Court Opinion

ID: 9531056
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:07:01.542016+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:19.963337
License: Public Domain

Judge TURSI
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
Based upon the totality of the circumstance surrounding the stop and testing of the plaintiff, I cannot escape the conclusion that the request for a urine sample on the alleged ground that it was for the purpose of testing on drugs was purely pretextual, and therefore, I agree with plaintiff that the request for a second test search was without probable cause. Hence, I dissent.
Here, after plaintiff was stopped because of erratic driving, probable cause to request a chemical test for driving while under the influence of an alcohol was more than adequately supported by the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, his admission of recent consumption of two beers and a glass of wine, and his poor performance of the roadside sobriety tests. However, not a scintilla of evidence, e.g., breath, odor, debris, or paraphernalia, existed to support a probable cause search for consumption of drugs. Rather, the arresting officer relied on a statement of a fellow officer that the mere possibility of drugs created probable cause to search. I know of no authority holding that probable cause of a mere possibility equals a reasonable search under either the Fourth Amendment or Colo. Const, art. II, § 7.
Thus, the critical issue is whether the failure of the Intoxilyzer to record and measure the admitted presence of alcohol on plaintiff’s breath created probable cause to search for drugs.
Here, plaintiff willingly submitted to the breath test. And, when the machine malfunctioned, being “polite” and “cooperative,” he agreed to try to supply a urine sample. Apparently, although there was no evidence of a willful refusal, he was unable to do so. Further, the record fails to show that plaintiff was asked to submit to either a blood or saliva test, either of which were also available at the option of the officer. Cf. Sedlmayer v. Charnes, 767 P.2d 754 (Colo.App.1988).
Under the circumstance surrounding this matter, I cannot credit the malfunctioning of a breath machine in a test of alcohol as equaling probable cause to search for drugs. Further, had it in fact been the goal of the arresting officer to search for drugs, after the inability of plaintiff to supply a urine sample, there was no impediment to requesting this admittedly cooperative arrestee to consent to the giving of a saliva or blood sample.
*540Therefore, I would reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand this matter to it for further remand to the department with directions to reinstate plaintiffs license.