Rice v. Peters

269 S.E.2d 740 (1980)

Coolidge Stewart RICE v. Elbert L. PETERS, Jr., Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

No. 8022SC407.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

September 16, 1980.

*741 Atty. Gen. Rufus L. Edmisten by Deputy Atty. Gen. Jean A. Benoy, Raleigh, for the State.

Bondurant & Lassiter by T. Michael Lassiter, Statesville, for petitioner-appellant.

HILL, Judge.

Petitioner contends the trial court erred in holding that he willfully refused to take the chemical breath test in violation of law.

We note there are no exceptions in the record on appeal. With no exceptions to the findings of fact, they are deemed to be correct and supported by competent, substantial evidence. The findings are thus conclusive on appeal and are not presented for appellate review. Durland v. Peters, Comr. of Motor Vehicles, 42 N.C.App. 25, 27, 255 S.E.2d 650 (1979). The appeal itself, however, raises the question of whether the facts found and the conclusion of law support the judgment. App.R. 10(a).

The trial court made the following findings of fact:

1. On the 17th day of August, 1979, the petitioner was arrested by Statesville Police Officer Page D. Brooks, a law-enforcement officer, upon reasonable grounds, for the offense of operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways or public vehicular area while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. 2. Officer Brooks forthwith took petitioner before Statesville Police Officer Gary P. Henderson, a person authorized to administer a chemical test of breath within the meaning of G.S. 20-16.1. 3. In the presence of Officer Henderson the petitioner was requested by the arresting officer (Brooks) to submit to a chemical test of breath. 4. Officer Henderson, after reading the rights to Petitioner Rice, asked petitioner if he understood the rights as set forth in G.S. 20-16.2(a), to which the petitioner replied he did not. 5. Officer Henderson again read petitioner's rights to him as set forth in G.S. 20-16.2(a), to which petitioner again replied he did not understand them. 6. Officer Henderson commenced to read the rights again to Petitioner Rice, at which time Mr. Rice commenced saying words in a loud and boisterous manner drowning out Officer Henderson's words. 7. Officer Henderson completed advising petitioner of his rights as required by G.S. 20-16.2(a)(1), (2), (3), (4) and observed petitioner in the breathalyzer room for a period of 20 minutes thereafter. *742 8. Officer Henderson informed the petitioner twice verbally and in writing furnishing a signed document setting out all of the petitioner's rights under the provisions of G.S. 20-16.2(a)(1), (2), (3), (4). 9. At the expiration of the 20 minutes observation period following petitioner's being advised of his rights as set forth above, Officer Henderson again commenced advising petitioner of his rights preparatory to offering the test to petitioner and petitioner again commenced talking in a loud and boisterous manner drowning out Officer Henderson's words. 10. Officer Henderson at that time advised petitioner he was marking petitioner down as refusing to submit to the breathalyzer test and petitioner made no response to Officer Henderson's advising him of that fact. 11. At no time did petitioner ever indicate to either Officer Brooks or Officer Henderson any willingness to submit to the breathalyzer test. 12. The petitioner, without just cause or excuse, voluntarily, understandingly and intentionally refused to submit to the breathalyzer test as was required of him by G.S. 20-16.2.

From these findings the court concluded that the petitioner willfully refused to take the chemical breath test in violation of law and affirmed the revocation order.

Defendant argues the court's order is in error as there was no finding that he was requested to submit to the breathalyzer test after being informed of his statutory rights. He relies on the following provisions of G.S. 20-16.2(c) for his argument.

The arresting officer, in the presence of the person authorized to administer a chemical test, shall request that the person arrested submit to a test described in subsection (a). If the person arrested willfully refuses to submit to the chemical test designated by the arresting officer, none shall be given. However, upon the receipt of a sworn report of the arresting officer and the person authorized to administer a chemical test that the person arrested, after being advised of his rights as set forth in subsection (a), willfully refused to submit to the test upon the request of the officer, the Division shall revoke the driving privilege of the person arrested for a period of six months. (Emphasis added.)

We do not believe the North Carolina General Assembly intended by its enactment of G.S. 20-16.2(c) to prescribe such a rigid sequence of events as contended by defendant. See State v. Sykes, 285 N.C. 202, 203 S.E.2d 849 (1974). The administrative procedures provided for in G.S. 20-16.2 are designed to promote breathalyzer tests as a valuable tool for law enforcement officers in their enforcing the laws against driving under the influence while also protecting the rights of the State's citizens. Montgomery v. N. C. Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 455 F. Supp. 338 (W.D.N.C.1978), aff'd 599 F.2d 1048 (4th Cir. 1979). We hold the purpose of the statute to be fulfilled when the petitioner is given the option to submit or refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test and his decision is made after having been advised of his rights in a manner provided by the statute.

We also do not agree with defendant's argument that his actions, as contained in the court's findings of fact, did not constitute a willful refusal to submit to the breathalyzer test. If defendant's contention were to be held valid, any belligerent or hostile petitioner could evade the results of the test by merely refusing to cooperate. State v. Carpenter, 34 N.C.App. 742, 239 S.E.2d 596 (1977), disc. rev. denied, 294 N.C. 183 (1978). One may refuse the test by his deeds as well as his words. See, Bell v. Powell, Comr. of Motor Vehicles, 41 N.C.App. 131, 254 S.E.2d 191 (1979); Poag v. Powell, Comr. of Motor Vehicles, 39 N.C. App. 363, 250 S.E.2d 93, disc. rev. denied, 296 N.C. 736 (1979). The officer read petitioner his statutory rights two times and was drowned out on the third reading by petitioner's loud and boisterous speech. Petitioner was informed he was being marked down as a refusal and he thereafter gave no indication that he was willing to cooperate. We hold this sufficient to constitute a willful *743 refusal within the meaning of G.S. 20-16.2.

The facts found support the court's conclusion and judgment.

Affirmed.

CLARK and HARRY C. MARTIN, JJ., concur.