Court Opinion

ID: 3142036
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 17:55:26.604549+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:54:49.532809
License: Public Domain

NO. 5-09-0327
                N O T IC E

 Decision filed 08/06/10, corrected
                                                        IN THE
 08/27/10.    The text of this decision

 may be changed or corre cted prior to
                                             APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
 the filing of a Petition for Rehearing or

 the disposition of the same.
                             FIFTH DISTRICT
________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the
                                     ) Circuit Court of
     Plaintiff-Appellee,             ) Franklin County.
                                                              )
v.                                                            ) No. 07-CF-32
                                                              )
WILLIAM D. SPRIND, JR.,                ) Honorable
                                       ) E. Kyle Vantrease,
      Defendant-Appellant.             ) Judge, presiding.
________________________________________________________________________

             JUSTICE WELCH delivered the opinion of the court:

             Following a bench trial, the defendant, William D. Sprind, Jr., was found guilty of

four counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or

intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, in violation of section 11-

501(d) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d) (West 2008)), and one count of

reckless homicide, in violation of section 9-3(a) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS

5/9-3(a) (West 2008)). The circuit court of Franklin County sentenced the defendant to a 14-

year term of imprisonment. On appeal the defendant raises the following issues: (1) whether

the defendant received ineffective assistance at the trial and (2) whether the amendment of

sections 1286.320(c) and 1286.330(b) of Title 20 of the Illinois Administrative Code

(Administrative Code) (20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c), amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 15107,

15111, eff. October 29, 2007; 20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.330(b), amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 7305,

7321, eff. May 1, 2007) constitute ex post facto laws in violation of the United States and

Illinois Constitutions. For the following reasons, we affirm.

             On January 23, 2007, the defendant was driving his truck northbound on Illinois Route

                                                          1
37 at a high rate of speed, passing onto the shoulder and into the oncoming southbound

traffic lane. The defendant attempted to pass several vehicles and ran directly into the

vehicle of the victims, Troy and Myrtle Holt. As a result of the collision, Mrs. Holt died.

Mr. Holt was unconscious for three weeks, on a ventilator for six weeks, hospitalized for

months, and then placed in a nursing home. The defendant was also injured in the collision.

At the hospital, a nurse, in the presence of Illinois State Trooper Robert Reynolds, obtained

a urine specimen from the defendant. Another nurse, also in Trooper Reynolds' presence,

swabbed the defendant's arm and drew blood. The blood and urine tests revealed that the

defendant had levels of cocaine high enough to be fatal. He also had cannabis and numerous

prescription medications in his system.

       On October 5, 2007, defense counsel filed a motion in limine to prevent the results of

the urine sample from being introduced into evidence. Defense counsel argued that at the

time of the offense and when the urine sample was taken, section 1286.330(b) of Title 20 of

the Administrative Code (20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.330(b), amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 10017,

10040, eff. June 30, 2004) set forth procedures that provided that the urine sample may be

collected only by the arresting officer, another law enforcement officer, or an agency

employee. Defense counsel noted that a nurse, and not an authorized person, took the urine

sample. Therefore, defense counsel argued that the police failed to comply with the

Administrative Code provision in effect at the time the urine sample was taken. Defense

counsel noted that effective May 1, 2007, section 1286.330 had been amended to add hospital

nurses to the list of those who are authorized to take urine samples.

       On November 15, 2007, defense counsel filed a motion to suppress the results of the

blood test. Defense counsel noted that at the time of the collision, section 1286.320(c) of

Title 20 of the Administrative Code (20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c), amended at 28 Ill.

Reg. 10017, 10039, eff. June 30, 2004), regarding blood draws, stated, "A disinfectant that

                                             2
does not contain alcohol shall be used to clean the skin where a sample is to be collected."

Defense counsel argued that the blood-test kit violated procedure because the nurse had used

a swab that contained alcohol to cleanse the defendant's skin. Accordingly, defense counsel

argued that the results of the blood draw should be inadmissible. Shortly after the collision,

effective October 29, 2007, section 1286.320(c) was amended to read, "The blood sample

should be drawn using proper medical technique." 20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c),

amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 15107, 15111, eff. October 29, 2007.

       A hearing was held on the motion to suppress and the motion in limine on May 16,

2008, and the trial court entered a written order on June 12, 2008, denying the motion to

suppress and the motion in limine.      As to the urine sample, the court noted that the

regulations required the police officer to be able to authenticate the sample. Because Trooper

Reynolds was present when the nurse drew the sample, he was able to authenticate the

sample pursuant to the regulations. Moreover, the trial court held the amendment of section

1286.330(b) to be procedural rather than substantive and concluded that the regulations could

be applied retroactively. As to the blood sample, the court noted that the defendant had not

argued that the sample was tainted or that the results were invalid. The court then noted that

the regulation had recently been found invalid and noted that the results could not be

inadmissible for a failure to comply with an invalid regulation. Furthermore, the trial court

held that the amendment of section 1286.320(c) was procedural rather than substantive and

found that the current regulation could be applied retroactively.

       Thereafter, the defendant suffered a stroke on September 22, 2008. As a result,

defense counsel filed a motion for a fitness examination on September 30, 2008. A week

later on October 6, 2008, the defendant had recovered enough to be present in court at a

pretrial conference. On November 3, 2008, defense counsel withdrew his motion for a

fitness examination. Defense counsel noted that the motion had been based solely on the

                                              3
stroke. He also noted that the defendant was going to have a neurological examination: "[It

will] basically tell us most of what we need to know about whether or not I am going to

re[]file a motion for fitness." Defense counsel stated further, "When I have the results of

that, then we will contemplate either filing or not filing a future motion." The trial court

noted that up to that point the defendant had not raised a bona fide doubt regarding his fitness

to stand trial.

       On January 16, 2009, the defendant waived his right to a jury trial. The trial court

noted that defense counsel had previously raised the issue of the defendant's fitness to stand

trial but had withdrawn it. Defense counsel stated, "[A]t this present time we are not raising

that issue, and we don't anticipate it, and[–]assuming there is [sic] no new medical

developments." The trial court noted, "[F]rom my observation of Mr. Sprind, he also appears

to be fully aware of what is occurring today and appears to be fit to stand trial."

       A stipulated bench trial was held on January 29, 2009. Evidence presented at the trial

included seven drivers who had witnessed the defendant driving at a high rate of speed,

erratically all over the road, and attempting to pass numerous vehicles before striking the

victims' vehicle head-on.

       Duke Dixon would have testified that he was an employee of Mercy Regional working

as an emergency medical technician (EMT). On January 23, 2007, he responded to a crash

on Illinois Route 37 north of West Frankfort. He provided treatment to the defendant, and

in the course of the treatment he had to cut the defendant's pants, and a number of white pills

fell from the left pocket of the defendant's pants. He collected these pills with a rubber glove

and handed them to Trooper Reynolds.

       Kim Bauser would have testified that she was an EMT and a phlebotomist employed

by Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. She worked on January 23, 2007,

and assisted Trooper Reynolds to secure blood samples from the defendant. She collected

                                               4
two vials of blood from the defendant, using vials contained in the Illinois State Police DUI

kit. She would have further testified that the blood drawn from the defendant was drawn

using proper medical technique, that the blood was drawn in the presence of Trooper

Reynolds, and that the vials were handed to Trooper Reynolds when they were filled.

       Kristina Lorenzini would have testified that she was a registered nurse employed by

Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. She worked on January 23, 2007, and

she was the attending nurse to the defendant while he was in the emergency room. She

assisted Trooper Reynolds in collecting a urine sample from the defendant. The urine sample

was collected in a new, plastic urinal, in the presence of Trooper Reynolds, and was

immediately handed to Trooper Reynolds. She would have also testified that while attending

to the defendant, she discovered a Vicodin pill lying next to the defendant's right side. She

gave this pill to Trooper Reynolds.

       Illinois State Police Trooper Reynolds would have testified that he was dispatched to

a two-car accident on Illinois Route 37, north of West Frankfort, on January 23, 2007. While

on the scene, he spoke to witnesses and collected 17½ pills from EMT Duke Dixon. He

would also have testified that he had Kim Bauser and Kristina Lorenzini assist him in

collecting the blood and urine samples from the defendant. He would have testified that

these samples were properly sealed, labeled, and secured in the DUI kit. He would have also

testified that Kristina Lorenzini gave him one white pill and that he located three more of

those pills in the right front pocket of the defendant's pants.

       Illinois State Police Special Agent Farrin Melton would have testified that he had

interviewed the defendant in the hospital shortly after the crash. The defendant admitted to

taking one Vicodin pill earlier that morning. The defendant claimed that he had not taken

any other legal or illegal drugs or alcohol. He would further testify that the defendant had

told him that the victims' vehicle swerved into his lane, causing the collision.

                                               5
       Dr. Kok would have testified that she is a forensic scientist working in the Illinois

State Police crime lab, toxicology section. She had performed the analysis of the blood and

urine samples. At this point, defense counsel renewed his objection to the admittance into

evidence of the blood and urine samples. The trial court overruled the objection in

accordance with the previous rulings on the motion to suppress and the motion in limine. Dr.

Kok would have testified that the tests of the defendant's urine revealed cocaine, THC,

lidocaine, diazepam, nordiazepam, temazepam, oxazepam, morphine, oxycodone,

methylphenidate, and cyclobenzaprine. Tests of the defendant's blood revealed cocaine,

benzoylecgonine, oxycodone, diazepam, and nordiazepam.

       Expert pharmacologist Dr. William Kolling would have testified that the diazepam,

nordiazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, morphine, oxycodone, and cyclobenzaprine all depress

the central nervous system, which would impair one's ability to drive a vehicle. Cocaine,

cocaine metabolites, lidocaine, and methylphenidate were all central nervous system

stimulants, which could also impair one's ability to operate a motor vehicle. Dr. Kolling

would have testified that the blood test was consistent with such a large dose of cocaine that

people have died from ingesting that amount. The oxycodone level was 4½ times the

recommended level, and the diazepam level was 2 to 3 times higher than the level normally

used by patients. Dr. Kolling would have opined that these levels would impair judgment

and driving ability, cause blurred vision, affect coordination, and cause lightheadedness,

paranoia, and a lack of judgment. He would have finally concluded that the defendant was

impaired while operating his vehicle at the time of the fatal collision.

       At the conclusion of the bench trial, the trial court found the defendant guilty on all

the counts. The trial court found the defendant's medical condition to be the only factor in

mitigation but noted that the condition was "self-inflicted." On March 16, 2009, the

defendant was sentenced to a 14-year term of imprisonment. On April 15, 2009, the

                                              6
defendant filed a motion for a new trial or in the alternative for a new sentencing hearing,

raising the question of the propriety of the admission of the urine and blood samples into

evidence. The trial court denied the defendant's motion for a new trial or a new sentencing

hearing on June 15, 2009. The defendant filed a timely notice of appeal on June 29, 2009.

       On appeal, the defendant first argues that he was denied the effective assistance of

counsel because his counsel failed to obtain a fitness hearing before the trial and his counsel

agreed to stipulate to the testimony that the State would present at the trial. The standard of

review for assessing ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims is set out in the two-pronged

test enunciated in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674, 693, 104
S. Ct. 2052, 2064 (1984). Under the first prong in Strickland, the defendant must show that

counsel's performance was deficient in that it fell below an objective standard of

reasonableness. People v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d 194, 219-20 (2004). The defendant must

overcome a strong presumption that, under the circumstances, counsel's conduct might be

considered sound trial strategy. People v. Peeples, 205 Ill. 2d 480, 512 (2002). With regard

to the second prong, the defendant must show that he suffered prejudice in that but for

counsel's deficient performance, there was a reasonable probability that the result of the

proceeding would have been different. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 219-20. In order to prevail on

a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must satisfy both prongs of

Strickland. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 220.

       We first address the defendant's argument that he received ineffective assistance of

counsel because counsel failed to seek a fitness hearing prior to the trial. For a defendant to

establish that the failure to request a fitness hearing prejudiced him within the meaning of

Strickland, the defendant must show that facts existed at the trial that would have raised a

bona fide doubt of the defendant's ability " 'to understand the nature and purpose of the

proceedings against him or to assist in his defense.' " People v. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d 293, 304

                                              7
(2002) (quoting 725 ILCS 5/104-10 (West 1998)). " 'Defendant is entitled to relief *** only

if he shows that the trial court would have found a bona fide doubt of his fitness and ordered

a fitness hearing if it had been apprised of the evidence now offered.' " Harris, 206 Ill. 2d

at 304 (quoting People v. Easley, 192 Ill. 2d 307, 319 (2000)). To determine whether there

exists a bona fide doubt of the defendant's fitness, a court may consider the defendant's

irrational behavior, the defendant's demeanor at the trial, and any prior medical opinion on

the defendant's competence. Harris, 206 Ill. 2d at 304.

       The defendant claims that he was "heavily medicated for depression and anxiety" and

was "on a cocktail of anti[]depressants, including Lexapro, Ativan[,] and Romazicon." The

defendant further claims that these drugs often make an individual lethargic and slow in

comprehension.     He claims that he was particularly disoriented on a particular day,

approximately three months before the trial, and that he was "so disoriented and combative,

he had to be restrained and administered Haldol, a powerful anti[]psychotic drug." The

defendant also claims that hospital notes reflect that he was having difficultly with memory

and recollection and might want a psychiatric evaluation.

       In response, the State notes that the defendant's brief does not contain a single citation

to the record in support of his claims, in violation of Supreme Court Rule 341(h)(7) (210 Ill.
2d R. 341(h)(7)), which mandates that the parties to an appeal shall make their argument

"with citation of the authorities and the pages of the record relied on." The failure to provide

proper citations to the record is a violation of this rule, the consequence of which is the

forfeiture of the argument lacking those citations. Engle v. Foley & Lardner, LLP, 393 Ill.

App. 3d 838, 854 (2009).

       In any event, the record does not establish that the defendant was "heavily medicated"

for depression or that he suffered from anxiety and that the medications caused lethargy or

slow comprehension. What the record does reveal is that the defendant suffered a mild

                                               8
stroke on September 22, 2008. As a result, on September 30, 2008, defense counsel filed a

motion for a fitness examination. A week later on October 6, 2008, the defendant had

recovered enough to be present in court at a pretrial conference. A month later, on

November 3, 2008, defense counsel withdrew his motion for a fitness examination. Defense

counsel noted that the motion had been based solely on the stroke. The trial court noted that

up to that point the defendant had not raised a bona fide doubt regarding the defendant's

fitness to stand trial. On January 16, 2009, during the hearing at which the defendant waived

his right to a jury trial, the trial court noted that defense counsel had previously raised the

issue of the defendant's fitness to stand trial but had withdrawn it. Defense counsel stated,

"[A]t this present time we are not raising that issue, and we don't anticipate it,

and[–]assuming there is [sic] no new medical developments." The trial court noted, "[F]rom

my observation of Mr. Sprind, he also appears to be fully aware of what is occurring today

and appears to be fit to stand trial." Accordingly, the trial court found that the defendant had

not established a bona fide doubt regarding his fitness to stand trial, and we cannot conclude

that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to request a fitness examination.

       We next address the defendant's argument that defense counsel's decision to stipulate

to the facts at the bench trial resulted in the ineffective assistance of counsel. The defendant

compares defense counsel's decision to agree to a stipulated bench trial to a defense counsel's

actions admitting guilt in his opening statement to a jury. Again, the defendant's brief fails

to include any citations to the record to support his argument, in violation of Supreme Court

Rule 341(h)(7).

       In any event, the record reveals that, contrary to the defendant's claims, defense

counsel did not concede his client's guilt. Defense counsel merely stipulated to the existence

of the State's evidence. Defense counsel specifically stated at the beginning of the bench

trial: "[W]e are not stipulating that the evidence is sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt,

                                               9
and we're not admitting guilt. We are simply waiving the obligation of the State to present

evidence through testimonial means." Accordingly, the trial court was still required to find

that the evidence was sufficient to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

See People v. Sutton, 229 Ill. App. 3d 960, 968 (1992). Furthermore, defense counsel

preserved the defendant's objection to the admittance of the blood and urine samples into

evidence during the stipulated bench trial. Accordingly, we cannot conclude that defense

counsel was ineffective under these circumstances.

       We turn now to the defendant's next argument on appeal. The defendant argues that

the trial court improperly denied his motion in limine and his motion to suppress because the

amendments to section 1286.320 and section 1286.330 of Title 20 of the Administrative

Code, as applied retroactively, constitute ex post facto laws in violation of the United States

and Illinois Constitutions. The defendant also argues that compliance with the regulations

established pursuant to section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-501.2

(West 2008)) is a prerequisite to the admissibility of the test results in a DUI prosecution.

He contends that because the police failed to comply with the regulations, the results of the

blood and urine tests were inadmissible.

       In response, the State argues that the amendments in the Administrative Code were

procedural, the prior versions of the Administrative Code were invalid, and there was

substantial compliance with the regulations. The State relies on People v. Morris, 394 Ill.

App. 3d 678, 679 (2009), a similar case in which the defendant filed a motion in limine to

bar evidence of a blood test, arguing that the disinfecting swab in the DUI kit used to draw

his blood contained low levels of alcohol, in violation of the version of section 1286.320(c)

of Title 20 of the Administrative Code in effect at the time of his arrest and the drawing of

his blood. At that time section 1286.320(c) stated, " 'A disinfectant that does not contain

alcohol shall be used to clean the skin where a sample [of blood] is to be collected.' " Morris,

                                              10
394 Ill. App. 3d at 679 (quoting 20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c), amended at 28 Ill. Reg.

10039, eff. June 30, 2004). The Administrative Code was later amended to read, " 'The

blood sample should be drawn using proper medical technique.' " Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d

at 680 (quoting 20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.320(c), amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 10192, eff. July 9,

2007 (emergency amendment, in effect for a maximum of 150 days), and 31 Ill. Reg. 15111,

eff. October 29, 2007). The trial court initially denied the defendant's motion in limine, and

the defendant filed a motion to reconsider; the trial court granted the motion to reconsider

and barred the results of the blood test from being introduced into evidence. Morris, 394 Ill.

App. 3d at 680. The court on review noted that both the United States Constitution and the

Illinois Constitution prohibit the imposition of ex post facto laws. Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d

at 680. A law is retroactive if it applies to events that occurred before the law was enacted.

Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 680. A law is disadvantageous to the defendant if it (1)

criminalizes an act that was innocent when done, (2) increases the punishment for an offense

previously committed, or (3) alters the rules of evidence to make a conviction easier, by

making " ' "substantive change[s] in the evidence needed to convict for the particular crime

in question." ' " Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 680 (quoting People v. Kotecki, 279 Ill. App. 3d
1006, 1011 (quoting People v. Dorff, 77 Ill. App. 3d 882, 885 (1979))). The court noted,

"The ex post facto clause, however, does not limit the legislature's control of remedies or

modes of procedure if they do not affect matters of substance; an amendment that affects

only procedural matters and not substantive rights will be applied retroactively as well as

prospectively." Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 680-81. Quoting the United States Supreme

Court, the court noted as follows: " '[W]e cannot perceive any ground upon which to hold a

statute to be ex post facto which does nothing more than admit evidence of a particular kind

in a criminal case upon an issue of fact which was not admissible under the rules of evidence

as enforced by judicial decisions at the time the offence was committed.' " Morris, 394 Ill.
11
App. 3d at 681 (quoting Thompson v. Missouri, 171 U.S. 380, 387, 43 L. Ed. 204, 207, 18
S. Ct. 922, 924 (1898)).

       The court then concluded, "The amended rule in this case did not criminalize an act

that was innocent when done or increase the punishment upon conviction." Morris, 394 Ill.

App. 3d at 681. Moreover, the court disagreed with the defendant's argument that the

amendment made a conviction easier by lessening the State's burden of proof and removing

a defense to the charge or that the rule change affected substantive rights, not just procedure.

Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 681. The court noted that the State was still required to prove that

the defendant drove or was in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of

alcohol or while the alcohol concentration in his blood or breath was 0.08 or more: "The

elements of the charge and the burden of proof are the same. All that has changed is that a

piece of evidence that may have been inadmissible under the preamendment regulation is

now admissible. *** The jury still has the right to determine the sufficiency or effect of the

now-admissible evidence." Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 682. The court held that the amended

regulation affected procedure, not substantive rights, and should have been applied

retroactively. Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 682. Accordingly, the court held that the trial court

erred in its conclusion that the amendment constituted an ex post facto law and in granting,

on reconsideration, the defendant's motion in limine. Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 682.

       In the instant case, the defendant challenged precisely the same section of the

Administrative Code on precisely the same basis. Moreover, the logic of the decision in

Morris is also applicable to the amendment of section 1286.330(b) of Title 20 of the

Administrative Code (20 Ill. Adm. Code §1286.330(b), amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 10040, eff.

June 30, 2004), which set forth procedures that the "urine sample may be collected by the

arresting officer, another law enforcement officer, or an agency employee." At the time of

the defendant's trial, section 1286.330(b) had been amended to include hospital nurses. As

                                              12
was said in Morris concerning section 1286.320(c), "[A]mending the rule 'does nothing more

than admit evidence of a particular kind in a criminal case upon an issue of fact which was

not admissible under the rules of evidence as enforced by judicial decisions at the time the

offence was committed.' " Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 681 (quoting Thompson, 171 U.S. at

387, 43 L. Ed. at 207, 18 S. Ct. at 924). Like the amendment to section 1286.320(c) involved

in Morris, the amendment to section 1286.330(b), "by definition, is procedural, not

substantive" (Morris, 394 Ill. App. 3d at 682). Accordingly, the reasoning in Morris leads

to the conclusion that the trial court's ruling allowing the results of the blood and urine

samples to be admitted into evidence was proper.

       The State further argues that the preamended section 1286.320 (20 Ill. Adm. Code

§1286.320, amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 10039, eff. June 30, 2004), dealing with blood draws,

was invalid at the time of the offense. In People v. Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d 51, 52 (2008), the

defendant claimed error because his skin had not been disinfected as required by section

1286.320(c). The court noted that the version of the Administrative Code in effect at the date

of the offense stated, " 'A disinfectant that does not contain alcohol shall be used to clean the

skin where a sample is to be collected.' " Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 58 (quoting 20 Ill. Adm.

Code §1286.320(c), amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 10039, eff. June 30, 2004). However, the

Administrative Code was later amended to read, " 'The blood sample should be drawn using

proper medical technique.' " Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 58 (quoting 20 Ill. Adm. Code

§1286.320(c), amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 10192, eff. July 9, 2007 (emergency amendment, in

effect for a maximum of 150 days), and 31 Ill. Reg. 15111, eff. October 29, 2007). The

Department of State Police (Department), which is the issuing agency for this section,

explained that it had eliminated the disinfection requirement because the Department had

been informed that all manufacturers' disinfectant wipes contain a trace amount of alcohol.

Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 58. The Department further stated that its disinfection requirement

                                               13
was for the subject's well-being and not for evidence-collection purposes. Bair, 379 Ill. App.
3d at 58. On appeal, the defendant claimed that section 11-501.2 required compliance with

the Administrative Code and that the doctor failed to comply. Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 58.

The court noted that the supreme court had found that " 'compliance with the standards is a

prerequisite to admissibility on a DUI charge.' " Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 58 (quoting People

v. Emrich, 113 Ill. 2d 343, 350 (1986)). The court found Emrich distinguishable from that

case because the purpose of the regulation in Emrich was to ensure the validity of the test

results, whereas the Department stated that its disinfection requirement was only for the

subject's well-being and not for evidence-collecting purposes. Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 58-

59. The court pointed out as follows:

                "The legislature delegated authority to the Department of State Police to

       promulgate 'standards' for blood and other tests, for the purpose of ensuring the

       validity of the test results. *** The law states that 'to be considered valid' the tests

       must have been 'performed according to [the Department's] standards.' 625 ILCS

       5/11-501.2(a)(1) (West 2004). Thus, the intended purpose of the standards was to

       ensure the tests' validity. ***     When the Department of State Police required

       disinfectant, not for the test's validity, but solely 'for the subject's well-being,' the

       Department exceeded the authority delegated by the statute." Bair, 379 Ill. App. 3d

       at 59.

Accordingly, the court found that the admission of the test results was not error, despite

noncompliance with an administrative regulation, because the regulation was not valid. Bair,

379 Ill. App. 3d at 59.

       Applying the logic in Bair to the instant case, we agree with the State that section

1286.320(c), regarding disinfecting skin prior to a blood draw, was invalid at the time that

the defendant's blood was drawn. The State also asserts that the logic in Bair can be

                                              14
extended to the urine sample. The urine sample cannot have been more reliable if it was

taken by a police officer rather than a nurse whose medical training far exceeded that of the

police officer, especially if the officer was present to observe and authenticate the sample.

The requirement of having a police officer instead of medical personnel obtain the urine

cannot be to ensure the validity of the tests. Since this regulation also exceeds the authority

delegated in the statute, the failure to comply with the Administrative Code cannot have been

error.

         In any event, the State asserts that there was substantial compliance with the

Administrative Code. See People v. Bishop, 354 Ill. App. 3d 549, 555 (2004). Trooper

Reynolds was present during both the blood draw and the urine draw and was able to

authenticate the samples. Furthermore, the alleged deviation did not affect the reliability of

the test results, nor did the alleged deviation prejudice the defendant. The fact that a nurse

collected the sample instead of a police officer cannot have affected the result or prejudiced

the defendant.

         For the foregoing reasons, we hereby affirm the judgment entered by the circuit court

of Franklin County.

         Affirmed.

         DONOVAN and SPOMER, JJ., concur.

                                              15
                                         NO. 5-09-0327

                                            IN THE

                              APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

                                  FIFTH DISTRICT
___________________________________________________________________________________

      THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the
                                           ) Circuit Court of
           Plaintiff-Appellee,             ) Franklin County.
                                                    )
      v.                                            ) No. 07-CF-32
                                                    )
      WILLIAM D. SPRIND, JR.,               ) Honorable
                                            ) E. Kyle Vantrease,
           Defendant-Appellant.             ) Judge, presiding.
___________________________________________________________________________________

Opinion Filed:        August 6, 2010
___________________________________________________________________________________

Justices:          Honorable Thomas M. Welch, J.,

                 Honorable James K. Donovan, J., and
                 Honorable Stephen L. Spomer, J.,
                 Concur
___________________________________________________________________________________

Attorneys        Bryan A. Drew, Daniel K. Cockrum, Drew & Drew, P.C., 905 West Washington,
for              Benton, IL 62812
Appellant
___________________________________________________________________________________

Attorneys        Hon. Tom Dinn, State's Attorney, Franklin County Courthouse, 202 West Main,
for              Benton, IL 62812; Patrick Delfino, Director, Stephen E. Norris, Deputy Director,
Appellee         Sharon Shanahan, Staff Attorney, Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate
                 Prosecutor, Fifth District Office, 730 E. Illinois Highway 15, Suite 2, P.O. Box
                 2249, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
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