Court Opinion

ID: 9514594
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:50:37.113766+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:19.139243
License: Public Domain

KONENKAMP, Justice
(concurring in result).
[¶ 39.] I cannot agree with the majority that it was permissible to allow the highway patrol officer to testify that Brad Atkins was travelling fifty-five miles per hour at the time of the accident. The opinion lacked any foundation. The officer took no measurements and made no examination of the damage to ascertain speed at impact. Not having data to make a speed calculation, the officer nonetheless told the jury that he used his “judgment and went with the posted legal speed limit, fifty-five.” He was neither qualified as an expert witness nor called as one. Contrary to the majority’s characterization, this was not lay witness opinion testimony.
[¶ 40.] Lay witness opinions are defined in SDCL 19-15-1 (Rule 701):
If the witness is not testifying as an expert, his testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences which are
*901(1) rationally based on the perception of the witness and
(2) helpful to a clear understanding of
his testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.
Generally, this rule has been construed to allow two types of lay opinions: (1) collective fact opinions, and (2) skilled lay observer opinions. Edward J. Imwinkelried, Evidentiary Foundations 279 (4th ed. 1998). A collective fact opinion is the expression of an inference lay people commonly draw. Id. at 280. Unable to articulate all the sensory data supporting a logical inference, the rule allows opinions on subjects such as height, distance, speed, color, and identity. Id. Lay witnesses must have personal knowledge of the data supporting their opinions. State v. Bittner, 359 N.W.2d 121, 126 (S.D.1984) (Rule 701 is qualified by SDCL 19-14-2 (Rule 602) requiring witnesses to have “personal knowledge”). The officer did not observe Atkins driving his vehicle or striking the horses. Thus, he had no personal knowledge as a basis for giving a lay opinion.
[¶ 41.] In the second category, which is not applicable here, courts allow skilled lay observer opinions about a person’s voice, handwriting, or sanity. Id. See State v. Loftus, 1997 SD 131, ¶ 32, 573 N.W.2d 167, 175-76 (Konenkamp, J., concurring) (familiarity with handwriting and the relationship or circumstances forming that familiarity must be described for the lay person’s testimony to be admitted). These opinions are only admissible if lay witnesses are repeatedly and personally exposed to the characteristics of those whom they are giving an opinion about. Imwinkelried, supra, at 281.
[¶ 42.] It was error, therefore, to admit the officer’s speed estimate. Nonetheless, the error was harmless, as the jury had considerable other evidence with which to judge whether Atkins was contributorily negligent. Furthermore, the jury could easily conclude from the officer’s testimony that his opinion was really more of a hunch.
[¶ 43.] Lastly, I concur in result on the first issue. It was harmless error to allow the testimony about not having insurance. But I do not think our opinion should be read as encouraging this kind of testimony. In other circumstances, it may well be not only irrelevant, but unduly prejudicial as well.
[¶ 44.] GILBERTSON, Justice, joins this special writing.