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5, When the processing Walil completed, the Pefendant WaIiI
driven home by the Middlesex Township Police Pepartment without
ever being properly requested to take the chemical testing as
required by the Pennsylvania Constitution and Pennsylvania law,
6. Petitioner received a notice of license suspension with
a mail date of June 15, 1996, from the Department of Transportation
alleging that his privileges are to be suspended for a period of
one year as a result of refusing chemical testing. This notioe is
attached hereto and is incorporated herein by reference as
Petitioner's Exhibit "A".
7. The above-mentioned suspension, with an effer.:tive date of
July 20, 1996, as proposed by the Department, is illegal, invalid
and improper for one or any ot the following reasonst
a. Petitioner was not advised that his right to counsel
did not apply to his decision as to whether or not to submit
to the blood alcohol testl
b. In the event that Petitioner was advised that he did
not have the right to consult with an attorney prior to taking
a blood alcohol test, the Petitioner waB not advised as to why
his right to counsel does not apply to blood alcohol testing
procedur.e,
c. Petitioner did not knowingly refuse to take a blood
alcohol test,
d. The suspension is invalid under current case law,
e. The suspension is invalid pursuant to statutory law,
f. The Petitioner was not advised as to the procedure
that he was to follow in submitting to the blood alcohol test,
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COMMONWEAL Tll lIF PENNSVL VANIA
DEPARTHEN~ OF TRANSPORTATION
Bureau Df Driver Licensing
Harrisburg, PA 17123
JUNE 15,1996
..........
HAROLD A JANtS
LOb CHE:RRY LANE:
CARLISLE: PA
L?OL3
'bL44a43200L24L OOL
Ob/oa/L"b
2La742L2
01l/05/L'34
Our MDtorist I
As a result of your viDlation Df Section 1547 of the Ve-
hicle Code, CHEHICAL TEST REFUSAL on 05/17/1996, your driving
privUege is being SUSPENDED fDr a periDd of 1 VEARCS).
In order to comply with this sanction you ara reqUired to
return any current driver's license, learner's permit and/or
tomPDrary driver's license (camera card) in your possessiDn
no later than the eftective date listed. If you cannot com-
ply with the requirements stated above, you are reqUired to
submit a DLl6LC FDrm or a SWDrn affidavit stating that you
are aware of the sanction against your driving privilege.
Failure to cDmply with this notice shall result in this Bu-
reau referring this matter tD the Pennsylvania State Police
for prosecution under SECTION 1571(a)(~) ot the Vehicle Code.
Although the law mandates that your driving priVilege is un-
der suspension even it you do not surrender your license,
credit will not begin "nUl ..II current driver's license
product. C s) I the DL 16LC Form I or a letter acknOWledging your
sanction is received in this Bureau.
WHEN THE DEPARTMENT RECE I VES YOUR LICENSE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
WE WILL SEND YOU A RECEIPT. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE TillS RECEIPT
WITH IN 15 DAYS CONTACT TIlE DEPARTMENT IHHEDIATEL Y. OTHERWISE,
YOU WILL NOT BE GIVEN CREDIT TOWARD SERVING THIS SANCTION.
The effective date ot suspension is 07120/1996, 12,01 a.m.
.*.*..........*..*.......*..*..~....................................
IWARNING, It YOU are convicted tor driving while your license is (
(suspended, the penalties will be, not less than 90 days imprison-(
(ment and a $1,000 tine and an additional I year suspension. I
....................................................................
""
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CHRMICAL TllnNG WAflNINOI AND fll!POflT 0'
IIIP'UIAL TO aulUIT TO CHIMICAL TUTING AB
AUTHOIIIZID IV 0' THI! VI!HICLI! COOl!
9b 1....U3..3,200 I ';:'.1 i. 'm'
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IIAIOLD L. .I~f.~ H Od O~ )4
ll" CIty If A" ",-
106 CHERaY LANI CAMI.ISI.r., PA. l/Oll
__" 'Uti CHUt "u ",ou", OAn .OC1A~ IICUftff'r HUM....
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1-114-212 I'A. l)~
',lCTlON 1~1'" CttCMICAL TESTING WAllNING:;
I .......~....ro.t.... "" unde, ,"..,11)1 Itl'~lIlU 1/1111,. III.. 'I'IllIj8"I'III)1 .lcoIloll)l, (l)j'lII'llhtd IUt'!.IAncll)UtlUa". 10 Ml:101 J7:a1 01
..._~
, I.".,... II It INI vou ....,.. to . cf'ltmlC.'tl.1 01 81.000 lbll.th, blood ur un". 0111(;" '"00"1 Ih, d"mlCal ,... ,
:I ... ""..",.", poiIc,~. to Info"" yot, Ih'I,I..ou ,.Iull hJ lubflllllO Ih, (hemal 1..1 VUUl OQ.llnng P"~"9f wllf tM It~""
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... "'" 10 ~ _nt. ~ onf, IQ e,.,."",' plIl..culllJtI. ,Jul.I,1 Ilul !Ippl., 10 Ih, chlmlCAllllllng IwoclldtJII und.' P,nnlytWII'lloI'1 impNcl
c:.......LM. ...,.. II. uwII, not. CNNIl.1 p'o.:ucJmu
M You ~ no,.,.._ IIJIMk to. iI.,I'. ()I.,..~onl II.. belo,.I'.lny I". dl.mtUII,,1 "q",..ltd b)' Ih, pollet olllC" nOf do ~ hive. nghIlo
,........,....,. -'*' MUId '" tnI poIlC' O"ICIIIO .ub,l1lIlo Ih. [h'",I~..tll..1 Unll" 'fuu 'Y'" 10 Il.IblM '0 Ult 1..II~ue.IM by lhe ~ DftIotf
..... --.ct .. be diIeIfted 10 be I"U'" ,net ~O<..i' op.11hnO P""II_UII "",ill bl .lJ.p,.\tlttJ "JI un. ~'"
c, \'.",..., to......,. 10 ~"II'11ftcJ u~, th. lnlphlfd Con..nl t 11"-' ""V ~ mlnNLK.d IIlIQ ,wtiStne. In. (11Im"" PfOMCWOtt 'Of dfMn9
.......... ... ~ 01 ei(ohoI Of I cont'OI..... ,utI'llne,
..... .......... reM 1M ItIove .1I1'W'G to the moho)llll ,t.,.ttJing Iht ,u:Jp.n.. ollhtl' opel'lIng JHtvNoe ~ 0I'tI f)e ~ II'I~'
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,......,. ~ .,, pf<<ed undel .,,"1 hw d'I..I'\Q unM' IhI mftLl'I1(. fll ,ICoho! 01. conlr()(~ lub.\anc, tn vlOi.11Qn 01 5ecllQn 37Jt of 11M
V..... c.o.., .,., "'".... ,..tort.~. Otl"IUndt 10 bell..., Ih,II", .l\(j... llloll)Ult hid bI,n dflYlnQ. O9I',.lInO Olin actual ph~M.1 conh~ of
.,. ....."..,.,. 01. motOl feNc" -""e unde' I'" InlltJe'\CI 0' .Jcohl~ 01 n rut1t'lJlI~ .ubtlanc. 01 both
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"'-'.......,..,.., motonII ..,1ItYOIYed If'l In kcKt'l1lln .'uCh Ihl op.'nlol 01 PI'"flI~" 01 .n~ V,P\K'- InvQhoed 0" pedI.ltI.n I-.qUI/Iet
IIlIAJm I II .. . ....... I~ 01 ... '.-.cI
.. n......__....... . (.1UbfM to cl\efnecal....,.. II luthOt1/td hy I<<bOn 1'.7 of '" VWlIeN Code
.. ..... ....__.. ......"'. polloi ofIWf'''lfMI cNrNCIII,.1 wrl,nlt'lDf oonI8lMd In PI,..".".:I MC114......
._____...._.Io_aJ_
artCllllICITI: fte,..... .. .... tNI ,.,,,.1. MIl ref~ to ".mlllo th, n~mlclll"1. You mu.1 .1I11.,v, 1M motorill 1ft ......~
...,.. ...... ............ ...... m.....,.. .t... ,.,.,.. " tM 1""'''-lduII WII o,.,.Un.. comf'NfC~ mcMOf wef\lcle whU. Myl.....'
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CPL" $TEVIII, D_., UMCSBOI1.00CH
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C^Rj.J5~E. .'''L 1 ~Q1L______._______.
NoI. Any portlr_t fl<lt not -.0'''' by IIlO .llIdovtt -..01 bo _ OIl .
_"" .h..1 ..... ._ ,...." TIlOt _.- _... ..._..
Iddlllon,l *'In..... ""....P') to plOY.lhe MmltM. to ~ you N" .,,",".
DOtfN)frW. IUPf'\11I or 'HlI 'OfIIW WAV II..CUND I'" ~LItIMO""" oal'"
knowing and oonscious refusal of testing is a factual determination
for this Court to decide, ~,
There are numerous uncontested facts in this case. Harold
James, a 61 years old male when this aocident occurred, was
involved in a one-car accident in which he hit a tree traveling at
approximately 35 miles per hour. Although Mr. James had his
seatbelt on and his airbag deployed, he was rendered unconscious as
a result of the collision with the tree, After regaining
consciousness, Mr James had a large bruise above his right eye
with controlled bleeding and an extremely high blood pressure.
The facts also clearly indicate that after being treated in
the ambulance, Mr, James indicated a high level of confusion over
the implied consent warnings provided to him from Corporal
Kingsborough, Corporal l<ingsborough test i f ied at Mr. James'
preliminary hearing that despite going through the implied consent
warnings three separate times, Mr. James still did not understand
the warnings, Preliminary Hearing Transcript, pg. 19.
Mr. James will present expert testimony from Dr. J, Craig
Jurgensen, a neurologist from Carlisle. Dr. Jurgensen will testify
that based upon the facts presented, Mr James' comprehension and
decision making ability necessary to understand the implied consent
-5-
knowing and conscious refusal of testing is a factual determination
for this Court to decide. LQ.
There are numerous uncontested facts in this case,
Harold
James, a 61 years old male when this accident occurred, wae
involved in a one-car accident in which he hit a tree traveling at
approximately 35 miles per hour, Although Mr. James had his
seatbelt on and his airbag deployed, he was rendered unconscious as
a result of the collision with the tree, After regaining
consciousness, Mr James had a large bruise above his right eye
with controlled bleeding and an extremely high blood pressure,
The facts also clearly indicate that after being treated in
the ambulance, Mr. James indicated a high level of confusion over
the impl ied consent warnings provided to him from Corporal
Kingeborough, Corporal Kingsborough testified at Mr. James'
preliminary hearing that despite going through the implied consent
warnings three separate times, Mr, James still did not understand
the warnings, preliminarv HearinG Transcript, pg, 19.
Mr, James will present expert testimony from Dr. J. Craig
Jurgensen, a neurologist from Carlisle, Dr. Jurgensen will testify
that based upon the facts presented, Mr James' comprehension and
decision making ability necessary to understand the implied consent
-5-
Judge Kevin A, Hess
- 2.
Seplember 27, IlJlJ6
James sullcred 0 concussion os a result of Ihe aeeldenl,
The Deparllllenl bearllhe burden 10 eSlabllsh the lucts supporllng the onc year suspension
pursuanlto Seellonl547 oflhe Vehiell! Code, Deportmenl of Transportation. Bureau of Trafllc
SafelY v. O'Connell, 521 I'a. 242, 555 A.2d 1173 (llJlllJ). The Depallmentmust eSlabllsh lhe
lilllowing:
(\) tllUlthl! molorlst was arrested lilr a violullon 01'75 l'u.('.S. *3731;
(2) by a pollee ofliee who hud reasonable grounds to believe lhatthe molorist wus
operating or In actual physical conlrolof u mOlor vehide while under Ihe influence of alcohol or
a controlled substunce;
(3) Ihalthe molorist was requesled 10 submit to a chemicaltesl;
(4) lhe motorist refused to submit to thut lest; and
(5) lhe motorist wns wnmed of the consequences of refusing the ehemiealtesl.
Dl!partml!nt ofTransportalion. Bureau of Driver l icensinll v. Inllram, 531l1'a. 236,648
A.2d 282 (\lJlJ4); Oslrander v. Deparlment ofTrunsportation.llurellu of Drive l icensinll, 116 Pn.
Cmwlth, Cl. 243, 541 A.2d 441 (IlJllll); DepUl1menlofTrunsportation. Bureau of Traffic Safety
v. O'Conndl, 521 Pa. 242, 555 A.2d 1173 (llJlllJ).
Once the Department has eSlablished its prima lacie case, the burden of proof then shifts to
lhe licensee to prove that he was not capable of making a knowing und conscious refusal to take
Ihe test or to establish any other aftimlUtive defenses. Deportment of Trnnsportation. Bureau of
Driver Ucensinll v. lnllram, 531l Pa. 236, M8 A.2d 282 (1994).
If the motorist argues Ihat the refusal was not knowing and conscious becuuse he was
incapable ofperfonningthe test, then the motorist musl establbh that lact by competent medical
evidence. Zubic v. Deportment ofTrnnsportation. Bureau of Traflic Safcty.lJ3 PlI. Cmwlth. Ct.
221,500 A.2d 1288 (1985). Only when the motorist has suffered injuries which arc so severe
and obviously debilitating willlhe motorist be relieved from prcscnting compctent medical
evidence to establish the incapacity. Pollock v. DepartrUl:ntofTransportalion. Bureau of Trntlk
~, 160 Pa. Clllwllh. ('I. 383,634 A.2d 852 (1993); Departmcnt IlLIransporlation. Bureau of
Traffic Safety v Holstcn, 150 Pa, ('mwlth. ('I. 1,615 A.2d 113 (1992). Of coursc, volulltary
intoxication is no dcfcnse. Department of Transportation. Ilurcauof Driver Licensinll x.
Monsay, 142 Pa, Cmwlth. C't. 163.596 A.2d 1269 (1991). In fact, if the motorist's voluntary
consumption of alcohol is a lac tor which contributes to rcndering himmcntally incapable of
making a knowing and conscious refusal to submit to a chemicallesl, then the knowing and
conscious defense must fail. Departmcnt of Transportation. Burcau of Drivcr Liccnsinll v.
Monsuy, 142 Pa. Cmwlth, Ct. 163,596 A.2d 1269 (1991); Appeal ofCravencr, 135 Pa. Cmwlth,
Ct. 480, SilO A.2d 1196 (1990).
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