Court Opinion

ID: 9734114
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 17:25:49.572117+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:45.749405
License: Public Domain

Fairchild, C. J.
(dissenting). It appears to me that due consideration has not been given to the probative force of the evidence before the trial court. The operator of an automobile who is under the influence of intoxicants within the statutory definition violates the law as soon as he sets his automobile in motion on the highway.
*454At the time the state rested its case, a prima facie case against the defendant had been established. The evidence is that after work he had left his car in a parking lot, visited a tavern, and after some time spent there had left the tavern. It is established that his car was taken out of the parking lot and later the car was found on the highway some considerable distance from the parking lot. The facts then appear to be as follows: The engine was running. When the officers noticed the car, the defendant was in the car, but there was unmistakable evidence that the car had been stopped by taking it out of gear, and that the defendant, being uncomfortable, had gotten out of the car on the right side somewhat toward the curb. The evidence of his sickness appeared in the road, on the car, and also upon his clothing. He had gotten back into the car and then had collapsed. His offense was completed between the time his car left the parking lot and the time the police officers arrested him. There was no effort to defend against the charge or to meet the evidence then before the court, and the court decided that the defendant was “guilty of having operated a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor contrary to sec. 85.13 (1) (a), Stats.” At the close of the testimony the defense asked for a dismissal. There was some discussion about a previous offense, and the court said: “On the evidence the court finds the defendant guilty.” The defendant’s attorney then said: “The defendant is attempting to work out his problem with Alcoholics Anonymous. This is the first time that he himself has had it brought home that something definitely has to be done.” The court then asked the defendant whether there was anything he wished to say before sentence be pronounced, and the defendant answered “No.”
I therefore dissent from the opinion as written.
I am authorized to state that Mr. Justice Currie concurs in this dissent.