State v. Roetzel

2012 Ohio 4898

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: October 15, 2012
• Docket: 12-COA-010
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Roetzel, 2012-Ohio-4898.]

COURT OF APPEALS ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO : JUDGES: : : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J. : Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J. -vs- : : Case No. 12-COA-010 ROBERT D. ROETZEL : : : Defendant-Appellant : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Ashland Municipal Court, Case No. 12-TR-C-715

JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: October 15, 2012

APPEARANCES:

For Appellant: For Appellee:

THOMAS L. MASON W. DAVID MONTAGUE P.O. Box 345 1213 E. Main Street 153 West Main Street Ashland, OH 44805 Ashland, OH 44805-1600 [Cite as State v. Roetzel, 2012-Ohio-4898.]

Delaney, J.

{¶1} Appellant Robert D. Roetzel appeals from the February 6, 2012

judgment entry of the Ashland County Municipal Court overruling his motion to

suppress. Appellee is the state of Ohio.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

{¶2} This case arose on January 22, 2012 at 1:48 a.m. when Trooper Tyler

Carr of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was on routine patrol in the city of Ashland,

Ohio. He noted the night was chilly but clear; the roadway was mostly dry with some

patches of wet asphalt. The yellow line dividing the roadway was clearly visible. Carr

was southbound on Mifflin Avenue when he encountered the vehicle driven by

appellant; Carr was directly behind appellant’s vehicle.

{¶3} Carr’s attention was initially drawn to the vehicle because it was traveling

under the speed limit. The speed limit in the location is 35 miles per hour, but Carr

paced the vehicle at between 20 and 25 miles per hour. Carr then observed the

vehicle travel left of center. The roadway was divided by a solid yellow double line

and appellant drifted over the line into the opposite lane of travel.

{¶4} Carr initiated a traffic stop and made contact with appellant. Carr noted

a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle, and both appellant

and his girlfriend in the front seat appeared to be under the influence. Appellant’s

eyes were red and bloodshot. Carr asked appellant whether he thought he should be

driving because Carr believed appellant’s condition was “obvious,” but appellant said

he was O.K. Appellant’s speech was slurred; he stated he was trying to get his

girlfriend home and was driving her car. Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 3

{¶5} As appellant got out of the car, Carr asked how much he had to drink,

and appellant replied he had consumed “a couple” beverages. Once out of the

vehicle, Carr noted a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from appellant’s

person. He was placed in the backseat of Carr’s cruiser.

{¶6} Carr asked appellant to perform a number of tests to gauge whether

appellant was impaired. First, he asked him to recite the alphabet starting with “C”

and ending with “X.” Appellant started at “C” and went all the way through “Z.” Carr

then asked appellant to step out of the cruise to complete a number of standardized

field sobriety tests. Carr testified these tests were administered upon a hard, flat, level

surface and in strict compliance with his training at OPOTA and the Ohio State

Highway Patrol Academy.

{¶7} The first test administered was the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. Carr

noted appellant displayed six out of a possible six clues: lack of smooth pursuit in both

eyes, distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes, and the onset of

nystagmus before 45 degrees.

{¶8} The second test administered was the one-leg stand, on which appellant

indicated three out of four possible clues. He swayed while balancing, raised his arms

greater than 6 inches, and kept putting his foot down. Appellant was unable to

complete the one-leg stand because he put his foot down too many times.

{¶9} Finally, Carr administered the walk-and-turn test, upon which appellant

demonstrated 5 out of 8 possible clues. Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 4

{¶10} Upon completion of the field sobriety tests, Carr concluded appellant was

under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and was appreciably impaired. Appellant

was arrested for O.V.I.

{¶11} The uniform traffic ticket citing appellant indicates he was charged with

violating R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(H)1 and 4511.19(A)(1)(a). Appellant was also cited with a

left-of-center violation pursuant to R.C. 4511.25(C). Appellant entered a plea of not

guilty and moved to suppress evidence obtained from his stop and arrest, arguing

there was no lawful cause to stop or detain him, no probable cause to arrest him, and

the standardized field sobriety tests were not performed in substantial compliance with

proper standards.

{¶12} A suppression hearing was held and Trooper Carr was the sole witness.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court overruled the motion and subsequently

issued a judgment entry detailing the trial court’s findings. Appellant entered a plea of

no contest to one count of O.V.I. pursuant to R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(H). Appellee

dismissed the remaining count of O.V.I. and the left-of-center violation. The trial court

sentenced appellant to a jail term of 60 days with 54 days suspended, in addition to a

fine and a suspension of appellant’s operator’s license.

{¶13} Appellant now appeals from the trial court’s judgment entries of

conviction, sentence, and overruling the motion to suppress.

{¶14} Appellant raises one Assignment of Error:

1 The U.T.T. indicates appellant’s breath alcohol test result was .235. Issues with the breath testing equipment were raised in appellant’s motion to suppress, but appellant subsequently withdrew those arguments prior to the suppression hearing and the breath test result is not at issue in this appeal. Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 5

{¶15} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY OVERRULING A MOTION TO

SUPPRESS WHERE THE STOP AND ARREST WERE WITHOUT REASONABLE

SUSPICION OR PROBABLE CAUSE, RESPECTIVELY.”

I.

{¶16} In his sole assignment of error, appellant argues the trial court erred in

overruling his motion to suppress because the trooper did not have a reasonable,

articulable suspicion to stop the vehicle nor probable cause to arrest. We disagree.

{¶17} Appellate review of a trial court’s decision to deny a motion to suppress

involves a mixed question of law and fact. State v. Long, 127 Ohio App.3d 328, 332,

713 N.E.2d 1 (4th Dist. 1998). During a suppression hearing, the trial court assumes

the role of trier of fact and, as such, is in the best position to resolve questions of fact

and to evaluate witness credibility. State v. Brooks, 75 Ohio St.3d 148, 154, 661

N.E.2d 1030 (1996). A reviewing court is bound to accept the trial court’s findings of

fact if they are supported by competent, credible evidence. State v. Medcalf, 111 Ohio

App.3d 142, 145, 675 N.E.2d 1268 (4th Dist.1996). Accepting these facts as true, the

appellate court must independently determine as a matter of law, without deference to

the trial court’s conclusion, whether the trial court’s decision meets the applicable legal

standard. State v. Williams, 86 Ohio App.3d 37, 42, 619 N.E.2d 1141 (4th Dist.1993),

overruled on other grounds.

{¶18} There are three methods of challenging a trial court’s ruling on a motion

to suppress on appeal. First, an appellant may challenge the trial court’s finding of

fact. In reviewing a challenge of this nature, an appellate court must determine

whether the trial court’s findings of fact are against the manifest weight of the Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 6

evidence. See, State v. Fanning, 1 Ohio St.3d 19, 437 N.E.2d 583 (1982); State v.

Klein, 73 Ohio App.3d 486, 597 N.E.2d 1141 (1991). Second, an appellant may argue

the trial court failed to apply the appropriate test or correct law to the findings of fact.

In that case, an appellate court can reverse the trial court for committing an error of

law. See, Williams, supra. Finally, an appellant may argue the trial court has

incorrectly decided the ultimate or final issues raised in a motion to suppress. When

reviewing this type of claim, an appellate court must independently determine, without

deference to the trial court’s conclusion, whether the facts meet the appropriate legal

standard in any given case. State v. Curry, 95 Ohio App.3d 93, 96, 620 N.E.2d 906

(8th Dist.1994).

{¶19} The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits

warrantless searches and seizures, rendering them per se unreasonable unless an

exception applies. Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347, 357, 88 S.Ct. 507 19 L.Ed.2d

576 (1967). An investigative stop, or Terry stop, is a common exception to the Fourth

Amendment warrant requirement. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S.Ct. 1503, 20

L.Ed.2d 889 (1968). Because the “balance between the public interest and the

individual’s right to personal security” tilts in favor of a standard less than probable

cause in such cases, the Fourth Amendment is satisfied if the officer’s action is

supported by reasonable suspicion to believe that criminal activity “may be afoot.”

United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U.S. 873, 878, 95 S.Ct. 2574, 45 L.Ed.2d 607

(1975); United States v. Sokolow, 490 U.S. 1, 7, 109 S.Ct. 1581, 104 L.Ed.2d 1

(1989). In Terry, the Supreme Court held that a police officer may stop an individual if

the officer has a reasonable suspicion based upon specific and articulable facts that Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 7

criminal behavior has occurred or is imminent. See, State v. Chatton, 11 Ohio St.3d

59, 61, 463 N.E.2d 1237 (1984).

{¶20} The propriety of an investigative stop must be viewed in light of the

totality of the circumstances surrounding the stop “as viewed through the eyes of the

reasonable and prudent police officer on the scene who must react to events as they

unfold.” State v. Andrews, 57 Ohio St.3d 86, 87-88, 565 N.E.2d 1271 (1991); State v.

Bobo, 37 Ohio St.3d 177, 178, 524 N.E.2d 489 (1988). The Supreme Court of the

United States has re-emphasized the importance of reviewing the totality of the

circumstances in making a reasonable suspicion determination:

When discussing how reviewing courts should make reasonable-suspicion

determinations, we have said repeatedly that they must look at the “totality of

the circumstances” of each case to see whether the detaining officer has a

“particularized and objective basis” for suspecting legal wrongdoing. This

process allows officers to draw on their own experience and specialized training

to make inferences from and deductions about the cumulative information

available to them that “might well elude an untrained person.” Although an

officer’s reliance on a mere “hunch” is insufficient to justify a stop, the likelihood

of criminal activity need not rise to the level required for probable cause, and it

falls considerably short of satisfying a preponderance of the evidence standard.

United States v. Arvizu, 534 U.S. 266, 273, 122 S.Ct.744, 151 L.Ed.2d 740

(2002), citing United States v. Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 417-418 (1981).

Traffic stops based upon observation of a traffic violation are constitutionally

permissible. Dayton v. Erickson, 76 Ohio St.3d 3, 11-12, 1996-Ohio-431, 665 N.E.2d Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 8

1091. This Court has held that any traffic violation, even a de minimis violation, may

form a sufficient basis upon which to stop a vehicle. State v. Bangoura, 5th Dist. No.

08 CA 95, 2009-Ohio-3339, ¶ 14, citing State v. McCormick, 5th Dist. No.

2000CA00204, 2001 WL 111891 (Feb. 2, 2001).

{¶21} Appellant alleges the trooper did not have reasonable suspicion to stop

him on the basis of the marked lanes violation and observation of slow speed. He

points to the decision of the 11th District Court of Appeals in State v. Worthy, which

held that a de minimis violation, such as a marked lane violation, without other

evidence of impairment, does not justify an investigative stop. 11th Dist. No. 99-L-

063, 2000 WL 1774157 (Dec. 1, 2000). This case appears to have been abrogated by

the rationale of the Ohio Supreme Court in State v. Mays, which held a traffic stop is

constitutionally valid when an officer witnesses a motorist drift over lane markings in

violation of R.C. 4511.33, even without further evidence of erratic or unsafe driving.

119 Ohio St.3d 406, 2008-Ohio-4539, 894 N.E.2d 1204, syllabus. While those cases

involved violations of R.C. 4511.33 and this case involves a violation of R.C. 4511.25,

we find the rationale to be equally determinative: when an officer could reasonably

conclude from a person’s driving outside marked lanes that the person is violating a

traffic law, the officer is justified in stopping the vehicle. Mays, id., 2008-Ohio-4539 at

¶20.

{¶22} Moreover, in the instant case, Trooper Carr observed both a marked

lanes violation and slow speed, and we find Carr had reasonable and articulable

suspicion to stop appellant’s vehicle. See, State v. Crowe, 5th Dist. No. 07CA030015,

2008-Ohio-330. Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 9

{¶23} Appellant next argues appellee did not establish Trooper Carr had

probable cause to arrest because the NHTSA manual was not admitted into evidence

to show Carr administered the test in substantial compliance with its procedures.

{¶24} The results of field sobriety tests are admissible at trial if the state

presents clear and convincing evidence that the officer administered the tests in

substantial compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA) standards. See, R.C. 4511.19(D)(4)(b). The burden of proof in a motion to

suppress the results of a field sobriety test is on the state once the defendant has

made an issue of the legality of the test. State v. Ryan, 5th Dist. No. 02-CA-00095,

2003-Ohio-2803, ¶ 21.

{¶25} Part of the state's burden includes demonstrating what the NHTSA

standards are through competent testimony and/or by introducing the applicable

portions of the NHTSA manual. State v. Ryan, supra. In State v. Boczar, the Ohio

Supreme Court held that HGN test results are admissible in Ohio without expert

testimony if substantial compliance with testing guidelines has been shown and a

proper foundation has been established as to the administering officer's ability to

administer the test and the officer's actual technique in administering the test. 113

Ohio St.3d 148, 2007–Ohio–1251, ¶ 28.

{¶26} In this case, Trooper Carr testified to his qualifications and training in

administering the standardized field sobriety tests, as well as to the NHTSA guidelines

for administration of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the walk-and-turn test, and

the one-leg stand test. He described generally the instructions for these tests as well Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 10

as specifically how he instructed appellant to complete them and appellant’s resulting

performance.

{¶27} We note appellant does not identify any specific error with Trooper Carr’s

administration of the tests, nor point to any specific deficiency in the testimony.

Instead, he summarily argues appellee did not establish probable cause for the arrest

because the NHTSA manual was not admitted. No blanket requirement exists,

however, that appellee admit the manual. State v. Ryan, supra, 2003-Ohio-2803 at ¶

18. We find appellee otherwise demonstrated the applicable NHTSA standards by

means of the trooper’s testimony.

{¶28} Moreover, probable cause existed to arrest appellant independent of the

standardized field sobriety tests by virtue of appellant’s erratic driving, the strong odor

of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person, his admission to consumption of

alcoholic beverages, his red, bloodshot eyes, and his slurred speech. See, State v.

Smole, 5th Dist. No. 11-COA-014, 2011-Ohio-6655.

{¶29} We conclude appellee demonstrated Trooper Carr had reasonable and

articulable suspicion to stop appellant’s vehicle and probable cause to place him

under arrest for O.V.I. We affirm the trial court’s decision to overrule appellant’s

motion to suppress. Ashland County, Case No. 12-COA-10 11

{¶30} Appellant’s sole assignment of error is therefore overruled and the

judgment of the Ashland County Municipal Court is affirmed.

By: Delaney, P.J.

Gwin, J. and

Farmer, J. concur.

HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY

HON. W. SCOTT GWIN

HON. SHEILA G. FARMER

PAD:kgb [Cite as State v. Roetzel, 2012-Ohio-4898.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO

FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO : : : Plaintiff-Appellee : : -vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY : ROBERT D. ROETZEL : : : Case No. 12-COA-010 Defendant-Appellant :

For the reasons stated in our accompanying Opinion on file, the judgment of the

Ashland County Municipal Court is affirmed. Costs assessed to Appellant.