Court Opinion

ID: 9698676
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 19:57:14.879398+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:42.671800
License: Public Domain

HENDERSON, Justice
(dissenting).
Although citing Parker, its true holding and the reversal therein, due to the officer failing to read the consent law, is hidden from the reader in this decision, thereby blunting the requirement of an officer to read to an arrested defendant — his right to have an additional analysis by a technician of his own choosing at his own expense. Parker was handed down since this case was briefed and filed.
Defendant here, although read his implied consent “rights” through a reading of the Implied Consent card, was then denied his “rights” as he was not given a chance or opportunity to refuse because: The Officer determined, based upon a radio call, that the two prior convictions were within the five year period required under SDCL 32-23-4.1; and further, that the convictions were good ones in law, or as lawyers would put it, constitutionally firm. These assumptions, on the part of the arresting officer, were without any type of proof. A radio call is not proof of any kind of a conviction; it is a transmission, not proof in a courtroom with a judge as a neutral arbiter.
Concerning the Implied Consent Warning card, read to the defendant, everything was read, with the exception of item number 8 on the card which is a statement containing certain advice. This advice is: “Do you wish to submit to the chemical test that I have requested?” This officer, pursuant to instructions of his superiors, purposely deleted question number 8 for the reason that his superiors told him that he did not have to do so if the defendant was arrested for a third offense DWI (more properly designated DUI). So, based upon an administrative agency, within the executive branch of government, a legal interpretation was made which empowered one of its agents to make a legal determination out on the highway.
I believe that Judge Hertz is right and the South Dakota Supreme Court is wrong. Accordingly, I cannot approve of the rationale of the majority opinion.
My reasoning is quite basic: SDCL 32-23-10, as amended by our State Legislature in 1988, is unconstitutional. It attempts to change a law enforcement officer, out on the highway, into a judge. This statute is extremely unique in the United States. In fact, I am unable to discover, by research, any statute similar to it and it appears to be a novelty in law. Our State Legislature has placed an unconstitutional quirk in the Implied Consent Statute.
This statute, as amended, is constitutionally infirm as it conflicts with the separation of powers doctrine. This statute, in essence, requires an arresting officer to conjecture on the validity of prior convictions. Suffice it to say, that is not his job. In testimony, before the trial court, these questions were asked and these answers were given:
Question: Did you read him any rights, Officer?
Answer: I read him the Implied Consent card.
Question: What did the defendant respond?
Answer: I didn’t give him a chance to refuse since it was a third offense. -
It is extremely important to note that the defendant has challenged the validity of at least one of the prior DWI convictions as alleged in the Supplemental Information. Apparently, this motion has never been ruled on by the trial court. The legislature cannot delegate judicial powers to an administrative or executive body. 16 C.J.S. Constitutional Law § 222. Executive officers and their agents serving under them cannot be vested with judicial power based upon a belief that efficiency and convenience in the administration of a statute will be promoted thereby. In re Opinion Of The Justices, 87 N.H. 492, 179 A. 357 (1935).
We must maintain the independence of the judiciary from executive or legislative control. We cannot submit to a mingling of governmental power. In Application of Nelson, 83 S.D. 611, 163 N.W.2d 533 (1968). “The absolute independence of the judi*29ciary from executive or legislative control is of transcendent import”. Id., 537.
This officer testified that based upon a radio call from the records office that the defendant had two prior convictions and he then determined that defendant had no right of refusal and in effect could forcibly be taken to a medical center for the administration of a blood test. This same officer testified that it was “his belief” that the two prior convictions were within the five year period required by SDCL 32-23-4.1. Ladies and gentlemen of the Bar and Bench, only our courts of law may determine the validity of convictions and not a member of a law enforcement agency out on the highway — during the heat of the day — or in the black of the night. Let us preserve the separation of powers so that a vigilant and independent judiciary may always be at the door of justice to protect the liberty of our citizens.