#23766-a-PER CURIAM
2006 SD 12
IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
* * * *
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
GERALD BORDEAUX, Defendant and Appellant.
* * * *
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
* * * *
HONORABLE JOSEPH NEILES
Judge
* * * *
LAWRENCE E. LONG
Attorney General
KATIE L. HANSEN
Assistant Attorney General
Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff
and appellee.
JOHN R. HINRICHS
Office of the Minnehaha
County Public Defender
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorney for defendant
and appellant.
* * * *
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
ON JANUARY 9, 2006
OPINION FILED 2/1/06
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PER CURIAM
[¶1.] Gerald Bordeaux appeals his conviction for driving or actual physical
control of a vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage (DUI). We
affirm.
FACTS
[¶2.] On the afternoon of October 4, 2004, a pedestrian on his way to a
friend's home in Sioux Falls observed a bicyclist repeatedly falling off of the bicycle
he was attempting to ride on a city street. Suspecting that the bicyclist might be
intoxicated and concerned for his safety, the pedestrian used a cell phone to contact
law enforcement and report the matter. A law enforcement officer was dispatched
to the location given by the pedestrian. On his arrival, the officer also observed the
bicyclist falling with his bicycle. The officer approached the bicyclist and identified
him as Bordeaux. Based upon the odor of intoxicants, Bordeaux's admissions that
he had been drinking and other indications of intoxication, the officer reached the
conclusion that Bordeaux might be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.
The officer administered a series of field sobriety tests and, based upon his
observations and the results of the tests, placed Bordeaux under arrest for DUI.
The officer transported Bordeaux to the county jail where blood was drawn for a
blood/alcohol test that later revealed a result of 0.225 percent by weight of alcohol in
the blood.
[¶3.] Bordeaux was indicted for one count of driving or actual physical
control of a vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage in violation of
SDCL 32-23-1(2) and one count of driving or actual physical control of a vehicle
while having 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the blood in violation of
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SDCL 32-23-1(1).1 A jury trial was held in magistrate court on January 4, 2005. At
the close of the State's case, Bordeaux's counsel moved for a judgment of acquittal
on the basis that there was no proof that Bordeaux was "driving" or had "actual
physical control" of a vehicle at the time of his alleged offense. The trial court
denied the motion and the case was submitted to the jury. The jury returned
verdicts finding Bordeaux guilty of both counts of the indictment.
[¶4.] On February 3, 2005, Bordeaux was sentenced for one count of DUI to
one hundred eighty days in the county jail with one hundred fifty days suspended
on various terms and conditions. Bordeaux appealed his conviction to circuit court
which affirmed in an order entered July 13, 2005. Bordeaux now appeals to this
Court.
ISSUE
[¶5.] Did the trial court err in denying Bordeaux's motion for a
judgment of acquittal?
[¶6.] Bordeaux argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a
judgment of acquittal because the evidence was insufficient to sustain his
conviction.
In reviewing a denial of a motion for judgment of
acquittal, we determine "whether the 'evidence was
sufficient to sustain the convictions.'" State v. Janklow,
2005 SD 25, ¶16, 693 NW2d 685, 693 (citations omitted).
1. The subdivisions of SDCL 32-23-1 describe four ways of committing the same
offense. See State v. Likness, 386 NW2d 42, 44 (SD 1986). "'It is permissible
. . . to charge in separate counts the commission of the same offense in
different ways in order to meet the evidence which may be adduced. . . . If a
defendant is convicted on two counts, relating to a single offense a general
sentence may be imposed.'" State v. Baker, 440 NW2d 284, 293 (SD
1989)(quoting State v. Teutsch, 80 SD 462, 468, 126 NW2d 112, 116
(1964)(citations omitted)).
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"In determining the sufficiency of the
evidence on appeal in a criminal case, the
issue before this Court is whether there is
evidence in the record which, if believed by
the jury, is sufficient to sustain a finding of
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." In making
that determination, "we accept the evidence
and the most favorable inferences fairly
drawn therefrom, which will support the
verdict." Moreover, "the jury is . . . the
exclusive judge of the credibility of the
witnesses and the weight of the evidence."
Therefore, this Court does not resolve
conflicts in the evidence, or pass on the
credibility of witnesses, or weigh the
evidence.
[State v. Pasek, 2004 SD 132, ¶7, 691 NW2d 301, 305]
(citation omitted).
State v. McKinney, 2005 SD 73, ¶26, 699 NW2d 471, 480. Accord State v. Shaw,
2005 SD 105, ¶¶44, 51, 705 NW2d 620, 632-34.
[¶7.] Bordeaux 's argument concerning insufficiency of the evidence focuses
on the elements of DUI. It is an element of that offense that a person "drive" or be
in "actual physical control" of a vehicle. See SDCL 32-23-1. Bordeaux argues that
the State failed to prove either of those elements here because the Legislature did
not intend to prohibit the operation of a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol.
In support of his assertions concerning legislative intent, Bordeaux points out that
one does not generally describe the use of a bicycle as "driving" and that in other
statutes regulating bicycles the Legislature referred to the "operation" of a bicycle.
Thus, Bordeaux argues that had the Legislature intended to prohibit the use of a
bicycle while under the influence of alcohol it would have referred to "operation" of a
vehicle in the statute.
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[¶8.] The intent of the Legislature in enacting laws is ascertained primarily
from the language used in the statute. State v. Schouten, 2005 SD 122, ¶9, __
NW2d __, __. "We give words their plain meaning and effect, and read statutes as a
whole, as well as enactments relating to the same subject." Id. This Court is bound
by the actual language of applicable statutes and their intent is determined from
what the Legislature said and not what this Court thinks it should have said. M.B.
v. Konenkamp, 523 NW2d 94, 97 (SD 1994). "We assume that statutes mean what
they say and that the legislators have said what they meant." Crescent Elec.
Supply Co. v. Nerison, 89 SD 203, 210, 232 NW2d 76, 80 (1975). Thus, "[w]hen the
language in a statute is clear, certain and unambiguous, there is no reason for
construction, and the Court's only function is to declare the meaning of the statute
as clearly expressed." MGA Ins. Co. v. Goodsell, 2005 SD 118, ¶9, 707 NW2d 483,
485 (quoting State v. Myrl & Roy's Paving, Inc., 2004 SD 98, ¶6, 686 NW2d 651,
653-54).
[¶9.] Here, the plain meaning of the applicable statues does not support
Bordeaux's contentions concerning legislative intent. SDCL 32-23-1(2) provides
that "[n]o person may drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle while . . .
[u]nder the influence of an alcoholic beverage[.]" (emphasis added). The
Legislature has specifically defined the word "vehicle" in SDCL chapter 32-23 to
include "bicycles." SDCL 32-14-1(37)(2004 rev)(currently SDCL 32-14-1(39)). Thus,
when the Legislature used the term "vehicle" in SDCL 32-23-1, it clearly intended
that it refer to "bicycles." This conclusion is consistent with this Court's prior
decisions in this area. See Sommervold v. Grevlos, 518 NW2d 733, 740 (SD
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1994)(bicycle a "vehicle" for purposes of SDCL 32-26-3 describing driver's duty in
passing oncoming vehicles); Finch v. Christensen, 84 SD 420, 424, 172 NW2d 571,
573 (1969)(bicycle considered a "vehicle" within meaning of traffic rules and
regulations).
[¶10.] While it may be true that one does not generally use the word "drive"
to describe the operation of a bicycle, the ordinary meaning of the word "drive" does
not exclude that usage. The numerous definitions of the word "drive" include: "1.
To push, propel, or press onward forcibly; urge forward. . . . 3. To guide, control, or
direct (a vehicle). . . . b. To traverse in a vehicle. 5. To supply the motive force or
power to and cause to function. . . . 3. To operate a vehicle, such as a car." The
American Heritage College Dictionary 420 (Robert B. Costello ex. ed., 3rd ed.,
Houghton Mifflin Co. 1997). Any one of these definitions would encompass the
operation of a bicycle, particularly when the Legislature has specifically defined a
bicycle as a "vehicle." Thus, contrary to Bordeaux's assertions, we conclude that it
was within the intention of the Legislature to prohibit the operation of a bicycle
while under the influence of alcohol.
[¶11.] Here, two witnesses testified that they saw Bordeaux riding his bicycle
at a time when scientific evidence established that he was under the influence of an
alcoholic beverage. Thus, there was clearly sufficient evidence to support his
conviction for DUI under that part of SDCL 32-23-1 that prohibits a person from
driving a vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Even if the
evidence was insufficient to support his conviction under that part of the statute,
Bordeaux has not addressed that part of SDCL 32-23-1 that prohibits a person from
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"actual physical control" of a vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic
beverage.2 This Court has previously approved the following definition of "actual
physical control" of a vehicle:
A person is in "actual physical control" of a vehicle within
the meaning of these instructions when the vehicle is
operable and he is in a position to manipulate one or more
of the controls of the vehicle that cause it to move or
affects its movement in some manner or direction. It
means existing or present bodily restraint, directing
influence, domination or regulation of the vehicle. It
means such control as would enable the defendant to
actually operate his vehicle in the usual and ordinary
manner. "Actual physical control" of a vehicle results,
even though the [vehicle] merely stands motionless, so
long as a person keeps the vehicle in restraint or is in a
position to regulate its movements.
State v. Kitchens, 498 NW2d 649, 651 (SD 1993)(quoting State v. Hall, 353 NW2d
37, 41-42 n2 (SD 1984)). Based upon this definition, even if Bordeaux was not
"driving" his bicycle, he clearly had "actual physical control" of it while he was
under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Accordingly, the trial court did not err
in denying his motion for a judgment of acquittal based upon insufficiency of the
evidence.
[¶12.] Affirmed.
[¶13.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and SABERS, KONENKAMP, ZINTER
and MEIERHENRY, Justices, participating.
2. The jury was instructed on both driving and actual physical control of a
vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.
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