J. Rodriguez v. Bureau of Driver Licensing ( 2023 )


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  •            IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Jeremiah Rodriguez,                              :
    Appellant          :
    :
    v.                        :    No. 965 C.D. 2022
    :    Submitted: May 5, 2023
    Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,                    :
    Department of Transportation,                    :
    Bureau of Driver Licensing                       :
    BEFORE:        HONORABLE RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, President Judge
    HONORABLE CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge
    HONORABLE LORI A. DUMAS, Judge
    OPINION NOT REPORTED
    MEMORANDUM OPINION BY
    PRESIDENT JUDGE COHN JUBELIRER                       FILED: August 16, 2023
    Jeremiah Rodriguez (Licensee) appeals from the August 17, 2022 Order1 of
    the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County (common pleas) denying his
    administrative appeal from a one-year suspension of his operating privileges2
    imposed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation,
    Bureau of Driver Licensing (Bureau) under Section 1547(b)(1)(i) of the Vehicle
    Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § 1547(b)(1)(i), commonly known as the Implied Consent Law,
    for his refusal to submit to chemical testing.3 The sole issue Licensee raises on
    1
    The Order is dated August 17, 2022, and was exited August 18, 2022.
    2
    Licensee’s administrative appeal and the trial court’s opinion refer to the suspension as a
    90-day suspension, although the official notice of suspension reflects a suspension period of 1
    year.
    3
    Section 1547(b)(1)(i) of the Vehicle Code states:
    (Footnote continued on next page…)
    appeal is whether the police had reasonable grounds to believe Licensee was
    operating or in actual physical control of the motor vehicle while driving under the
    influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. After Licensee filed his brief, the
    parties filed a Joint Stipulation and Motion stating that, after review of the transcript,
    there were no reasonable grounds to believe Licensee was operating a vehicle while
    driving under the influence and that the Bureau did not meet its burden of proof. For
    the reasons that follow, we agree that the Bureau did not meet its burden of proof,
    and, therefore, reverse.
    I.     BACKGROUND
    On July 3, 2020, the Bureau issued a notice of suspension of Licensee’s
    operating privilege for a period of one year as a result of a “violation of Section 1547
    of the Vehicle Code, CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL.” (Ex. C-1.) On July 31, 2020,
    Licensee filed a notice of appeal with common pleas, appealing the suspension.
    (Record (R.) Item 1.) Following a number of continuances, common pleas held a
    hearing on August 17, 2022.
    At the hearing, Officer Edwin Ocasio of the Philadelphia Police Department
    testified4 that after being called to the scene of an automobile accident at
    If any person placed under arrest for a violation of [S]ection 3802 [of the Vehicle
    Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under the influence of alcohol or
    controlled substance)] is requested to submit to chemical testing and refuses to do
    so, the testing shall not be conducted but upon notice by the police officer, the
    [Bureau] shall suspend the operating privilege of the person . . . [e]xcept as set forth
    in subparagraph (ii), for a period of 12 months.
    75 Pa. C.S. § 1547(b)(1)(i).
    4
    The entirety of Officer Ocasio’s testimony is found on pages 17 and 18 of the Reproduced
    Record.
    2
    approximately 1:54 a.m. on June 14, 2020, he encountered Licensee who was
    “staggering slightly” and had “slightly slurred speech.” (Reproduced Record (R.R.)
    at 18.5) Officer Ocasio did not perform any field sobriety tests on Licensee as he
    was not trained to do so. (Id.) Officer Ocasio stated that he did “not recall” smelling
    alcohol on Licensee. (Id.) After approximately 10 to 15 minutes, he placed Licensee
    under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence.               (Id.)   On cross-
    examination, Officer Ocasio testified Licensee was not in the vehicle when he
    arrived at the scene and there were numerous other people present. (Id.) Officer
    Ocasio testified he did not recall finding keys on Licensee, whether Licensee had
    said he was driving, or in whose name the vehicle was registered. (Id.) When asked
    if he smelled any drugs or alcohol, Officer Ocasio stated “I think I would remember[]
    drugs and alcohol.” (Id.) In addition to Officer Ocasio, Officer Matthew Domenic
    of the Accident Investigation District testified that he was assigned to conduct
    chemical testing of Licensee. Licensee’s counsel stipulated that Licensee was read
    the DL-26 form and refused chemical testing. (Id. at 18-19.) At the conclusion of
    the hearing, Licensee’s counsel argued the Bureau did not meet its burden of proof,
    including, relevant here, showing that Officer Ocasio had reasonable grounds to
    believe Licensee was operating the vehicle. (Id. at 19.)
    Following the hearing, common pleas issued its Order denying Licensee’s
    appeal. Licensee filed a timely Notice of Appeal, and on September 7, 2022,
    common pleas entered an order directing Licensee to file a Concise Statement of
    Errors Complained of on Appeal pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate
    5
    Although Rule 2173 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure, Pa.R.A.P. 2173,
    requires the reproduced record to be numbered in Arabic figures followed by a small “a,” the
    Reproduced Record here utilizes only Arabic figures.
    3
    Procedure 1925(b), Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) (1925(b) Statement). In his 1925(b)
    Statement, Licensee asserted that common pleas
    committed an abuse of discretion and/or an error of law in finding that
    [] Officer [Ocasio] had reasonable grounds to conclude that [Licensee]
    was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or
    a controlled substance where the evidence on the record demonstrated
    that [] Officer [Ocasio] didn’t witness [Licensee] driving a vehicle,
    didn’t perform any standardized field sobriety tests on [Licensee],
    didn’t smell any alcohol or drugs on [Licensee], [and] didn’t establish
    ownership of the vehicle[.]
    (R.R. at 13-14.) On October 7, 2022, common pleas issued a 1925(a) Opinion in
    support of its Order denying Licensee’s administrative appeal. Therein, common
    pleas explained its reasoning as follows:
    Probable cause exists when the officer has knowledge of sufficient facts
    and circumstances to warrant a prudent person to believe that the driver
    has been driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled
    substance. Commonwealth v. Welshans, . . . 
    580 A.2d 379
    , 381 ([Pa.
    Super.] 1990).
    In the facts presented, although the arresting officer did not witness
    [Licensee] driving the vehicle, the officer’s testimony shows that there
    was probable cause for him to believe that [Licensee] had been driving
    under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Officer Ocasio
    testified that he arrived to the scene of the auto accident, spoke with
    [Licensee], and noticed that he was staggering and slurring his speech.
    . . . Further, [Licensee] argues that there is evidence that Officer Ocasio
    did not smell alcohol or drugs on [Licensee] which is not true. Officer
    Ocasio testified that he did not recall if he smelled alcohol or drugs on
    [Licensee]. . . .
    In a bench trial, the trial court is acting in two distinct capacities: first,
    as the gate keeper, ruling on the admissibility of evidence, and second,
    as the fact-finder, affording weight to the admissible evidence.
    Com[monwealth] v. Safka, . . . 
    141 A.3d 1239
     ([Pa.] 2016). In the
    instant matter this court found that the evidence showed that there was
    4
    probable cause for the [o]fficer to make an arrest of [Licensee] for
    driving under the influence. . . .
    (1925(a) Opinion at 3.)
    II.    CONTENTIONS
    On appeal,6 Licensee argues there were no reasonable grounds to believe that
    Licensee was operating or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while driving
    under the influence. (Licensee’s Brief at 6-7.) Licensee argues Officer Ocasio
    “didn’t witness [Licensee] driving a vehicle; [] didn’t perform any standardized field
    sobriety tests on [Licensee]; didn’t smell any alcohol or drugs on [Licensee]; never
    established ownership of the vehicle to [Licensee], [and] did not find keys to the
    automobile on [Licensee].” (Id. at 3.) Thus, according to Licensee, it was not
    reasonable to arrest Licensee or request that he submit to chemical testing. (Id. at 6-
    7.)
    After Licensee’s brief was filed, the parties filed a Joint Stipulation and
    Motion on January 18, 2023. Therein, the parties stated that upon review of the
    hearing transcript, “Officer [] Ocasio[] did not have reasonable grounds to believe
    that [Licensee] was operating a vehicle while in violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802.” (Jt.
    Stip. & Motion ¶ 8.) The parties further averred that, as a result, the trial court should
    have sustained Licensee’s appeal because the Bureau failed to satisfy its prima facie
    burden of proof. (Id. ¶ 9.) Accordingly, the parties requested the Order be vacated
    and the matter remanded to common pleas with directions to enter a new order
    sustaining the appeal filed by Licensee. (Id. ¶ 10.)
    6
    This Court’s standard of review is “limited to determining whether common pleas
    committed an error of law, whether common pleas abused its discretion, or whether the findings
    of fact are supported by substantial evidence.” Garlick v. Dep’t of Transp., Bureau of Driver
    Licensing, 
    176 A.3d 1030
    , 1035 n.6 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2018).
    5
    On February 3, 2023, this Court issued an order directing that the Joint
    Stipulation and Motion be listed with the merits of the appeal. The order also
    directed the Bureau, in light of the Joint Stipulation and Motion, to either file a brief
    or notify the Court if it did not intend to participate. The same day, the Bureau filed
    a letter indicating it was not filing a brief in response to Licensee’s brief.
    III.   DISCUSSION
    To satisfy its prima facie burden of proof to suspend the operating privilege
    of a licensee under Section 1547 for a refusal to submit to chemical testing, the
    Bureau
    must establish that the licensee (1) was arrested for driving under the
    influence by a police officer who had reasonable grounds to believe that
    the licensee was operating or was in actual physical control of the
    movement of the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol; (2) was
    asked to submit to a chemical test; (3) refused to do so; [] and (4) was
    warned that refusal might result in a license suspension.
    Vora v. Dep’t of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 
    79 A.3d 743
    , 748 (Pa.
    Cmwlth. 2013) (citation and footnote omitted). Only the first element is at issue in
    the current case. “Whether reasonable grounds exist is a question of law reviewable
    by this Court on a case-by-case basis.” Sisinni v. Dep’t of Transp., Bureau of Driver
    Licensing, 
    31 A.3d 1254
    , 1257 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2011). A police officer has reasonable
    grounds for believing a licensee was operating or in actual physical control of a
    vehicle under the influence of alcohol if a reasonable person in the police officer’s
    position could have concluded the same based on the facts and circumstances of the
    situation as they appeared at the time. Kachurak v. Dep’t of Transp., Bureau of
    Driver Licensing, 
    913 A.2d 982
    , 985 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2006). “[T]he court must
    consider the totality of the circumstances, including the location of the vehicle,
    6
    whether the engine was running and whether there was other evidence indicating
    that the motorist had driven the vehicle at some point prior to the arrival of the
    police.” Banner v. Dep’t of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 
    737 A.2d 1203
    ,
    1207 (Pa. 1999).
    After a review of relevant caselaw, we conclude that common pleas
    committed an error of law when it determined Officer Ocasio had reasonable
    grounds to believe that Licensee was operating or in actual physical control of the
    vehicle while intoxicated. Officer Ocasio’s testimony at the hearing does not
    establish that Licensee was driving or in actual physical control of the vehicle at the
    time of the accident. In fact, Officer Ocasio’s testimony does not even establish
    ownership of the vehicle to Licensee or demonstrate Licensee’s location in relation
    to the vehicle at the time he responded. (R.R at 18.) Nor does it establish in any
    way the location of the vehicle, whether its engine was running, or whether Licensee
    was driving the vehicle at some point prior to police responding, which are the
    factors set forth in Banner. 737 A.2d at 1207. Furthermore, Officer Ocasio’s
    testimony at the hearing does not definitively establish that he recalled smelling
    alcohol or drugs on Licensee at the time. (R.R. at 18.)
    Cases which find officers had reasonable grounds to conclude a licensee drove
    while under the influence generally involve licensees who were observed driving or
    were found inside of their vehicles with other indicators that they had been driving.
    See, e.g., Helt v. Dep’t of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 
    856 A.2d 263
    , 266
    (Pa. Cmwlth. 2004) (finding that even though the officer did not observe the licensee
    in the vehicle or driving, the officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the
    licensee had driven the vehicle based on other individuals at the scene of the accident
    identifying the licensee as the driver of the vehicle); Kachurak, 
    913 A.2d at
    986
    7
    (finding the officer had reasonable grounds when the licensee was pulled over while
    driving, the officer smelled alcohol in the vehicle, the licensee’s speech was slurred,
    the licensee’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and the licensee staggered after
    exiting the vehicle); Vinansky v. Dep’t of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 
    665 A.2d 860
    , 862 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1995) (holding that the officer had reasonable grounds
    when the licensee was found slumped over the steering wheel with the engine
    running and brake lights on).
    In Banner, the licensee was found asleep in the passenger seat of a vehicle
    with the lights and engine turned off, although the keys were in the ignition. After
    the officer who responded knocked on the window of the vehicle, the licensee woke
    up and reached for the keys. There was no alcohol found in the vehicle. The licensee
    failed a field sobriety test, was arrested for driving under the influence, and refused
    chemical testing, resulting in the suspension of his operating privileges. 737 A.2d
    at 1204-05.    The licensee appealed and common pleas, following a hearing,
    dismissed the appeal. This Court affirmed. On appeal, the Supreme Court reversed,
    concluding that there was “too tenuous of a connection to afford the officer
    reasonable grounds to have believed that [the licensee] was in actual physical
    control of the movement of the vehicle while intoxicated.” Id. at 1208 (emphasis in
    original). Instead, the Supreme Court held “there must be some objective evidence
    that the motorist exercised control over the movement of the vehicle at the time he
    was intoxicated.” Id. at 1207. In the present case, Licensee was not found inside of
    the vehicle or linked to the vehicle in any capacity to suggest he was operating or in
    actual physical control of the vehicle. (R.R. at 18.)
    While a police officer does not have to directly observe a licensee driving to
    have reasonable grounds to conclude the licensee had actual physical control over
    8
    the movement of the vehicle, there must still be objective evidence to support the
    officer’s conclusion. Banner, 737 A.2d at 1207. That objective evidence is lacking
    here.
    This case is more akin to Sestric v. Department of Transportation, Bureau of
    Driver Licensing, 
    29 A.3d 141
     (Pa. Cmwlth. 2011). There, a state trooper was
    investigating an alleged assault when the alleged victim directed the trooper to the
    licensee’s address, informing him that the licensee “had been drinking and drove
    away.” 
    Id. at 142
    . Upon arrival at the licensee’s address, the trooper smelled alcohol
    on the licensee. After the alleged victim identified the licensee as his assailant, the
    trooper placed the licensee under arrest and asked him to submit to a breath test,
    which the licensee refused. After being driven to the police barracks and read the
    DL-26 form, the licensee refused to submit to chemical testing and his operating
    privilege was suspended as a result. 
    Id. at 142-43
    . The trial court granted the
    licensee’s appeal, finding, in part, that “[t]here was no testimony whatsoever about
    when [the l]icensee[] may have been driving,” 
    id. at 143
     (quoting trial court opinion),
    and on appeal, we affirmed.        The Court found that the trooper did not have
    reasonable grounds to believe the licensee was in actual physical control of the
    vehicle while under the influence when the record contained no credible evidence to
    establish, among other things, that the licensee was driving. 
    Id. at 144
    . The record
    here is similarly devoid of any such evidence of actual physical control of the vehicle
    while driving under the influence.
    In light of the foregoing analysis, we agree with the parties that Officer Ocasio
    did not have reasonable grounds to conclude that Licensee had been operating or had
    been in actual physical control of the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or
    9
    a controlled substance, and as a result, common pleas committed an error of law in
    determining otherwise.
    Because we agree with the parties that common pleas should have sustained
    Licensee’s appeal, we reverse common pleas’ Order.7
    __________________________________________
    RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, President Judge
    7
    In light of our disposition, the parties’ Motion asking the Court to vacate and remand this
    matter for common pleas to sustain Licensee’s appeal is dismissed as moot.
    10
    IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Jeremiah Rodriguez,                   :
    Appellant      :
    :
    v.                   :   No. 965 C.D. 2022
    :
    Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,         :
    Department of Transportation,         :
    Bureau of Driver Licensing            :
    ORDER
    NOW, August 16, 2023, the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of
    Philadelphia County, entered in the above-captioned matter, is REVERSED. The
    Joint Stipulation and Motion filed by the parties is DISMISSED AS MOOT.
    __________________________________________
    RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, President Judge