Opinion ID: 1379473
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: warren case

Text: On Thursday, 29 March 1984, at 10:11 p.m., defendant Samson Warren, Jr., was operating his 1981 Ford truck on Dan Allen Drive near Yarboro Drive on or near the campus of North Carolina State University (NCSU). Officer Scaringelli of the NCSU Campus Police stopped the defendant and later charged him with DWI. The defendant was taken to the Wake County Courthouse and was administered an intoxilyzer test at 11:08 p.m. The results of this test showed that defendant had an alcohol concentration of 0.25. The defendant was brought before a magistrate, and a secured bond of $500.00 was set. A Dr. Martin, the head of the Computer Science Department at NCSU, and his son had arrived at the magistrate's office between 11:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. while the defendant was in the intoxilyzer room. They spoke with the defendant and observed his condition. Dr. Martin had on his person $300.00 and was willing to assume responsibility for the defendant. The magistrate informed Dr. Martin that the defendant would have to go to jail until 6:00 the following morning in order to sober up. John Green Lewis, III, also went to the Wake County Courthouse that night to attempt to secure the defendant's release. Mr. Lewis arrived at the courthouse between 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, 30 March 1984, and was informed that a release was not possible until 6:00 a.m. that morning. Mr. Lewis had on his person some $200.00 to post bond for the defendant. He made no further attempt to secure the defendant's release upon learning that release was not imminent and did not request to see Warren. At approximately 2:00 a.m., the defendant was committed to the Wake County Jail. He was released at about 8:00 a.m. when Dr. Martin posted bond for him. At the hearing on defendant's Motion to Dismiss, the trial judge made, inter alia, the following findings of fact: 3. Officer Scaringelli brought the defendant to the Wake County Courthouse and processed him in a routine manner, including administration of an intoxilyzer test. While the defendant and Officer Scaringelli were in the room used for administration of chemical tests in DWI cases in the basement of the Wake County Courthouse, Dr. Donald C. Martin and his nineteen year old son arrived at the magistrate's office to offer assistance to the defendant. They arrived between 11:00 P.M. and 11:30 P.M. after Dr. Martin had been notified of the defendant's arrest, and they informed the magistrate of their purpose. 4. After taking the intoxilyzer test, the defendant appeared with Officer Scaringelli before the magistrate shortly before 11:30 P.M. The magistrate formally charged the defendant with driving while impaired and transporting spirituous liquor in his vehicle. The magistrate did not advise the defendant concerning his right of communication with counsel and friends.... .... 6. Dr. Martin and his son were sober, responsible adults who were willing and able to assume responsibility for the defendant for as long as required. Further, they could have arranged his pretrial release within a short period of time if permitted by the magistrate. Dr. Martin had some $300.00 on his person, which would have been more than adequate to secure the defendant's appearance in court. The magistrate was aware of these circumstances or should have been aware of them, and he nevertheless committed the defendant to the Wake County jail notwithstanding the ability and willingness of Dr. Martin and his son to assist the defendant in gaining pretrial release immediately. The magistrate stated that the defendant would have to remain in the jail until 6:00 o'clock the following morning. Mr. Warren was committed to the jail at approximately 11:30 P.M. Dr. Martin and his son left since the magistrate made his intention clear. Dr. Martin arranged the release of the defendant at about 8:00 o'clock the following morning. 7. Between 1:00 A.M. and 1:30 A.M. on Friday, March 30, John G. Lewis, III and a friend arrived at the Wake County Courthouse to confirm the arrest of the defendant and to try to arrange for his release on bond. They approached the magistrate and were told that Mr. Warren was in jail. When they inquired about his bond, they were told something to the effect that he could not be released until around 6:00 o'clock that morning. Mr. Lewis and his friend had about $200.00 between them to apply toward his bond and could have arranged if necessary for additional funds or for the services of a bondsman in order to obtain the release of the defendant. Mr. Lewis and his friend were sober, responsible adults and were willing and able to assume responsibility for the defendant as long as required. They left when advised by the magistrate that the defendant could not be released until 6:00 o'clock that morning.