Nicholson v. Killens, 115 N.C. App. 552 (1994)

July 19, 1994 · North Carolina Court of Appeals · No. 937SC969

115 N.C. App. 552

WADELL NICHOLSON, Petitioner/Appellee v. ALEXANDER KILLENS, COMMISSIONER, NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES, Respondent/Appellant

No. 937SC969

(Filed 19 July 1994)

Automobiles and Other Vehicles § 93 (NCI4th)— breathalyzer test — petitioner not advised of rights — revocation of license properly rescinded

The trial court did not err in rescinding the revocation of petitioner’s driver’s license for willful refusal to submit to chemical analysis because petitioner was not properly advised of his rights pertaining to a breathalyzer test under N.C.G.S. § 20-16.2(a) where the charging officer, after designating that a breathalyzer test was to be performed, failed to take defendant before another officer to inform defendant both orally and in writing of the rights enumerated in that statute.

Am Jur 2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic §§ 122 et seq.

Appeal by respondent from order entered 28 June 1993 by Judge Richard B. Allsbrook in Nash County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 12 May 1993.

Here, the parties stipulated in writing to the following facts:

1. Petitioner was arrested on January 8, 1993, at 11:30 P.M. by Trooper R. C. Wilder for an implied consent offense.

2. Trooper Wilder had reasonable grounds to believe that petitioner had committed an implied consent offense.

3. Trooper Wilder transported petitioner to a breathalyzer room for the purpose of requesting him to submit to a chemical analysis of his breath.

4. Trooper Wilder advised petitioner of his rights enumerated in G.S. 20-16.2(a).

5. Trooper Wilder is a certified chemical analyst in accordance with G.S. 20-139.1.

6. At 12:22 A.M., Trooper Wilder requested petitioner to submit to a chemical analysis of his breath.

7. Trooper Wilder used an Intoxilyzer 5000 instrument.

8. Petitioner told Trooper Wilder that he was not going to submit to the chemical analysis of his breath and did not submit to the test.

9. Trooper Wilder reported petitioner as having willfully refused to submit to a chemical analysis of his breath at 12:53 A.M.

On 2 June 1993, the trial court entered an order rescinding the revocation of petitioner’s license because “petitioner was not notified of his rights as required by subsection (a) of G.S. 20-16.2 and therefore condition (4) as set out in [G.S. 20-16.2(d)] was not met.” Respondent appeals.

Moore, Diedrick, Carlisle & Hester, by Lawrence G. Diedrick, for -petitioner-appellee.

Attorney General Michael F. Easley, by Assistant Attorney General Bryan E. Beatty, for respondent-appellant.

EAGLES, Judge.

In its sole assignment of error, respondent argues that the trial court erred in ordering a rescission of the revocation of petitioner’s license because petitioner was properly advised of his rights under G.S. 20-16.2(a). After careful review, we disagree and affirm.

G.S. 20-16.2 provides:

(a) Basis for Charging Officer to Require Chemical Analysis; Notification of Rights. — . . . .

Except as provided in this subsection or subsection (b), before any type of chemical analysis is administered the person charged must be taken before a chemical analyst authorized to administer a test of a person’s breath, who must inform the person orally and also give the person a notice in writing that:

(1) He has a right to refuse to be tested.

(2) Refusal to take any required test or tests will result in an immediate revocation of his driving privilege for at least 10 days and an additional 12-month revocation by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

(3) The test results, or the fact of his refusal, will be admissible in evidence at trial on the offense charged.

(4) His driving privilege will be revoked immediately for at least 10 days if:

a. The test reveals an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more; or

b. He was driving a commercial motor vehicle and the test reveals an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more.

(5) He may have a qualified person of his own choosing administer a chemical test or tests in addition to any test administered at the direction of the charging officer.

(6) He has the right to call an attorney and select a witness to view for him the testing procedures, but the testing may not be delayed for these purposes longer than 30 minutes from the time he is notified of his rights.

If the charging officer or an arresting officer is authorized to administer a chemical analysis of a person’s breath and the charging officer designates a chemical analysis of the blood of the person charged, the charging officer or the arresting officer may give the person charged the oral and written notice of rights required by this subsection.

(c) Request to Submit to Chemical Analysis; Procedure upon Refusal. — The charging officer, in the presence of the chemical analyst who has notified the person of his rights under subsection fa), must request the person charged to submit to the type of chemical analysis designated. If the person charged willfully refuses to submit to that chemical analysis, none may be given under the provisions of this section, but the refusal does not preclude testing under other applicable procedures of law. Then the charging officer and the chemical analyst must without unnecessary delay go before an official authorized to administer oaths and execute an affidavit stating that the person charged, after being advised of his rights under subsection (a), willfully refused to submit to a chemical analysis at the request of the charging officer. . . .

(d) Consequences of Refusal; Right to Hearing before Division; Issues. — . ... If the person properly requests a hearing, he retains his license, unless it is revoked under some other provision of law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws his request, or he fails to appear at a scheduled hearing.... The hearing must be conducted in the county where the charge was brought, and must be limited to consideration of whether:

(1) The person was charged with an implied-consent offense;

(2) The charging officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the person had committed an implied-consent offense;

(3) The implied-consent offense charged involved death or critical injury to another person, if this allegation is in the affidavit;

(4) The person was notified of his rights as required bv subsection (a): and

(5) The person willfully refused to submit to a chemical analysis upon the request of the charging officer.

If the Division finds that the conditions specified in this subsection are met, it must order the revocation sustained. If the Division finds that anv of the conditions Í1). (2). (4). or Í5) is not met, it must rescind the revocation.

G.S. 20-16.2 (Emphasis added.)

Regarding the interpretation of statutes, our Supreme Court has stated that:

The intent of the legislature controls the interpretation of a statute. When the language of a statute is clear and unambiguous, there is no room for judicial construction and the courts must give the statute its plain and definite meaning, and are without power to interpolate, or superimpose, provisions and limitations not contained therein.

In re Banks, 295 N.C. 236, 239-40, 244 S.E.2d 386, 388-89 (1978) (citations omitted). See Carter v. Wilson Construction Co., 83 N.C. App. 61, 68, 348 S.E.2d 830, 834 (1986)(“Statutes imposing a penalty are to be strictly construed”). We conclude that the language of the statute at issue here is clear and unambiguous. It is uncontradicted that after designating that a breathalyzer test was to be performed, Trooper Wilder failed to take defendant before another officer to inform defendant both orally and in writing of the rights enumerated in G.S. 20-16.2(a). Given the strict construction required in dealing with statutes that impose a penalty, we conclude that Trooper Wilder’s failure to comply with G.S. 20-16.2(a) must result in the recision of the revocation of petitioner’s license in this case. G.S. 20-16.2(d). We have reviewed respondent’s in pari materia argument regarding G.S. 20-139.1 and conclude that it is not persuasive. “If and when the lawmaking body wishes to amend the statute, a few words will suffice. This Court must forego the opportunity to amend here.” Insurance Co. v. Bynum, 267 N.C. 289, 292, 148 S.E.2d 114, 117 (1966). Accordingly, this assignment of error fails.

Affirmed.

Judges LEWIS and WYNN concur.