FI RST DI VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, M C M I LLI A N and M ERCI ER, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Januar y 10, 2018



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 7 A2 08 3 . M A CM ASTER v . THE STATE.

B A R N E S , Pres i d i n g J ud g e.

A Fo rs y t h Co u n ty j u ry fo u n d Al i s o n M acM as ter g u i l t y o f d ri v i ng u n d er t h e

i n fl u en ce o f al co ho l w it h an ex ces si v e b l o o d -al co h o l co n cen t rat i o n (“ DUI p er s e”),

d r i v i n g u n d er t h e i n fl u en ce o f al co h o l t o t h e ex t en t it was les s s afe fo r h er t o d r i v e

(“ DUI l es s s afe”), an d fai l ure t o m ai n tai n l an e

. 1 O n ap peal fro m t he d en i al o f h er

m o ti o n fo r n ew t ri al

, M acM as t er ch al l en g es t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s den i al o f h er m o t i o n in

l i m i ne s eek i n g t o ex cl u d e ev i d en ce t h at s h e co n s en t ed t o a St at e-ad m i n i s t ered b reat h

t es t an d t h e res u l t s of t h at t es t

. M acM as ter al s o ch al l en g es t h e tri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f

h er m ot i o n i n l i m i n e s eek i n g t o ex cl u de ev i den ce t h at s h e refu s ed to t ak e a

p rel i m i nary b reat h t es t

. Ad d it i on al l y , M acM as t er arg u es t h at t h e tri al co u rt fai l ed to

ex erci s e i t s d i s cret i o n an d d eci d e wh et h er t o g ran t a n ew t ri al o n t he g en eral g ro u n d s

.

1 Th e t ri al co u rt m erg ed M acM as t er’ s co n v i ct i o n fo r DUI l es s s afe i n t o h e r

co n vi ct i o n fo r DUI p er s e fo r p u rp o s es o f s en t en ci n g

.Fo r t h e reas o n s d i s cu s s ed b el o w, we d i s cern n o erro r b y t h e t ri al co u rt i n i t s ru l i ng s

an d t h erefo re affi rm

.

1

. M acM as t er co nt en d s t h at t h e tri al co u r t e r red i n d en y i n g h er m o t i o n in

l i m i ne i n s ev eral res p ect s

. 2

In rev i ewi n g a t ri al co u rt ’ s ru l i ng o n a m o t i o n t o s u p p res s or m ot i o n in l i m i ne,

ap p el l at e co u rt s co ns t ru e t h e reco rd i n t h e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e t o t h e t ri al co urt ’ s

2 M acM as t er f

u r t h e r arg u es t h at t he t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h er s ep arat e

m o ti o n ch al l en g i n g t h e co n s t i t u t i o nal i t y o f Geo rg ia’ s im p l i ed c o n s en t st at u t o ry fram ewo rk an d as s o ci at ed r e g u l a t i o n s u n d er th e Du e Pro ces s an d Co n fro n t at i o n C l a u s e s o f t h e Un i t ed St at es an d Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t i o n s

. Bu t

, ap p el l at e co u rt s “ wi l l

n o t r u l e on a co n s t i t u ti o nal q u es t i o n u n l es s i t cl earl y ap p ears i n t h e reco rd t h at t h e

t ri al co u rt d i s t i n ct l y ru l ed o n t h e p o i n t ,” an d th e reco rd i n t h e p res en t cas e co n t ai n s

n o s u ch ru l i n g

. (Ci t at io n an d pu n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) M a r ks v. S t at e , 2 8 0 Ga. 7 0

, 7 4 (4 ) (6 2 3 SE2 d 5 0 4 ) (2 0 0 5 ). Th u s , we d o n o t ru l e o n t h is m at t er or t ran s fer i t t o o u r Su p rem e Co u rt

. See McKi b b en v. S t a t e , 3 4 0 Ga. Ap p. 8 9

, 9 2, n

. 1 0 (7 9 6 SE2 d 4 7 8 ) (2 0 1 7); Ken d

r i ck v. S t a t e , 3 35 Ga. Ap p

. 7 6 6

, 7 7 0

, n

. 3 (7 8 2 SE2 d 8 4 2 ) (2 0 16 ). In an y

ev en t, o u r Su p rem e C o u r t recen t l y reject ed s i m i l ar cl ai m s t h at t h e i m p l i ed co n s en t

s t at u te is u n co ns t i t ut i o n al l y m i s l ead i n g an d co erci v e o n i t s face i n v i o l at i on o f d u e

p ro ces s

. See Ol evi k v. St a t e ,

_ _ Ga.

_ _ (3 ) (a) (8 0 6 SE2 d 5 0 5

, 5 2 0 -5 2 3 ) (2 0 1 7 ). See

al s o S ch mi t z v. S t a t e , No

. S1 7 A1 1 9 9, 2 0 1 7 W L 48 7 0 96 0

, at * 1 -2 (Ga. Oct

. 3 0

, 2 0 1 7 );

Fa z io v. St a t e ,

__ Ga.

_

_ (2 ) (8 06 SE2 d 5 4 4

, 54 6 ) (2 0 1 7 ). Ad d i t io n al l y , ou r Su p rem e Co u rt an d t hi s Co urt h av e p rev i o u s l y reject ed Co nfro n t at i o n Cl au s e c h al l en g es rel at i n g t o St at e-ad m in i s t ered ch em i cal t es ts

. See R acko f f v. S ta t e , 2 81 Ga. 3 0 6

, 3 0 9 (2 ) (6 3 7 SE2 d 7 0 6 ) (2 0 0 6 ) ( i n t ro d u ct i o n o f i n sp ect i o n cert ifi cat e fo r b reat h t es t i n g

m ach i n e d i d n o t v i o lat e Co n fro n t at i o n Cl au s e); S mi t h v. St a te

, 3 3 8 Ga. Ap p

. 6 3 5

, 6 3 9 (4 ) (7 9 1 SE2 d 4 1 8 ) (2 0 1 6 ) (St at e n o t req u i red u n d er Co n fro nt at i o n Cl au s e t o n am e i n s p ect o r o f b reat h t es t in g m ach i n e as a wi t n es s); Ph i l l i p s v. S ta t e , 3 2 4 G a. A p p

. 7 2 8,

7 3 3 (7 5 1 SE2 d 5 2 6 ) (2 0 13 ) (Co n fro n t at i o n Cl au s e d o es n o t ap p l y t o m ach i n es l i k e a b reat h t es t i ng m ach i n e).

2fact ual fi n d i n g s an d j u d gm en t

, an d “ al l rel ev an t e v i d en ce o f reco rd

, i n cl u d i n g

ev i d en ce i n t ro d u ced at t ri al

, as wel l as ev i d en ce i n t ro d u ced at t h e m o t i o n to s u p p res s

h eari n g , m ay b e co n s i d ered .” (Ci t at i o n , pu n ct uat i o n , an d em ph as i s o m it t ed .) Pi t t ma n

v. S t a t e , 2 8 6 Ga. Ap p

. 4 1 5, 4 16 (6 5 0 SE2 d 3 0 2 ) (2 0 07 ). See Pr i ce v. S t a t e , 3 0 3 Ga.

Ap p . 8 5 9 , 8 6 1 (1 ) (6 9 4 SE2 d 7 1 2 ) (2 0 1 0 ).

Th i s m ean s t h at t h e rev i ewi n g co u r t g en eral l y m u s t accep t t h e t ri al

co u r t ’s fi n d i n g s as t o d i sp u ted fact s u n l es s t h ey are cl earl y erro n eo us ,

a l t ho u g h t h e rev i ewi n g co u rt m ay al s o co n si der fact s t h at d efi n i ti v e l y

can b e as cert ai n ed ex cl u s i v el y b y r e f e ren ce t o ev i d en ce t hat i s

u n co n t rad i ct ed an d p res en t s n o q u es t i on s o f cred i b i l i t y , s u ch as fact s

i n d i sp u t ab l y d i s cern i b l e fro m a v i d eo tap e.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u nct u at io n o m i t t ed .) S t a t e v. Al l en , 29 8 Ga. 1

, 2 (1 ) (a) (7 7 9 SE2 d

2 4 8 ) (2 0 1 5 ). Gu i d ed b y

t h es e p ri n ci p les , we t urn t o t h e reco rd i n t h i s cas e.

In t h e earl y m o rn i ng h o u rs o f Au g u s t 1 2

, 2 0 1 6

, a d ep ut y wi t h t h e Fo rs y th

Co u n t y Sh eri ff’ s Offi ce o b s erv ed a b l ack Ch ev ro l et Tah o e rep eat ed l y fai l t o m ai n t ai n

i t s l an e an d i ni t i at ed a t raffi c s t o p

. Th e d ep u t y ap p ro ach ed an d m ad e co n t act wi t h t h e

s o l e o ccu p an t an d d ri ver, M acM as t er, an d n ot ed a s t ro n g o d o r o f al co ho l co m i n g fro m

h er car t h at g o t s t r o n g e r ev ery t i m e s h e s p o k e. M acM as t er ad m i t t ed t o h av i n g

co n su m ed th ree b eers i n t h e l as t t h ree h o u rs at a l o cal b ar an d sai d t h at an o t her p at ro n

3h ad s p i l led b eer o n h er. M acM as t er al s o cl ai m ed t h at h er car was ou t o f a l i g n m en t

an d t h at sh e was s im

p l y “ n o t t h e b es t ” dri v er. Th e d ep u t y as k ed to s ee M acM as t er’ s

d ri v er’ s l i cen s e, an d s h e h an ded i t t o h i m

.

W h en th e d ep u t y w al ked b ack t o hi s p at ro l car t o ru n a ch eck o n M acM as t er’ s

l i c e n s e, a s eco n d d ep u t y arri v ed o n t h e scen e. Aft er t h e fi rs t d ep u t y i n fo rm ed t h e

s eco n d d ep u t y o f wh at h e had o b s erv ed o n t h e ro ad way an d d u ri n g h is co n v ers at i o n

wi t h M acM as t er, th e s eco n d d ep u t y t o o k o v er th e i n v es t ig at i o n

. T h e s eco n d d ep u t y

ap p ro ach ed M acM as t er, wh o re m a i n e d s e at ed i n her car. As h e s p ok e wi th

M acM as t er, t h e s eco n d d ep u t y n o t ed a s t ro n g o do r of al co h ol co m i n g fro m h er car

an d saw t h at s h e h ad b l o o d s h o t

, wat ery ey es , a fl u s h ed face, an d th i ck s p eech

.

M acM as t er ag ai n ad m i t t ed t h at s h e h ad b een d ri n k i n g

.

Bas ed o n h i s o b s erv at i o n s o f MacM as t er, t h e s eco n d d ep u t y had M acM as t er

s t ep ou t o f h er car, n o t i ced t h at s h e s t ro n g l y s m el l ed o f al co h o l

, an d as k ed h er i f s h e

wo u l d b e wi l l i n g t o p erfo rm a s eri es o f v o l un t ary fi el d s o b ri et y t es t s

. MacM as t er s ai d

t h at s h e wo u l d b e wi l l i n g t o d o s o . Aft er i n st ru ct in g M acM as t er, t h e s eco n d d ep u t y

h ad h er p erfo rm t h e h o ri zo n t al gaze n y s t ag m u s (“ HGN”) t es t

, t h e wal k-an d -t u rn t es t

,

an d t he o n e-l eg s t an d t es t

. Th e s eco n d d ep u t y o b serv ed s i x o ut of s i x cl u es o f

i m p ai rm en t fo r th e H GN t es t

, s i x o u t o f ei g h t c l u e s f o r th e wal k -an d -t urn t es t

, an d

4t h ree o ut o f fo u r cl u es fo r t h e o n e-l eg s t an d t es t

. Th e seco n d d ep u ty al s o as k ed

M acM as t er t o reci t e th e al p hab et fro m E t o U wi t h ou t s i n g i n g o r rh y m i n g t h e l et t ers ,

b u t M acM as t er san g an d rh y m ed s o m e o f t he l et t ers

. Ad d i t io n al l y , t h e s eco nd d ep u t y

as k ed M acM as t er i f s h e wo u l d t ak e a p rel im i n ary b reat h t es t o n h i s h an d h el d Al co

Sen so r d ev i ce (t h e “ Al co -Sen s o r t es t ”). M a c M a s t e r ex p res s ed t h at sh e was

u n co m fo rt ab l e wi t h t h e Al co -Sen s or t es t, an d t h e s eco n d d ep ut y t reat ed her res p o n s e

as a refu s al

.

Bas ed o n M acM as ter’ s m an n er o f d ri v i n g , t h e s t ro n g o d o r o f al co h o l

, h er

b l o o d sh o t

, wat ery ey es , h er t h i ck sp eech

, h er ad m i ss i on t o d ri n k i n g , an d h er

p erfo rm an ce o n t h e fi el d s o b ri et y t es t s , t h e seco n d d ep u t y p l aced h er u n der arres t fo r

DUI an d fai l u re to m ai n t ai n l an e. Aft er arres t i n g M acM as t er, t h e seco n d d ep u t y read

h er Geo rg i a’ s i m

p l i ed c o n s e n t n o t ice fo r s u s pect s o v er t h e ag e of 2 1 an d as k ed

wh et h er s h e wo u l d ag ree t o a St at e-ad m i n is tered t es t o f h er b reat h

. W h en M acM as t er

as k ed i f s h e h ad a ch o i ce, t h e s eco n d d ep u t y ex p lai n ed t hat i t was h er ch o i ce t o s ay

y es o r n o . M acM as t er t h en ag reed t o t ak e t he t es t

.

Th e s eco n d d ep u t y t ran s p o rt ed M acM as t er t o t h e Fo rs y t h Co u nt y Det en t i o n

Cen ter fo r t h e St at e-ad m i n i s t ered b reat h t es t

. A cco rd i n g to t he s e c o nd d ep u t y ,

M acM as t er nev er ch an g ed h er m i n d d u ri n g t h e d ri v e ab ou t t ak i n g th e t es t

. On ce at

5t h e d et en t i o n cen ter, M acM as t er s p o k e wi t h an o th er d ep u t y wh o was cert i fi ed to

ad m i n is t er t h e b reat h t es t o n t h e In t o x i l y zer 9 0 00 (t h e “ c e r t i f i e d ad m i n i st rat o r”).

M acM as t er as ked t h e cert i fi ed ad m i n is t rat or i f s h e s ho u ld t ak e t h e b reat h t es t o n t h e

m ach i n e, an d t h e ad m i n is t rat o r ex p lai n ed t o h er t h at s he d i d n o t h av e t o tak e i t a n d

t h at i t was v o l u n t ary

. M acM as ter t h en s u b m i tt ed to a b reat h t es t o n t h e In t o x i l y zer,

wh i ch ret u rn ed b l o o d -al co h o l co n cen t rat i o n read i n g s o f 0 .1 66 an d 0 .1 5 9

. A cco rd i n g

t o t h e cert i fi ed ad m i n i s t rat o r, t h e In t o x i l y zer was fu n ct i o ni n g p r o p erl y an d i n g o o d

wo rk i n g o rd er wh en M acM as t er was t es t ed

, n o co m p o n en t s o r p art s were m i s s i n g , t h e

m ach i n e h ad p as s ed i t s p eri o di c i n s p ect i o ns , an d d i ag n o s t i c t es t s p erfo rm ed o n t h e

m ach i n e t h at d ay

rev eal ed n o p ro b lem s

.

M acM as t er was ch arg e d b y accu s at i o n wi t h DUI p er s e, DUI l es s s afe, an d

fai l u re t o m ai n tai n l an e. Sh e fi l ed a m o t i on i n l im in e s eek i n g t o ex cl u d e, o n s ev eral

co n st i t u t io n al gro un d s , t h e ad m i s s i o n o f t h e res u l t s of t h e St at e-ad m i n i s t ered b reat h

t es t a n d a n y e v i d en ce o f her co n s en t t o th e St at e-ad m i n is tered b reat h t es t an d h er

refu sal t o t ak e t h e Al co -Sen s o r t es t . M acM as t er arg u ed t h at s h e h ad n ot v o l u n t ari l y

co n sen t ed t o t he St at e-ad m i n is t ered b reat h t es t an d t h at h er al l eg ed co n s en t h ad b een

p ro cu red b efo re s h e h ad b een p ro p erl y ad v i s ed o f her ri g h ts u n d er M i r a n d a v

.

Ar i z o n a , 3 8 4 U. S. 4 36 (8 6 SCt 1 6 0 2, 1 6 LE2 d 6 9 4 ) (1 9 6 6 ), an d i n v io l at i o n o f h er

6co n st i t u t io n al ri g h t ag ai n st s el f-i n cri m i n at i o n. M acM as t er fu rt h er arg u ed t h at h er

refu sal to t ak e t h e A l co -Sen so r t es t was i n ad m i ss i b le b ecau se s h e h ad a co n s t i t u t i o n al

ri gh t t o refu s e t o co n s en t t o a warran t l es s s earch w i t ho u t h av in g i t i n t ro du ced ag ai n s t

h er at t ri al

.

Th e t ri al co u rt co n d u ct ed a h eari n g o n M acM as t er’ s m o t io n i n l i m i n e, wh ere

t h e t w o d ep u t i es o n th e s cen e o f t h e t raffi c s t o p an d t h e cert i f i e d a d m i n i s t rat o r

t es t i fi ed t o ev en t s as s et o u t ab o v e, an d t h e St at e in tro d u ced t h e d as h -cam reco rd i ng s

fro m th e two d ep u t i es ’ p at ro l cars

. A ft er h eari n g al l t h e tes t i m on y an d rev i ewi n g t h e

d as h -cam reco rd i n g s , t he t ri al co u rt d en i ed M acM as t er’ s m o t io n i n l i m i n e.

(a) M acM as t er arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co urt erred i n d en y i n g h er m o t i o n i n l i m i n e

t o ex cl u de t h e ad m i s si o n o f t h e res u l t s o f h er St at e-ad m i n is t ered b reat h t es t b ecau s e

t h e warran t l es s t es t vi o l at ed h er ri gh t t o b e free o f u n reas o nab l e s earch es an d s ei zu res

u n d er t h e Un i t ed St at es an d Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t i o ns

. Acco rd in g t o M acM as ter, t h e t ri al

co u rt erred i n fi nd i n g t h a t s h e freel y an d v o l u nt ari l y co n s en t ed t o t he warran t l es s

b reat h t es t . W e d i s ag ree.

Th e Fo u rt h Am en d m en t o f t h e Un i t ed S t a t es Co n s t it u t i o n an d

Art i cl e I, Sect i o n I, Parag rap h XIII o f th e Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t i o n b o t h

p ro t ect an i n d iv i d u al ’ s ri g h t t o b e free o f un reas o n ab l e search es an d

s ei zu res , an d ap p ly wi t h eq ual fo rce t o t h e co m p el led wi t h d r a wal o f

7b l o o d

, b reat h

, an d o t h e r b o d i ly s u b s t an ces

. Becau s e a breat h t es t i s a

s earch wi t h i n t h e m ean i n g o f t h e Fo u rt h A m en d m en t

, ab s en t a w arran t

,

t h e St at e m

u s t sh o w t h at i t fal l s i nt o o n e o f t he s p eci fi cal l y es t ab l i s h ed

an d wel l -d el in eat ed ex cep t i o n s t o t h e warran t req ui rem en t

.

Co n s en t i s a v al i d b as i s fo r a warran t l es s s earch wh ere i t i s g i v en

freel y an d vo l u n tari l y , an d t h e S t a t e d o es no t arg u e t h at an y o t h er

ex cep t i on m i g h t ap p l y

. T h ere f o r e , t h e o n l y q u es t i o n in reg ard t o th e

v al i d i t y of t h e s earch i s wh et h er t h e St at e m et i t s b u rd en o f p ro vi n g t hat

[M acM as t er] act u al l y co n s en t ed freel y an d v o l u n t ari l y u n d er th e t o t al i t y

o f t h e ci rcu m s t an ces [t o t h e St at e-ad m i n i s t ered b reat h t es t ]

.

Hi s t o ri cal l y , we co n s i d ered a d efen d an t ’ s affi rm at i v e res p o ns e t o

t h e read in g o f t h e i m

p l ied co n sen t n o ti ce as s u ffi ci en t to al l o w a s earch

o f h i s o r h er b o d il y fl ui d s wi t h o u t fu rt h er i n q ui ry in t o t h e v al i d it y o f th e

d efen d an t ’ s co n s en t

. Ho wev er,[i n W il l ia ms v. S t a t e , 2 9 6 Ga. 8 1 7

, 8 2 1

-
8 2 2 (7 7 1 SE2 d 3 7 3) (2 0 15 ), o u r Su p rem e Co u rt ] reject ed t h is p er s e ru l e

au t o m at i cal l y eq u at i ng an affi rm at i v e r e s p o n s e t o t h e i m p l i ed co n s en t

n o t i ce w i th act u al co n sen t to a s earch wi t h i n th e m ean in g o f t h e Fo u rt h

Am en dm en t

. In s t ead

, co u rt s m u s t no w co n d u ct a cas e-b y -cas e an al y s i s ,

co n s i d eri ng t h e t o t al i t y

o f t h e ci rcu m s t an ces

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n c t u at i o n o m it t ed

. ) Ken d ri ck v. St at e , 3 3 5 Ga. Ap p

. 7 66

, 7 6 8 -7 6 9

(7 8 2 SE2 d 8 4 2 ) (2 0 1 6 ). See S t a t e v. Y o u n g , 3 3 9 Ga. Ap p. 3 0 6 , 3 1 0 -3 11 (7 9 3 SE2 d

1 8 6 ) (2 0 1 6 ); Ja co b s v. S t a t e , 33 8 Ga. Ap p

. 7 4 3

, 7 4 7 -7 4 8 (2 ) (7 9 1 SE2 d 8 44 ) (2 0 1 6 ).

8As t h i s Co u rt h as fu rt h er ex p l ai n ed

,

In co nd u ct in g a t o t al i t y o f t h e ci rcu m s t an ces an al y s i s , w e h av e

co n s i d ered a h o s t o f fact o rs

. A co n s en t t o s earch wi l l n o rm al l y b e h el d

v o l u n t ary i f t h e t o t al i ty o f t h e ci rcu m st an ces fai l s t o s h o w th at th e

o ffi cers u s ed fear, i n t i m i dat i o n , t h re a t o f ph y s i cal pu n is h m en t, o r

l en g th y d et en t i on t o o b t ai n t he co n s en t

. T h e d efen d an t ’ s affi rm at iv e

res p on s e t o t h e i m

p li ed co n s en t n ot i ce m ay i t s el f b e s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce

o f act u al an d v o l u n t ary co n s en t

, a b s e n t reas o n t o b el i ev e t h e res p o n s e

was i n v o l un t ary

. T h e d efen dan t ’ s fai l u re t o ex p res s an o b j ect i o n t o th e

t es t o r ch an g e hi s o r h er m i n d al s o i s ev i den ce o f act u al co n sen t

. Th ere

i s , h o w ev er, n o d u t y t o i n fo rm s u sp ect s o f t h ei r co n s t i t u ti o n al ri g h t

ag ai ns t u n reas o n ab l e s earch es . Th e u s e o f h an d cu ffs d o es n ot n eg at e a

d efen d an t ’ s ab i l i t y t o g i ve co n s en t . An d t he m ere fact t h at a d efen d an t

was v i si b l y

i n to xi cat ed d o es n o t ren d er h i s co n sen t i n v o l u n t ary

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Ja co bs , 3 3 8 Ga. Ap p . at 7 4 8 -7 4 9 (2 ).

Here, t h e ev i d en ce, i n cl u d i n g the da s h -cam reco rd i n g fro m th e s eco n d d ep u t y ’ s

p at ro l car, s h o w s t h at M acM as ter g av e an affi rm at i v e res p o n s e t o t h e q u es ti o n p o s ed

b y t h e dep u t y wh en he reci t ed t h e i m p li ed co n s en t n o t i ce, s h e n ev er ch an ged h er m i n d

b efo re t h e t es t i n g o ccu rred

, an d s h e d i d n o t ap p ear t o b e i m p ai red t o th e ex t en t t h at

s h e was un ab l e t o u n d ers t an d w h at was as ked . Fu rt h erm o re, t h e ev i d en ce “ d o es n ot

s h o w t h at t h e [t h e d ep u ty ] u s ed fear, i n t i m i d at io n , t h reat of ph y si cal p u ni s h m en t

, o r

l en g t h y det en t i o n t o o b t ai n [M acM as t er’ s ] co n sen t t o th e b reat h t es t

, an d t h e [d ep u t y ]

9an d [M acM as t er] co n d u ct ed t h em s el v es cal m l y ” t h ro u g h o u t t h ei r en co u n t er.

(Pu n ct u at i on o m i t t ed

. ) Y

ou n g , 33 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 31 1

, q u o t i ng Ken d r i ck

, 3 35 Ga. Ap p.

at 7 6 9

. No r i s t h ere an y ev i d en ce t h at M acM as t er’ s ag e o r l ev el o f ed u cat i o n n eg at ed

h er co n s en t

. W h i l e M acM as t er arg u es t h at t h e l an g uag e o f t h e i m p l i ed co ns en t n o t i ce

i s fal s e an d m i s l ead i ng t o t h e p o i n t wh ere an i n d i v i d u a l ’s co n sen t t o a b reat h tes t

can n ot b e co n s i d ered v o l u n t ary , o u r Su prem e Co u rt h as reject ed th at arg u m en t

. See

S ch m i t z , 2 0 1 7 W L 4 8 7 0 9 6 0

, at * 1 -2 ; Fa zi o ,

_ _ Ga. at

_

_ (2 ) (8 06 SE2 d at 5 4 6 );

Ol evi k

,

_ _ G a. at

_

_ (3 ) (a) (8 0 6 SE2 d at 5 2 0 -5 2 3 )

. A c c o r d i n g l y , g i v en t h e

ev i d en t i ary reco rd i n th i s cas e, w e co n cl u de t h at t h e tri al co u rt co m m i t t ed n o erro r in

fi nd i ng u n d er t h e to t al i t y o f t he ci rcu m s tan ces t hat M acM as t er freel y an d v o l u n t ari l y

co n sen t ed t o t h e St at e-ad m i n i s t ered b reat h t es t

. See M cKi b b en v. S t at e , 3 4 0 Ga. Ap p.

8 9

, 9 3 -9 4 (7 9 6 SE2 d 4 78 ) (2 0 1 7 ); Y o u n g , 3 3 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 3 11 -3 1 2 ; Ja co b s , 3 3 8 Ga.

Ap p . at 7 4 9 -7 5 0 (2 ); Ken dr i ck

, 3 35 Ga. Ap p. at 7 72

.

Fu rt herm o re, i n Bi r ch

f iel d v. No r t h Da ko t a ,

_

_ U. S.

_ _ (V) (C) (3 ) (1 3 6 SCt

2 1 6 0

, 2 1 8 4 -2 1 8 5, 1 9 5 LE2 d 5 6 0) (2 0 1 6 ), t h e Su p rem e Co u rt o f t h e Un i t ed St at es h el d

t h at t h e Fo u rt h Am en d m en t t o t h e Un i ted St at es Co ns t i t u t i o n p erm i t s warran t l es s

b reat h t es t s as s earch es i n ci d en t to arres t s fo r dru n k d ri v in g

. Si m i l arl y , A rt i cl e I,

Sect i o n I, Parag rap h XIII o f t he Geo rg ia Co n s t i t u t i on al l o ws a warran t l es s b reat h tes t

10t o b e ad m i n i s t ered as a s earch i nci d en t t o arres t

. See Ol evi k

,

_ _ G a. at

_ _ (2 ) (b ) (8 0 6

SE2 d at 5 1 2). Co ns eq u en t l y , t h e wa r r a n t l es s t es t of M acM as t er’ s b reat h was

a u t h o ri zed b y t h e s earch -i n ci d en t -t o -arres t ex cep t i o n t o t h e warran t req u i rem e n t

u n d er b o t h t h e Un i t ed St at es an d Geo rg i a Co n s t it u t i o n s , i rres p e c t i v e of wh et h er

M acM as t er’ s co n s en t w as freel y an d v o l u n t ari ly ob t ai n ed fo r t h e b reat h t es t

. See i d.

(b ) M acM as t er arg ues t h at t h e t ri al co urt erred i n d en y i n g h er m o t i o n i n l i m i n e

t o ex cl u d e t h e a d m i s s i o n o f h er s t at em en t s co n s en t i n g t o t h e St at e-ad m i n i s t ered

b reat h t es t an d o f t h e res u l t s o f th at t es t b ecau s e t h e ad m is s i o n of t h at ev id en ce at t ri al

v i o l at ed h er co n stitutiona l r i ght a ga inst s e lf-i n cri m i n at io n u n der t h e Un i t ed St at es an d

Geo rg i a Co n st i tu ti o n s . W e are u n p ers u ad ed

.

Th e s co p e o f t h e ri g h t ag ai n s t s el f-i n cri m i n at i o n p ro t ect ed b y t h e Fi ft h

Am en d m en t t o t h e Un i t ed St at es Co n s t i tu t i o n “ i s l i m i t ed to ev id en ce o f a t es t i m o n i al

o r co m m u n i cat i v e n at u re.” O l evi k

,

_ _ G a. at

_

_ ( 2 ) (c) (8 0 6 SE2 d at 5 1 3 ). See

S ch m er b er v. Ca l i

f o r n i a , 3 8 4 U.S. 7 5 7

, 7 6 4 (II) (8 6 SCt 1 8 2 6

, 1 6 LE2 d 9 0 8 ) (1 9 6 6 );

Mu h a mma d v. S t a t e , 2 8 2 Ga. 2 4 7

, 2 5 0 -2 5 1 (3 ) (6 4 7 SE2 d 5 6 0 ) ( 2 0 0 7 ); S ca n l o n v.

S t a t e , 2 3 7 Ga. Ap p

. 3 6 2

, 3 6 3

- 3 6 4 ( 1 ), (2 ) (5 1 4 SE2 d 8 7 6) (1 9 99 ). “ [T] o b e

t es t i m o ni al

, an accu s ed ’ s co m m u n i cat i o n m

us t i t s el f, ex p l i ci t l y o r i m p li ci t l y , rel at e

a fact u al as s ert i o n o r d i s cl o s e i n fo rm at i o n .” Do e v. Un i t ed S ta t es , 4 8 7 U.S. 2 0 1

, 2 1 0

11(II) (A) (1 0 8 SCt 2 3 4 1

, 1 0 1 LE2 d 1 8 4 ) (1 9 8 8 ). A d efen d an t ’ s v erb al co n s en t t o t ak e

a breat h t es t an d t h e res u l t s ob t ai n ed fro m s u ch a t es t are no t ev i d en ce o f a t es t i m o n i al

o r co m m unic a tive na tur e an d t h us d o n o t im p l i cat e t h e ri g h t ag ai ns t s el f-i n cri m i n at i o n

u n d er t h e Fi ft h Am en d m en t. See S ca nl o n , 2 3 7 Ga. Ap p . at 3 6 3 -3 6 4 (1 ), (2 ).

In co n t ras t , a d efen d an t ’ s ri g h t ag ai n s t s el f-i n cri m i nat i on affo rd ed b y Art i cl e

I, Sect i o n I, Parag rap h XVI o f th e Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t i on (“ Parag rap h X VI”) p ro t ect s

ag ai n s t co m

p el l ed b reat h t es t s

. See Ol evi k

,

_ _ Ga. at

_

_ ( 2 ) ( c) (8 0 6 SE2 d at 5 1 3

-

5 2 0 ). Bu t, t h e ri g h t ag ai n st s el f-i n cri m i n at i o n u nd er Parag rap h XVI i s n o t v i o l at ed

wh ere th e d efen dan t v o lu n t ari l y co n s en t s t o t h e breat h t es t rat h er t h an b ei n g

co m p el l ed . See i d . at

_

_ (2 ) (c) (i i i ), (3 ) (b ) (8 0 6 SE2 d at 5 1 7 -5 18 , 5 2 3 -5 2 4 ). An d

,

wh et h er a d efen d an t is c om pe ll ed t o p ro v i d e s el f-i n cri m i n at i n g ev i d en ce

i n v i o l at i o n o f Parag rap h XVI i s d et erm i ned un d er t h e t o t al i t y o f t h e

ci rcu m s t an ces

. Det erm i n i n g t h e v o l u n t ari nes s o f (o r l ack o f co m p u l s i o n

s u rro u nd i n g ) a d efen d an t ’ s i n cri m i n a t i n g s t at em en t o r act i n vo l v es

co n s i d erat i o n s s i m i l ar t o t h o s e e m p l o y ed i n d et erm i n i n g wh et h er a

d efen d an t v o l u n t ari l y co n s en t ed t o a s earch

. W e h av e s ai d t h at th e

v o l u n t ari n es s of a co ns en t t o s earch i s d et erm i n ed b y s u ch fact o rs as th e

ag e o f th e accu s ed

, h i s e d u cat i o n , hi s i n t el l i g en ce, th e l en g t h o f

d et en t i o n , wh et h er th e accu s ed was ad v i s ed o f h i s co n st i tu t i o n al ri g h t s ,

t h e p ro l o n g ed n at u re o f q u es t i o n i n g , th e u s e o f ph y s i cal p u n i s h m en t

, an d

t h e p s y ch o lo g i cal i m

p act o f al l t h e s e fact ors o n t h e accu s ed

. In

d et erm i ni n g v o l u n tari n es s , n o s i n g l e fact o r i s co n t ro ll i ng

.

12(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id . at

_

_ (3 ) (b ) (8 0 6 SE2 d at 5 2 3 ).

Here, as d i s c u s s e d s u p r a i n Di v i s i o n 1 (a), t h e t ri al co u rt co m m i t t ed n o erro r

i n fi n d i n g u n der t h e t o tal i t y o f t h e ci rcu m st an ces t h at MacM as t er freel y an d

v o l u n t ari l y co n s en t ed t o t h e St at e-ad m i n is tered b reat h t es t

. Acco rd i n g l y , b ecau s e

M acM as t er was n ot c o m

pel l ed to u n d erg o t h e St at e-ad m in i s t ered b reat h t es t

, h er ri g ht

ag ai n s t s el f-i n cri m i nat i o n u n d er Parag rap h XVI was n o t v i ol at ed

. See Ol evi k

,

_ _ Ga.

at

_

_ (3 ) (b ) (8 0 6 SE2 d at 5 2 3-5 2 4 ).

(c) M acM as ter al so co n t en d s t h at t he t ri al co u rt s h ou l d h av e ex cl ud ed h er

v erb al res p o n s e co n s en t i n g t o t h e St at e-ad m i n i s t ered b reat h t es t b ecau s e her co n s en t

was o b t ai n ed aft er sh e was i n p o l i ce cu s t o d y b u t b efo re s he h ad b een ad v i s ed o f h er

ri gh t s u n der Mi r a n da v. Ar i z o n a , 3 8 4 U.S. 4 3 6 (8 6 SCt 1 6 0 2

, 1 6 L E2 d 6 9 4 ) (1 9 6 6 ).

As d i s c u s s e d s u p ra i n Di v i s i o n 1 (b ), a d efen d an t ’ s Fi ft h A m en d m en t ri g h t ag ai n s t

s el f-i n cri m i n at i o n i s n o t i m p l i cat ed by a St at e-ad m in i s t ered b reat h t es t

. See S ca n l o n ,

2 3 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 3 6 3-3 6 4 (1 ), (2 ). “ Th u s , th e ab s en ce o f Mi ra n da warn i n g s d o es n ot

req u i re s u p p res s i o n o f [M acM as t er’ s ] co n s en t t o t h e b reat h t es t u n d er fed eral l aw.”

Id

. at 36 4 (1 ). Ad d i ti o n al ly

, we h av e h el d i n a wh o l e co u rt d eci s io n t h at “ an arres t ee

i s n ot

, u n d er Geo r g i a co n s t i t u t i o n al o r s t at u t o ry l aw, en t i tl ed t o Mi ra n d a warn i ng s

b efo re d eci d i n g wh et h er t o s u b m i t t o t h e S t at e’ s req ues t fo r an ad d i t i o nal t es t o f

13b reat h

, bl o od

, o r u ri n e.” (Em p h as i s o m i t t ed .) S ta t e v. Co e , 2 4 3 Ga. A p p

. 2 3 2

, 2 3 4 (2 )

(5 3 3 SE2 d 1 04 ) (2 0 0 0 ), o v erru l ed i n p art o n ot h er g ro u n ds by O l evi k

,

_ _ Ga. at

_ _ (2 )

(c) (i v ), n

. 1 1 (8 06 SE2 d at 5 2 0

, n

. 1 1 ). See Ta yl o r v. S t a t e , 3 3 7 Ga. Ap p

. 4 8 6

, 4 9 4

(4 ) (a) (i i i ) (7 8 8 SE2 d 9 7 ) (2 0 16 ).

Al t h ou g h M acM as t er, wi t h t h e perm i s s i o n o f t hi s Co u rt

, fi l ed a s u p pl em en t al

b ri ef t o ad d res s t h e Su p rem e Co u rt ’ s recen t Ol evi k d eci s i o n, s h e d i d n o t ad d res s in

h er b ri ef wh et h er o r t o wh at ex t en t t h at d eci s i on m i g h t a f f e c t o u r ru l i n g i n Co e

reg ard i n g t he ap p l i cat i o n o f Mi ra n d a warn i n g s u n d er t h e Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t i o n

. In t h e

ab s en ce o f an y arg u m en t fro m M acM as ter t h at w e reco n s i d er o r o v erru l e o ur d eci s i o n

i n Co e as i t p ert ai n s t o M

i r a n d a warn i n gs , w e d ecl i n e t o ad d res s t h at i s s ue h ere. See

M i t ch el l v. S t at e , 3 0 1 G a. 5 6 3

, 5 7 2 (4 ) (8 0 2 SE2 d 21 7 ) (2 0 1 7 ) (d ecl i n i n g t o

reco n s i d er p reced en t i n ab s en ce o f arg u m en t fro m ap p el l an t t h at i t s h o u l d b e

o v erru l ed ). See al s o Ol evi k

,

__ Ga. at

_ _ (3 ) (a) (i ), n

. 1 3 (8 0 6 SE2 d at 52 2

, n

. 1 3 )

(“ To t h e ex t en t O lev i k arg u es th at we s h o u ld i m p o s e a M i r a n d a -s t y l e p ro p h y l act i c

ru l e t o p ro t ect su s p ect s ’ Parag rap h XVI ri g h t s (ri g h t s th e s co p e o f wh i ch

, as we h av e

ex p lai n ed

, were w el l

- es t ab l is h ed l o n g b efo re t h e Su p rem e Co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n in

Mi r an d a ), h e do es n o t p o i n t u s t o a s i n g le d eci s io n o f t h i s Co u rt o r an y t ex t u al o r

14h i s t o ri cal b as i s s u p po rt i n g s u ch a s t ep

. In th e ab s en ce o f a m o re co m p l et e arg u m en t

,

we d ecl i n e t o ad d res s t h i s i s s u e.”).

(d ) M acM as ter fu rt her arg u es th at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h er m o t i o n

i n li m in e t o ex cl u d e t h e ad m i s s io n o f h er refu s al t o t ak e t h e Al co -Sen s o r t es t

.

Acco rd in g t o M acM as t er, an Al co -Sen s o r t es t i s a warran t les s s earch o f a s u s p ect ’ s

b reat h

, an d s h e s h o u l d b e ab l e t o i n v o k e h er Fo u rt h Am en d m en t ri g h t t o refu s e to

co n sen t t o s u ch a s earch wi t ho ut h av i n g h er refu s al u sed ag ai n s t h er at t ri al

.

As p rev i o u sl y n o t e d

, t h e ad m i n i st rat i o n o f a b reat h t es t i s a s earch u n d er t h e

Fo u rt h Am en d m en t

. B i r ch f i el d

, 1 3 6 SCt at 2 1 7 3 (IV); Ken d ri ck

, 3 3 5 G a. Ap p

. at 7 6 8.

In Ma ckey v. S ta t e , 2 3 4 Ga. Ap p

. 5 5 4

, 5 5 6 (5 07 SE2 d 4 8 2 ) (1 9 98 ), w e hel d t h at “ an

i n d i v i d u al sh o u l d be ab l e t o i n v o k e h i s Fo u rt h Am en d m en t ri g h t s wi t h o u t hav i n g h i s

refu sal u s ed ag ai n s t h i m at t ri a l

. ” Ho w ev er, Ma ckey in v o l v ed a defen d an t ’ s refu s al

t o c o n s en t t o t h e warran t l es s s earch o f a v eh i cl e, an d w e p o i n t ed o ut t h at “ [a]

d efen d an t ’ s refu s al t o co n sen t t o a warran t l es s search o f h is v eh icl e o r o t h er p ro p ert y

i s q u it e a d i fferen t i s s u e” fro m “ a d efen d an t ’ s refu s al t o s u b m i t t o a bl o o d o r u ri n e tes t

fo r det erm i n i n g al co h o l o r d ru g co n t en t .” I d

. at 5 5 5 -5 5 6

. As we hav e em p h as i zed

,

“ [ t ]h e c as e l aw i n terp ret i n g i m p l i ed co n s en t l aws d em o n s t rat es th at t h e ju d i ci ary

o v erwh el m i ng l y san ct io n s th e u s e o f ci v i l pen al t i es an d ev i d en t i ary co n s eq u en ces

15ag ai n s t DUI s u s p ect s wh o refu se t o co m p l y

. ” Hyn es v. S t a t e , 3 4 1 Ga. Ap p

. 5 0 0

, 5 0 8

(8 0 1 SE2 d 3 06 ) (2 0 1 7 ). See Bi rch f i el d

, 1 3 6 SCt at 2 1 85 (VI); Ol evi k

,

__ Ga. at

_ _ (3 )

( a ) ( i ) ( 8 0 6 SE2 d at 5 2 1 ). Hen ce, we h av e h el d t h at t h e refu s al to tak e a St at e

ad m i n is t ered ch em i cal t es t u n d er Geo rg i a’ s i m p l ied co n s en t l aw i s ad m i s s ib l e at t ri al

.

See S z o p i n s ki v. S t a t e , 3 42 Ga. Ap p

. 6 4 7, 6 5 0 (1 ) (8 0 4 SE2 d 65 7 ) (2 0 1 7 ); Br o o ks v.

S t a t e , 18 7 Ga. Ap p. 1 9 4

, 1 9 5 (1 ) (3 6 9 SE2 d 8 0 1) (1 9 8 8 ). W e d i s cern n o reas o n wh y

t h e s am e ru l e i n fav o r o f ad m i s s i o n s h o u l d n o t ap p l y in t h e co n t ex t o f a d efen d an t ’ s

refu sal to t ak e an Al co -Sen s o r p rel i m i n ary b reat h t es t, wh i ch we h av e p rev i o u s l y h el d

i s ad m i s si b l e as ci rcu m s tan t i al ev i d en ce t en d i n g to s h o w th at t h e d efen d an t was

i m p ai red

. See Ko rp o n a i v. S t a t e , 3 1 4 Ga. A p p

. 71 0

, 7 1 2 (3 ) (a) (7 2 5 SE2 d 8 3 2 )

(2 0 1 2); Cr u ss el l e v. S t a t e , 3 0 3 Ga. Ap p . 8 7 9 , 8 8 1 (1 ) (6 9 4 SE2 d 7 0 7 ) (2 0 1 0 ).

M o re o v e r , M acM as t er can n o t d em o n s trat e harm res u l t i n g fro m t h e al l eg ed

erro neo u s ad m i ss io n

. Ev en erro r o f co n s t i t u ti on al m ag n i tu d e can be h el d harm l es s ,

i f “ th e St at e can p ro v e b ey o n d a reas on ab l e d o u b t th at t h e erro r d i d n o t co n t ri b u t e to

t h e v e r d ict ,” s u ch as wh en t he ev i d en ce i s cu m u l at iv e o f o t h er p ro p erl y ad m i t t ed

ev i d en ce o r t h e ev i d en ce o f t he d efen d an t ’ s g u i l t is o v erwh el m i n g

. (Ci t at i o n an d

p u n ct u at i o n om it t ed .) S t o va l l v. S t at e , 2 8 7 Ga. 4 1 5

, 4 18 (3 ) (6 9 6 SE2 d 6 3 3 ) (2 0 1 0 ).

16“ Here, t h e d i rect ev i d en ce of [M acM a s t e r ’s ] g u i l t fo r th e DUI p er se ch arg e

was o v erwh el m i n g. As t o th at ch arg e, t h ere was n o d i s p u t e [M acM as t er] was d ri v i n g

[h er] veh i cl e; [M acM as ter] ad m i t t ed [s h e] h ad co n s u m ed al co h o l t h at ev en i n g ; an d

t h e b reat h t es t s s h owed [M acM as t er’ s ] BAC was s u b s t an t i al l y i n ex ces s o f 0 .0 8

g ram s .” Jo n es v. S t a t e , 3 0 1 Ga. 5 4 4

, 5 5 1 (3 ) (8 0 2 SE2 d 2 3 4 ) (2 0 1 7 ). Fu rt h erm o re, t h e

d i rect ev i d en ce o f M acM as ter’ s g u i l t of fai l u re t o m ai n t ai n l an e i s o v erwh el m i n g , as

refl ect ed b y t h e d as h -cam reco rd i n g fro m t h e fi rs t d ep ut y ’ s pat ro l car cl earl y s h o wi n g

h er d ri v i n g i n fract i on

. See, e.g

., Mo o r e v. S t a t e , 2 4 2 G a. Ap p

. 2 49

, 2 5 1 (1 ) (a) (5 2 9

SE2 d 3 8 1 ) (2 0 0 0 ) (d efen d an t ’ s g u i l t w a s o v erwh el m i n g , wh ere ev i d en ce i n cl u d ed

v i d eo reco rd i n g s h o wi n g t h e arm ed ro b b ery ).

Acco rd i ng l y , ev en i f w e were t o as s u m e f o r th e s ak e o f arg u m en t t h at t h e

ad m i s s i o n o f M acM as t er’ s refu s al t o t ak e an Al co

- S en s o r t es t was co n s t i t u t i o n al

erro r, i t was h arm l es s erro r th at d i d no t co n t ri b u t e t o M acM as t er’ s co n v i ct i o n s o f DUI

p er s e an d fai l u re t o m ai n t ai n l an e. See Jo n es , 30 1 Ga. at 5 5 1 (3 ). W h i l e i t is a cl o s er

q u es ti o n wh et her ad m i s s i on o f t h e refu s al wo ul d h av e b een h arm fu l wi t h res p ect t o

t h e ju ry ’ s g u i l t y v erd i ct fo r DUI l es s s afe, t h at i s s u e i s m o o t i n l i g h t o f t h e t ri al co urt ’ s

m erg er o f t h at o ffen s e i n t o M acM as t er’ s DUI p er s e co n v ict i o n fo r p u rp o s es o f

s en t en ci n g . See i d

.

172

. M acM as t er al so co n t en d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h er m o t i o n fo r

n ew t ri al o n t h e gen eral g ro u nd s

. See OCGA § § 5 -5 -2 0 ; 3 5 -5 -2 1

. 4 In t h is reg ard

,

M acM as t er co n t en d s t hat t h e t ri al co urt fai led t o ex erci s e i t s d i s cret i o n an d wei g h t h e

ev i d en ce i n d eci d in g wh et h er to g ran t a n ew t ri al

. See W a lker v. St a t e , 2 9 2 Ga. 2 6 2,

2 6 4 (2 ) (7 3 7 SE2 d 3 1 1 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (OCGA § § 5 -5 -2 0 an d 5 -5 -2 1 “ affo rd th e t ri al co u rt

b ro ad d i s cret i o n t o s it as a ‘ t h i rt een t h ju ro r’ an d w ei g h t h e ev i d en ce o n a m o t i o n fo r

n ew t ri al al l eg i n g th es e g en eral g ro u n d s ”) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i on o m it t ed ). W e are

u n p ers u ad ed

.

Here, t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er s tat ed :

Th e ab o v e-s t y l ed act i o n cam e b efo re t h e Co urt o n Ap ri l 2 4

, 2 0 1 6 fo r

h eari n g o f th e Defen d an t ’ s M o t i o n fo r New Tri al . Th e Co u rt h eard th e

arg u m en t s o f co un s el

, an d aft er co n s i d erat i o n o f th e arg u m en t s, a rev i ew

o f t h e reco rd

, an d a rev i ew o f t h e ap p l i cab l e l aw, t hi s Co u rt HEREBY

DENIES t h e Defen d an t ’ s M o ti o n o n al l g ro u n ds .”

3 O CGA § 5 -5

- 2 0 p r o v i d es : “ In an y cas e wh en t he v erd ict of a ju ry i s fo u n d

co n trary t o ev i d en ce an d t h e p ri n ci p les o f j u s t i ce an d eq u i t y , t h e ju d g e p res id i n g m ay

g ran t a n ew t ri al b efo re an o t her ju ry

. ”

4 OCGA § 5 -5 -2 1 p ro v i d es : “ Th e p res i di n g j u d ge m ay ex erci s e a s o u n d

d i s cret i o n i n g ran t i n g o r refu s i n g n ew t ri al s i n cas es wh e r e t h e v erd ict m ay b e d eci d ed ly an d s tro ng l y ag ai n s t t h e we i g h t o f t h e ev i d en ce ev en t h o u g h t h ere m ay

ap p ear t o b e s o m e s l ig h t ev i d en ce i n fav o r o f t h e fi n d in g .”

18As o u r Su p rem e Co u rt recen t l y s t at ed in a ap peal i n vo l v i n g a s i m i l ar s u m m ary

o rd er d en y i n g a m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

,

Al t h ou g h t h e o rd er d id n o t ex p l i ci t l y st at e t h at t h e co urt was ex erci s i n g

i t s b ro ad d i s cret i o n

. . . i n d eci d i n g t he m o t i o n , i t i s wel l es t ab li s hed t hat

t h i s Co u rt m

u st p res u m e t h a t t h e t ri al ju d g e k n ew t he ru l e as t o th e

n eces s i ty of ex erci s in g h i s d is cret i on , an d t h at h e d i d ex erci s e i t

. W e can

n o t as s u m e, i n t h e ab s en ce o f po s i t i v e ev id en ce t o t h e co n t rary , t h at th e ju d g e k n o wi n g l y d ecl i n ed t o ex erci s e h i s d is cret i o n. T h u s , wh ere a t ri al

ju d g e ru l i ng o n a n ew t ri al m o t i o n en t ers an o rd er t h at

, wi t h o u t m o re,

reci t es t h at t h e n ew t ri al i s refu s ed o r d en i ed

, t h i s wi l l b e t ak en to m ean

t h at th e j u d ge has i n th e ex erci s e o f h i s d is cret i o n ap p ro ved t h e v erd i ct

.

(C i t a t i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) B u t t s v. St a t e , 2 9 7 Ga. 7 6 6

, 7 7 1 -7 72 (3 ) (7 7 8

SE2 d 2 0 5) (2 0 1 5). Co n s eq u en t l y , M acM as t er’ s cl ai m o f erro r i s wi t h o u t m eri t

.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . McMi l l i a n a n d

Mer ci er , JJ., co n cu r

.

19