Opinion ID: 163905
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did Marshall Consent to the Blood Test?

Text: 77 Defendants contend in the alternative that the search administered to Mr. Marshall was consensual, and therefore constitutional. See Schneckloth, 412 U.S. at 219, 93 S.Ct. 2041 (search pursuant to consent does not violate the Fourth Amendment); Dubbs, 336 F.3d at 1207 (same); United States v. Pena-Sarabia, 297 F.3d 983, 986 (10th Cir.2002) (same). 78 Immediately prior to the blood test, Mr. Marshall told Nurse Goad, Ma'am, you don't have my consent oral or written to take my blood. But if you're going — and I rather you not stick me with that needle. But if you're go going to take my blood, I'm not going to resist, but you don't have my consent oral or written. Defendants claim that Mr. Marshall's statement should be interpreted as assenting to the blood test, thereby removing any liability under the Fourth Amendment. 79 Defendants' argument is based on New Mexico's statutory scheme governing blood tests administered to motorists suspected of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Under New Mexico's Implied Consent Act, N.M. Stat. Ann. § 66-8-111, a motorist may refuse to submit to a chemical test, but if he does so, his driver's license may be revoked. 80 Defendants contend that Mr. Marshall is trying to have it both ways. They argue that the statement to Nurse Goad was craftily constructed to refuse consent for the purpose of constitutional liability, while avoiding revocation of his license under New Mexico law. In other words, Mr. Marshall raised the objection to preserve a future § 1983 claim against Defendants, but assented to the search in order to save his driver's license. Mr. Marshall, by contrast, claims that he expressed unqualified objection to the blood test, and that his decision not to offer physical resistance while handcuffed and in the presence of two officers cannot be construed as consent. 81 Whether a search is consensual is a question of fact to be determined by the totality of the circumstances. United States v. Pena, 143 F.3d 1363, 1366 (10th Cir.1998). We find that there is a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether Marshall consented to the search, and remand to the district court for further factfinding. 12