Stavros v. Department of Motor Vehicles

507 P.2d 45, 12 Or. App. 356, 1973 Ore. App. LEXIS 1042
CourtCourt of Appeals of Oregon
DecidedMarch 5, 1973
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 507 P.2d 45 (Stavros v. Department of Motor Vehicles) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Oregon primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Stavros v. Department of Motor Vehicles, 507 P.2d 45, 12 Or. App. 356, 1973 Ore. App. LEXIS 1042 (Or. Ct. App. 1973).

Opinions

SCHWAB, C.J.

The Department of Motor Vehicles suspended plaintiff’s driver’s license for 90 days on the grounds that he refused to submit to a breathalyzer test after being arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor. ORS 482.540; ORS 483.634 et seq. Plaintiff initiated this proceeding to challenge that suspension. Judgment was entered in the trial court reversing the suspension order, and the Department appeals.

This case was submitted to the jury by special interrogatories which the jury answered as follows:

“1. Did the police officer have reasonable grounds at the time of the request to believe the plaintiff had been driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor?
“ANSWER: Yes.
“2. Did the plaintiff refuse to take the breath test?
“ANSWER: Yes.
“3. Was the plaintiff informed of the consequences of the refusal to take the breath test? '
' “ANSWER: No.
“4. Was the plaintiff informed of the right to take the chemical test in addition to the breath test?
“ANSWER: No.”

Neither party here argues that the first or second questions were improperly submitted to the jury. At trial the Department moved to withdraw the third and fourth questions from the jury, i.e., moved for a directed verdict as to those issues. The trial court’s denial of that motion is the basis of the Department’s sole assignment of error.

[359]*359As a prerequisite to a valid license suspension for refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test, the police are required to inform a driver of certain rights and consequences of his refusal. ORS 483.634(2); see, Palmer v. Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 7 Or App 219, 490 P2d 526 (1971). The information that must be conveyed to a driver is stated in a document received into evidence without objection, one portion of which reads:

“CONSEQUENCES AND RIGHTS OF REFUSAL OF BREATH TEST
“If.you refuse to take a breath test:
“1. Your driver’s license will, be suspended for 90 days.
“2: Upon your request, you will be granted a hearing. If the hearing result is adverse to you, you may appeal the matter to the circuit court for a trial.
“3. You will be permitted, upon your request . and at your own expense, reasonable opportunity to obtain the services of a doctor or surgeon, licensed nurse, qualified technician or chemist of your choosing to administer a chemical test or tests to determine the alcohol content of your blood, in addition to the one given by a police officer.
“Do you understand what has just been read to you? Will you now take a breath test to determine the alcoholic content of your blood?
“Requesting officer !' Dennis Car mo dy
“Date March 19,1971
“Time 11:12 pm
“Arrestee George C. Stavros
“Witness(es) ■ ' • Mél Iledgp.eth
[360]*360“I have been informed of items 1, 2 and 3 above:
“Arrestee’s
Signature Refused to sign”

On direct examination plaintiff testified that he observed Officer Carmody filling in blanks on the document. His testimony continued:

“Q Did you know what he was asking you to sign?
“A The implied consent thing, saying if I didn’t sign it, if I didn’t take the breath test, that I would lose my license.
* # * *
“Q Now, you testified earlier, I believe, that you had some comment made—that the officer when he was preparing the report told you what would happen if you didn’t take the breathalyzer —can you explain that? Did the officer tell you that if you refused to take the test your license would be suspended for 90 days?
“A Tes, and I read the line.
“Q Did he tell you that an administrative hearing could be had upon request if that license was so suspended?
“A I don’t believe that part got in.
“Q Did he tell you that even if there was an administrative hearing such as that, that you could appeal to the Circuit Court?
“A I felt after the treatment I had already had at the time —
“THE COURT: Just answer the question. “THE WITNESS: No.
“Q (By Mr. Hannon) Were you informed by any of the officers, Officer Carmody or Officer Yeager, that you had the right to request you [sic] [361]*361own doctor, nurse or some medically trained person to make a test upon you to determine the alcohol blood content—were you advised of your rights as a suspect to have that done?
“A I read that, but I was refused an opportunity to make a telephone call—I don’t know how I could have done it.”

On cross-examination plaintiff’s testimony concerning the document was as follows:

“Q Mr. Stavros, let me hand you that document which has been marked for purposes of identification as Defendant’s Exhibit Number 1, and that portion which is appended to the bottom, which deals with the rights and conditions of the refusal to take the breath test—do you recognize that part?
“A Ves.
“Q Is that the part that you read ?
“A Yes.
“Q Did you read it thoroughly?
“A I don’t think I read it thoroughly, no.
“Q But you read that part of the document?
“A The first line—you mean Number 1?
“Q The document itself, there are about four or three lines, are there not?
“A Again, I wasn’t in too good shape then.
“Q The question is, did you read that document?
“A I looked at it.
“Q You recognized that document you have in your hand?
“A Yes.
“Q Did Officer Carmody read that document to you?
“A Yes.
“Q And this is the document that you refused to sign, is that correct?
“A Yes.” (Emphasis supplied.)

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Related

State v. Earley
717 P.2d 1228 (Court of Appeals of Oregon, 1986)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
507 P.2d 45, 12 Or. App. 356, 1973 Ore. App. LEXIS 1042, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/stavros-v-department-of-motor-vehicles-orctapp-1973.