Washington County v. Kelly L. Springer ( 2020 )

COURT OF APPEALS
DECISION NOTICE
DATED AND FILED This opinion is subject to further editing. If
published, the official version will appear in
the bound volume of the Official Reports.
October 21, 2020
A party may file with the Supreme Court a
Sheila T. Reiff petition to review an adverse decision by the
Clerk of Court of Appeals Court of Appeals. See WIS. STAT. § 808.10
and RULE 809.62.
Appeal No. 2020AP491 Cir. Ct. No. 2020TR439
STATE OF WISCONSIN IN COURT OF APPEALS
DISTRICT II
IN THE MATTER OF THE REFUSAL OF KELLY L. SPRINGER:
WASHINGTON COUNTY,
PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT,
V.
KELLY L. SPRINGER,
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
APPEAL from an order of the circuit court for Washington County:
JAMES K. MUEHLBAUER, Judge. Affirmed.
No. 2020AP491
¶1 NEUBAUER, C.J.1 Kelly L. Springer appeals from an order finding
he unlawfully refused to submit to an implied consent test after he was arrested for
operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). Because we conclude his
refusal was unlawful, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
¶2 At around 7:43 p.m. on January 30, 2020, Washington County
Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Boisvert initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle
on Highway 45 weaving in and out of the left and right lanes without signaling,
crossing over the center line, and crossing over solid white lines relating to an exit
ramp.
¶3 When he approached the vehicle, Boisvert knocked on the window
two times before the single occupant, Springer, responded. When talking to the
officer, Springer took a long time to answer his questions and fumbled around
looking for his insurance card, which he did not find. Springer admitted to having
“several beers or a couple beers.” Boisvert requested that Springer submit to
standardized field sobriety tests (FSTs), which indicated that Springer’s ability to
operate a vehicle was impaired.
¶4 After the FSTs, Boisvert had Springer perform a preliminary breath
test (PBT), which showed a .18% blood alcohol content. Boisvert arrested
Springer for operating while impaired.
1
This appeal is decided by one judge pursuant to WIS. STAT. § 752.31(2)(c) (2017-18).
All references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 2017-18 version unless otherwise noted.
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No. 2020AP491
¶5 Boisvert then read the Informing the Accused form to Springer.
Before reading the form, Boisvert advised Springer that he would be reading the
text to him verbatim, that he could not deviate from the text, and then he would
ask Springer a question with a yes or no answer. Springer stated that he
understood. Boisvert initialed each section of the form as he read it to Springer.
¶6 After the officer finished reading the form to Springer verbatim, he
asked Springer if he would “submit to an evidentiary chemical test of his breath.”
Springer remained silent and never answered the question, after a pause of about
five to ten seconds Boisvert repeated the question.
¶7 The officer believed that he repeated the question six to seven times
to Springer, pausing for five to ten seconds in between each reading. After the last
time Boisvert asked the question, Springer responded, “I already gave you my
test.” Boisvert marked “No” on the Informing the Accused form and provided a
copy to Springer along with a notice of intent to revoke operating privilege form
and a citation for OWI.
¶8 Springer was charged with OWI under WIS. STAT. § 346.63(1)(a)
and unlawfully refusing to submit to an implied consent test, contrary to WIS.
STAT. § 343.305(9)(a). Springer requested a refusal hearing, contending that he
did not unlawfully refuse because he was confused. The court rejected his
arguments and ordered Springer’s operating privilege revoked for one year.
Springer appeals.
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DISCUSSION
Standard of Review
¶9 The application of the implied consent law to an undisputed set of
facts is a question this court reviews de novo. State v. Rydeski, 214 Wis. 2d 101,
106, 571 N.W.2d 417 (Ct. App. 1997).
The Implied Consent Law
¶10 Springer was charged with an unlawful refusal to submit to an
implied consent test under Wisconsin’s implied consent law. WIS. STAT.
§ 343.305. The law aims to help law enforcement secure evidence of intoxication
or controlled substances by persuading drivers to consent to a chemical test by
leveling a penalty on those who refuse. See State v. Zielke, 137 Wis. 2d 39, 41,
403 N.W.2d 427 (1987); § 343.305(2), (3), (9). The law provides in pertinent part:
“Upon arrest of a person for [OWI], a law enforcement officer may request the
person to provide one or more samples of his or her breath, blood or urine for the
purpose [of determining the quantity of alcohol or controlled substances].”
Sec. 343.305(3)(a). When the officer requests the test, the officer must read the
Informing the Accused form, a script that the legislature requires the requesting
officer to read to the accused, which explains that, if the driver refuses to take the
test, there will be penalties.2 Sec. 343.305(4).
2
The Informing the Accused form read to Springer stated as follows:
Under Wisconsin’s Implied Consent Law, I am required to read
this notice to you:
(continued)
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No. 2020AP491
¶11 The refusal to submit to a chemical test for intoxication can only
result in the revocation of the defendant’s operating privileges if the person was
adequately informed of his or her rights prior to the refusal. Washburn County v.
Smith, 2008 WI 23, ¶51, 308 Wis. 2d 65, 746 N.W.2d 243. A court is required to
You have either been arrested for an offense that involves
driving or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or both, or you are the operator of a vehicle that
was involved in an accident that caused the death of, great bodily
harm to, or substantial bodily harm to a person, or you are
suspected of driving or being on duty time with respect to a
commercial motor vehicle after consuming an intoxicating
beverage.
This law enforcement agency now wants to test one or more
samples of your breath, blood or urine to determine the
concentration of alcohol or drugs in your system. If any test
shows more alcohol in your system than the law permits while
driving, your operating privilege will be suspended. If you
refuse to take any test that this agency requests, your operating
privilege will be revoked and you will be subject to other
penalties. The test results or the fact that you refused testing can
be used against you in court.
If you take all the requested tests, you may choose to take
further tests. You may take the alternative test that this law
enforcement agency provides free of charge. You also may have
a test conducted by a qualified person of your choice at your
expense. You, however, will have to make your own
arrangements for that test.
If you have a commercial driver license or were operating a
commercial motor vehicle, other consequences may result from
positive test results or from refusing testing, such as being placed
out of service or disqualified.
In addition, your operating privileges will also be suspended
if a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance is in
your blood.
The next line on the form states: “Will you submit to an evidentiary chemical test of your
________?” Boisvert handwrote “BREATH” in the blank space.
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No. 2020AP491
revoke the person’s operating privilege when there is an unlawful refusal. WIS.
STAT. § 343.305(9)(d), (10).
Springer Unlawfully Refused to Submit to the Implied Consent Test
¶12 Springer contends that he lawfully refused to submit to a chemical
evidentiary test. He argues that the officer did not provide him with sufficient
time to make a decision about whether to submit to an implied consent test. He
also asserts that he was confused, and the officer should have informed him that
the PBT to which he earlier submitted was not an implied consent test.3 We reject
Springer’s challenge.
¶13 Springer first argues that the officer did not provide him with enough
time to make a decision about whether to take the test. “The obligation of the
accused is to take the test promptly or to refuse it promptly.” State v. Nietzel, 95
Wis. 2d 191, 205, 289 N.W.2d 828 (1980). The officer has no obligation to renew
the offer. Id. A verbal refusal is not required and the conduct of the accused may
constitute a refusal. Rydeski, 214 Wis. 2d at 106.
¶14 Rydeski provides helpful guidance. Rydeski initially agreed to take
the breath test but then insisted on using the restroom alone. Id. at 104-05, 107.
The officer advised that Rydeski could wait or use the restroom under supervision.
Id. at 104. The officer then asked Rydeski at least five times to submit to the test.
Id. at 105. The court held that Rydeski refused to take the test and his actions
3
Springer does not challenge the stop, his arrest for OWI, the accuracy or completeness
of the statutorily required information read to him, or that the PBT is not one of the chemical
evidentiary tests required under the implied consent law.
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amounted to a refusal. Id. Once a person has been properly informed, he or she
“must promptly submit or refuse to submit to the requested test.” Id. at 109.
¶15 Here, the officer read the Informing the Accused form to Springer
and then asked him to submit to an evidentiary chemical test. The officer waited
five to ten seconds between each of the six to seven times he asked Springer the
question. We agree with the circuit court that the officer gave Springer sufficient
time to provide a prompt response, and after Springer failed to answer yes or no,
the officer properly took Springer’s response as a refusal.
¶16 Springer’s argument that the officer was required to clear up
Springer’s alleged confusion also fails. For guidance here, where the officer read
the form verbatim, we turn to the court’s discussion of the adequacy of the
information provided under the implied consent law in County of Ozaukee v.
Quelle, 198 Wis. 2d 269, 280, 542 N.W.2d 196 (Ct. App. 1995), abrogated on
other grounds by Washburn Cnty., 308 Wis. 2d 65, ¶¶56-57.
¶17 In Quelle, after Quelle was charged with OWI, the officer read the
implied consent form to her, she read the form herself, and the officer attempted to
explain paragraphs Quelle allegedly was confused about. Quelle, 198 Wis. 2d at
274. Quelle argued that the officer was required to cure her confusion. Id. at 284.
The court rejected this argument, holding that the officer had no duty to explain
the form, and that Quelle’s confusion about the implied consent law arose from
her inability to understand the form, not the officer’s additional explanation. Id. at
285.
¶18 Notably, the court squarely rejected Quelle’s contention that she was
entitled to a defense of confusion because the officer was required to provide
further explanation. The court explained that an opposite result would contradict
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No. 2020AP491
the legislature’s conclusion that the oral delivery of information through WIS.
STAT. § 343.305(4) provides appropriate protection for the accused drunk driver.
Quelle, 198 Wis. 2d at 281. To hold otherwise would open a “Pandora’s box” as a
decision as to “whether the officer should have aided the confused driver could be
litigated in absurdum.” Id. Thus, the court conclusively held that an officer’s
duty under the implied consent law is to deliver the relevant statutorily required
information accurately to the driver. Id. at 285. An officer is under no duty to
explain the choices or the consequences to the driver. Id.4
¶19 Here, the information provided to Springer was proper. The officer
read the Informing the Accused form verbatim to Springer, and Springer does not
contend otherwise. The officer did not supply any additional information. Thus,
there is no contention that the information provided was misleading. The officer
properly informed Springer when he read the form verbatim and repeated the
question asking him to submit to an evidentiary chemical test six to seven times.
¶20 As Quelle makes clear, the officer was not required to address
Springer’s alleged confusion that the PBT satisfied his obligation to submit to a
chemical test. Again, an officer does not have a duty to explain or do more than
4
In County of Ozaukee v. Quelle, 198 Wis. 2d 269, 542 N.W.2d 196 (Ct. App. 1995),
abrogated on other grounds by Washburn County v. Smith, 2008 WI 23, 308 Wis. 2d 65, 746
N.W.2d 243, the court set forth a test addressing situations not applicable here, where the officer
has not met or exceeded his or her duty under WIS. STAT. § 343.305(4) to provide information to
the accused driver. Subsequent cases have applied, distinguished, or modified the Quelle test
where the law enforcement officer provided (1) all the statutorily required information but then
provided more, or (2) less information, or (3) some information that was inaccurate but
inapplicable to the driver’s particular situation and need to make an informed choice. None of
those situations or cases are at issue here, as Springer does not challenge the accuracy or
completeness of the form he was read.
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No. 2020AP491
read the form containing the statutorily required information that Springer needed
to make an informed choice. Id. at 285.
¶21 Because the officer gave Springer sufficient time for a response and
was not required to address Springer’s response, the circuit court properly
concluded that Springer’s refusal was unlawful, and thus, we affirm the order
revoking his operating privilege.
By the Court.—Order affirmed.
This opinion will not be published. See WIS. STAT.
RULE 809.23(1)(b)4.
9