State v. Hochstetler

[Cite as State v. Hochstetler, 2016-Ohio-8389.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF WAYNE )
STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 16AP0013
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
STEVEN M. HOCHSTETLER WAYNE COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
COUNTY OF WAYNE, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 2015 TRC 004527
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: December 27, 2016
SCHAFER, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant, Steven Hochstetler, appeals the judgment of the Wayne
County Municipal Court denying his motion to suppress. For the reasons set forth below, we
affirm.
I.
{¶2} On Friday, May 15, 2015, at approximately 10:09 p.m., Trooper Justin Ross of
the Ohio State Highway Patrol was on duty and driving en route to a reported car crash on State
Route 241 in Wayne County. While driving northbound on Route 241 towards the reported
crash, Trooper Ross observed a van ahead of him that was weaving within its lane of travel.
Ultimately, while the van was driving along a curvature in the road, Trooper Ross observed the
van veer left of center and completely enter the southbound lane of traffic. Trooper Ross
characterized this lane violation as “erratic” driving which caused him to become concerned for
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the safety of the other motorists on the roadway. Trooper Ross then effectuated a traffic stop on
the basis of the observable lane violation.
{¶3} Upon approaching the van, Trooper Ross identified the driver as Steven
Hochstetler. While speaking with Hochstetler, Trooper Ross observed that Hochstetler had
bloodshot and glassy eyes. Hochstetler explained to Trooper Ross that his eyes were bloodshot
because he was tired. He further explained that he was driving from his home in Apple Creek,
Ohio to Canton, Ohio, although Trooper Ross found this explanation “odd.” Trooper Ross then
ordered Hochstetler out of the van in order to perform field sobriety tests. Once the field
sobriety tests had been fully administered, Trooper Ross placed Hochstetler under arrest and had
him submit to breath and urine tests. The result of the breath test indicated that there was no
alcohol on Hochstetler’s breath. However, the urine test later revealed that Hochstetler was
under the influence of marijuana.
{¶4} Hochstetler was subsequently charged with one count of operating a vehicle while
under the influence of alcohol in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a), one count of violating the
lanes of travel (traveling left of center) in violation of R.C. 4511.25, and one count of operating a
vehicle while under the influence of a listed metabolite of a controlled substance (marijuana) in
violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(II). Hochstetler pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
{¶5} On November 9, 2015, Hochstetler filed a motion to suppress all evidence
obtained following the traffic stop on the basis that Trooper Ross lacked a reasonable, articulable
suspicion that he was engaged in criminal activity to justify the administration of field sobriety
tests. On December 31, 2015, the trial court held a hearing on Hochstetler’s motion at which
Trooper Ross testified on behalf of the State. On January 11, 2016, the trial court denied
Hochstetler’s motion to suppress.
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{¶6} On February 4, 2016, Hochstetler pleaded no contest to the charge of operating a
vehicle while under the influence of a listed metabolite of marijuana in violation of R.C.
4511.19(A)(1)(j)(viii)(II). In exchange for his plea, the State dismissed the remaining charges.
The trial court accepted Hochstetler’s plea and found him guilty of the offense. The trial court
then sentenced Hochstetler according to law, but stayed its sentence pending an appeal.
{¶7} Hochstetler filed this timely appeal and raises one assignment of error for this
Court’s review.
II.
Assignment of Error
The trial court erred by finding the trooper had a reasonable suspicion,
based on articulable facts, to warrant the detention of the defendant for the
purposes of administering field sobriety tests following an otherwise lawful
traffic stop.
{¶8} In his sole assignment of error, Hochstetler argues that the trial court erred by
denying his suppression motion because Trooper Ross lacked reasonable suspicion based upon
articulable facts to justify the administration of field sobriety tests. We disagree.
{¶9} A motion to suppress evidence presents a mixed question of law and fact. State v.
Burnside, 100 Ohio St. 3d 152, 2003–Ohio–5372, ¶ 8. “When considering a motion to suppress,
the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and is therefore in the best position to resolve
factual questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses.” Id., citing State v. Mills, 62 Ohio
St.3d 357, 366 (1992). Thus, a reviewing court “must accept the trial court’s findings of fact if
they are supported by competent, credible evidence.” Id. at ¶ 8. “Accepting these facts as true,
the appellate court must then independently determine, without deference to the conclusion of
the trial court, whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard.” Id., citing State v.
McNamara, 124 Ohio App. 3d 706 (4th Dist.1997). As a general matter, “determinations of
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reasonable suspicion and probable cause should be reviewed de novo on appeal.” State v.
Stecion, 9th Dist. Summit No. 20626, 2002 WL 121201, *5 (Jan. 30, 2002), quoting Ornelas v.
U.S., 517 U.S. 690, 699 (1996).
{¶10} The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section
14 of the Ohio Constitution protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures.
“Requiring a driver to submit to a field sobriety test constitutes a seizure within the meaning of
the Fourth Amendment.” State v. Keserich, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 14–COA–011, 2014–Ohio–
5120, ¶ 8, quoting State v. Bright, 5th Dist. Guernsey No. 2009–CA–28, 2010–Ohio–1111, ¶ 17,
citing State v. Knox, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2005–CA–74, 2006–Ohio–3039, ¶ 11. However, a
police officer does not violate an individual’s constitutional rights by administering field sobriety
tests if the police officer has reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. See State v. Simin, 9th
Dist. Summit No. 26016, 2012–Ohio–4389, ¶ 12. “Reasonable suspicion requires that the officer
‘point to specific and articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those
facts, reasonably warrant that intrusion.’” State v. Buchanan, 9th Dist. Medina No. 13CA0041–
M, 2014–Ohio–3282, ¶ 8, quoting Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 21 (1968). Reasonable suspicion is
based on the totality of the circumstances. See United States v. Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 417–418
(1981).
{¶11} A review of the record in this matter indicates that Trooper Ross stopped
Hochstetler’s van at 10:09 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2015 for a marked lane violation, which
Trooper Ross described as “erratic” driving. Trooper Ross also testified at the suppression
hearing that Hochstetler’s eyes were noticeably bloodshot and glassy. After considering the
totality of the circumstances, we determine that Trooper Ross had a reasonable articulable
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suspicion that Hochstetler was driving while intoxicated, thus justifying the administration of
field sobriety tests.
{¶12} In reaching this determination, we are cognizant of the fact that numerous factors
weigh in Hochstetler’s favor. For example, Trooper Ross testified on cross-examination that
Hochstetler denied consuming any alcoholic beverage on the night in question, was not slurring
his speech, did not exhibit problems with his coordination, and did not smell of drugs or
alcoholic beverage while in his van.1 Additionally, Trooper Ross testified that Hochstetler was
polite and cooperative throughout the duration of the traffic stop, that no drugs or open
containers were observable within Hochstetler’s van, and that no bars or drinking establishments
were located nearby as the traffic stop occurred in the country. However, despite this favorable
testimony, we note that no single factor is dispositive of whether a law enforcement officer is
legally justified in conducting field sobriety tests in any given case. See State v. Bunkley, 7th
Dist. Mahoning No. 00 CA 224, 2002 WL 417909, *3 (Mar. 15, 2002), citing State v. Evans, 127
Ohio App. 3d 56, 63 fn. 2 (11th Dist.1998).
{¶13} Here, we place tremendous import on the fact that Trooper Ross stopped
Hochstetler for a traffic violation, which Trooper Ross described as “erratic.” In fact, Trooper
Ross testified that Hochstetler’s entire vehicle crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, just
avoiding a collision with an oncoming vehicle by mere seconds. The video from Trooper Ross’
dash camera supports this testimony. Trooper Ross further testified that Hochstetler’s driving
caused him to become concerned for the safety of other motorists on the road that night.
Moreover, the record demonstrates that Hochstetler was stopped after 10:00 p.m. on a Friday
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Trooper Ross testified that he later observed a slight smell of alcoholic beverage on
Hochstetler’s person once Hochstetler was placed into his cruiser.
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night, a time and day when impaired drivers are more likely to be out on the road. Lastly,
Trooper Ross testified that he noticed that Hochstetler had glassy, bloodshot eyes, which are
often, but not always, an indication of impairment. See State v. Lucking, 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2002-12-303, 2004-Ohio-90, ¶ 11 (“[W]e find that glassy, bloodshot eyes are generally
accepted as classic indicia of intoxication.”). Thus, based on the totality of the circumstances,
we conclude that Trooper Ross possessed reasonable suspicion to administer the field sobriety
tests in this case.
{¶14} Accordingly, Hochstetler’s assignment of error is overruled.
III.
{¶15} Hochstetler’s sole assignment of error is overruled and the judgment of the
Wayne County Municipal Court is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Wayne County
Municipal Court, County of Wayne, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A
certified copy of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
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Costs taxed to Appellant.
JULIE A. SCHAFER
FOR THE COURT
WHITMORE, J.
CONCURS.
CARR, P. J.
DISSENTS.
APPEARANCES:
JOHN E. JOHNSON, JR., Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
DANIEL R. LUTZ, Prosecuting Attorney, and NATHAN R. SHAKER, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, for Appellee.