Opinion ID: 1232032
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the blood test results

Text: At Tilp's administrative hearing, the Department of Motor Vehicles submitted an affidavit from David P. Welch, an expert witness qualified to analyze the presence and amount of alcohol in a sample of blood. This affidavit contained the results of Tilp's blood-alcohol test results. Tilp argues the hearing officer should not have received the affidavit, and the blood test results contained in the affidavit, as evidence. Further, Tilp reasons that without the affidavit, there was insubstantial evidence to support a finding that Tilp had alcohol in his bloodstream when he was arrested by Officer McDonald.
First, Tilp argues that the hearing officer was precluded from considering the blood-alcohol test results contained in the affidavit because there was no evidence submitted to the officer to show that the device used to analyze Tilp's blood sample was properly calibrated prior to testing. In support of this argument, Tilp cites NRS 484.389(4), which says: Evidence of a required test is not admissible in a criminal or administrative proceeding unless it is shown by documentary or other evidence that the law enforcement agency calibrated the testing device and otherwise maintained it as required by the regulations of the committee on testing for intoxication. (Emphasis added.) We disagree with Tilp's assessment of this issue. While the committee on testing for intoxication has established calibration regulations for breath testing devices ( see, e.g., NAC 484.680), it has not established similar regulations for the maintenance or calibration of equipment used to test the alcohol content in a sample of blood. See generally Chapter 484 of the Nevada Administrative Code. Therefore, since Tilp's blood-alcohol test was performed upon a blood sample, and the Department of Motor Vehicles cannot be expected to demonstrate compliance with nonexistent regulations, NRS 484.389(4) does not bar the admission of Tilp's blood test results.
Tilp persists, however, by asserting that his blood-alcohol test violated his right to equal protection under the law. Tilp reasons he was treated inequitably because, while the committee on testing for intoxication is statutorily required to establish regulations for the calibration of devices used to test blood-alcohol content by a breath sample, the committee is not required to adopt similar regulations for a blood-alcohol test performed upon a sample of blood. See NRS 484.3884. Tilp argues an appropriate sanction for this alleged injustice is the exclusion of his blood test results. We disagree. No State shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1. The United States Supreme Court has interpreted this clause and has ruled that [u]nless a classification trammels fundamental personal rights or is drawn upon inherently suspect distinctions such as race, religion, or alienage, [the United States Supreme Court's] decisions presume the constitutionality of the statutory discriminations and require only that the classification challenged be rationally related to a legitimate state interest. City of New Orleans v. Dukes, 427 U.S. 297, 303, 96 S.Ct. 2513, 2516-17, 49 L.Ed.2d 511 (1976). Mandating special regulations for a blood-alcohol test performed upon a breath sample does not trammel a fundamental personal right or discriminate based upon race, religion, or alienage. Further, the legislative decision to require special calibration procedures for breath testing devices is rationally related to a legitimate state interest founded upon the circumstances surrounding the breath test. [1] Therefore, we reject Tilp's contention that he was denied equal protection of the law.
Finally, Tilp argues the affidavit containing his blood test results should not have been considered by the administrative hearing officer because this affidavit did not include full information regarding the device used to test Tilp's blood sample. Tilp requested, in a certified letter to the Department of Motor Vehicles, certain information regarding the device used to test his blood. In general, a person charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor is entitled to receive `full information' regarding the machine used to test his blood samples and is entitled to inspect the machine. See NRS 484.389(3). State v. Hall, 105 Nev. 7, 10, 768 P.2d 349, 350 (1989). However, Tilp's blood test was performed by a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) employee. Therefore, if Tilp or his attorney desired full information regarding the blood analysis, this information should have been acquired from LVMPD with a subpoena duces tecum prior to the administrative hearing. We conclude that NRS 484.389(3) does not require the Department of Motor Vehicles to secure this information from LVMPD on Tilp's behalf. Cf. State, Dep't of Mtr. Vehicles v. Clements, 106 Nev. 516, 519, 796 P.2d 588, 590 (1990) (if a party wants an original report, he can request the report from the police agency through a subpoena duces tecum prior to an administrative hearing). We reject respondent's contentions to the contrary.