Opinion ID: 1584424
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: refusal of breath test

Text: Betterman maintains the district court erred in finding that he refused to submit to a chemical test of his breath in accordance with § 60-6,197. An arrested motorist refuses to submit to a chemical test when the motorist's conduct, demonstrated under the circumstances confronting the officer requesting the chemical test, justifies a reasonable person's belief that the motorist understood the officer's request for a test and manifested a refusal or unwillingness to submit to the requested test. Urwiller v. Neth, 263 Neb. 429, 640 N.W.2d 417 (2002). Anything short of an unqualified, unequivocal assent to an officer's request that the arrested licensee take the test constitutes a refusal to do so. Id. Schmaderer testified that Betterman refused all field sobriety tests, including a preliminary breath test, and that he appeared annoyed with the officers' requests to perform such tests. At the police station, Betterman requested a drink of water, and water was given to him. Betterman signed a postarrest chemical test advisement form, which indicated Betterman's knowledge that he was being asked to submit to a chemical test and that refusal to submit was a separate crime for which he could be charged, and he verbally agreed to take the test. In the room where Breathalyzer tests were given, Betterman again asked for water several times, but his requests were denied because the police department's protocol was to observe a person for 15 minutes before conducting the breath test, during which time, the person was not allowed to put anything in his or her mouth, Given that Betterman had earlier been provided a glass of water, that he was being argumentative, and that the officers explained to him that he would be provided more water once he completed the test, Schmaderer testified that Betterman appeared to be . . . being obstructive with us by repeatedly asking for water. Betterman refused to follow Kyler's instructions regarding the breath test. He twice said he would not take the breath test until he had a drink of water. Kyler concluded that Betterman was refusing the test. In light of Betterman's actions, a reasonable person could believe that Betterman understood the request for a test and manifested a refusal or unwillingness to submit. Accordingly, we conclude that competent evidence supports the district court's finding that Betterman refused to submit to the chemical test.