NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court."
Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the
parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R.1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-5066-14T2
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
JOSEPH WATSON,
Defendant-Appellant.
___________________________________________
Argued April 25, 2017 – Decided September 21, 2017
Before Judges Espinosa and Suter.
On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
Law Division, Passaic County, Municipal Appeal
No. 5048.
John Vincent Saykanic argued the cause for
appellant.
Robert J. Wisse, Assistant Prosecutor, argued
the cause for respondent (Camelia M. Valdes,
Passaic County Prosecutor, attorney; Mr.
Wisse, of counsel and on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant Joseph Watson was convicted of driving while under
the influence of alcohol (DWI), N.J.S.A. 39:4-50; failure to stop
at a stop sign, N.J.S.A. 39:4-144; and having an open container
in his vehicle, N.J.S.A. 39:4-51(a). In his appeal, he argues all
his convictions should be reversed because his right to a speedy
trial was violated, and he further challenges his DWI conviction.
We affirm.
I.
Passaic County Sheriff's Officer Edward Shanley and Dr.
Richard Saperstein, Ph.D., were the only witnesses at the municipal
court trial conducted in April 2008.1 We summarize their testimony
as follows.
On the evening of November 22, 2007, Officer Shanley observed
a green 2000 Dodge van cross the intersection "at a high rate of
speed," which he estimated to be approximately 30 to 35 miles per
hour in a 25 mile per hour speed limit area.
Officer Shanley followed the van, losing sight of it for a
few moments, and caught up with the vehicle as it failed to stop
for a red light. He later observed the van make a wide left turn
1
State v. Chun, 194 N.J. 54 (2008), cert. denied, 555 U.S. 825,
129 S. Ct. 158, 172 L. Ed. 2d 41 (2008) was decided after
defendant's arrest and before his trial.
2 A-5066-14T2
without coming to a full and complete stop at a stop sign. Officer
Shanley turned on his lights and siren and pulled the van over.
Officer Shanley testified regarding his observations of the
driver, defendant Joseph Watson. He "smelled a strong odor of an
alcoholic beverage," believed defendant's eyes were "bloodshot and
watery" and his speech was "slow [and] slurred." Defendant
admitted he had "[a] couple drinks." Officer Shanley observed a
clear plastic cup in the cup holder with a "copper colored
beverage" in it, which defendant told Officer Shanley was his
friend's drink. Officer Shanley also observed an open bottle of
vodka in a box behind the driver's seat.
Officer Shanley asked defendant to step out of the vehicle
to conduct psycho-physical tests. He first asked defendant if he
was injured; defendant responded he was not. He then explained
and demonstrated the nine-step walk and turn test and asked
defendant to perform the test. Officer Shanley testified defendant
was instructed to leave his hands at his sides, but defendant
"used his arms for balance," raising them "over six inches."
Defendant also turned incorrectly, stopped to steady himself, and
took the wrong number of steps. Officer Shanley also explained
and demonstrated the one-legged stand test. Again, defendant
"used his arms for balance and he sway[ed] while he was balancing."
3 A-5066-14T2
Officer Shanley placed defendant under arrest and transported
him to the Passaic County Sheriff's Department, approximately
fifteen minutes away. Officer Shanley was able to detect an odor
of alcohol coming from the rear of his vehicle where defendant was
located.
At the station, defendant was placed in the DWI cellblock.
Officer Shanley observed him for thirty minutes, looking for signs
he was sick, burping or regurgitating and saw none. After the
thirty-minute observation period, Officer Shanley "read
[defendant] the standard statement for operators of motor vehicles
to see if he was willing to take the Alcotest and [defendant] said
yes."
Officer Shanley, who was certified to use the Alcotest,
explained how to operate the machine.2 In this case, defendant
gave eight separate breath samples, which produced two valid
results. Officer Shanley placed a new mouthpiece after each
sample. The first result showed a .082 and .082%.3 The second
2
Testimony was also presented regarding the periodic examination
of the Alcotest, its calibration record, and that there was a
calibration certificate for each part of the test, which included
a control test and linearity test. Dr. Thomas A. Vertel, Ph.D.,
the forensic laboratory director for the Division of the State
Police, certified the simulator solutions for the Alcotest.
3
The results include an infrared technology (IR) and electric
chemical (ER) results, which is why it has two numbers.
4 A-5066-14T2
result was .089 and .089%. The Alcotest result was a blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) of 0.08%.
During cross-examination, Officer Shanley testified defendant
stated he had a cold when asked if he was ill. He also testified
he read defendant his Miranda4 rights before questioning him
further about what he had to drink and what he ate that day.
Officer Shanley testified defendant stated he had two alcoholic
drinks, but could not recall what time during the day. Defendant
also said he ate turkey that day.
Dr. Saperstein was stipulated to be an expert as to the
operation and administration of the testing of the Alcotest and
testified on behalf of defendant. He opined that, within a
reasonable degree of scientific probability, defendant's true BAC
was below 0.08%.
Dr. Saperstein testified that since defendant had a cold, if
his body temperature was slightly raised, this would cause a change
in the breath results. Dr. Saperstein also noted the calibration
certificate for the Alcotest was .098 percent, but the machine
actually tested .10 percent. Therefore, he stated the machine was
testing slightly higher than what the calibration certificate
stated. Dr. Saperstein also cited a general comment made by the
4
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d
694 (1966).
5 A-5066-14T2
Special Master in Chun that "there is analytical error that could
be in the range of .004 to .005." Dr. Saperstein concluded that
since the Supreme Court did not address this specific issue, "we
can only assume that they accepted this finding by" the Special
Master. Dr. Saperstein conceded, however, "[a]ll these errors are
not humongous," and stated there was a "reasonable probability
that the defendant's true alcohol level could have been slightly
below [0.08%]."
The municipal court judge found Officer Shanley's testimony
credible, noting his "demeanor as well as the objective
reasonableness of his testimony." He noted Officer Shanley had
eighteen years' experience as a police officer and had "worked as
a bartender for [twelve] years."
The municipal court judge then discussed his findings
pertaining to Dr. Saperstein. The judge found Chun disposed of
the temperature issue. As to the argument that there was
analytical error, the court found the Supreme Court "recognized"
this machine was "an accurate device, scientifically accurate to
measure the blood alcohol of defendant, or breath alcohol of the
defendant."
Furthermore, the municipal court judge found there was "ample
evidence of the defendant being under the influence," based on
Officer Shanley's sensory impressions, defendant's "erratic
6 A-5066-14T2
driving," and defendant's poor performance in the two field
sobriety tests.
The municipal court judge found defendant guilty of failing
to stop at a stop sign and the open container violation. He merged
the stop sign violation with the DWI charge and sentenced defendant
to a three-month license suspension, twelve hours at the I.D.R.C.,
$400 fine, $33 courts costs, $50 VCCB penalty, $200 D.W.I.
surcharge and $75 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund. The judge
imposed a fine and court costs for the open container violation.
The sentence was stayed for twenty days pending any appeal.
Defendant appealed to the Law Division. Among the arguments
raised, he challenged the Alcotest reading on several grounds and
contended his trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to
call him as a witness.
The Law Division judge remanded the matter to municipal court
to permit defendant to testify and to supplement the record
regarding the use of cell phones at the time of the Alcotest. The
remand proceedings were conducted on March 31 and June 29, 2009.
In the remand proceedings, defendant provided the following
version of events. He was traveling at a "normal speed" when he
observed Officer Shanley, who then began following him. He stopped
at the red light and the stop sign in question.
7 A-5066-14T2
After defendant stepped out of the vehicle, Officer Shanley
asked him whether he had been drinking. Defendant told Officer
Shanley he had punch earlier in the day, but did not tell him
there was Grey Goose in it or that he had a couple of drinks. He
also told Officer Shanley he was very sick and had taken Nyquil
that day.
Describing the sobriety tests administered to him, defendant
testified Officer Shanley never administered a one-legged stand
test and stated his difficulty in following Officer Shanley's
instructions to follow a pen from left to right with his eyes and
keep his head straight was due to his Bell's palsy.5
As to the nine-step walk, defendant testified Officer Shanley
told him to take nine steps forward, turn around, and take nine
steps back. According to defendant, there were "a lot of leaves
on the ground." He mentioned this to Officer Shanley, but all he
did was brush the leaves away with his foot. The leaves were not
cleared and defendant had to be careful not to step on the leaves
and slip. He also testified the driveway was uneven and Officer
Shanley did not instruct him on how to complete the steps.
However, defendant admitted on cross-examination that the leaves
5
The State did not present evidence about a Horizontal Gaze
Nystagmus (HGN) test.
8 A-5066-14T2
on the ground did not affect the nine-step test and that he did
it "military style" and "did the test perfect."
According to defendant, Officer Shanley then asked to search
the van, but defendant told him he could not search without a
warrant. When Officer Shanley asked what was in the box in the
back seat of the car, defendant told him it was someone else's
empty bottle. Defendant testified that Officer Shanley did not
read him his Miranda rights.
Defendant testified that when he was at the station, he had
to blow into a breathalyzer machine. He testified he told Officer
Shanley about his Bell's palsy and that it was difficult for him
to do that, and then attempted to comply. He blew into the machine
two times, was removed into another room to complete paperwork for
five to ten minutes, and then came back to the same room to
continue.
Defendant testified there was a cell phone in the testing
room, "right by the machine." The cell phone was on and he stated
"[i]t rang a couple of times" when he was blowing into the machine.
Defendant called his then girlfriend and left her a voicemail to
call him back because he was at the station. Defendant's cell
phone records reflect outgoing calls to his girlfriend's number
at 7:53 p.m. (five minutes in duration), 8:21 p.m. (one minute),
8:36 p.m. (two minutes), 8:44 p.m. (three minutes), 8:47 p.m. (one
9 A-5066-14T2
minute), and 9:37 p.m. (nine minutes). There were also incoming
calls at 8:48 p.m. (two minutes), and 8:55 p.m. (one minute).
Defendant testified he was on his cell phone several times
around the machine and at one point, he had an officer use his
cell phone to give his girlfriend instructions on how to get to
the station.
Defendant explained he was having a difficult time blowing
into the machine because his "lips and jaw [did not] lock [him]
into the machine like that, and it's hard for [him] to blow a
whistle" due to his Bell's palsy. He also testified Officer
Shanley did not change the mouthpiece on the machine each time
defendant blew into it or wear rubber gloves when administering
the test. On cross-examination, he modified his answer, stating
Officer Shanley changed the mouthpiece "a few times, not every
time." Defendant testified Officer Shanley asked if he was sick
after the breathalyzer examination was over and defendant stated
that he was "very sick," with a "cold and a bad fever."
During cross-examination, defendant testified he used his
cell phone right after he finished blowing into the machine for
the last time, but then he stated he was "not sure" when he used
it, but it was "real close."
The municipal court judge set forth his findings, including
his credibility findings, in a letter dated November 12, 2009, to
10 A-5066-14T2
the Law Division judge. After summarizing defendant's testimony,
the municipal court judge stated he found defendant's testimony
"to be largely incredible." He noted he had previously found
Officer Shanley's testimony to be credible and that,
"[p]ractically all of the defendant's testimony is the complete
opposite of what the Sheriff's officer testified to."
The judge stated,
If the Court were to believe the defendant's
testimony, Officer Shanley, an 18 year veteran
of the Passaic County Sheriff's Department
would have had to have grossly deviated from
his duties and told the Court a wild story
regarding the defendant's driving performance
and on the field sobriety tests as well as the
administration of the Alcotest . . . .
He specifically found "the defendant's claims as to the manner
in which Officer Shanley processed his arrest to be incredible."
He noted defendant's account that he gave two breath samples, was
taken to an adjoining room and questioned and returned to the
Alcotest room to give his third to eighth breath samples was
refuted by the Alcohol Influence Report (AIR).
The municipal court judge rejected defendant's claim he was
never read his Miranda rights as "completely incredible." The
judge also rejected his claim he never completed a one-legged
test, accepting, instead, Officer Shanley's testimony, which was
documented in his police report.
11 A-5066-14T2
As to defendant's testimony that his cell phone was being
used during the Alcotest, the phone records indicate that the
calls stopped between 7:53 p.m. and 8:21 p.m., the times that the
Alcotest was being performed. The municipal court judge concluded
the officers had defendant turn off his cell phone during that
time period.
The municipal appeal from this decision was argued in the Law
Division on June 28, 2010. The Law Division judge reserved
decision and stated he would write an opinion.
Four and one-half years later, on February 12, 2015, after
all municipal appeals were assigned to a retired judge who was on
recall, a status conference was conducted. Substituted defense
counsel attempted to reconstruct the procedural history for the
judge, who stated he would review the file and render a decision.
The judge discussed with counsel what should be included in the
file. A transcript of the oral argument before the prior judge
had not been ordered and so, had to be ordered for the judge to
review. After defense counsel stated two briefs had been filed
for the defense, the judge asked if further briefing was required.
Defense counsel answered, "No," and added he believed he had argued
the matter adequately before the prior judge. The only
qualification to his reply that additional briefing was
unnecessary was a reference to the possibility that a new case
12 A-5066-14T2
might have come up in the intervening time since he had argued the
case. Nonetheless, defendant filed a supplemental brief, dated
May 19, 2015, in which he argued for the first time that the delay
in his case violated his right to a speedy trial.
The Law Division judge rendered his decision on June 9, 2015.
The Law Division judge considered the municipal court judge's
credibility determinations and further found Officer Shanley was
a credible witness, "objectively reasonable and consistent." As
to defendant, the judge found that his testimony "appeared to be
prepared in a sense that it contradicted nearly every significant
fact testified to by Officer Shanley."
The Law Division judge found the Alcotest results were
admissible as the State proved by clear and convincing evidence
that the device was in working order. Citing Chun, the Law
Division judge also found the three concerns Dr. Saperstein noted
in his testimony were "without merit." In addition, the Law
Division judge found Officer Shanley's testimony as to defendant
driving in an "erratic manner," his sensory impressions, and
defendant's performance on field sobriety tests established beyond
a reasonable doubt that defendant was operating a motor vehicle
under the influence of alcohol. The Law Division judge found
defendant guilty of DWI, failing to stop at the stop sign and the
open container violation. The judge imposed the same penalties
13 A-5066-14T2
as had been imposed in municipal court and continued the stay
pending appeal.
The judge also addressed the speedy trial argument raised in
defendant's supplemental brief. He balanced the factors set forth
in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S. Ct. 2182, 33 L. Ed. 2d 101
(1972), adopted by our Supreme Court in State v. Gallegan, 117
N.J. 345, 355 (1989), and concluded defendant's constitutional
rights were not violated.
Defendant presents the following arguments for our
consideration in his appeal:
POINT I
THE 2,756 DAY (91 MONTHS AND NEARLY EIGHT-
YEAR) DELAY FROM THE DATE OF ARREST TO THE LAW
DIVISION DECISION VIOLATES DEFENDANT'S SIXTH
AMENDMENT AND STATE COURT RIGHT TO A SPEEDY
TRIAL.
POINT II
THE DWI CONVICTION MUST BE REVERSED AND A
JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL ENTERED SINCE THE
ALCOTEST READING OF 0.08% IS UNRELIABLE AND
MUST BE RULED IN-ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE SINCE AN
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT AS TO THE RELIABILITY
OF THE ALCOTEST WAS NOT ADHERED TO; NAMELY,
THE DEFENDANT HAD HIS CELL PHONE ON HIM AND
MADE AND RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS WHILE GIVING
THE BREATH SAMPLES.
POINT III
THE DWI CONVICTION MUST BE REVERSED AND A
JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL ENTERED SINCE THE
ALCOTEST READINGS OF 0.08% IS UNRELIABLE SINCE
14 A-5066-14T2
AN ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT AS TO THE RELIABILITY
OF THE ALCOTEST WAS NOT ADHERED TO; NAMELY,
THE DEFENDANT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTRUCTED AS
TO HOW TO BLOW INTO THE ALCOTEST MACHINE (AND
THE DEFENDANT SUFFERS FROM BELL'S PALSY WHICH
IMPEDES HIS ABILITY TO BLOW).
POINT IV
THE DEFENSE EXPERT DR. RICHARD SAFERSTEIN
OPINED THAT, WITHIN A REASONABLE DEGREE OF
SCIENTIFIC PROBABILITY, THE DEFENDANT'S TRUE
BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC) AT THE TIME
OF THE TEST WAS 0.07% MANDATING A REVERSAL OF
THE DWI CONVICTION.
POINT V
THE ALCOTEST RESULTS MUST BE SUPPRESSED AND
THE DWI CONVICTION REVERSED SINCE THE STATE
DID NOT ESTABLISH BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING
EVIDENCE THAT THE DEFENDANT DID NOT INGEST,
REGURGITATE OR PLACE ANYTHING IN HIS MOUTH FOR
A PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWENTY MINUTES PRIOR TO
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ALCOTEST.
POINT VI
THE DWI CONVICTION MUST BE REVERSED AND A
JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL ENTERED SINCE THE STATE
FAILED TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT
THE DEFENDANT OPERATED A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL IN VIOLATION
OF THE DEFENDANT'S FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT DUE
PROCESS AND STATE CONSTITUTIONAL.
II.
The question whether defendant's constitutional right to a
speedy trial was violated is a legal issue and therefore subject
to de novo review. See, State v. Handy, 206 N.J. 39, 45 (2011).
15 A-5066-14T2
In Barker, supra, 407 U.S. at 530, 92 S. Ct. at 2192, 33 L.
Ed. 2d at 117, the United States Supreme Court established a
balancing test that continues to govern the evaluation of claims
of speedy trial violations. Under this test, the trial court must
assess four non-exclusive factors: "[l]ength of delay, the reason
for the delay, the defendant's assertion of [the right to speedy
trial], and prejudice to the defendant." Ibid. This four-factor
test must be used to evaluate all claims of a denial of a
"constitutional right to a speedy trial in all criminal and quasi-
criminal matters," State v. Cahill, 213 N.J. 253, 258 (2013),
including municipal prosecutions. See State v. Berezansky, 386
N.J. Super. 84 (App. Div. 2006), certif. granted, 191 N.J. 317
(2007), appeal dismissed, 196 N.J. 82 (2008).
We turn first to the length of delay. As our Supreme Court
has instructed, a delay of more than one year is sufficient to
warrant consideration of the remaining Barker factors, Cahill,
supra, 213 N.J. at 266. The delay here is clearly sufficient to
require consideration of the remaining Barker factors.
Defendant argues the delay from the date of his arrest to the
date of the Law Division decision that determined his guilt
violated his rights. He compares this nearly eight-year delay to
cases in which shorter delays between arrest and trial in the
municipal court resulted in the dismissal of charges. This
16 A-5066-14T2
argument ignores the fact that during the course of those eight
years, defendant had: a trial in municipal court, an appeal to the
Law Division, proceedings in the municipal court pursuant to the
remand, a second appeal, and oral argument of that appeal in the
Law Division. He has not argued that the delay from arrest to
trial in municipal court violated his constitutional rights. The
extraordinary five-year delay occurred between the time the second
appeal was argued in the Law Division and the final decision by a
different Law Division judge.6
The second factor to be addressed is the reason for the delay.
Again, defendant directs his argument to the five-year delay. He
contends the State bears responsibility for prosecuting cases in
a timely fashion and because the delay was due to the State's
negligence in failing to do so, the delay must be weighed against
the State. The State counters that there is no evidence that
there was any intentional delay by either the prosecution or the
State –- and defendant does not claim to the contrary.
The trial judge found the cause for the delay was
"administrative." He noted the matter was originally assigned to
6
The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has recognized that
"the [Federal] Due Process Clause guarantees a reasonably speedy
appeal[.]" Simmons v. Beyer, 44 F.3d 1160, 1169 (3d. Cir.)
(citation and internal quotations omitted), cert. denied, 516 U.S.
905, 116 S. Ct. 271, 133 L. Ed. 2d 192 (1995).
17 A-5066-14T2
another judge and assigned to him when he returned on recall and
that he was out for several months due to surgery.
The third factor concerns when defendant asserted his right
to a speedy resolution of his case. Although "[a] defendant does
not have an obligation to assert his right to a speedy trial,"
Cahill, supra, 213 N.J. at 266, "'[w]hether and how a defendant
asserts his right is closely related' to the length of the delay,
the reason for the delay, and any prejudice suffered by the
defendant." Ibid. (quoting Barker, supra, 407 U.S. at 531, 92 S.
Ct. at 2192, 33 L.Ed. 2d at 117). In light of this relationship,
"the assertion of a right to a speedy trial in the face of
continuing delays is a factor entitled to strong weight when
determining whether the state has violated the right." Ibid.
Defendant did not assert his right to a speedy trial, or more
accurately, a right to a speedy resolution of his appeal, until
May 2015, seven and one-half years after his arrest. It is
entirely understandable that he might not be eager to seek a
resolution of his appeal since the sentence was stayed pending
appeal and the loss of license that would result from an affirmance
would have a negative effect on his employment as a New Jersey
Transit bus driver. But it is also reasonable to infer, as the
State argues, that in a case where the delay was attributable at
18 A-5066-14T2
worst to negligence, the delay might have been shortened if
defendant had made a demand earlier.
Finally, we turn to the fourth factor, prejudice to defendant.
In addressing prejudice to defendant, we assess three interests:
prevention of oppressive pretrial incarceration, minimization of
defendant's anxiety concerns and whether the defense has been
impaired by the delay. See Barker, supra, 407 U.S. at 532, 92 S.
Ct. at 2193, 33 L. Ed. 2d at 118; Cahill, supra, 213 N.J. at 266.
Defendant does not contend his defense was impaired as a
result of the delay. Indeed, all fact-finding in the initial
trial and the remand proceeding was long completed. Instead, he
cites enduring uncertainty as the charge hung over his head, the
expenses caused by the litigation, an inability to plan his life
and social events and claims he suffered a deterioration in his
health. As part of his contention that his ability to plan his
life was inhibited, defendant states he had to remain available
for court appearances. However, he has not identified any court
appearances that required his attendance during the period from
oral argument on his appeal to the court's decision.
Plainly, two of the three interests to be addressed in
assessing prejudice are not applicable here. There was no
incarceration and no impairment of the defense. We agree that,
generally, some measure of personal unease would be caused by a
19 A-5066-14T2
lingering appeal and do not doubt that defendant experienced this
during the delay. But, this is substantially mitigated by the
fact that defendant's sentence was stayed pending appeal,
permitting defendant to continue his employment. The hardship of
waiting for a disposition, alone, "is insufficient to constitute
meaningful prejudice." State v. Misurella, 421 N.J. Super. 538,
546 (App. Div. 2011) (quoting State v. Le Furge, 222 N.J. Super.
92, 99-100 (App. Div. 1988)).
In sum, although the delay from oral argument of the municipal
appeal to decision by the Law Division was inordinate, there was
no intentional delay by the State or the courts, defendant's
assertion of his right came more than seven years after his arrest,
and there has been no appreciable prejudice to defendant.
Balancing these factors, we conclude the delay here did not deprive
defendant of any constitutional right.
III.
In Points II, III, IV and V, defendant challenges the Alcotest
result as unreliable and argues that, as a result, his DWI
conviction must be reversed. Defendant does not argue the required
foundational documents were not submitted, see Chun, supra, 194
N.J. at 142-48, that Officer Shanley was not certified to operate
the device or that he lacked the proper training to do so. See
id. at 134.
20 A-5066-14T2
When the Law Division conducts a trial de novo on the record
developed in the municipal court, our appellate review is limited.
State v. Clarksburg Inn, 375 N.J. Super. 624, 639 (App. Div. 2005).
"The Law Division judge was bound to give 'due, although not
necessarily controlling, regard to the opportunity of a [municipal
court judge] to judge the credibility of the witnesses,'" ibid.
(alteration in original) (quoting State v. Johnson, 42 N.J. 146,
157 (1964)), as the Law Division judge is not in a position to
observe "'the character and demeanor of witnesses and common human
experience that are not transmitted by the record.'" See ibid.
(quoting State v. Locurto, 157 N.J. 463, 474 (1999)).
"Our review is limited to determining whether there is
sufficient credible evidence present in the record to support the
findings of the Law Division judge, not the municipal court."
Ibid. (citing Johnson, supra, 42 N.J. at 161-62). Moreover,
"[u]nder the two-court rule, appellate courts ordinarily should
not undertake to alter concurrent findings of facts and credibility
determinations made by two lower courts absent a very obvious and
exceptional showing of error." Locurto, supra, 157 N.J. at 474.
In this case, the Law Division judge clearly understood that his
role was to make independent findings, as they were ultimately
reflected in his oral opinion. We therefore defer to those
findings. However, no such deference is owed to the Law Division
21 A-5066-14T2
judge or the municipal court with respect to legal determinations
or conclusions reached on the basis of the facts. See Handy,
supra, 206 N.J. at 45.
A.
Defendant's first challenge to the reliability of the
Alcotest result is based upon a factual premise that was rejected
by the municipal court and Law Division. He states the result is
unreliable because his cell phone was on him and used while he
gave breath samples.7
The State presented testimony from Officer Shanley that
refuted defendant's claim. Officer Shanley testified that the
standard procedure regarding communication devices in the Alcotest
room is "[n]o cell phones or radios in that area, no hand held
radios in that area," and he took steps to assure that there would
be no devices in the area.
The municipal court judge found Officer Shanley's testimony
credible. The Law Division also found his testimony credible as
it was "objectively reasonable and consistent."
7
In Chun, supra, 194 N.J. at 80, the Supreme Court stated the
operator of the Alcotest must "attach[] a new, disposable
mouthpiece and remove[] all cell phones and portable electronic
devices from the testing area." However, the Court also noted
"there is ample support for the finding that the Alcotest is well-
shielded from the impact of any potential RFI that might otherwise
affect the reported results or limit our confidence in the accuracy
of the test results." Id. at 89.
22 A-5066-14T2
The Law Division judge rejected defendant's argument that he
made and received phone calls while providing the breath samples
as grounds for rendering the Alcotest results inadmissible. He
relied upon findings in Chun that "there is ample support for the
finding that the Alcotest is well-shielded from the impact of any
potential RFI that might otherwise affect the reported results or
limit our confidence in the accuracy of the test results." Chun,
supra, 194 N.J. at 89. He also relied upon Officer Shanley's
testimony regarding standard procedure for removing such devices
from the test area and a comparison of the AIR with the cell phone
records to support the conclusion no calls were placed while the
results were obtained.
According to the AIR, the first ambient air blank test was
performed at 8:02 p.m.; the first control test was at 8:03 p.m.;
the next ambient air blank was performed at 8:04 p.m.; and the
first breath test results were recorded at 8:06 p.m. The eighth
and final breath test results were recorded at 8:20 p.m. According
to defendant's cell phone records, there was a call made at 7:53
p.m., before any testing. Another call was made at 8:21 p.m. The
Law Division judge concluded that "there were no telephone calls
during the testing period." Although ambient air blank and control
tests were performed at 8:21 p.m. and 8:22 p.m., the Law Division
judge found that a telephone call placed during that time would
23 A-5066-14T2
not invalidate the results obtained from the tests conducted prior
to the call.
We therefore concur with the Law Division's conclusion that
this argument lacks merit, based on Chun and the record.
B.
Defendant next argues the Alcotest result is unreliable
because he was not properly instructed on how to blow into the
Alcotest machine, adding that his Bell's Palsy impeded his ability
to blow.8 This argument lacks merit, in light of the findings by
both the municipal court judge and the Law Division judge that
Officer Shanley's testimony was credible and defendant's testimony
regarding deviations in the procedure followed was incredible.
Officer Shanley testified he took eight samples from
defendant and before each sample, "instruct[ed] him how to blow
into the machine." The fact that two valid results were produced
from the eight samples that were taken indicates the breath samples
defendant provided were adequate.
The findings by the municipal court and Law Division judges
are supported by the record and entitled to our deference.
8
Defendant did not present any expert testimony that Bell's palsy
affected the ability to blow into an Alcotest machine.
24 A-5066-14T2
C.
Defendant also argues the Alcotest results must be suppressed
because the State failed to establish by clear and convincing
evidence that he did not ingest, regurgitate or place anything in
his mouth for a period of at least twenty minutes prior to the
test. We disagree.
The State must establish by clear and convincing evidence
that during the twenty-minute period immediately before
administering the Alcotest, "the test subject did not ingest,
regurgitate or place anything in his mouth that could" compromise
the test results. State v. Ugrovics, 410 N.J. Super. 482, 489-90
(App. Div. 2009) (citing Chun, supra, 194 N.J. at 140), certif.
denied, 202 N.J. 346 (2010). The State can meet that burden
through the testimony of "any competent witness who can so attest."
Id. at 490.
Officer Shanley testified that defendant was placed in the
D.W.I. cellblock, where he observed defendant for a half hour
before taking him to conduct the Alcotest. This testimony, which
was found to be credible, satisfied the State's burden.
Defendant's argument that Ugrovics required the observer to be a
competent witness other than the Alcotest operator lacks merit
since the clear import of Ugrovics was to clarify that the
competent witness may be someone other than the Alcotest operator.
25 A-5066-14T2
D.
Defendant argues the expert testimony he presented
demonstrated his true BAC at the time of the Alcotest was 0.07%,
below the level for intoxication, rather than the Alcotest's BAC
result. The Law Division judge considered Dr. Saperstein's
testimony and noted that two of the concerns he identified,
regarding the effect of body temperature on the BAC reading and
that there is a .004 or a .005 margin of error in the machine,
lacked merit in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Chun.
We agree with the Law Division's conclusions that these
arguments are not viable based on the Court's decision in Chun.
The Court acknowledged the debate regarding the effect of
temperature on Alcotest results and concluded "the effect of breath
temperature on BAC is theoretical at best, and that the effect,
if any, is ameliorated" by safeguards that "effectively
underestimate BAC." Chun, supra, 194 N.J. at 109.9 Dr.
Saperstein's opinion that the Alcotest result should be discounted
because there is a .004 or a .005 margin of error in the machine
is not tenable based upon the Court's conclusion that the Alcotest
9
We note further there is no proof in the record, besides
defendant's testimony, that he had a "fever." Both courts found
defendant's testimony not credible.
26 A-5066-14T2
device is sufficiently reliable to prove a per se violation of
N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. Id. at 65, 90, 148.
The Law Division judge also noted Dr. Saperstein's concern
regarding the solution for the .10 simulator having a concentration
of .208 overlooked the results of control test, which refuted that
theory.
There is ample support in the record for the Law Division
judge's conclusion that there was clear and convincing evidence
to support the admission of the Alcotest reading of .08% BAC into
evidence.
IV.
Finally, defendant argues the State failed to prove he
operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated beyond a reasonable
doubt. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-50(a), a person violates the
statute of "driving while intoxicated," if he or she "operates a
motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor . . . or
operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of
0.08% or more by weight of alcohol in defendant's blood[.]" As
we have already determined, because defendant's challenges to the
Alcotest results fail, that result was properly admitted and
sufficient to establish his guilt.
However, Officer Shanley's testimony, found credible by both
the municipal court judge and the Law Division judge, provided
27 A-5066-14T2
independent proof that was sufficient to support defendant's DWI
conviction.
Affirmed.
28 A-5066-14T2