The defendant appeals from the judgment of conviction, rendered after a jury trial, of one count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor in violation of General Statutes § 14-227a (a) (1) and one count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating
The jury reasonably could have found the following facts. At approximately 8:25 p.m. on December 21, 1991, Sergeant William Marchand of the state police saw a pickup truck traveling without lights on 1-84. Marchand drove behind the vehicle and signaled the driver to pull over. After it had come to a stop, Mar-chand approached the vehicle, which was operated by the defendant, James Cooper.
On the basis of his observations, Marchand had the defendant exit the vehicle and called for another offi
The defendant originally was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor pursuant to § 14-227a. The state subsequently filed a substitute information containing two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of § 14-227a (a). The jury found the defendant guilty of both counts.
I
A
The defendant first claims that the trial court improperly instructed the jury “that the highway in question is a public highway. So you need not deal with that element and you need not make that finding.” The defendant claims that the trial court thereby violated his right to trial by jury pursuant to the fifth, sixth and fourteenth amendments to the United States constitution and article first, §§ 8 and 19, of the Connecticut constitution.2 Because the defendant did not preserve this
“In State v. Golding, [supra, 213 Conn. 233] our Supreme Court reformulated the test of reviewability in [State v. Evans, 165 Conn. 61, 327 A.2d 576 (1973)]. The Golding court held that when a defendant fails to preserve his claim at trial he can prevail on that claim only if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the record is adequate to review the alleged claim of error; (2) the claim is of constitutional magnitude alleging the violation of a fundamental right; (3) the alleged constitutional violation clearly exists and clearly deprived the defendant of a fair trial; and (4) if subject to harmless error analysis, the state has failed to demonstrate harmlessness of the alleged constitutional violation beyond a reasonable doubt. ...” (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Velez, 30 Conn. App. 9, 20-21, 618 A.2d 1362, cert. denied, 225 Conn. 907, 621 A.2d 289 (1993); see also State v. Gamble, 27 Conn. App. 1, 13, 604 A.2d 366, cert. denied, 222 Conn. 901, 606 A.2d 1329 (1992). If any one of these conditions is not established, the defendant’s claim will fail.
We find the defendant’s claim reviewable. In examining the first prong of Golding, we note that it was designed to avoid remands for the purpose of supplementing the record. State v. Stanley, 223 Conn. 674, 690, 613 A.2d 788 (1992). Our review of the record indicates that the facts are sufficiently clear and unambiguous for this court to determine whether a constitutional violation has occurred.
The second prong of Golding is also satisfied. “An accused has a fundamental right, protected by the due process clauses of the federal and Connecticut constitutions, to be acquitted unless proven guilty of each
We must consider next whether the defendant met his burden as to the third requirement of Golding. “We must inquire whether the alleged constitutional violation clearly exists and, if so, whether it clearly has deprived the defendant of a fair trial.” State v. Leroy, 33 Conn. App. 232, 236, 635 A.2d 300 (1993), rev’d, 232 Conn. 1, 653 A.2d 161 (1994). The defendant claims that the trial court improperly instructed the jury by removing from the jury’s consideration a necessary element under both offenses of driving while intoxicated, in violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights to a fair trial.
According to § 14-227a (a), a necessary element of the charged offense is that the defendant operate a motor vehicle on a public highway. In its instructions to the jury, the trial court charged the jury as follows: “The second element is that the defendant operated the motor vehicle on a public highway of the state. I am going to charge you that the highway in question is a public highway. So you need not deal with that element and you need not make that finding.”
The defendant argues that this instruction violated the Sandstrom doctrine against a mandatory presumption; Sandstrom v. Montana, 442 U.S. 510, 517-24, 99 S. Ct. 2450, 61 L. Ed. 2d 39 (1979);3 thereby render
In the usual Golding situation, the defendant raises a claim on appeal which, while not preserved at trial, at least was not waived at trial. The due process clause prescribes that the defendant has a right to require the fact finder to determine each element of an offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt. Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 277-78, 113 S. Ct. 2078, 124 L. Ed. 2d 182 (1993). “ ‘It is the duty of the Government to establish . . . guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This notion — basic in our law — is a requirement and a safeguard of due process of law in the historic, procedural content of “due process.” ’ ” In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 362, 90 S. Ct. 1068, 25 L. Ed. 2d 368 (1970), quoting Leland v. Oregon, 343 U.S. 790, 802-803, 72 S. Ct. 1002, 96 L. Ed. 1302 (1952) (Frankfurter, J., dissenting). Under the circumstances, however, the record reveals that the defendant conceded the element in question, and, therefore, waived his right to require the fact finder to determine the element.
In this case, the state offered evidence that 1-84 is public. Marchand testified without objection that 1-84
Furthermore, the state’s attorney, in closing argument, argued that the evidence was uncontroverted that the defendant operated on a public highway. The defendant’s attorney, in his summation, did not dispute that fact. The state’s attorney further informed the jury in the initial summation that “the Judge will tell you that 1-84 is a public highway.” Once again, the defendant’s attorney did not challenge that assertion in his closing argument. To the contrary, the defendant’s attorney referred to the highway at issue as “out there on Interstate 84, either right on the Interstate or right off the Interstate.” He added that “it was the same area where that poor fellow got hit by the trailer truck, ’ ’ referring to an incident testified to in which a state trooper had been struck on 1-84.
A defendant in a criminal prosecution may waive one or more of his or her fundamental rights. State v. Patterson, 230 Conn. 385, 392, 645 A.2d 535 (1994). In Patterson, our Supreme Court stated that “[i]n some circumstances, a waiver of rights must be knowing, voluntary and intelligent, and it must be expressly made. ... In other circumstances, waiver can be implied.” (Citations omitted.) Id., 396. In that case, the Supreme Court held that waiver of the due process right to “judicial supervision of the entire voir dire in a criminal case . . . can be made by counsel, and will ordinarily be inferred from the absence of an objection.” Id. Our Supreme Court has similarly held that a defendant may waive his constitutional right to be present during trial merely by an unexplained absence. State v. Simino, 200 Conn. 113, 125-30, 509 A.2d 1039 (1986). Furthermore, the guarantees against double jeopardy provided by the fifth and fourteenth amendments, as well as an individual’s Miranda rights, may also be impliedly waived. State v. Almeda, 211 Conn. 441, 448, 560 A.2d 389 (1989); State v. Kuskowski, 200 Conn. 82, 88, 510 A.2d 172 (1986).
While our Supreme Court has acknowledged that the state usually must prove all undisputed elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, an element may be conceded by the defendant; State v. Guthridge, 164
Under the circumstances of this case, proof of the public highway element clearly was not in dispute; on the contrary, the record supports an inference that the defendant waived proof of that element. We conclude, accordingly, that the defendant waived his due process right to require the state to prove that element.4 See
B
The defendant next claims that the trial court improperly instructed the jury that it could consider the results of the defendant’s blood alcohol tests in its determination as to whether to convict him of a violation of § 14-227a (a). The trial court instructed the jury on the charges in the information as follows: "In considering whether the defendant was under the influence you need not consider evidence of the defendant’s blood alcohol content. You may conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant operated under the influence without any reference [to a] scientific test. You may however consider [a] scientific test, if you wish, in addition to other evidence in this case.”
The defendant was charged with violation of both subdivisions of § 14-227a (a). Evidence of the blood alcohol test results was admitted by the trial court as to § 14-227a (a) (2). The instruction that the trial court gave was appropriate for the § 14-227 (a) (2) charge. General Statutes § 14-227a (d), however, provides: “In
The state concedes that the defendant did not request the admission into evidence of the blood alcohol test results in relation to the behavioral subdivision. The defendant, conceding the failure to preserve this issue at trial, claims review under Golding5 or, alternatively, plain error review. We conclude that the defendant is not entitled to review under the Golding doctrine because the claim does not implicate a constitutional right. See State v. Gross, 35 Conn. App. 631, 646 A.2d 933, cert. denied, 231 Conn. 932, 649 A.2d 254 (1994). The claim is subject, however, to plain error review.6 Noncompliance with a mandatory statutory provision constitutes plain error. See State v. Cobb, 199 Conn. 322, 507 A.2d 457 (1986); State v. Tatem, 194 Conn. 594, 483 A.2d 1087 (1984); State v. Carrione, 188 Conn. 681, 453 A.2d 1137 (1982), cert. denied, 460 U.S. 1084, 103 S. Ct. 1775, 76 L. Ed. 2d 347 (1983); State v. Boulware, 183 Conn. 444, 441 A.2d 1 (1981); State v. Carter, 182 Conn. 580, 438 A.2d 778 (1980); State v. Burke, 182 Conn. 330, 438 A.2d 93 (1980); State v. Sinclair, 20 Conn. App. 586, 569 A.2d 551 (1990); State v. Thurman, 10 Conn. App. 302, 523 A.2d 891, cert. denied, 204 Conn. 805, 528 A.2d 1152 (1987).
Substantial defective compliance with that statutory provision requires reversal “ ‘even if no particular prejudice is shown and even if there is overwhelming evidence of guilt.’ State v. Varricchio, 10 Conn. App. 265, 270, 522 A.2d 843 (1987).” State v. Smith, 18 Conn. App. 368, 377, 558 A.2d 257 (1989). We conclude that the trial court’s instruction constituted one of “those extraordinary situations where the error is so obvious that the fairness and integrity of and public confidence in the judicial process would be impaired were we to fail to address [this] issue. . . .” Commissioner of Health Services v. Youth Challenge of Greater Hartford, Inc., 219 Conn. 657, 671, 594 A.2d 958 (1991). The defendant’s conviction for violation of § 14-227a (a) (1) must be reversed.
C
The defendant claims that the trial court failed to instruct the jury that facts essential to proof of an ele
The defendant relies on State v. Rodgers, 198 Conn. 53, 502 A.2d 360 (1985), to support his position that “where a particular subordinate fact is essential to the proof of an element of the crime ... it must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id., 58 n.1; see State v. Crafts, 226 Conn. 237, 246, 627 A.2d 877 (1993); State v. Rivera, 24 Conn. App. 670, 675, 591 A.2d 440, cert. denied, 219 Conn. 914, 593 A.2d 139 (1991); State v. Sullivan, 11 Conn. App. 80, 94, 525 A.2d 1353 (1987). That proposition, which was questioned by Justice Callahan’s concurring opinion in State v. McDonough, supra, 205 Conn. 352, generally has been limited to situations where a single subordinate fact is essential to the proof of an element. State v. Grant, 219 Conn. 596, 605, 594 A.2d 459 (1991), quoting State v. McDonough, supra, 355; State v. Castonguay, 218 Conn. 486, 507, 590 A.2d 901 (1991). In this case, no
D
The defendant next claims that the trial court improperly failed to relate the facts of the case to the law. Once again, the defendant seeks Golding review of this claim.8 Even if we assume, arguendo, that this claim involves a constitutional right,9 an examination of the record compels us to conclude that the defendant was not deprived of a fair trial.
The defendant argues that the trial court did not refer to any facts in the course of the charge. In particular, the trial court failed to mention which witnesses had been qualified as experts and what scientific tests had been admitted. The defendant cites several cases including State v. Wolff, 29 Conn. App. 524, 616 A.2d 1143 (1992), as authority for his claim. In that case, we stated that the “issues . . . were complicated, peculiar, and capable of differing constructions because the case involved two separate victims and similar crimes. . . . In such a case, ‘where the issues are complicated, peculiar, or capable of differing conclusions, comment by the court is necessary.’ Jacques v. Carter, [2 Conn. App. 27, 33-34, 476 A.2d 621 (1984)].” Id., 532. We further
This case involves a simpler factual and legal background than did State v. Wolff, supra, 29 Conn. 524. This case involved a two count information and was based on the testimony of three witnesses, two police officers and a state toxicologist. The evidence portion of the trial was completed within a period of three days. Viewed in the context of the factual issues raised at trial, the instructions clearly set forth the crimes charged and sufficiently related the law to the facts of the case. Because we cannot determine, therefore, that the alleged constitutional violation clearly exists, we conclude that the defendant has failed to satisfy the third prong of Golding.
E
The defendant further claims that, taken as a whole, the trial court’s instructions deprived the defendant of a fair trial. “To determine whether an error in the charge to the jury exists, we review the entire charge to determine if, ‘taken as a whole, the charge adequately guided the jury to a correct verdict.’ ” State v. Grullon, 212 Conn. 195, 204, 562 A.2d 481 (1989), quoting State v. Fleming, 198 Conn. 255, 268-69, 502 A.2d 886, cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1143, 106 S. Ct. 1797, 90 L. Ed. 2d 342 (1986).
The defendant makes no specific claim beyond those raised in the context of his other claims, with three exceptions: (1) the instruction that a reasonable doubt constitutes “a doubt for which a valid reason may be assigned”; (2) a statement that the reference to the number of witnesses presented by each side “doesn’t apply here”; and (3) what the defendant calls a “sinis
II
The defendant next claims that the trial court improperly denied his motion to suppress the results of his intoximeter tests because no probable cause existed for the defendant’s arrest. The defendant asserts on appeal that the test results were obtained by virtue of an invalid Terry10 stop.
The defendant claims that the issue was properly preserved because his motion to suppress the results of the intoximeter test was denied during the course of trial. He claims Golding review to the extent that the issue was not preserved.11 We assume, for purposes of this discussion, that the defendant did not properly preserve this claim and that the first and second prongs of Golding have been satisfied. The defendant’s claim fails, however, as to the third prong of Golding.
Both the state and the defendant agree that the appropriate analysis of the initial stop in this case is under the Terry guidelines. The defendant argues, first, that the initial stop lacked probable cause and, second,
In justifying the intrusion, “the police officer must be able to point to specific and articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those facts, reasonably warrant that intrusion.” Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 21, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968); State v. Cofield, 220 Conn. 38, 44, 595 A.2d 1349 (1991); State v. Whitfield, 26 Conn. App. 103, 110, 599 A.2d 21 (1991). In evaluating the validity of such a stop, courts consider whether, in light of “the totality of the circumstances — the whole picture,” the police officer had “ ‘ “a particularized and objective basis for suspecting the particular person stopped of criminal activity.” ’ United States v. Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 417-18, 101 S. Ct. 690, 66 L. Ed. 2d 621 (1981). . . .” (Citations omitted.) State v. Mitchell, 204 Conn. 187, 195, 527 A.2d 1168, cert. denied, 484 U.S. 927, 108 S. Ct. 293, 98 L. Ed. 2d 252 (1987). Review of a trial court’s determination of whether a reasonable and articulable suspicion exists “involves a two-part analysis: (1) whether the underlying factual findings of the trial court are clearly erroneous; and (2) whether the conclusion that those facts gave rise to such a suspicion is legally correct.” State v. Kyles, 221 Conn. 643, 660, 607 A.2d 355 (1992). “ ‘The trial court’s conclusions must stand unless they are legally and logically inconsistent with the facts.’ ” State v. Cofield, supra, 44.
In this case, Marchand observed the defendant’s vehicle traveling without lights on 1-84 and signaled it to pull over. After the vehicle had come to a stop, Mar-chand approached the vehicle. On the basis of his observations of the defendant, Marchand had the defendant exit the vehicle and called for another officer to conduct field sobriety tests.
Ill
The defendant finally claims that the defendant’s convictions under both subdivisions (1) and (2) of § 14-227a (a) violated the double jeopardy provisions of the United States and Connecticut constitutions. In light of our reversal of the conviction under § 14-227a (a) (1), we need not address this claim.
The judgment is reversed and the case is remanded with direction to render judgment of guilty of violating § 14-227a (a) (2) and not guilty of violating § 14-227a (a) (1).
In this opinion Spear, J., concurred.
1.
General Statutes § 14-227a provides in relevant part: “(a) operation while under the influence. No person shall operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both. A person commits the offense of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both if he operates a motor vehicle on a public highway of this state . . . (1) while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both or (2) while the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person is ten-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight.”
2.
“Although the defendant invokes the state constitution in support of his [claim] . . . ‘we limit our analysis to the federal guarantee in light of his failure independently to analyze the state constitution.’ State v. Joly, 219 Conn. 234, 258 n.16, 593 A.2d 96 (1991).” State v. Shanks, 34 Conn. App. 103, 113 n.10, 640 A.2d 155, cert. denied, 229 Conn. 921, 642 A.2d 1216 (1994).
3.
“In Sandstrom v. Montana, [supra, 442 U.S. 517-24], the United States Supreme Court held that a jury instruction that the law presumes that a
4.
Because the defendant conceded the element in question and the trial court’s instruction to the jury did not amount to a presumption of guilt with respect to the remaining elements of § 14-227a (a) (1) and (2), we conclude that the defendant’s sixth amendment right to a jury verdict of guilty beyond a reasonable doubt was also not implicated. Sullivan v. Louisiana, supra, 508 U.S. 277-78. Here, the trial court clearly instructed the jury that “it is not sufficient for the state to make out a case of probable guilt or call on the accused to refute it. You may not convict
5.
See part IA for analysis of the conditions of review under State v. Golding, supra, 213 Conn. 233.
6.
The defendant, in his brief, raised plain error review as an alternative to Golding review. The state declined to address the issue in its brief but did address the claim in oral argument.
7.
See part I A for analysis of the conditions of Golding review.
8.
See part I A for analysis of the conditions of Golding review.
9.
We note that “[w]hereas the first two conditions of Golding are determinations of whether a defendant’s claim will be reviewed, the third prong constitutes a review of the merits.” State v. Leroy, supra, 33 Conn. App. 236 n.2.
10.
Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968).
11.
See part I A for analysis of the conditions of Golding review.