State v. Nelson1/27/2004
Submitted on Briefs: September 4, 2003
I. INTRODUCTION
The State of Montana (State) charged Marcus B. Nelson (Nelson) with one count of Driving or in Actual Physical Control While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, third offense, a misdemeanor, in violation of § 61-8-401, MCA; and with one count of Driving While License Suspended or Revoked, a misdemeanor, in violation of § 61-5-212, MCA, in the District Court for the Fourteenth Judicial District, Golden Valley County. Nelson filed a Motion to Suppress alleging that the arresting officer had no particularized suspicion to stop his vehicle. In a supplemental brief, Nelson addressed the applicability to his case of the community caretaker doctrine, recently announced in State v. Lovegren, 2002 MT 153, 310 Mont. 358, 51 P.3d 471. The District Court denied Nelson's Motion to Suppress finding that the officer had a right and a duty to check on the occupant of the vehicle. Upon denial of his Motion to Suppress, Nelson pled guilty to both counts, reserving the right to appeal. Nelson now appeals the denial of his motion.
We affirm the District Court.
The issue on appeal is whether the District Court erred when it denied Nelson's Motion to Suppress.
II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On January 1, 2002, at 6:30 p.m., Montana State Highway Patrolman, Virginia Kinsey, passed a pickup truck that was parked on the highway right-of-way of U.S. Highway 12. The temperature outside was near zero degrees and the truck's engine was running. Officer Kinsey spotlighted the rear end of the truck as she approached it to get the license plate number. As she passed by the truck, she ran the plate. Officer Kinsey could see no one in the truck as she passed by because there were no lights on inside the vehicle. As she was turning around to return to the truck, she was informed by the dispatch officer that the truck belonged to Nelson. Officer Kinsey believed that Nelson had a suspended license and this was later confirmed by the dispatch officer. When she got back to his vehicle, she went to see if anyone was in it. Nelson was in the driver's seat and appeared to be passed out. When the Sheriff arrived, he and Officer Kinsey approached Nelson. When they got up to the door, Nelson woke up and stared straight ahead. Officer Kinsey opened the door and Nelson appeared confused, his speech was slurred, he had bloodshot eyes, and smelled of alcohol. When asked if he had been drinking, Nelson replied, "Yup," paused, and then said "No." He was unable to walk to Officer Kinsey's car without assistance. He refused to take any field sobriety tests. Officer Kinsey arrested Nelson for DUI and for driving on a suspended license.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review the District Court's conclusions of law for correctness. Vitullo v. IBEW Local 206 , 2003 MT 219, 9, 317 Mont. 142, 9, 75 P.3d 1250, 9. We review a district court's denial of a motion to suppress to determine whether the court's finding that the officer involved had a particularized suspicion to justify the investigatory stop is clearly erroneous. State v. Lovegren , 2002 MT 153, 9, 310 Mont. 358, 9, 51 P.3d 471, 9.
IV. DISCUSSION
Police officers have a duty not only to fight crime, but also to investigate uncertain situations in order to ensure the public safety. This community caretaker function of the police is typically the least intrusive form of contact between a police officer and the public.
It does not involve detention of a citizen, therefore, it does not involve a seizure. State v. Lovegren , 2002 MT 153, 16, 310 Mont. 358, 16, 51 P.3d 471, 16. Th
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