Troy Marlin Hill v. Director of Revenue , 424 S.W.3d 495 ( 2014 )

In the
Missouri Court of Appeals
Western District
TROY MARLIN HILL, )
)
Appellant, ) WD76689
)
v. ) OPINION FILED: March 25, 2014
)
DIRECTOR OF REVENUE, )
)
Respondent. )
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Lafayette County, Missouri
The Honorable Randall W. Shackelford, Judge
Before Division One: Cynthia L. Martin, Presiding Judge, Mark D. Pfeiffer, Judge and
Karen King Mitchell, Judge
Troy Hill ("Hill") appeals from the trial court's judgment sustaining the revocation
of Hill's driving privileges pursuant to section 577.041.1 In his sole point on appeal, Hill
claims that the trial court erred in sustaining the suspension of his driver's license because
there was insufficient evidence of probable cause to believe that Hill was driving a motor
vehicle in an intoxicated or drugged condition. We affirm.
Factual and Procedural History
1
All statutory references are to RSMo 2000 as supplemented unless otherwise indicated.
On March 5, 2013, Odessa Police Officer William Hotmer ("Officer Hotmer")
responded to a dispatch reporting that a black truck had been driving all over the
roadway. The truck was reportedly stopped at a Shell gas station. Officer Hotmer saw
the described truck leaving the gas station. The truck was being driven by Hill.
Officer Hotmer followed Hill. Officer Hotmer observed Hill make a wide turn
crossing into the opposing lane of traffic, weave within his own lane, and travel off the
roadway. As Hill approached a four way stop, Officer Hotmer observed him brake in a
delayed manner before coming to an incomplete stop partially in the intersection. Officer
Hotmer continued following Hill and observed him veer from the right shoulder across
the roadway and into the opposing lane of travel. At that point, Officer Hotmer activated
his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. Hill continued driving another block or
block and a half at a slow rate of speed before pulling over.
Officer Hotmer made contact with Hill and asked him for identification and proof
of insurance. Officer Hotmer observed that Hill's eyes were watery, that his pupils were
constricted in the low lighting, and that his speech was slurred and confused. Officer
Hotmer observed several prescription pill bottles in Hill's truck. Hill denied that he had
been drinking alcohol. Hill reported to Officer Hotmer that he had taken a generic brand
of Zoloft and another unknown medication.
When Officer Hotmer asked Hill to exit the vehicle he noticed that Hill's motions
were slow and that he was staggering, swaying, and had uncertain balance. Based on his
collective observations, Officer Hotmer believed Hill was intoxicated by some type of
drug or alcohol. During the stop, Officer Hotmer was advised by dispatch that Hill had
2
an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Officer Hotmer arrested Hill on the outstanding
warrant and for suspicion of driving while intoxicated by prescription medication.
Hill was transported to the Odessa Police Department where Officer Hotmer asked
him if he had any disability that would prevent him from performing the standard field
sobriety tests. Hill responded that he had a bad back. Consequently, Officer Hotmer
asked Hill to submit to an alphabet test, a counting test, and a finger dexterity test rather
than the walk and turn and one leg stand tests. Hill passed all three tests. However,
Officer Hotmer observed Hill's movements and reactions were slow as he completed the
finger dexterity test. Officer Hotmer also had Hill face him and cover one eye. Officer
Hotmer observed that Hill's pupils remained constricted and did not react to the change in
light.
Officer Hotmer requested the assistance of a drug recognition expert (a "DRE"),
but none were available. Officer Hotmer believed Hill was intoxicated by something
other than alcohol as he had not detected an odor of alcohol and because Hill's eyes were
constricted, not dilated. Officer Hotmer read Hill Missouri's Implied Consent Warning2
and requested that Hill submit to a blood test. Hill asked to talk to an attorney before he
submitted to a blood test. Officer Hotmer informed Hill that he could use a nearby room
where phone books for Kansas City, Blue Springs and Lafayette County were available.
Hill said that he would talk to an attorney on a later date. Officer Hotmer explained to
Hill that he could not wait to a later date to decide whether he was going to submit to a
2
Section 577.041.1 provides that an officer's request to submit to a chemical test or tests of the person's
breath, blood, saliva or urine "shall include the reasons of the officer for requesting the person to submit to a test and
also shall inform the person that evidence of refusal to take the test may be used against such person and that the
person's license shall be immediately revoked upon refusal to take the test."
3
blood test. Hill refused to submit to the blood test. Officer Hotmer issued Hill a notice
of revocation of his driving privileges and a fifteen day driving permit.
Hill filed a petition to review the revocation in the circuit court of Lafayette
County. A hearing was held on May 23, 2013. On May 28, 2013, the trial court
sustained the revocation of Hill's driving privileges. Hill appeals.
Standard of Review3
"In this court-tried case, the standard of review is that of Murphy v. Carron, 536
S.W.2d 30 (Mo. banc 1976). This Court will affirm the judgment unless there is no
substantial evidence to support it, it is against the weight of the evidence, it erroneously
declares the law, or it erroneously applies the law." Fick v. Dir. of Revenue, 240 S.W.3d
688, 690 (Mo. banc 2007). "If the facts of a case are contested, then this Court defers to
the trial court's determinations regarding those facts. If "the facts are not contested, then
the issue is legal and there is no finding of fact to which to defer." Id. (citation omitted).
"We review probable cause determinations de novo under an abuse of discretion
standard." Bruce v. State, 323 S.W.3d 116, 119 (Mo. App. W.D. 2010) (citing White v.
Dir. of Revenue, 321 S.W.3d 298, 310 (Mo. banc 2010) (explaining the standard and how
it is to be applied).
Analysis
3
In violation of Rule 84.04(e), Hill fails to set forth the applicable standard of review. Duncan-Anderson v.
Duncan, 321 S.W.3d 498, 500 (Mo. App. E.D. 2010). "Rule 84.04 provides the requirements for appellate briefs,
and an appellant's failure to comply with the rules and requirements of appellate procedure constitutes grounds for
dismissal of the appeal." Bradley v. Capps, 200 S.W.3d 545, 546 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006). However, "'[w]hether to
dismiss an appeal for briefing deficiencies is discretionary . . . and generally not exercised unless the deficiency
impedes disposition on the merits.'" Biersmith v. Curry Ass'n Management, Inc., 359 S.W.3d 84, 88 (Mo. App.
W.D. 2011) (citation omitted). Here, the deficiency does not impede our ability to decide the legal issue presented.
4
In his sole point on appeal, Hill asserts that the trial court erred in entering its
judgment sustaining the suspension of his driver's license because the evidence of
probable cause to believe that Hill was driving a motor vehicle in an intoxicated or
drugged condition was insufficient. Specifically, Hill complains that the Director of
Revenue ("Director") did not prove sufficient indicia of intoxication by a prudent,
cautious, and trained officer. We disagree.
At a hearing on the revocation of driving privileges for refusal to submit to
a chemical test, the circuit court shall only determine: (1) whether the driver
was arrested or stopped; (2) whether the arresting officer had reasonable
grounds to believe the driver was driving while intoxicated, and (3) whether
the driver refused to submit to the chemical test.
Id. (citing section 577.041.4). The burden is on the Director to prove all three elements
by a preponderance of the evidence. Id.
Here, it is undisputed that Hill was arrested and that Hill refused to submit to the
test. Additionally, Hill does not dispute that he was the driver. Hill challenges only the
sufficiency of the evidence to establish the second element--that Officer Hotmer had
reasonable grounds to believe that Hill was driving while intoxicated. "'Reasonable
grounds' is virtually synonymous with probable cause.'" White v. Dir. of Revenue, 321
S.W.3d 298, 305 n.6 (Mo. banc 2010) (citation omitted).
Probable cause to arrest exists when the arresting officer's knowledge of the
particular facts and circumstances is sufficient to warrant a prudent person's
belief that a suspect has committed an offense. Whether there is probable
cause to arrest depends on the information in the officers' possession prior
to the arrest. There is no precise test for determining whether probable
cause exists; rather, it is based on the particular facts and circumstances of
the individual case.
5
Hinnah v. Dir. of Revenue, 77 S.W.3d 616, 621 (Mo. banc 2002) (citations and quotation
marks omitted). "The trial court must assess the facts by viewing the situation as it would
have appeared to a prudent, cautious, and trained police officer.
Proof of probable cause need only meet the preponderance of the evidence
standard. This merely requires that the evidence, taken as a whole, is
sufficient to show the fact to be proven is more likely than not. The level
of proof necessary to show probable cause for suspension or revocation of a
driver's license is "substantially less" than that required to establish guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hager v. Dir. of Revenue, 284 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Mo. App. S.D. 2009) (citations omitted).
"Whether the driver is under the influence of alcohol or any other substance is irrelevant.
The relevant inquiry is whether or not the arresting officer had reasonable grounds for
believing that the arrested person was driving while in either an intoxicated or drugged
condition." Johnson v. Dir. of Revenue, 168 S.W.3d 139, 141 (Mo. App. W.D. 2005).
In rendering its judgment sustaining the revocation of Hill's driving privileges
under section 577.041, the trial court did not issue findings of fact or conclusions of law,
and simply held that "by a preponderance of the evidence . . . [Officer Hotmer] had
reasonable grounds to believe [Hill] was driving a motor vehicle while under the
influence of some unknown substance[.]" "Where the trial court does not make specific
findings of fact, an appellate court must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to
sustain the trial court's conclusion." Hinnah, 77 S.W.3d at 621.
Here, there was substantial evidence to support the trial court's finding that Officer
Hotmer had reasonable grounds to believe that Hill was driving while intoxicated prior to
his arrest. Officer Hotmer testified that he believed Hill's truck was the subject of the
6
dispatch about a truck driving all over the roadway, and that he followed Hill and
observed him driving erratically and weaving in his own lane, crossing into the opposing
lane, and failing to appropriately and completely stop at a stop sign before initiating the
traffic stop. Officer Hotmer testified that once he made contact with Hill he observed
indicia of intoxication including that Hill's speech was slurred and confused; that his eyes
were watery; that his pupils were constricted in the low lighting; that his responses to
questions were delayed; and that when he exited the vehicle he swayed, staggered, and
had uncertain balance. In addition, Hill admitted that he took generic Zoloft and another
unknown drug. These facts and circumstances are sufficient to support a prudent,
cautious, and trained police officer's belief that Hill committed the offense of driving
while intoxicated. "Probable cause exists when a police officer observes illegal operation
of a motor vehicle and indicia of intoxication upon contacting the motorist." Bruce, 323
S.W.3d at 119.
This case is analogous to the facts in Bruce. There, the arresting officer observed
a driver driving unusually and with multiple traffic violations. Id. at 118. Upon contact
with the driver, the arresting officer observed that the driver exhibited classic signs of
intoxication including watery, bloodshot eyes; slurred speech; and swaying when she
walked. Id. The driver also admitted to consuming two beers that evening. Id. This
court found that the arresting officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the driver
was driving under the influence. Id. at 120.
Likewise, in Coffin v. Director of Revenue, an officer received a dispatch stating
that a driver was driving the wrong way and, upon contact, the officer personally
7
observed evidence of the driver's intoxication which included bloodshot and glassy eyes
and slurred speech. 277 S.W.3d 865, 866-67 (Mo. App. W.D. 2009). We held that the
evidence supported a finding of probable cause to believe the driver was intoxicated. Id.
at 871.
Similarly, in Hinnah, an arresting officer testified that he observed a driver alone
inside a truck with its engine running, parked alongside the interstate. 77 S.W.3d at 621.
Upon contact, the officer observed that the driver had a strong odor of alcohol on his
breath; had watery, glassy, bloodshot eyes; had difficulty maintaining his balance; and
admitted running the vehicle into a concrete barrier and flattening the tire. Id. Our
Supreme Court held that the arresting officer's testimony supported a finding of
reasonable grounds to believe the driver was intoxicated. Id. at 622.
Like the facts in the aforesaid cases, here, it was undisputed that Officer Hotmer
observed Hill's erratic driving with multiple traffic violations, observed signs of
impairment, and also obtained Hill's admission that drugs were consumed. Hill
nonetheless argues that there is little to no evidence to support a finding that Officer
Hotmer had reasonable grounds to believe that Hill was driving under the influence. Hill
bases his argument on the fact that Officer Hotmer was not trained as an expert in
detecting drug impairment and he was unable to secure a DRE to examine Hill.
Hill fails to cite any authority in support of his conclusory argument that "expert"
determination of drug intoxication is an essential requisite to establishing reasonable
8
grounds to believe a driver is intoxicated.4 "An appellant has an obligation to cite
appropriate and available precedent if he expects to prevail, and, if no authority is
available to cite, he should explain the reason for the absence of citations." Brown v.
Ameristar Casino Kansas City, Inc., 211 S.W.3d 145, 148 (Mo. App. W.D. 2007).
"When 'the appellant neither cites relevant authority nor explains why such authority is
not available, the appellate court is justified in considering the points abandoned and
dismiss[ing] the appeal.'" Id. (citation omitted).
In any event, Hill's conclusory argument is without merit. Though Officer Hotmer
testified that he did not have any training as a DRE, training as a DRE is not a
prerequisite to supporting a probable cause finding. "Probable cause to arrest exists when
the arresting officer's knowledge of the particular facts and circumstances is sufficient to
warrant a prudent person's belief that a suspect has committed an offense." Hinnah, 77
S.W.3d at 621. Officer Hotmer testified that prior to arresting Hill he formed the opinion
that, based on his training, experience, and social experiences, Hill was "intoxicated by
some type of a drug or alcohol due to his driving impairment; he was all over the
roadway. When I c[a]me into contact with him, his eyes, slurred speech, and when he
exited the vehicle, I observed his motions to be slow and to be staggering and swaying,
uncertain."
4
Hill cites and attaches Holloway v. Dir. of Revenue, 324 S.W.3d 768, 775 (Mo. App. S.D. 2010), but only
for the general statement of law that there is no precise test for determining whether probable cause exists. Hill does
not offer any explanation of how or if Holloway is applicable or instructive to the present case. Nonetheless,
Holloway is distinguishable in that, there, the facts were contested and the Southern District deferred to the trial
court's credibility determination in favor of the arresting officer regarding his observations of, and contact with, the
driver. Id.
9
Further, Officer Hotmer testified on cross-examination that he requested the help
of a DRE after he arrested Hill. Plainly, it is of no consequence that Officer Hotmer
sought the assistance of a DRE after he arrested Hill. "Whether there is probable cause
to arrest depends on the information in the officers' possession prior to the arrest." Id.
(emphasis added).
The trial court's finding that Officer Hotmer had reasonable grounds to believe that
Hill was driving a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated or drugged condition is
supported by substantial evidence. Point is denied.
Conclusion
We affirm the trial court's judgment.
__________________________________
Cynthia L. Martin, Judge
All concur
10