Opinion ID: 1873040
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: facts

Text: Nothnagel was stopped by Trooper Theodore Gans, an officer of the Nebraska State Patrol, in Red Willow County after Gans received several reports of a car being driven erratically. Gans observed the vehicle as it struck a curb. When the vehicle was stopped, the right from tire was off the rim and the right rear tire was flat. Upon making contact with Nothnagel, Gans noted an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle and from Nothnagel's breath. In addition, her speech was slurred and her eyes were red and bloodshot. Gans asked Nothnagel to exit her vehicle to perform a field sobriety test. When Gans asked Nothnagel to follow him to the rear of her vehicle, she fell to the pavement, striking her face. Gans then asked Nothnagel to submit to a preliminary breath test, but she verbally refused. Gans placed Nothnagel under arrest and transported her to a local hospital for examination as to her well-being and to perform a chemical test. At the hospital, Nothnagel refused to submit to a chemical test. Gans read a verbal notice of revocation to Nothnagel, completed a Notice/Sworn Report/Temporary License, and signed it in the presence of a notary. At a hearing held pursuant to the administrative license revocation (ALR) procedures, the sworn report was received into evidence over Nothnagel's objection. She moved to dismiss the proceeding on the ground that there was no evidence that she was requested by an officer to submit to a chemical test. She argued that the officer merely testified that he transported her to the hospital for the purpose of giving a test. She also argued there was no competent evidence that she was advised of the consequences of refusing a chemical test. The hearing officer noted that admission of the arresting officer's sworn report is prima facie evidence for the Director's order of revocation. The hearing officer concluded that Nothnagel had not met her burden of proof to show there was (1) no evidence that the arresting officer requested a formal chemical test and (2) no evidence that the officer advised her of the consequences of refusing to submit to the test. The hearing officer stated that absent proof to the contrary, the statements in the sworn report were considered definitive. The hearing officer recommended the Director find that the arresting officer had probable cause to believe Nothnagel was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and while having a blood alcohol content in violation of Neb.Rev.Stat. § 60-6,196 (Reissue 2004). The hearing officer proposed that Nothnagel's license be revoked for the statutory period. The Director adopted the hearing officer's recommendations and ordered revocation of Nothnagel's driver's license for 1 year. Upon a petition for review filed by Nothnagel, the Red Willow County District Court entered an order finding that the evidence did not support the hearing officer's determination that Nothnagel refused to allow the blood draw and that there was no evidence to establish that Nothnagel refused to submit to a chemical test of her blood, breath, or urine upon the direction of a peace officer. The court noted that at the ALR hearing, the arresting officer testified that he transported Nothnagel to the hospital for examination and to perform a chemical test. When asked if Nothnagel had submitted to a chemical test, the officer responded, No, she did not. The district court also found the record devoid of evidence that any chemical test was performed. The court implied the hearing officer was incorrect in determining that Nothnagel had a blood alcohol content in violation of the statute, when no chemical test was performed. Before the court, the Director acknowledged that the hearing officer misstated her order. The court noted that the Director assigned the misstatement to a `cut-and-paste error' and asked the court to find that the hearing officer's findings and recommendations were a `scrivener['s] error.' The court concluded that the order of revocation was based upon findings and conclusions not supported by the evidence or the law and that the revocation order should be reversed. It dismissed the revocation proceedings. The Director reinstated Nothnagel's operating privileges and filed a notice of appeal.