Jeffrey Lonsdale v. State ( 2006 )

COURT OF APPEALS

EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

EL PASO, TEXAS

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JEFFREY LONSDALE,                                   )                  No. 08-05-00139-CR

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                                    Appellant,                        )                             Appeal from

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v.                                                                          )      County Criminal Court of Appeals No. 2

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THE STATE OF TEXAS,                                   )                  of Dallas County, Texas

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                                    Appellee.                          )                  (TC# MB0414254M)

O P I N I O N

            Jeffrey Lonsdale appeals his misdemeanor conviction of driving while intoxicated. The trial court assessed punishment at two years’ probation and a fine of $1,200. We affirm.

FACTUAL SUMMARY

            Around 2 a.m. on June 24, 2004, Officer Charlie Foster observed Appellant’s vehicle weave from the left lane into the right lane. As the officer followed, Appellant changed lanes three times without signaling his intent to turn. Appellant eventually drove back to his hotel where he was detained by Officer Foster in the parking lot.

            Appellant exited his vehicle and Officer Foster asked him three times to stand next to the car. After the third request, Appellant got back inside the car. As the officer approached, Appellant rolled the window partially down, then up, and then finally down. The officer told him he had failed to signal a turn and asked to see his license and proof of insurance. Appellant first handed him a business card and then his driver’s license. By this time, Officer Foster noticed an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and asked whether Appellant had had anything to drink. Appellant admitted drinking, but he could not remember how many drinks he had consumed. When he refused to perform field sobriety tests, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

ISSUES FOR REVIEW

            Appellant presents seven issues for consideration. The first five deal with the denial of his motion to suppress. Appellant contends that the offense of failure to signal an intent to turn is unconstitutionally vague and cannot be committed unless a driver also fails to complete a safe turn. From this, he concludes that the arresting officer lacked reasonable suspicion and probable cause to stop his vehicle, detain him, and arrest him. In his sixth and seventh issues, he argues the trial court erred by admitting evidence of his refusal to perform field sobriety tests and that error was compounded by the prosecutor’s closing argument.

MOTION TO SUPPRESS

            We review a trial court’s ruling on a motion to suppress using the bifurcated standard of review articulated in Guzman v. State, 955 S.W.2d 85 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). See Carmouche v. State, 10 S.W.3d 323, 327 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000); Krug v. State, 86 S.W.3d 764, 765 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2002, pet. ref’d). We give almost total deference to the trial court’s ruling on questions of historical fact and application-of-law-to-fact questions that turn on an evaluation of credibility and demeanor. Johnson v. State, 68 S.W.3d 644, 652-53 (Tex.Crim.App. 2002); Best v. State, 118 S.W.3d 857, 861-62 (Tex.App.--Fort Worth 2003, no pet.). Where, as here, the trial court fails to file findings of fact, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the ruling and we assume the court made implicit findings in support of its ruling as long as those findings are supported in the record. State v. Ross, 32 S.W.3d 853, 855-56 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000).

            We review de novo a trial court’s rulings on mixed questions of law and fact if they do not turn on the credibility and demeanor of witnesses. Johnson, 68 S.W.3d at 652-53. If the trial court’s ruling on the motion to suppress is supported by the record and is correct under any theory of law, we must uphold the trial court’s ruling. Armendariz v. State, 123 S.W.3d 401, 404 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003), citing State v. Ross, 32 S.W.3d 853, 856 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000). We do not engage in our own factual review because at a suppression hearing, the trial judge is the sole trier of fact with regard to the weight and credibility of the witnesses. See Ross, 32 S.W.3d at 855; Romero v. State, 800 S.W.2d 539, 543 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990).

Vagueness

            We turn first to Appellant’s complaint that the traffic offense at issue is unconstitutionally vague. Officer Foster stopped Appellant because he changed lanes three times without signaling his intent to turn. Under the Transportation Code, a driver is required to use a signal to indicate an “intention to turn, change lanes, or start from a parked position.” Tex.Transp.Code Ann. § 545.104(a) (Vernon 1999).

            A statute is void for vagueness if the conduct it seeks to prohibit is not clearly defined. State v. Holcombe, 187 S.W.3d 496, 499 (Tex.Crim.App. 2006). We presume that a statute is constitutional, and the burden of establishing it as unconstitutional lies with the challenger. Ex parte Granviel, 561 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex.Crim.App. 1978). In our review, we must determine (1) whether a law-abiding person received sufficient information from the statute that their conduct risks violating the criminal law; and (2) whether the statute provides sufficient notice to law enforcement personnel to prevent arbitrary or discriminating enforcement. Tanner v. State, 838 S.W.2d 302, 303 (Tex.App.--El Paso 1992, no pet.), citing Engelking v. State, 750 S.W.2d 213, 215 (Tex.Crim.App. 1988). A statute is considered vague if it fails to give a person of ordinary intelligence a reasonable opportunity to know what conduct is prohibited. Holcombe, 187 S.W.3d at 499.

            Appellant claims Section 545.104 is unconstitutionally vague because it gives officers unfettered discretion to determine when someone has failed to “indicate an intention to turn.” Tex.Transp.Code Ann. § 545.104. We disagree. The statute provides sufficient notice to law enforcement that a traffic violation occurs when a driver fails to signal an intent to turn, and a person of ordinary intelligence would understand that failing to signal is a violation of the statute. Hargrove v. State, 40 S.W.3d 556, 559 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet. ref’d)(plain language of Section 545.104(a) requiring a driver to signal is not unconstitutionally vague).

Failure to Signal Intent to Turn

            Appellant next suggests that Sections 545.104 and 545.103 are in pari materia and should be read together to constitute a violation of the traffic offense of failing to signal a turn. Section 545.104(a) requires a driver to signal an intent to turn. Tex.Transp.Code Ann. § 545.104(a). Section 545.103 prohibits a driver from turning unless the maneuver can be made safely. Tex.Transp.Code Ann. § 545.103. Appellant concludes from this that a person does not commit the traffic offense of failing to signal an intent to turn unless he also makes an unsafe turn.

            The doctrine of in pari materia is a rule of statutory construction requiring two statutes to be construed together so as to give full effect to each. Burke v. State, 28 S.W.3d 545, 546-47 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000). Two statutes are considered in pari materia if they share a common purpose or object or cover the same general subject matter or persons. Burke, 28 S.W.3d at 547-48; Cheney v. State, 755 S.W.2d 123, 127 (Tex.Crim.App. 1988). We disagree that Sections 545.104 and 545.103 are in pari materia. A driver has a duty to comply with both statutes by signaling an intent to turn and by turning safely. Krug, 86 S.W.3d at 767 (Sections 545.104 and 545.103 serve different goals and are complementary to each other). Thus, regardless of whether a turn is safely made, a driver commits a traffic offense if he turns without signaling his intent to do so. Torres v. State, 2003 WL 68056 at *2 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2003, no pet.); Krug, 86 S.W.3d at 767.

Reasonable Suspicion to Detain and Probable Cause to Arrest

            We now turn to reasonable suspicion and probable cause. An officer has the authority to stop and temporarily detain a driver who commits a traffic violation in his presence. Lemmons v. State, 133 S.W.3d 751, 755 (Tex.App.--Fort Worth 2004, pet. ref’d), citing Armitage v. State, 637 S.W.2d 936, 939 (Tex.Crim.App. 1982). Once a suspect has been detained, an officer’s investigative detention must be temporary and may not last longer than necessary to effectuate its purpose. Davis v. State, 947 S.W.2d 240, 244-45 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). If an officer develops a reasonable suspicion the detainee has engaged in other criminal activity, a continued investigatory detention is justified and an officer may arrest a suspect for the other offense. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 27, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 1883, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968); Davis, 947 S.W.2d at 244; Haas v. State, 172 S.W.3d 42, 52-53 (Tex.App.--Waco 2005, pet. ref’d); Lemmons, 133 S.W.3d at 756-57.

            Here, Officer Foster observed Appellant fail to signal his intent to turn three times. Having observed the traffic violation, Officer Foster was authorized to stop and detain Appellant. State v. Gray, 158 S.W.3d 465, 469-70 (Tex.Crim.App. 2005). During his investigation of the traffic violation, the officer smelled the odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Appellant appeared dazed, and his hand movements were slow and awkward. Appellant admitted he had been drinking, but could not remember how many drinks he had. Based upon these observations, Officer Foster developed a reasonable suspicion that Appellant was intoxicated, justifying his detention for further investigation. Terry, 392 U.S. at 27; Lemmons, 133 S.W.3d at 756-57.

            Appellant was arrested after Officer Foster concluded he was intoxicated. An officer must have probable cause in order to make a warrantless arrest. Torres v. State, 182 S.W.3d 899, 901 (Tex.Crim.App. 2005). Probable cause requires an officer to have a reasonable belief, based on the facts and circumstances within the officer’s knowledge or which the officer has reasonably trustworthy information, that an offense has or will be committed. Torres, 182 S.W.3d at 902; Sandoval v. State, 35 S.W.3d 763, 767 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2000, pet. ref’d). We examine probable cause in light of the totality of circumstances as established by the evidence. State v. Garrett, 22 S.W.3d 650, 654 (Tex.App.--Austin 2000, no pet.).  

            Officer Foster concluded Appellant was intoxicated based on the following factors: (1) the vehicle smelled like alcohol; (2) Appellant admitted he had been drinking; (3) he refused to submit to field sobriety tests; (4) he looked dazed, his speech was slurred, and his hand movements were slow and awkward; (5) he tendered his business card when asked for his driver’s license; (6) he disregarded three requests that he stand by the car; and (7) he had trouble operating the car window. In considering the totality of circumstances, Officer Foster had probable cause to arrest Appellant. Texas Dept. of Public Safety v. Nielsen, 102 S.W.3d 313, 317-18 (Tex.App.--Beaumont 2003, no pet.)(probable cause to arrest defendant for DWI where officer saw signs of intoxication, such as, smelled alcohol odor from vehicle, officer had to repeat questions, suspect admitted to drinking, and refused to submit to field sobriety tests); Garrett, 22 S.W.3d at 654-55 (probable cause to arrest existed where defendant exhibited unlawful driving behavior, smelled like alcohol, had watery eyes, and refused to participate in field sobriety tests). Finding no error in the denial of the motion to suppress, we overrule Issues One through Five.

EVIDENTIARY ERROR

            Issues Six and Seven encompass claims of evidentiary error. A trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of evidence is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Moses v. State, 105 S.W.3d 622, 627 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003); Torres v. State, 116 S.W.3d 208, 213 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2003, no pet.). A trial court’s ruling will only be reversed if the decision exceeded the zone of reasonable disagreement. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990)(opinion on reh’g).

            In his sixth issue, Appellant challenges the admission of testimony that he refused to perform the field sobriety tests. He complains that the evidence was irrelevant, and if relevant, more prejudicial than probative. He also points to violations of his constitutional rights, arguing that the invocation of the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, and the right against unreasonable search and seizure may not be relied upon as evidence of guilt.

            A defendant’s refusal to perform field sobriety tests is relevant and admissible. See Griffith v. State, 55 S.W.3d 598, 601-02 (Tex.Crim.App. 2001)(refusal to take blood-alcohol test is admissible because it has statutorily mandated probative value); Dawkins v. State, 822 S.W.2d 668, 671 (Tex.App.--Waco 1991, pet. ref’d)(absent evidence a defendant was compelled to refuse to perform the field sobriety tests, evidence of his refusal was admissible); Barraza v. State, 733 S.W.2d 379, 381 (Tex.App.--Corpus Christi 1987) aff’d, 790 S.W.2d 654 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990)(because a request to perform field sobriety test and breathalyzer test are sufficiently similar no reason to distinguish between them regarding admissibility of refusal to perform them); Tex.Transp.Code Ann. § 724.061 (Vernon 1999)(a person’s refusal to submit to blood or breath test may be introduced into evidence at trial). The reason why a defendant refuses to perform field sobriety tests is not admissible. See Griffith, 55 S.W.3d at 601, citing Jamail v. State, 787 S.W.2d 380, 382 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990). In Griffith, the defendant was videotaped at the police station and asked whether he would take an “intoxilyzer” test for breath alcohol. Griffith wanted to consult his attorney before deciding whether to take the test. He was informed that he did not have the right to have an attorney present. Griffith responded that he was not refusing the test, but wanted to ask counsel whether he should take it. The officers repeated that he didn’t have the right to have his lawyer present and they would treat his “precondition” as refusal. Over a defense objection at trial, the State introduced the audio portion of the videotape in which Griffith had requested counsel.

            The Court of Criminal Appeals first noted the general rule that a defendant’s “ineffectual requests for counsel ha[ve] no probative value and should not [be] admitted under Rule 402.” Griffith, 55 S.W.3d 601, citing Hardie v. State, 807 S.W.2d 319, 321 (Tex.Crim.App. 1991). But Griffith’s request for counsel “was cloaked around his refusal to take the blood-alcohol test, which has statutorily-mandated probative value.” Id. The court thus determined that the refusal had probative value independent of his request for an attorney, although the request for counsel, standing alone, was irrelevant to guilt. Id. at 602. At issue, of course, was whether the State could properly use Griffith’s request for an attorney as an indication of his guilt. Finding no constitutional impediment under the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th amendments, the court affirmed the conviction. We similarly reject Appellant’s contentions here and overrule Issue Six.

            In his seventh and final issue, Appellant contends the State erred in arguing that his refusal to perform the field sobriety tests was evidence of guilt:

I submit to you that that refusal, the refusal of answering questions to the police officer, refusing field sobriety tests to the police officer, refusing to cooperate with Officer Foster and refusing a breath test, is all evidence of his guilt.

. . .

Now , possibly the most damaging evidence against the defendant is that he knew he was caught. I have no comment.

            Well, sir, would you help me out? Would you help me determine if you’re intoxicated?

            No. No comment.

            Are you going to cooperate with me at all and let me do these standardized field sobriety tests?

            No.

            Sir, are you refusing?

            Yes.

            He refuses the breath test later. And as Ms. Sica said, those refusals are evidence of his guilt. And when taken into account with the remainder of the evidence . . . all clearly leads to the conclusion that he had lost control of his normal mental and physical faculties.

A prosecutor’s closing argument is permissible if it falls within the following four areas: (1) summation of the evidence presented at trial, (2) reasonable deductions from the evidence, (3) answer to the opposing counsel’s argument, and (4) a plea for law enforcement. Jackson v. State, 17 S.W.3d 664, 673 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000). If the inferences drawn are reasonable, fair, legitimate, and offered in good faith, counsel is allowed wide latitude without limitation in drawing inferences from the evidence. Gaddis v. State, 753 S.W.2d 396, 398 (Tex.Crim.App. 1988). Having already determined that Appellant’s refusal to submit to field sobriety test was admissible, we likewise conclude that the jury could infer that his refusal was evidence of intoxication. Id. at 400 (a jury may logically deduce a defendant is intoxicated from his refusal to submit to a breath test). We overrule Issue Seven and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

August 29, 2006                                                         

                                                                                    ANN CRAWFORD McCLURE, Justice

Before Barajas, C.J., McClure, and Chew, JJ.

(Do Not Publish)