Opinion ID: 2521202
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Proper Foundation

Text: [¶ 11] The first query is whether standardized field sobriety tests utilized by an arresting officer require scientific or technical knowledge that require a proper foundation for their admission into evidence under W.R.E. 702 through 704. However, W.R.E. 702 through 704 do not apply to administrative hearings. While scientific and technical evidence admissibility in a judicial proceeding is governed by W.R.E. 702 and the four-part Daubert test, administrative hearings are governed by the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act (WAPA). See Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993); Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 119 S.Ct. 1167, 143 L.Ed.2d 238 (1999). Administrative agencies acting in a judicial or quasi judicial capacity are not bound by the rules of evidence that govern trials by courts or juries. Smith v. State ex rel. Dep't of Transp., 11 P.3d 931, 934 (Wyo.2000). The WAPA, Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 16-3-101 to -115, sets the broad standard for admissibility of evidence at an administrative hearing: The evidence must be of the type that is commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent men in the conduct of their serious affairs. § 16-3-108(a). [¶ 12] This court recently articulated the rule of admissibility of field sobriety tests as follows: If the evidence establishes the tests were properly administered by a qualified person, the foundation is sufficient for admission in an administrative hearing. Smith, 11 P.3d at 935. Given this rule of law, we analyze whether the police officer in the instant case was qualified to administer the field sobriety tests. The officer testified that he had a little more than three years of law enforcement experience; that he received additional certification; that he received training for the tests conducted on Griffin based on the NHSTA from the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy; and that he had received additional instruction in this area from the Rawlins Police Department. Additionally, the officer testified that he did not look at each of the field maneuvers in isolation and did not relate Griffin's failure of them to any particular alcohol concentration. [¶ 13] The officer's qualifications in the instant case are similar to those expressed in Smith, 11 P.3d at 936, wherein this court found the testing officer qualified to perform the field sobriety tests. There is sufficient evidence in the record to conclude that the officer conducted the testing and assessment in substantial accordance with his training. The officer testified how the tests were to be administered and how he administered the tests to Griffin. He also explained the manner in which he determined the results of the test. This evidence was sufficient for the agency to conclude that the officer was adequately trained in the administration and assessment of the field sobriety tests, and the foundation was sufficient for admittance of the evidence.