promulgated without the required compliance with the public notice provisions of RCW 34.04.025 (Mr. Melcher is apparently referring to WAC 448-12 and WAC 448-14). An alleged error, without basis in the record, is deemed waived. Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. v. Mester, 86 Wn.2d 135, 542 P.2d 756 (1975); Twisp v. Methow Vly. Irrig. Dist., 32 Wn. App. 132, 646 P.2d 149 (1982).

[4, 5] Third, while Mr. Melcher asserts the procedures were adopted without providing for judicial testing, case law indicates otherwise. See, e.g., Seattle v. Rainwater, 86 Wn.2d 567, 546 P.2d 450 (1976); State v. Moore, 79 Wn.2d 51, 483 P.2d 630 (1971); Bremerton v. Osborne, 66 Wn.2d 281, 401 P.2d 973 (1965). Moreover, the testing procedure involved has been thoroughly reviewed by our Supreme Court and found to be very accurate. Seattle v. Rainwater, supra; State v. Baker, 56 Wn.2d 846, 355 P.2d 806 (1960). Defendants have been able to challenge both the testing procedure and the competence of the testing person. State v. Franco, supra at 828.

Barry & Barry, Inc. v. Department of Motor Vehicles, supra, represented a shift from basing review solely on *361 whether adequate standards of delegation exist to whether adequate procedural safeguards exist to prevent arbitrary agency action. Yakima Cy. Clean Air Auth. v. Glascam Builders, Inc., 85 Wn.2d 255, 262, 534 P.2d 33 (1975) (Finley, J., concurring). Since Barry, the Supreme Court has consistently upheld agency rules where RCW 34.04 provided either notice prior to enactment or some means to review the decision. Northwest Gillnetters Ass'n v. Sandison, 95 Wn.2d 638, 628 P.2d 800 (1981) (review under RCW 34.04); State v. Bryan, 93 Wn.2d 177, 606 P.2d 1228 (1980) (legislative review by statute); State v. Crown Zellerbach Corp., 92 Wn.2d 894, 602 P.2d 1172 (1979) (review under RCW 34.04); McDonald v. Hogness, 92 Wn.2d 431, 598 P.2d 707 (1979) (judicial review); Polygon Corp. v. Seattle, 90 Wn.2d 59, 578 P.2d 1309 (1978) (statutory framework and judicial review);

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