Court Opinion

ID: 9746783
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 14:37:30.914541+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:16.883331
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion by
Senior Jüdge Kalish:
I respectfully dissent.
In order to uphold the suspension of an operators license for. refusal to take a breathalyzer test, DOT has the burden of proving, initially, that the arresting officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the licensee was driving while intoxicated. In other words, the propriety of the suspension for such refusal depends on whether the police officer had reasonable grounds to believe that *564the licensee was driving while intoxicated. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Traffic Safety v. Doyle, 103 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 490, 520 A.2d 917 (1987).
The trial court stated that, “defendants [licensees] demeanor, candor and frankness, and unhalting articulation suggested the tone and quality of honest conviction and veracity. Ergo, we resolved the issue of credibility in favor of Defendant [licensee].” Having resolved the credibility issue, the trial court found that Officer Ganaway did not have reasonable grounds to believe that licensee was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
The fact finder determines credibility. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Traffic Safety v. Emory, 91 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 580, 498 A.2d 26 (1985). He may accept or reject all or part of a witness’ testimony. While the trial judge may have believed part of Officer Ganaway’s testimony, it may be that the officer’s testimony concerning the odor of alcohol on licensee’s breath, which was noticed only after licensee refused to move her car and had to be forcibly moved, influenced the trial judge’s determination of credibility.
Under the circumstances of the credibility determination in favor of licensee, I must agree that DOT has not met its burden of proof. Therefore, I need not reach the issue of the refusal to take the breathalyzer test. Accordingly, I would affirm.