Court Opinion

ID: 9729886
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:51:28.878963+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:01.960687
License: Public Domain

CHRISTIAN, J.
I concurfully in the judgment and write separately only to emphasize that by this decision we do not prescribe or recommend any particular devices or procedures but hold simply that those before us in these cases do not satisfy the due process requirements of People v. Hitch (1974) 12 Cal.3d 641 [117 Cal.Rptr. 9, 527 P.2d 361], In each case, the arresting officer urged the defendant to choose the breath rather than the blood or urine test but failed to inform him that as a consequence of this selection no sample would be retained. In none did the officer advise the driver of his right to preservation of a breath sample and obtain from him a waiver of that right. The Arizona Supreme Court has held that such a procedure is constitutionally adequate. (Baca v. Smith (1979) 124 Ariz. 353 [604 P.2d 617, 618-620].) As no driver here gave a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to preservation of evidence, that question is not reached here. Similarly, we do not consider here a situation in which police establish and diligently follow rigorous and systematic procedures for preservation of samples but circumstances beyond their control frustrate retention of a sample in a particular instance. As the majority opinion indicates, the core requirement of Hitch is establishment of and adherence to procedures which ensure fairness in the administration of field tests. The responsibility for designing those procedures lies with the Legislature and with state and local law enforcement agencies.
Petitions for a rehearing were denied April 27, 1983, and respondent’s petition for a hearing by the Supreme Court was denied June 23, 1983. Richardson, J., Kaus, J., and Reynoso, J., were of the opinion that the petition should be granted.
The United States Supreme Court granted a petition for writ of certiorari on June 11. 1984. See — U.S. —.