Court Opinion

ID: 9575550
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:14:42.57147+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:48:22.462349
License: Public Domain

Deen, Presiding Judge,
concurring specially.
While concurring fully with the majority opinion, I would further allow as admissible the officer’s opinion based on the “hippus” test and the “nystagmus” (HGN) test. The former is an observation of the reaction of one’s pupils repeatedly dilating and contracting while a light is shone in one’s eyes, indicating that one has consumed drugs; while the latter is an observation of a jerking movement of one’s eyes as a possible result of drug usage. If in doubt, evidence should be admitted for evaluation by the jury. While experts could debate the scientific validity and value of interpretations of personal observations, this does not appear to be the type of procedure, technique, or official test requiring ascertainment by the trial judge of a scientific stage of verifiable certainty. See Harper v. State, 249 Ga. 519 (292 SE2d 389) (1982).
“The gqze nystagmus test, as do other commonly used field sobriety tests, requires only the personal observation of the officer administering it. It is objective in nature and does not require expert interpretation.” (Emphasis supplied.) State v. Nagel, 506 NE2d 285, 286 (Ohio App. 1986). We held in Lawrence v. State, 157 Ga. App. 264 (277 SE2d 60) (1981), that “[a] witness who satisfactorily shows that he had an opportunity to observe, and did observe, the condition of another may testify whether that person was under the influence of intoxicants and the extent thereof, stating the facts upon which the opinion is based.” Personal observations and interpretations of “HGN” and “hippus” evidence are proper as to the issue of intoxication but not as to precise blood alcohol content. These observations are admissible for qualitative but not quantitative purposes. Any lay person as a witness may give an opinion as to intoxication. Lawrence, supra. See Howard v. State, 744 SW2d 640 (Tex. App. 1987). I would affirm the conviction of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. OCGA § 40-6-391 (a) (3).