Court Opinion

ID: 9710356
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 04:08:03.07039+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:56.168894
License: Public Domain

LEVINE, Justice,
specially concurring.
While I agree with the conclusion of the majority that cumulatively the evidence supports a finding of refusal by Geiger, I write separately because I fear that a portion of the majority opinion may be read too broadly.
In its discussion of the test report, the majority states:
“Since a possible inference from the in-toxilyzer report was that Geiger did not supply a sufficient sample, we must regard the evidence as sufficient.”
I agree with the majority that the test report is prima facie evidence that a breath test was given and a deficient sample was received. I do not believe that the test report, standing alone, would be sufficient to establish that Geiger refused to submit to the test. The test report gives no explanation why the sample was deficient. Without any evidence explaining why the sample was deficient, the hearing officer’s determination of refusal would be based on pure speculation.
In this case, however, the arresting officer’s testimony, and the report of Geiger’s statement of refusal to submit to the test, sufficiently support the finding that Geiger refused to submit to the test.