Petition for Writ of Certiorari to Review Quasi-Judicial Action, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:  DRIVER’S LICENSES – Breath Test Refusal – hearing officer, as finder of fact, charged with determining that driver refused to submit to test – arresting officer testified that driver refused to provide adequate breath sample and observed that driver “faked” cough - hearing officer’s finding that driver refused breath test is supported by competent substantial evidence - Petition denied. Bennett v. Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, No. 05-0035AP-88A (Fla. 6th Cir. App. Ct. Sept. 7, 2005).

 

 

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA

APPELLATE DIVISION

 

MICHAEL BENNETT,

                        Petitioner,

vs.                                                                                               Appeal No. 05-0035AP-88A

                                                                                                   UCN522005AP000035XXXXCV

 

STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF

HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES,

                        Respondent.

____________________________________________/

 

 

ORDER DENYING PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI 

            THIS CAUSE came before the Court on the Petition for Writ of Certiorari, the Response and the Reply.  Upon consideration of the same, the record and being otherwise fully advised, the Court finds that the Petition must be denied as set forth below.

            The Petitioner, Michael Bennett (Bennett), seeks review of the Final Order of License Suspension, entered March 31, 2005, in which the hearing officer for the Respondent, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (Department), concluded that Bennett’s driving privilege was properly suspended for a period of one year for driving under the influence (DUI).  In reviewing the Final Order and the administrative action taken by the Department, this Court must determine whether Bennett was afforded procedural due process, whether the essential requirements of law were observed, and whether the Department’s findings and judgment are supported by competent substantial evidence.  See Vichich v. Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 799 So.2d 1069, 1073 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001)(setting forth the standard of review for administrative action taken by the Department).

            The record shows that on February 5, 2005, at approximately 1:18 a.m., Officer Delong, of the St. Petersburg Police Department, observed a vehicle run through two stop signs.  Officer Delong conducted a traffic stop and approached the driver, identified as Bennett.  Officer Delong observed several signs of impairment, including bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and poor balance.  Officer Albertson arrived as back-up to evaluate Bennett’s impairment.  Officer Albertson observed the same signs of impairment and Bennett admitted to consuming alcohol.  In obtaining Bennett’s biographical information, Bennett denied that he was sick, injured, or had any physical defects.  Bennett described his health as “poor” due to a lack of sleep. 

            Bennett failed the subsequent field sobriety tests and was requested to submit to a breath test.  Bennett was observed pretending to blow into the mouth piece, making a face as if he were blowing.  The breath test instrument gave a reading of low sample volume.  Bennett informed Officer Arkovich, the breath test operator, he was just getting over pneumonia.  Bennett was observed coughing at will, what Officer Albertson observed as a fake cough.  Officer Arkovich explained the consequences of the implied consent law and Bennett responded “do what you got to do.”  Officer Arkovich completed the Refusal Affidavit.  The hearing officer considered the documents generated at the time of Bennett’s arrest and the testimony of Officer Albertson and concluded that Bennett refused to submit to a breath test.

            Bennett argues that the Final Order finding that Bennett refused to submit to a breath test is not supported by competent substantial evidence.  In addressing this issue, the Court reiterates that the hearing officer, as the fact finder, was charged with determining by a preponderance of the evidence that Bennett refused to submit to a breath test.  See Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles v. Satter, 643 So.2d 692, 695 (Fla. 5th DCA 1994)(concluding that the hearing officer, as trier of fact, was in the best position to evaluate the evidence and witnesses); see also Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles v. Favino, 667 So.2d 305, 309 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995)(same).  The hearing officer could make this determination without witnesses testifying on behalf of the Department and based on documents generated at the time of Bennett’s arrest.  See Satter, 643 So.2d at 695. 

            In this case, Officer Albertson was subpoenaed to testify and his testimony was consistent with his observations at the time of Bennett’s arrest.  Compare with Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles v. Trimble, 821 So.2d 1084, 1086 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002)(finding that circuit court did not impermissibly reweigh the evidence in quashing the Department’s order of license suspense where the documents were in conflict and critical facts went unexplained).  There is no basis in the law for a hearing officer to disregard an officer’s observations because he is not a medical doctor.  The hearing officer was charged with determining whether Bennett was unable to provide a breath sample or was simply refusing to do so by not providing an adequate sample.  The hearing officer concluded that Bennett refused to submit to the breath test.  The Court cannot reweigh the evidence to arrive at a different conclusion.  See Satter, 643 So.2d at 695; Favino, 667 So.2d at 309.  Accordingly, the Court finds that the Final Order is supported by competent substantial evidence and that certiorari relief must be denied.  Therefore, it is,

            ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Petition for Writ of Certiorari is denied.

            DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida this ________ day of August 2005.

 

                                                _______________________________

                                                JOHN A. SCHAEFER

                                                Circuit Judge, Appellate Division

 

 

 

 

_______________________________                                  ______________________________

LAUREN C. LAUGHLIN                                                     JAMES R. CASE

Circuit Judge, Appellate Division                                               Circuit Judge, Appellate Division

Copies furnished to:

 

Roger D. Futerman, Esquire

13620 49th Street North, Suite 201

Clearwater, FL  33762

 

Carlos J. Raurell, Assistant General Counsel

Dept. of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles

2515 West Flagler Street

Miami, FL  33135

 

Bureau of Administrative Reviews

4585 140th Avenue North, Suite 1002

Clearwater, FL  33762