Court Opinion

ID: 9757249
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 22:27:35.641594+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:37.145307
License: Public Domain

NANCY STEFFEN RAHMEYER, Presiding Judge,
dissenting.
I concur with the majority opinion that the trial court misapplied the law when it relied on Officer Teitsort’s testimony to support a conclusion that there was no probable cause; however, I would remand to the trial court for a determination whether there was probable cause based on any credibility determinations of the court. There are two competing precepts of law in the analysis of this case. The Director brings to our attention the tenet that although the trial court’s judgment will be affirmed unless there is no substantial evidence to support it, it is contrary to the weight of the evidence, or it erroneously declares or applies the law, “[i]f the evidence is uncontroverted or admitted so that the real issue is a legal one as to the legal effect of the evidence, then there is no need to defer to the trial court’s judgment.” Hinnah v. Director of Revenue, 77 S.W.3d 616, 620 (Mo. banc 2002). Specifically, Director notes that the trial court in license revocation cases is “not free to disregard unequivocal and uncontradicted evidence that supports Director’s contentions.” McCarthy v. Director of Revenue, 120 S.W.3d 760, 761 (Mo.App. E.D.2003). The problem with this case is that the evidence was contradicted.
Respondent notes the controverted evidence rebutting the testimony of Officer Teitsort. She notes the officer’s testimony that her speech was normal from beginning to end and that she was polite throughout. Concerning her “bloodshot” eyes, it was noted on the alcohol influence *611report that Respondent wore contacts. Respondent testified that she requested that she be allowed to perform the field sobriety tests without her shoes because the shoes she wore caused her to be unsteady, but the officer denied the request. Respondent did not offer expert testimony regarding the proper administration of the field sobriety tests but, through cross-examination of the officer at the trial, she claims the field sobriety tests were not performed in accordance with the NHSTA guidelines. Respondent presented testimony that her alcohol consumption of one glass of wine was five-to-six hours prior to the stop.
This Court must defer to the trial court’s determination of credibility. Verdoo r n v. Director of Revenue, 119 S.W.3d 543, 545. Specifically, she notes “[i]f the parties do not request findings of fact and the court makes no finding on a specific issue, we assume that such determination of fact was made consistent with the judgment entered by the trial court.” McCarthy, 120 S.W.3d at 761. In addition, the judgment of the trial court is presumed to be correct and shall be affirmed under any reasonable theory supported by the evidence. Keller v. Director of Revenue, 947 S.W.2d 478, 479 (Mo.App. E.D.1997).
A driver need only present evidence that is inconsistent with a “reasonable belief’ that the driver was driving while intoxicated. Flaiz v. Director of Revenue, 182 S.W.3d 244, 251 (Mo.App. W.D.2005); Engelage v. Director of Revenue, 197 S.W.3d 197, 202-03 (Mo.App. W.D.2006). Furthermore, where there is substantial evidence the field sobriety tests have been improperly administered, the court may disregard the officer’s testimony concerning the test results. Brown v. Director of Revenue, 85 S.W.3d 1, 4 (Mo. banc 2002).1 Therefore, even though the court may have cited an incorrect proposition of law, we must defer to the trial court’s determination of all facts. For that reason, I would remand the case to the trial cornet to make a determination, using the proper standard, whether the arresting officer at the time of the arrest had probable cause to believe Respondent was driving while intoxicated.

. We do note that the trial court judge stated at the trial that he believed the tests were done correctly by the officer and the officer was one of the finest; however, that statement alone is not a credibility finding.