Opinion ID: 1381614
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the trial court's finding

Text: G.S. 20-16.2(c) provides as follows: The arresting officer, in the presence of the person authorized to administer a chemical test, shall request that the person arrested submit to a test described in subsection (a). If the person arrested willfully refuses to submit to the chemical test designated by the arresting officer, none shall be given. However, upon the receipt of a sworn report of the arresting officer and the person authorized to administer a chemical test that the person arrested, after being advised of his rights as set forth in subsection (a), willfully refused to submit to the test upon the request of the officer, the Division shall revoke the driving privilege of the person arrested for a period of six months. (Emphasis added.) In the instant case, the trial court concluded, after making detailed findings of fact, that the plaintiff willfully refused to submit to the breathalyzer and reaffirmed defendant's revocation order. Plaintiff contends that the facts presented to the trial court were insufficient to support its conclusion that the refusal was willful. Crucially missing, he argues, is any evidence that plaintiff had knowledge that his time was running while he was waiting for his attorney to return his telephone call. We do not agree. The findings of the trial court are conclusive on appeal if there is evidence to support them. Henderson County v. Osteen, 297 N.C. 113, 254 S.E.2d 160 (1979); Williams v. Pilot Life Ins. Co., 288 N.C. 338, 218 S.E.2d 368 (1975); Gaston-Lincoln Transit, Inc. v. Maryland Casualty Co., 285 N.C. 541, 206 S.E.2d 155 (1974). This is true even though the evidence might sustain findings to the contrary. Williams v. Pilot Life Ins. Co., supra ; Blackwell v. Butts, 278 N.C. 615, 180 S.E.2d 835 (1971); Knutton v. Cofield, 273 N.C. 355, 359, 160 S.E.2d 29, 33 (1968). Here, Trooper Wadsworth testified that he warned plaintiff on three occasions that his time was running out and told plaintiff how many minutes he had remaining. The trooper also stated that he told plaintiff that the test could not be delayed for more than 30 minutes and that if plaintiff did not take the test within that time it would be noted as a refusal. From this evidence, it is apparent that plaintiff was told the consequences of his failure to submit to the test within the 30 minute time limitation yet still elected to run the risk of awaiting his attorney's call. Plaintiff's action constituted a conscious choice purposefully made and his omission to comply with this requirement of our motor vehicle law amounts to a willful refusal. See, e. g., Joyner v. Garrett, 279 N.C. 226, 182 S.E.2d 553, reh. denied 279 N.C. 397, 183 S.E.2d 241 (1971); Creech v. Alexander, 32 N.C.App. 139, 231 S.E.2d 36, cert. denied 293 N.C. 589, 239 S.E.2d 263 (1977). We affirm the trial court's conclusion that plaintiff's refusal was willful.