State v. Miller

[Cite as State v. Miller, 2015-Ohio-3529.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MARION COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT, CASE NO. 9-14-50

v.

BRYAN S. MILLER, OPINION

DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.

Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 14CR452

Judgment Reversed and Cause Remanded

Date of Decision: August 31, 2015

APPEARANCES:

Brent W. Yager and David J. Stamolis for Appellant

Jon L. Jensen for Appellee
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PRESTON, J.

{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant, the State of Ohio, appeals the December 22, 2014

judgment entry of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas granting

defendant-appellee’s, Bryan S. Miller (“Miller”), motion to suppress. For the

reasons that follow, we reverse.

{¶2} This case stems from a January 14, 2014 traffic stop of Miller’s

vehicle by Ohio Highway State Patrol Trooper Joshua Beynon (“Trooper

Beynon”) after Miller failed to stop at a clearly marked stop line. As a result of

the traffic stop, Miller was indicted on October 9, 2014 for possession of heroin in

violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(6), a second-degree felony. (Doc. No. 1).

{¶3} On November 21, 2014, Miller appeared for arraignment and entered

a plea of not guilty. (Doc. No. 21).

{¶4} On December 11, 2014, Miller filed a motion to suppress. (Doc. No.

24). The State filed a response to Miller’s motion to suppress that same day.

(Doc. No. 25). After a hearing on December 12, 2014, the trial court granted

Miller’s motion to suppress on December 22, 2014. (Doc. No. 27).

{¶5} The State filed its notice of appeal on December 23, 2014. (Doc. No.

28). It raises one assignment of error for our review.

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Assignment of Error

The Trial Court Abused its Discretion by Granting the
Defendant/Appellees’ Motion to Suppress the Traffic Stop and
by Applying the Exclusionary Rule.

{¶6} In its assignment of error, the State argues that the trial court abused

its discretion by granting Miller’s motion to suppress because Trooper Beynon had

a reasonable articulable suspicion to stop Miller. In the alternative, the State

argues that if Trooper Beynon mistakenly applied R.C. 4511.43(A) to stop Miller,

the exclusionary rule does not apply since Trooper Beynon was acting in good

faith because he reasonably and mistakenly applied R.C. 4511.43(A).

{¶7} “Appellate review of a motion to suppress presents a mixed question

of law and fact.” State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 8. At

a suppression hearing, the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact and, as such,

is in the best position to evaluate the evidence and the credibility of witnesses. Id.

See also State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 552 (1995). When reviewing a ruling

on a motion to suppress, deference is given to the trial court’s findings of fact so

long as they are supported by competent, credible evidence. Burnside at ¶ 8,

citing State v. Fanning, 1 Ohio St.3d 19 (1982). With respect to the trial court’s

conclusions of law, however, our standard of review is de novo; and therefore, we

must decide whether the facts satisfy the applicable legal standard. Id., citing

State v. McNamara, 124 Ohio App.3d 706, 710 (4th Dist.1997). “De novo review

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is independent, without deference to the lower court’s decision.” State v.

Robertson, 3d Dist. Henry No. 7-14-16, 2015-Ohio-1758, ¶ 17, quoting State v.

Hudson, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-12-38, 2013-Ohio-647, ¶ 27.

{¶8} Because the facts are not in dispute, we proceed directly to reviewing

de novo the trial court’s conclusion that Trooper Beynon did not have a reasonable

articulable suspicion to stop Miller.

{¶9} The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article

I, Section 14 of the Ohio Constitution generally prohibit warrantless searches and

seizures, and any evidence that is obtained during an unlawful search or seizure

will be excluded from being used against the defendant. State v. Jenkins, 3d Dist.

Union No. 14-10-10, 2010-Ohio-5943, ¶ 9; State v. Steinbrunner, 3d Dist.

Auglaize No. 2-11-27, 2012-Ohio-2358, ¶ 12.

Neither the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution nor

Section 14, Article I of the Ohio Constitution explicitly provides that

violations of its provisions against unlawful searches and seizures

will result in the suppression of evidence obtained as a result of such

violation, but the United States Supreme Court has held that the

exclusion of evidence is an essential part of the Fourth Amendment.

Jenkins at ¶ 9, citing Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643, 649, 81 S.Ct. 1684 (1961) and

Weeks v. United States, 232 U.S. 383, 394, 34 S.Ct. 341 (1914).

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{¶10} “A traffic stop constitutes a seizure and implicates the protections of

the Fourth Amendment” but “‘is constitutionally valid if an officer has a

reasonable and articulable suspicion that a motorist has committed, is committing,

or is about to commit a crime.’” State v. Dillehay, 3d Dist. Shelby No. 17-12-07,

2013-Ohio-327, ¶ 13, citing State v. Johnson, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-07-43,

2008-Ohio-1147, ¶ 16; State v. Aldridge, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-13-54,

2014-Ohio-4537, ¶ 10, quoting State v. Mays, 119 Ohio St.3d 406,

2008-Ohio-4539, ¶ 7. “The Supreme Court of Ohio has defined ‘reasonable

articulable suspicion’ as ‘specific and articulable facts which, taken together with

rational inferences from those facts, reasonably warrant the intrusion [upon an

individual’s freedom of movement].’” State v. Shaffer, 3d Dist. Paulding No.

11-13-02, 2013-Ohio-3581, ¶ 18, quoting State v. Bobo, 37 Ohio St.3d 177, 178

(1988). “In determining whether reasonable articulable suspicion exists, a

reviewing court must look to the totality of the circumstances.” Steinbrunner at ¶

14, citing State v. Andrews, 57 Ohio St.3d 86, 87-88 (1991). “A police officer’s

testimony alone is sufficient to establish reasonable articulable suspicion for a

stop.” State v. McClellan, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-09-21, 2010-Ohio-314, ¶ 38, citing

State v. Claiborne, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19060, 2002-Ohio-2696.

{¶11} In addition to a reasonable and articulable suspicion of criminal

activity, “[p]robable cause is certainly a complete justification for a traffic stop,”

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but it is not required to justify a traffic stop. Mays at ¶ 23. “Probable cause” is a

stricter standard than “reasonable and articulable suspicion” and subsumes

“reasonable and articulable suspicion.” Id., citing State v. Evans, 67 Ohio St.3d

405, 411 (1993). Accordingly, “an officer who witnesses a traffic violation

possesses probable cause, and a reasonable articulable suspicion, to conduct a

traffic stop.” State v. Haas, 3d Dist. Henry No. 7-10-15, 2012-Ohio-2362, ¶ 16,

citing United States v. Arvizu, 534 U.S. 266, 273, 122 S.Ct. 744 (2002). See also

Mays at ¶ 24.

{¶12} Here, Trooper Beynon stopped Miller for violating R.C. 4511.43(A),

which provides, in relevant part:

Except when directed to proceed by a law enforcement officer, every

driver of a vehicle * * * approaching a stop sign shall stop at a

clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk

on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, then at the point

nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of

approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it.

(Emphasis added.) Because the parties dispute whether Miller stopped at a clearly

marked stop line under R.C. 4511.43(A), we must determine what is required of a

motorist under R.C. 4511.43(A). We review de novo the interpretation of a

statute. Robertson, 2015-Ohio-1758, at ¶ 17, citing State v. Brennco, Inc., 3d Dist.

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Allen No. 1-14-24, 2015-Ohio-467, ¶ 6, citing State v. Straley, 139 Ohio St.3d

339, 2014-Ohio-2139, ¶ 9 and State v. Pariag, 137 Ohio St.3d 81,

2013-Ohio-4010, ¶ 9; State v. Thornsbury, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 12CA9,

2013-Ohio-1914, ¶ 8.

{¶13} “‘“The primary goal of statutory construction is to ascertain and give

effect to the legislature’s intent in enacting the statute.”’” Robertson at ¶ 18,

quoting Thornsbury at ¶ 8, quoting State v. Lowe, 112 Ohio St.3d 507, 2007-Ohio-

606, ¶ 9. See also Brennco, Inc. at ¶ 6. “To determine the legislative intent, we

first look at the language of the statute itself and if the language is clear and

unambiguous, we apply it as written and no further construction is required.” Id.,

quoting Brennco, Inc. at ¶ 6, citing Straley at ¶ 9 and Pariag at ¶ 11.

{¶14} However, “[a] statute is ambiguous if its language is susceptible to

more than one reasonable interpretation.” Id., quoting Thornsbury at ¶ 8, citing

State ex rel. Toledo Edison Co. v. Clyde, 76 Ohio St.3d 508, 513 (1996). “Only if

a statute is unclear and ambiguous, may we interpret it to determine the

legislature’s intent.” Id., quoting Thornsbury at ¶ 8, citing State v. Chappell, 127

Ohio St.3d 376, 2010-Ohio-5991, ¶ 16. See also State v. Black, 142 Ohio St.3d

332, 2015-Ohio-513, ¶ 38 (“If a statute is ambiguous, ‘courts seek to interpret the

statutory provision in a manner that most readily furthers the legislative purpose as

reflected in the wording used in the legislation.’”), quoting Clyde at 513.

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{¶15} If a statute is ambiguous, the court, in determining the intention of

the legislature, may consider among other matters:

(A) The object sought to be attained;

(B) The circumstances under which the statute was enacted;

(C) The legislative history;

(D) The common law or former statutory provisions, including laws

upon the same or similar subjects;

(E) The consequences of a particular construction;

(F) The administrative construction of the statute.

(Emphasis added.) R.C. 1.49.

{¶16} The Revised Code does not define “at” or what it means to stop at a

clearly marked stop line. “In the absence of a definition of a word or phrase used

in a statute, words are to be given their common, ordinary, and accepted

meaning.” Black at ¶ 39, citing Wachendorf v. Shaver, 149 Ohio St. 231 (1948),

paragraph five of the syllabus.

{¶17} There is little guidance available regarding the common, ordinary,

and accepted meaning of what it means to stop at a clearly marked stop line. In

particular, the Supreme Court of Ohio has not addressed the proper interpretation

of R.C. 4511.43(A) or what it means to stop at a clearly marked stop line. The

current edition of Black’s Law Dictionary also does not define “at.” However,

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“at” is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as “used as a function

word to indicate presence or occurrence in, on, or near.” (Emphasis added.)

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 77 (11th Ed.2009). Stopping “in, on, or

near” can mean a multitude of things. Accordingly, we conclude that R.C.

4511.43(A)’s requirement that a motorist stop at a clearly marked stop line is

reasonably susceptible to more than one interpretation.

{¶18} That stopping at a clearly marked stop line is reasonably susceptible

to more than one interpretation is demonstrated by the split of courts on the issue.

In interpreting nearly identical stop-sign statutes, some courts have concluded that

so long as a driver stops on or near a clearly marked stop line, he or she is in

compliance with the statute. See, e.g., State v. Drushal, 9th Dist. Wayne No.

13CA0028, 2014-Ohio-3088, ¶ 12, abrogated on other grounds by Heien v. North

Carolina, __ U.S. __, 135 S.Ct. 530 (2014); City of Olathe v. McGregor, Ks.App.

No. 108, 316, 2013 WL 5870040, *3 (Oct. 25, 2013); Mumper v. State, Tx.App.

No. 05-08-00141-CR, 2009 WL 201142, *2 (Jan. 29, 2009). Other courts have

concluded that a driver must stop before any part of his or her vehicle crosses a

clearly marked stop line. See, e.g., People v. Wood, 379 Ill.App.3d 705, 708-709

(2008); U.S. v. Mack, D.Vt. No. 5:14-cr-28, 2014 WL 7140604, *8, fn. 6 (Dec. 12,

2014); U.S. v. Smith, M.D.Fla. No. 2:06-cr-42-FtM-29SPC, 2006 WL 2226313, *7

(Aug. 3, 2006); State v. Daniels, 158 So.3d 629, 630-631 (Fla.2014); People v.

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Binkowski, 157 Cal.App.4th Supp. 1, 6 (2007); State v. Denner, 298 Wis.2d 249,

726 N.W.2d 357, ¶ 7, fn. 2 (2006). Although this court has not specifically

defined what it means to stop at a clearly marked stop line, we previously affirmed

a stop-sign violation in State v. Rannes where the arresting officer testified that

Rannes “‘made an improper stop’” because “she ‘went past the clearly marked

stop line in the roadway’” and assumed in State v. Aldridge that Aldridge’s failure

to “stop before a marked stop line” was a violation of R.C. 4511.43(A) to justify

the arresting officer’s stop and detention of Aldridge. State v. Rannes, 3d Dist.

Logan No. 8-02-12, 2002-Ohio-4691, ¶ 39-40; Aldridge, 2014-Ohio-4537, at ¶ 2,

5, 10.

{¶19} Because we conclude that the statute is unclear and ambiguous, we

must apply the principles of statutory interpretation to determine what R.C.

4511.43(A) requires of a motorist. See Black, 142 Ohio St.3d 332,

2015-Ohio-513, at ¶ 45. To determine the General Assembly’s intent, we will

consider the consequences of a particular construction of the statute, the object

sought to be obtained by the statute, and the administrative construction of the

statute. R.C. 1.49(A), (E), (F).

{¶20} We conclude that the General Assembly did not contemplate that

stopping astride—where any portion of a vehicle extends across—a clearly

marked stop line would constitute compliance with R.C. 4511.43(A) and hold that

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a motorist must stop his or her vehicle before the front-most portion of the vehicle

breaks the plane of the outermost edge of a clearly marked stop line. In other

words, to comply with the statute, a motorist must stop his or her vehicle before

any portion of his or her vehicle crosses the edge of the stop line that is furthest

from the front-most portion of his or her approaching vehicle.

{¶21} First, the consequences of interpreting “at” under R.C. 4511.43(A) to

permit a motorist to stop on or near a clearly marked stop line does not readily

further any legislative purpose because “[i]f a vehicle stops ‘at’ the stop line by

straddling it, the line does not mark a definite stopping point; it marks a range of

stopping points that varies with the length of a particular vehicle involved.”

(Emphasis added.) Wood, 379 Ill.App.3d at 709. In crafting R.C. 4511.43(A), it

is illogical that the General Assembly would want to establish a range of stopping

points for a motorist as opposed to a definite stopping point. This point is best

described by the Illinois Court of Appeals in Wood:

In the case of a relatively small passenger automobile, it may not

make much difference, in terms of road safety, whether the vehicle

stops behind the line or astride it. However, the vehicles that travel

on * * * roads come in all shapes and sizes. The trial court’s

interpretation becomes significantly more problematic if applied to a

40-foot-long bus that could project well into an intersection before

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its rear wheels reach the stop line. Under the trial court’s

interpretation of the applicable statutes, the bus would have made a

proper stop.

Id. See also Binkowski, 157 Cal.App.4th Supp. at 6 (concluding that the California

legislature “could not have intended such an absurd—and potentially perilous—

result” if the court interpreted the stop-sign statute to permit a motorist to stop

astride a clearly marked stop line). In addition, interpreting “at” under R.C.

4511.43(A) in this manner could result in an unconstitutional disparate application

of the statute since it could be applied differently to motorists depending on the

size or length of the vehicle they are operating. See, e.g., State ex rel. Patterson v.

Indus. Comm., 77 Ohio St.3d 201, 204 (1996) (discussing the constitutional

guarantee “that all similarly situated individuals be treated in a similar manner”).

{¶22} Moreover, the object sought to be attained in regulating Ohio’s

highways is the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Interpreting “at” under R.C.

4511.43(A) to permit a motorist to stop on or near a clearly marked stop line does

not further that purpose. In Daniels, the Florida Court of Appeals concluded that

the stop-sign statute at issue in that case requires a motorist to stop before any part

of his or her vehicle “crosses the line” because “[a] stop line protects other

motorists and pedestrians only if a vehicle stops when its front bumper reaches

that line.” Daniels, 158 So.3d at 631. In making that conclusion, the Florida

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Court of Appeals acknowledged that the purpose of a stop-sign statute is “to

require a vehicle to stop before it is in a position where it could impede or hit

pedestrians who might be in a crosswalk, or cross-traffic that could be in an

intersection.” Id. In addition, stop lines are often used to protect other motorists

by providing a point at which a vehicle must stop to allow ample room for large

vehicles to complete turns at an intersection. As a result, we interpret the statute

to require a motorist to stop prior to the point at which the front-most portion of

his or her vehicle will break the plane of the outermost edge of the clearly marked

stop line to most readily further the General Assembly’s purpose in enacting R.C.

4511.43(A).

{¶23} Further support that the General Assembly did not contemplate that

stopping astride a clearly marked stop line would constitute compliance with R.C.

4511.43(A) can be found in the administrative construction of the statute. In

particular, the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (OMUTCD),

which provides the official specifications for highway signs and markings as

mandated by R.C. 4511.09, supports our holding. See State v. Phillips, 3d Dist.

Logan No. 8-04-25, 2006-Ohio-6338, ¶ 25, 30-31 (consulting the OMUTCD for

statutory-construction purposes), abrogated on other grounds by Mays, 119 Ohio

St.3d 406, 2008-Ohio-4539, at ¶ 15; Bowling Green v. Godwin, 110 Ohio St.3d 58,

2006-Ohio-3563, ¶ 4 (noting that the OMUTCD was adopted by the Ohio

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Department of Transportation under R.C. 4511.09). Specifically, the OMUTCD

describes the use of a “stop line”: “Stop lines should be used to indicate the point

behind which vehicles are required to stop, in compliance with a traffic control

signal.” (Emphasis added.) OMUTCD, Section 3B.16 (2012 Ed.).

{¶24} Therefore, we conclude that it is unlawful to stop astride a clearly

marked stop line, and that a motorist must stop his or her vehicle prior to the point

at which the front-most portion of his or her vehicle will break the plane of the

outermost edge of that clearly marked stop line.

{¶25} Based on that conclusion, we hold that Trooper Beynon had probable

cause to stop Miller since Miller stopped his vehicle astride a clearly marked stop

line. See Mays at ¶ 23, 24; Haas, 2012-Ohio-2362, at ¶ 23. Furthermore, since we

hold that Trooper Beynon had probable cause to stop Miller based on his violation

of R.C. 4511.43(A), we also hold that the exclusionary rule does not apply. Too,

we need not analyze the State’s alternative argument—whether Trooper Beynon

possessed a reasonable articulable suspicion to stop Miller based on a reasonable

mistake of law under Heien. See 135 S.Ct. at 539.

{¶26} For the reasons stated above, the trial court erred in granting Miller’s

motion to suppress.

{¶27} The State’s assignment of error is sustained.

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{¶28} Having found error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the

particulars assigned and argued, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and

remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Judgment Reversed and
Cause Remanded
SHAW and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.

/jlr

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