in the Matter of the Marriage of Linda N. Moon and Donald Ray Moon and in the Interest of Melinda Down Moon ( 2004 )

NO. 07-03-0144-CV

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

AT AMARILLO

PANEL D

APRIL 29, 2004 ______________________________

IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF LINDA N. MOON AND DONALD RAY MOON AND IN THE INTEREST OF MELINDA DAWN MOON, A CHILD _________________________________

FROM THE 242^ND DISTRICT COURT OF CASTRO COUNTY;

NO. 4533; HON. ED SELF, PRESIDING _______________________________

Memorandum Opinion _______________________________

Before QUINN, REAVIS and CAMPBELL, JJ.

Appellant Donald Ray Moon (Donald) appeals an order of the trial court withholding child support from his earnings. In doing so, he contends the trial court erred in 1) refusing to allow the admission of a statement of personal or family history by an unavailable declarant, and 2) overruling his affirmative defense of equitable estoppel. We affirm the order of the trial court.

Background

Donald and appellee Linda N. Moon (Linda) were divorced by decree dated May 15, 1978. A daughter, Melinda Dawn Moon (Melinda), was the only child born of the marriage, and Linda was granted custody of the child. Donald was ordered to pay $33.00 per week in child support. In October 1985, an order was entered modifying the parent-child relationship requiring Donald to pay $200.00 per month with the first payment due December 1, 1985. In February 1986, he signed an "Affidavit of Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Right" based on his belief that Linda's husband Toby Tucker was going to adopt Melinda. That adoption never took place although the child did begin to use the name Tucker. In 1989, both parties signed a document entitled "Joint Motion to Modify Managing Conservatorship" in which Donald sought to be appointed sole managing conservator of Melinda and to be released from all prior unpaid child support. That document was never filed with the court.

Linda subsequently filed a notice of application for judicial writ of withholding on January 9, 2003, seeking past child support payments. In response, Donald filed a motion to dismiss and motion to stay the issuance of the writ alleging, among other things, the "equitable doctrine of estoppel by laches" and that Melinda had been adopted by Linda's husband Toby Tucker. A hearing was held on March 6, 2003, and the trial court subsequently entered an order for withholding child support from earnings. In doing so, the court found that Donald owed $12,000 in child support arrearage with $10,533.76 interest accrued through March 1, 2003.

Issue One - Hearsay Statement

In his first issue, Donald complains of the trial court's failure to allow the admission of a sworn written statement allegedly made in 2001 by Melinda in which she stated that Donald had given up all parental rights to her when she was 12 years of age, and she was then adopted by Toby Tucker. We overrule the issue.

Donald contends that the statement was admissible under Rule 804(a)(5) of the Rules of Evidence. That rule provides an exception to the hearsay rule when the declarant is unavailable. It permits a statement "concerning the declarant's own birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, legitimacy, relationship by blood, adoption, or marriage, ancestry, or other similar fact of personal or family history even though the declarant had no means of acquiring personal knowledge of the matter stated. . . . " Tex. R. Evid. 804(b)(3). A witness is unavailable when the declarant "is absent from the hearing and the proponent of the declarant's statement has been unable to procure the declarant's attendance or testimony by process or other reasonable means." Tex. R. Evid. 804(a)(5). It is the proponent of the statement who has the burden to affirmatively show that the witness is unavailable. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Wasiak, 917 S.W.2d 883, 888 (Tex. App.--Austin 1996), aff'd, 972 S.W.2d 35 (Tex. 1998); Keene Corp. v. Rogers, 863 S.W.2d 168, 177 (Tex. App.--Texarkana 1993, writ stayed). We review the trial court's ruling for an abuse of discretion. Otero-Miranda v. State, 746 S.W.2d 352, 355 (Tex. App.--Amarillo 1988, writ ref'd, untimely filed).

At the hearing, there was testimony from Donald that Melinda resided in Missouri. ⁽¹⁾ A witness is not unavailable unless a good faith effort has been made to procure her attendance. Otero-Miranda v. State, 746 S.W.2d at 355. Even if the evidence of Melinda's residence was sufficient to establish that Melinda was beyond the subpoena power of the court, Donald failed to establish that he was unable to take her deposition or otherwise procure her testimony. See Fuller-Austin Insulation Co. v. Bilder, 960 S.W.2d 914, 921 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 1998, pet. and cause dism'd); Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Wasiak, 917 S.W.2d at 888. Therefore, we can find no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court in sustaining the hearsay objection.

Issue Two - Defense of Equitable Estoppel

Via his second issue, Donald challenges the trial court's overruling of his affirmative defense of equitable estoppel. We overrule the issue.

The grounds for filing a motion to stay the issuance of a writ of withholding are limited to a dispute concerning the identity of the obligor or the existence or the amount of arrearages. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §158.397(b) (Vernon 2002). However, the defense of equitable estoppel can be asserted in appropriate circumstances. In re Digges, 981 S.W.2d 445, 447 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1998, no pet.). Donald pled the affirmative defense of "estoppel by laches." Laches is a defense based on an unreasonable delay in the assertion of equitable or legal rights and a good faith change of position by another to his detriment due to the delay. In re Moragas, 972 S.W.2d 86, 92 (Tex. App.--Texarkana 1998, no pet.). Laches is not available in a suit for enforcement of a statutory legal right such as the collection of child support. In re M.W.T., 12 S.W.3d 598, 604 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 2000, pet. denied); Ex parte Payne, 598 S.W.2d 312, 318 (Tex. App.--Texarkana 1980, no writ), overruled on other grounds by Huff v. Huff, 648 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. 1983). However, on appeal, Donald argues the defense of equitable estoppel by virtue of his execution of a voluntary relinquishment of parental rights under the belief the child was to be adopted by Linda's new husband Toby Tucker, his nonpayment of further child support after execution of the document, the use by the child of the last name of Tucker after execution of the document, the lack of any visitation rights after execution of the document, and Linda's failure to ever tell him his parental rights had not been terminated. An affirmative defense is generally waived if not pleaded. Shoemake v. Fogel, Ltd., 826 S.W.2d 933, 937 (Tex. 1992); Alvarado v. Wingfoot Enterprises, 53 S.W.3d 720, 725 (Tex. App.--Houston [1^st Dist.] 2001), rev'd on other grounds, 111 S.W.3d 134 (Tex. 2003). Because Donald did not plead the defense of equitable estoppel, it has not been preserved for appeal.

However, even if we liberally construe his pleading to assert that defense, the elements of estoppel are: 1) false representation or concealment of material facts, 2) made with actual or constructive knowledge of those facts, 3) to a party without knowledge, or the means of knowledge, of those facts, 4) with the intention that it should be acted on, and 5) the party to whom it was made relied or acted on it to his prejudice. Kawazoe v. Davila, 849 S.W.2d 906, 909 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1993, no writ); LaRue v. LaRue, 832 S.W.2d 387, 392 (Tex. App.--Tyler 1992, no writ). In contending that those elements exist, Donald relies on Kawazoe v. Davila, 849 S.W.2d at 909-10, in which the court affirmed the denial of a motion for enforcement of a child support order by contempt when the former husband had signed a relinquishment of his parental rights under the belief the child would be adopted by his former wife's new husband and, for 13 years, she represented to him on a number of occasions he was no longer the child's father even when she knew his parental rights had not been terminated and no adoption would take place, she denied him visitation rights, and the child began to use her new husband's name.

Donald claims that he had no reason to believe the adoption had not taken place and he knew that his daughter went by the name of Tucker. Further, both Linda and his daughter represented to him she had been adopted, and no child support was requested by Linda. However, the evidence also shows that Melinda came to stay with him and his new wife in 1989 for a period of time, and Donald signed a motion to modify managing conservatorship because he and his wife felt she was old enough to "get to know her daddy." Given the existence of a preexisting order regarding the conservatorship of Melinda, Donald's signing a document purporting to change that prior order and vest conservatorship of Melinda in him hardly connotes that his parental relationship with Melinda had been terminated through her adoption by a third party. Simply put, it is some evidence upon which the factfinder could conclude that Donald knew no one adopted his daughter and his parental relationship with the child had not ended. See LaRue v. LaRue, 832 S.W.2d at 394 (holding knowledge that a child has reverted back to the father's surname in spite of an apparent termination of the parent-child relationship placed the father on notice that he should investigate the termination and adoption proceeding).

If a party conducts himself with careless indifference to means of information reasonably at hand or ignores suspicious circumstances, he may not benefit from the defense of estoppel. Barfield v. Howard M. Smith Co., 426 S.W.2d 834, 839 (Tex. 1968); In re Moragas, 972 S.W.2d at 91. Based on these facts and the trial court's ability to observe the demeanor and credibility of the witnesses, we cannot say the trial court erred in failing to determine that Linda was equitably estopped from obtaining a withholding order. In short, there exists evidence of record negating Donald's implicit argument that he proved the defense of equitable estoppel as a matter of law.

Accordingly, the order of the trial court is affirmed.

Per Curiam

1. There was no evidence at the hearing that Melinda was unable to attend because of a snowstorm as Donald asserts on appeal.

src="07-06-0437-cvopinion/footnoteicon.gif" alt="Footnote" width="16" height="14" border="0">

          Partee does not appear to dispute whether he was intoxicated in a motor vehicle in a public place. Neither does he dispute the lower court’s findings as to issues (3) and (4). Rather, he contends the trial court erred in its finding that probable cause existed to believe he was “operating” a motor vehicle. Because Partee was asleep when Bingham first approached his vehicle, he asserts he could not have been “operating” a motor vehicle. He next contends no reasonable suspicion existed to detain him because his truck was legally stopped on the roadside and was stationary. As a result, Partee asserts his removal from the pickup by Bingham was an illegal detention in violation of the Fourth Amendment and, consequently, all evidence obtained afterwards should be suppressed under the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine. Finally, Partee asserts there was insufficient evidence for the ALJ to find probable cause existed for his arrest.

Standard of Review

          We review administrative license suspension decisions under a substantial evidence standard. Mireles v. Tex. Dep’t of Pub. Safety, 9 S.W.3d 128, 131 (Tex. 1999); Tex. Dep’t. of Pub. Safety v. Moore, 175 S.W.3d 270, 272 (Tex.App.–Houston [1^st Dist.] 2004, no pet.); Tex. Dep’t. of Pub. Safety v. Pucek, 22 S.W.3d 63, 67 (Tex.App.–Corpus Christi 2000, no pet.). Under this standard, the administrative decision may not be reversed unless it prejudices the substantial rights of an appellant because the administrative findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:

(A) in violation of a constitutional or statutory provision;

(B) in excess of the agency’s statutory authority;

(C) made through unlawful procedure;

(D) affected by other error of law;

(E) not reasonably supported by substantial evidence considering the reliable and probative evidence in the record as a whole; or

(F) arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.

Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 2001.174(2) (Vernon 2000).

          We cannot substitute our judgment for the ALJ’s and must affirm the administrative decision if it is supported by more than a scintilla of evidence. Mireles, 9 S.W.3d at 131. Thus, the issue is not whether the ALJ made a correct decision, but whether there is some reasonable basis in the record to support the ALJ’s decision. Id. The ALJ’s findings, inferences, conclusions, and decisions are presumed to be supported by substantial evidence and the burden is on Partee to prove otherwise. City of El Paso v. Public Util. Comm’n, 883 S.W.2d 179, 185 (Tex. 1994). The burden for overturning an agency ruling is formidable, Pucek, 22 S.W.3d at 67, and the administrative decision may be sustained even if the evidence preponderates against it. Mireles, 9 S.W.3d at 131.  

          I.        “Operating” A Motor Vehicle

          A person commits the offense of driving while intoxicated if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 49.04(a) (Vernon 2003). While there is no statutory definition of the term “operate,” the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has determined that a person “operates” a vehicle when the totality of the circumstances demonstrate the person took action to affect the functioning of the vehicle in a manner that would enable its use. Denton v. State, 911 S.W.2d 388, 390 (Tex.Crim.App. 1995) citing Barton v. State, 882 S.W.2d 456, 460 (Tex.App.–Dallas 1994, no writ). In Denton, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that “while driving does involve operation, operation does not necessarily involve driving.” Id. at 389. Applying this rationale, Partee’s application of the brake pedal, thereby restraining the vehicle’s actual movement, falls within the definition of “operating a motor vehicle.”

          Moreover, under § 724.042, the DPS is not required to prove Partee was in fact “operating” a motor vehicle while intoxicated in order to suspend his license. See Tex. Dep’t of Pub. Safety v. Butler, 110 S.W.3d 673, 677 (Tex.App.–Houston [14^th Dist.] 2003, no pet.). Because a license suspension is a civil matter, the DPS need only establish there was probable cause to believe Partee was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Church v. State, 942 S.W.2d 139, 140 (Tex.App.–Houston [1^st Dist.] 1997, pet. ref’d). Thus, Partee’s first issue is a narrow one. That is, whether there is substantial evidence in the record to support the ALJ’s finding that probable cause existed to believe Partee was “operating” a motor vehicle even though he was initially found asleep.

          There are numerous cases where a DWI arrest or conviction has been upheld under the totality of circumstances test even though the person “operating” the motor vehicle was initially found to be asleep. For instance, person(s) asleep were found to be “operating” their motor vehicle where the vehicle was parked by the roadway with its right front tire against the curb, engine running, gearshift in “Drive” and lights on, Freeman v. State, 69 S.W.3d 374, 376 (Tex.App.–Dallas 2002, no pet.); stopped in a moving lane of traffic with engine running, and the vehicle’s owner in the driver’s seat, Hearne v. State, 80 S.W.3d 677, 680 (Tex.App.–Houston [1^st Dist.] 2002, no pet.); or stopped on a roadway with engine running, lights on and the vehicle’s operator sitting behind steering wheel, State v. Savage, III, 905 S.W.2d 272, 274 (Tex.App.–San Antonio 1995), aff’d 933 S.W.2d 497 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996).  

          Furthermore, prior to the adoption of the totality of circumstances test, person(s) who were asleep were found to be “operating” their motor vehicle when the vehicle was stopped in the middle of the road with engine running, gearshift in “Drive,” and operator slumped behind the steering wheel with his foot on the brake, Ray v. State, 816 S.W.2d 97, 98 (Tex.App.–Dallas 1991, no writ); stopped in the roadway with engine running, lights on and vehicle’s owner sitting behind the steering wheel, Pope v. State, 802 S.W.2d 418, 420 (Tex.App.–Austin 1991, no writ); stopped in the roadway at a location described by anonymous tip facing oncoming traffic with engine running, lights on, and operator asleep in driver’s seat with his foot on the brake, Hernandez v. State, 773 S.W.2d 761, 762 (Tex.App.–San Antonio 1989, no writ); and, vehicle found half in a ditch and half on a farm-to-market road with the operator alone behind the steering wheel with both feet on the floorboard beneath the steering wheel, Reynolds v. State, 744 S.W.2d 156, 158-59 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 1987, writ ref’d).

          After receiving a call that a truck was weaving on US 87, Bingham was dispatched to the area. Shortly thereafter, he encountered Partee’s truck near the location on the highway where the pickup was reported to be weaving. Partee’s pickup matched the description of the weaving vehicle and it was found to be straddling the shoulder and a roadside ditch. Partee was alone and asleep behind the steering wheel with his foot on the brake. His keys were in the ignition with the engine running, the brake lights illuminated, and the gearshift engaged. Even though Partee was asleep, there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s finding that there was probable cause to believe Partee was operating a motor vehicle when he was discovered by Bingham. Partee’s first issue is overruled.

          II.       Reasonable Suspicion To Detain Or Stop

          Partee also asserts he was illegally detained when Bingham removed him from his pickup and, as a result, any evidence obtained subsequent to his detention should have been excluded from the administrative proceedings to suspend his license. In support, he asserts his detention stemmed solely from an anonymous tip in the absence of any corroborating circumstances indicating he was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

          There are three distinct categories of interactions between police officers and citizens: encounters, investigative detentions, and arrests. State v. Perez, 85 S.W.3d 817, 819 (Tex.Crim.App. 2002). Encounters occur when police officers approach an individual in public to ask questions, and do not require any justification whatsoever on the part of the officer. Harper v. State, 217 S.W.3d 672, 674 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 2007, no pet.). Moreover, police officers do not violate the Fourth Amendment by merely approaching an individual in a public place, by asking him if he is willing to answer some questions, by putting questions to him if the person is willing to listen, or by offering in evidence in a criminal prosecution his voluntary answers to such questions. Perez, 85 S.W.3d at 819.

           A stop is deemed an investigative detention when a police officer detains a person reasonably suspected of criminal activity to determine his identity or to momentarily maintain the status quo while seeking additional information. Hoag v. State, 728 S.W.2d 375, 380 (Tex.Crim.App. 1987). A law enforcement officer need not have probable cause to detain an individual for investigative purposes. See Hall v. State, 74 S.W.3d 521, 525 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 2002, no pet.). Rather, the officer may conduct a temporary lawful detention when he has a reasonable suspicion to believe a person is violating the law. Ford v. State, 158 S.W.3d 488, 492 (Tex.Crim.App. 2005). Reasonable suspicion exists if the officer has specific, articulable facts that, when combined with rational inferences from those facts, would lead him to reasonably suspect a particular person has engaged or is (or soon will be) engaging in criminal activity. Garcia v. State, 43 S.W.3d 527, 530 (Tex.Crim.App. 2001). The facts must create some reasonable suspicion that some activity out of the ordinary is occurring or has occurred, some suggestion to connect the detainee with the unusual activity, and some indication that the unusual activity is related to crime. Davis v. State, 947 S.W.2d 240, 244 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). That said, the acts or circumstances need not be criminal in themselves to create reasonable suspicion. Woods v. State, 956 S.W.2d 33, 38 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). Thus, we examine the totality of the circumstances to determine whether Partee’s detention was reasonable and justified.

          As previously discussed, Bingham was dispatched to investigate an anonymous tip regarding possible criminal activity. Upon arriving at the scene, Bingham observed Partee’s vehicle, with its engine running, straddling the shoulder and roadside ditch. Partee appeared to be asleep at the wheel. Unable to awaken Partee, Bingham then opened the driver-side door and moved the gearshift to the “Park” position. Partee awoke appearing confused. Up to this point, Bingham was engaged in an “encounter” with Partee, and the record reflects no evidence indicating Bingham’s actions were such a display of authority that a reasonable person would not have felt free to decline Bingham’s request for compliance. See Harper, 217 S.W.3d at 674 (collected cases cited therein).

           As the two were talking, Bingham noticed a strong odor of alcohol emanating from inside the cab. Bingham asked if Partee had been drinking, and he responded he had drank a few beers several hours earlier. Partee also admitted there was alcohol in the pickup. At this point, Bingham had specific articulable facts which, when combined with rational inferences therefrom, allowed him to reasonably suspect Partee had been, and was, operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Accordingly, Partee’s subsequent detention was reasonable and justified.

          Partee contends his detention was unreasonable because he was legally parked on the roadside. In determining whether an area is a public place for purposes of § 49.04, the relevant inquiry is whether the public has access to the place. Shaub v. State, 99 S.W.3d 253, 256 (Tex.App.–Fort Worth 2003, no pet.). That Partee stopped in a public place merely satisfied an element of the offense of driving while intoxicated and buttressed Bingham’s reasonable suspicion. Whether Partee was legally parked is of no consequence.

          Partee also contends Bingham lacked reasonable suspicion because he did not actually “see” Partee operate the pickup and did not know how long Partee had been stopped by the roadside. Partee hypothecates that he could have parked his pickup by the roadside and then became intoxicated. Under this proposed scenario, Partee asserts he may have been publicly intoxicated but not intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle. As discussed above, “operating” a vehicle is not limited to “driving” a vehicle. Under the facts of this case, Bingham was justified in believing that Partee was operating his vehicle. Accordingly, in light of the totality of the circumstances, substantial evidence supported the ALJ’s determination that reasonable suspicion existed to detain Partee. His second issue is overruled.

          III.      Probable Cause To Arrest

          Partee contends there was insufficient evidence for the ALJ to find that Calloway had probable cause to arrest him for operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. We have already ruled there was substantial evidence in support of the ALJ’s finding that probable cause existed that Partee was “operating” his pickup when he was discovered by Bingham–even though he was asleep. And, having stopped by the side of a highway accessible to the public, Partee and his vehicle were plainly situated in a public place. This leaves us with the final element of the offense – intoxication. Accordingly, we examine whether there was substantial evidence supporting the ALJ’s determination that probable cause existed, at the time of Partee’s arrest, that he was intoxicated.

          Trooper Callaway arrived shortly after Partee was detained and continued the investigation. Callaway immediately smelled alcohol on Partee. Partee’s speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot, he swayed when he stood, and relied on his truck for balance when walking. Partee admitted he had been drinking earlier and acknowledged there were open containers of alcohol in the pickup. When Callaway informed Partee he was going to administer field sobriety tests, Partee refused to cooperate. Partee also refused a preliminary breath test and, after he was given statutory warnings and requested to provide a breath test, he again refused. Callaway arrested Partee and placed him in his cruiser. On the way to the jail, Partee passed out several times. Based upon this record, a finding of intoxication was supported by sufficient probable cause. Partee’s third issue is overruled.

Conclusion

          Having overruled all three issues, the trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

                                                                           Patrick A. Pirtle

                                                                                  Justice