Traffic Safety Legal Update Presented by: Kenneth Stecker December 2013.

Traffic Safety Legal Update

Presented by: Kenneth SteckerDecember 2013

Alcohol Impaired Driver

• Bloodshot, watery eyes• Slurred speech• Strong odor of intoxicants• Unable to pick the correct number between

12 and 14• BAC of .08 or higher

Drug Impaired Driver

May be unknown

Difficulties in OUID cases

• The effects of alcohol are much better known

and understood that the effects of other drugs• The public and the officers are most familiar

with alcohol• Blood testing takes longer than breath testing, is

more invasive and more costly

Assume drugs are found– Is concentration sufficient to show

impairment at time of stop?– Link drug use with impairment?

Drugged Driving in Court

Presence does not by itself prove impairment

Proof Required

ToxicologicalResult

Impairment

Nexus

Common Concern

Jury may acquit without testimony from a toxicologist that x amount of a drug correlates to y degree impairment

– Jurors aware of .08 for alcohol– Expectation of legal limit for drugs

Resulting Consequences

• Historically, drug impaired drivers escape

prosecution• No conviction• No punishment• No rehabilitation• No protection to society

OWI Challenges

OWI cases are OPINION based

Jurors taught to seek second opinion– Never simply trust the first one

Growing Problem Nationwide

• One in three drivers killed in motor vehicle

crashes in 2009 tested positive for drugs • “Drugged driving is a much bigger public health

threat than most people realize.” Gil

Kerilowske, Director of National Control Policy.

Surveys on Drug Use

• More than 16% of weekend, nighttime drivers

tested positive for illegal drugs, prescription

drugs, or over-the-counter medication• 10 million people reported driving under the

influence of illicit drugs during the year prior to

being surveyed.

Michigan Drugged Driving Issues

Alcohol-related

incidents

Drug-related

incidents

Pharmageddon?

• 2011 – 4.2 Billion prescriptions filled:

– #1 - Hydrocodone (Vicodin) - 131.2 million – #11 - Alprazolam (Xanax) - 46.3 million– #15 - Zolpidem (Ambien) – 38 million– #17 - Sertraline (Zoloft) - 35.7 million– #19 - Citalopram (Celexa) - 32.1 million– #21 – Oxycodone (Oxycontin) – 31 million

Most Common Drugs at the MSP Laboratory

• Drug % of Cases Drug % of Cases

• THC 56 Clonazepam 4• Alprazolam 24 Zolpidem 2• Hydrocodone 16 Cyclobenzaprine 2• Cocaine 10 Methamphetamine 2• Morphine 10 Trazodone 2• Soma 10 Fluoxetine 2• Diazepam 8 Butalbital 1• Diphenhydramine 7 Phenobarbital 1• Codeine 6 Venlafaxine 1• Methadone 5 Propoxyphene 1• Amphetamine 5 Sertraline 1• Citalopram 4 MDMA <1• Oxycodone 4 Fentanyl <1• Tramadol 3

Number of Drug Cases Analyzed by MSP

Toxicology Cases Per Year

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

5500

6000

6500

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Year

Blood THC analysis instituted

in Dec. 2001

Per Se OWI law passed

Oct 1, 2003

Number of Alcohol Cases Analyzed by MSP

(1) A person, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state if the person is operating while intoxicated. As used in this section, "operating while intoxicated" means any of the following:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or other intoxicating substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or other intoxicating substance.

(b) The person has an alcohol content of 0.08 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine, or, beginning October 1, 2018, the person has an alcohol content of 0.10 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

(c) The person has an alcohol content of 0.17 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

Michigan Compiled Law 257.625(1)

OPERATE WHILE INTOXICATED

“UNDER THE INFLUENCE”

Because of drinking alcohol (and/or the use or consumption of a controlled

substance) the defendant’s ability to operate a motor vehicle in a normal

manner was substantially lessened…. The test is whether, because of drinking

alcohol, the defendant’s mental or physical condition was significantly affected and the defendant was no longer able to operate a vehicle in a

normal manner. CJI2d 15.3

Cite: (MCL 257.625)(1)Citation Description: OWI

“OPERATING WITH AN UNLAWFUL BODILY ALCOHOL LEVEL”

To prove the defendant operated while intoxicated the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the

defendant operated the vehicle with a bodily alcohol level of .08 grams or more

per 100 milliliters of blood/210 liters of breath/67 milliliters of urine.

CJI2d 15.3

*Requires a legally admissible chemical test Blood or Datamaster or New DMT

Cite: (MCL 257.625)(1)Citation Description: OWI

Michigan Compiled Law 257.625(8)-Operating Under the Influence of Drugs

(OUID) Per Se

• A person, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway…within this state if the person has in his or her body any amount of a controlled substance listed in schedule 1 under section 7212 of the public health code,…or a rule promulgated under that section, or of a controlled substance described in section 7214(a)(iv) of the public health code.

OPERATING WITH THE PRESENCE OF SCHEDULE 1, OR COCAINE

• Requires evidence of specified substance in the blood

• This will require a blood draw

• Does not require evidence of “bad driving”

• Marihuana is a Schedule 1 Drug

• Cocaine is added by reference

What is a Controlled Substance under Michigan Law?

“Controlled substance” means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor included in schedules 1 through 5. Michigan Complied Law 333.7104(2).

Definition of a Schedule 1 Drug

It is a Schedule 1 drug if the Michigan Board of Pharmacy:

“finds that the substance has high potential for abuse and has no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or lacks accepted safety for use

in treatment under medical supervision.”

Schedule 1 Drugs

Drugs in this schedule include:

• GHB- a general anesthetic and treatment for narcolepsy and alcohol withdrawal with minimal side-effects and controlled action but a limited safe dosage range. It was placed in Schedule I in March 2000 after widespread recreational use led to increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths

• Heroin (diacetylmorphine)- used in some European countries as a potent pain reliever in terminal cancer patients, and as second option, after morphine (it is about twice as potent, by weight, as morphine).

• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)- a semi-synthetic psychedelic drug famous for its involvement in the counterculture of the 1960s.

• Marihuana including the cannabis and its cannabinoids- Pure (–)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is also listed in Schedule III for limited uses, under the trademark Marinol.

Schedule 2 Drugs

A Schedule 2 drug has a:

• High potential for abuse.• The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the

United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.• Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical

dependence.

• Schedule 2 drugs include, but are not limited to the following:

– Codeine– Hydrocodone– Cocaine– Fentanyl– Morphine

Schedule 3 Drugs

A Schedule 3 drug is defined as:

• The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II.

• The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

• Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.


– Ketamine– anabolic steroids– testosterone

Schedule 4 Drugs


• The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III.


• Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III.


– Xanax– Soma– Valium– Ambien

Schedule 5 Drugs


• The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV.


• Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV.


– cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC)

“Intoxicating Substance” is defined as any substance, preparation, or a combination of substances and preparations other than alcohol or a controlled substance, that is either of the following:

i. Recognized as a drug in any of the following publications or their supplements:

The official U.S. Pharmacopoeia, the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the USA, or the official national formularyii. A substance, other than food taken into a person’s body. This would include, but not be limited to, vapors or fumes used in a manner or for a purpose for which it was not intended, and that may result in a condition of intoxication.

“Intoxicating Substance”-March 31, 2013

Some Drugs that now are covered

• Amitriptyline – Elavil, prescription antidepressant• Buspirone – Buspar, prescription antianxiety drug• Carbamazepine – Tegretol, prescription anticonvulsant• Citalopram – Celexa, prescription antidepressant• Clomipramine – Anafranil, prescription antidepressant• Cyclobenzaprine – Flexeril, prescription skeletal muscle relaxant• Desipramine – Norpramin, prescription antidepressant• Dextromethorphan – Coracidin, Robitussin, over the counter antitussive• Difluoroethane – Dust Off, over the counter dust remover commonly used for huffing• Diphenhydramine – Benadryl, over the counter antihistamine• Doxepin – Adapin, prescription antidepressant• Ephedrine – Quadrinal, over the counter stimulant• Fluoxetine – Prozac, prescription antidepressant• Gabapentin – Neurontin, prescription anticonvulsant• Haloperidol – Haldol, prescription antipsychotic• Hydroxyzine – Atarax, prescription antihistamine• Imipramine – Tofranil, prescription antidepressant• Lamotrigine – Lamactal, prescription anticonvulsant• Meclizine – Antivert, prescription antihistamine• Metaxalone – Skelaxin, prescription skeletal muscle relaxant• Methocarbamol – Robaxin, prescription sedative/muscle relaxant

More Drugs that are covered

• Olanzapine – Zyprexa, prescription antipsychotic

• Orphenadrine – Norflex, prescription sedative/anticholinergic

• Oxcarbazepine – Trileptal, prescription anticonvulsant

• Paroxetine – Paxil, prescription antidepressant

• Phenazepam – Fenazepam, sedative/hypnotic prescribed primarily in Russia (no legitimate medical use in US)

• Phenytoin – Dilantin, prescription anticonvulsant

• Promethazine – Phenergan, prescription antihistamine/sedative

• Propofol – Diprivan, sedative/hypnotic used as anesthetic in surgical procedures

• Propranolol – Inderal, prescription antihypertensive/antiarrhythmic

• Pseudoephedrine – Sudafed, over the counter nasal decongestant

• Quetiapine – Seroquel, prescription antipsychotic

• Sertraline – Zoloft, prescription antidepressant

• Toluene – Toluol, commonly abused solvent

• Topiramate - Topamax, prescription anticonvulsant

• Tramadol – Ultram, prescription narcotic analgesic

• Trifluorethane – Endust, over the counter dust remover commonly used for huffing

• Trazodone – Desyrel, prescription antidepressant

• Valproic acid – Depakote, prescription anticonvulsant

People v Koon, No. 145259 (Mich. Sup.Ct., May 21, 2013)

• The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that “The immunity from prosecution provided under the MMMA to a registered patient who drives with indications of marihuana in his or her system but is not otherwise under the influence of marihuana inescapably conflicts with MCL 257.625(8), which prohibits a person from driving with any amount of marihuana in her or system.”

• “Under the MMMA, all other acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the MMMA do not apply to the medical use of marihuana. Consequently, MCL 257.625(8) does not apply to the medical use of marihuana.”

People v Feezel, No. 138031 (Mich. Sup. Ct., June 8, 2010)

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the presence of 11-Carboxy-THC (“TCOOH”) is not a Schedule 1 drug, and therefore, not a violation of MCL 257.625(8).

Double jeopardy bars retrial after an acquittal, and after a trial court grants a directed verdict; even if the directed verdict was based on a clear legal error, it still amounts to an acquittal barring retrial (reversing Michigan Supreme Court)

Evans v. Michigan No. 11-1327 (United States Supreme Court, February 20, 2013)

Under Michigan v Summers, 452 US 692; 101 S Ct 2587 (1981), police executing a search warrant may detain persons found on the premises

This rule is limited to the immediate vicinity of the premises to be searched and does not apply where a person who was observed leaving the targeted premises was stopped a mile away (whether stop was justified as a Terry stop was not addressed, and left open for remand)

Bailey v. United States, No. 11-770 (United States Supreme Court, February 19, 2013)

The officer was able to see the air freshener from his patrol car while he was driving behind the defendant.

The air freshener was hanging down, at least, two or three inches below the rearview mirror.

The officer testified that from his perspective the air freshener obstructed defendant’s view.

The Court of Appeals ruled that “The facts and circumstances known to the officer provided reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation was occurring, which justified the traffic stop.”

People v Dillon, No. 303083 (Mich. App., May 15, 2012)

The dangling ornaments did not create reasonable suspicion for stopping a

vehicle properly registered in another state.

People v Burruss, No. 281039 (Mich. App., Nov. 18, 2009)

Arizona v Gant, 556 U.S. 332 (2009)

• No more “Search Incident to Arrest” for motor vehicles• Can search if:

– The arrested party has access to the vehicle at the time of the search

– If it is reasonable to believe that there is evidence of the crime at hand in the vehicle

• An officer making an arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm could reasonably believe that ammunition or additional firearms were in the car.

• Officer making arrest for OWI could reasonably believe evidence of the crime (alcohol) was in the car.

“Here, the legality of the search was based on the second prong of the Gant holding, that ‘it is reasonable to believe’ the vehicle contains evidence of the offense of the arrest.”

The Court held “That the facts known to the police officer at the time of the search, coupled with his common sense, based on his experience, training and the totality of the circumstances, were sufficient for the trial court to conclude that it was reasonable to believe the vehicle might contain evidence of drunk driving, the offense of arrest.”

People v Tavernier, No. 302678 (Mich. App., March 6, 2012)

Can a police officer order occupants out of a car?

• Drivers, yes– Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 (1977).

• Passengers, yes– Maryland v. Wilson, 519 U.S. 408 (1997).

• Patdown of driver or passenger require reasonable suspicion the person is armed

What Do We Need to Stop a Car?

• Articulable and

• Reasonable suspicion.

• “Reasonable suspicion entails something more than an inchoate or unparticularized suspicion or ‘hunch,’ but less than the level of suspicion required for probable cause.”

People v Hyde, No. 282782 (Mich. App., September 1, 2009)

The Court held that taking the blood sample under the implied consent law was improper due to the defendant’s diabetes.

Therefore, the Court concluded that the defendant’s blood was unconstitutionally seized in violation of the 4th Amendment, and the test results should be suppressed.

People v Arndt, No. 300301(Mich App 12/27/11)

• Defendant did not advise the arresting officer that he was a diabetic, although defendant was asked whether he had any medical conditions and whether he was taking any prescribed medications.

• Therefore, the officer had no reason to advise defendant that the implied consent statute did not apply to him.

The Court ruled “That although defendant was not operating a motor vehicle at the time the police found him, there was sufficient circumstantial evidence for the arresting officer to have reasonable cause to believe that the defendant had operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated before the police arrived.”

People v Haggarty, No. 305646 (Mich. App., September 27, 2012)

The vehicle’s engine was running, the vehicle was in park, the headlights were on, and defendant’s foot was on the brake pedal

While defendant did not say he had driven there, the vehicle was registered to him and he did not say that someone else had driven him there

Defendant smelled of alcohol and was staggering He failed four field sobriety tests Defendant stated that had been drinking at a bar. Defendant then

recanted, saying he had been drinking while at work and that he left at 5:00 P.M

The citizen who called the police stated that defendant had been there “for some time.”

In conducting an inventory search, the police discovered several small bottles of vodka, but there did not appear to be enough alcohol missing from the bottles to believe defendant had become intoxicated while sitting in the vehicle at the car wash.

Factors for Circumstantial Evidence)

Structural Compounds

Cocaine Heroin

Substance Chemical NameMDMA 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine

2C-B 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine

2C-E 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylphenethylamine

2C—x

2c-I

25I-NBOMe

4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine

2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodephenethylamine

4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N- [(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-benzeneethanamine

Mescaline 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine

Bromo Dragonfly 1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b;4,5-b']difuran-4-yl) -2-aminopropane

2c-I or “Smiles”

• First surfaced in 2003 European club scene

• Closely related to 2C-E

• Limited research

• 2 deaths in 2012 (ND and MN)

• STS-135;• XLR-11• AKB48;• AKB48 N-fluoro analog;• (5-CL) UR144;• UR44 (5 Chloro pentyl analog);• PB-22; • 5FPB-22; and• BB-22.

(U//FOUO)

(U//FOUO)

The law criminalizes any bodily alcohol content (.02 or any presence of alcohol within body) (misdemeanor).

Increase Punishment- 30 days in jail Increase Punishment- 30 days in jail is possible for second and 60 days is possible for second and 60 days in jail for third (but only if minor in jail for third (but only if minor violated probation or other court violated probation or other court ordered sanctions).ordered sanctions).

MIP (MCL 436.1703)MIP (MCL 436.1703)

Federal District Court ruled that the portion Federal District Court ruled that the portion of the MIP statute, compelling a PBT upon a of the MIP statute, compelling a PBT upon a finding a reasonable cause, constituted an finding a reasonable cause, constituted an unreasonable search without a warrant. unreasonable search without a warrant. Platte, et al v Thomas Township, et Platte, et al v Thomas Township, et al, 504 F al, 504 F Supp 2d 227 (ED Mich, 2007); Supp 2d 227 (ED Mich, 2007); People v. People v. ChowdhuryChowdhury, No. 288696 (Mich. App., , No. 288696 (Mich. App., September 10, 2009).September 10, 2009).

Police officers may not rely on any authority Police officers may not rely on any authority granted them pursuant to MCL 436.1703(6).granted them pursuant to MCL 436.1703(6).

MIP (MCL 436.1703)MIP (MCL 436.1703)

What Do These Decisions Mean?What Do These Decisions Mean?

• The portion of the PBT statute and any PBT ordinance is The portion of the PBT statute and any PBT ordinance is unconstitutional. unconstitutional.

• Officers should seek consent. Under Michigan law, “A consent to Officers should seek consent. Under Michigan law, “A consent to search permits a search and seizure when the consent is search permits a search and seizure when the consent is unequivocal, specific and freely and intelligently given.”unequivocal, specific and freely and intelligently given.”

• Based on officer’s observation, officer can still write ticket for MIP. Based on officer’s observation, officer can still write ticket for MIP. Law enforcement officers will have to do an investigation using the Law enforcement officers will have to do an investigation using the tools they learned before technology:tools they learned before technology:

What is in their hands?What is in their hands?How do their eyes look?How do their eyes look?What do they smell?What do they smell?How do they speak?How do they speak?How do they act?How do they act?Are there beer bottles around the person?Are there beer bottles around the person?What evidence is there that the minor had been drinking?What evidence is there that the minor had been drinking?

State of MichiganConstitution

Article I, Section 24

• Sec . 24 . (1) Crime victims, as defined by law, shall have the following rights, as provided by law:

• The right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.

• The right to timely disposition of the case following arrest of the accused.

• The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process.

• The right to notification of court proceedings.• The right to attend trial and all other court proceedings the

accused has the right to attend.• The right to confer with the prosecution.• The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing.• The right to restitution.• The right to information about the conviction, sentence,

imprisonment, and release of the accused.

Traffic Safety Legal Update Presented by: Kenneth Stecker December 2013.

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Transcript of Traffic Safety Legal Update Presented by: Kenneth Stecker December 2013.