Successfully Defending an OUI Case

CHAPTER 10 Successfully Defending an OUI Case David P. Sorrenti, Esq. Sorrenti & Delano, Brockton § 10.1 Introduction ............................................................................... 10–1 § 10.2 The Offense ................................................................................ 10–2 § 10.3 Operation ................................................................................... 10–2 § 10.3.1 Definition .................................................................... 10–2 § 10.3.2 Defense ....................................................................... 10–3 § 10.4 Public Way .................................................................................. 10–4 § 10.4.1 Definition .................................................................... 10–4 § 10.4.2 Stipulation of Proof .................................................... 10–5 § 10.4.3 Defense ....................................................................... 10–5 § 10.5 Under the Influence ................................................................... 10–6 § 10.5.1 Diminished Capacity .................................................. 10–6 (a) General Principles ............................................. 10–6 (b) Opinion Evidence .............................................. 10–7 (c) Erratic Operation ............................................... 10–7 (d) Odor of Alcohol ................................................. 10–7 (e) Red or Glassy Eyes ............................................ 10–8 (f) Slurred Speech ................................................... 10–8 (g) Field Sobriety Tests ........................................... 10–8 § 10.5.2 Cross-Examination of Arresting Officer Regarding Diminished Capacity ................................................ 10–14 (a) Opinion Evidence ............................................ 10–14 (b) Basic Approach ................................................ 10–15 (c) Cross-Examination Techniques ....................... 10–15 MCLE, Inc. | 6th Edition 2017 10–i Massachusetts Basic Practice Manual § 10.5.3 Breath and Blood Tests Under the Per Se Law ........ 10–20 (a) Refusing the Test ............................................. 10–20 (b) Taking the Test ................................................ 10–22 (c) Attacking the Test Results ............................... 10–24 (d) Expert Testimony ............................................ 10–26 § 10.6 Multiple Offenses—Prior Convictions .................................. 10–28 § 10.7 Motion Practice ....................................................................... 10–29 § 10.7.1 Independent Blood Alcohol Test and Independent Medical Examination ............................................... 10–29 § 10.7.2 Motion to Suppress Evidence/Statements Under the Fifth Amendment and Article 12 ........................ 10–30 § 10.7.3 Motion to Suppress Evidence/Statements Under the Fourth Amendment and Article 14 ..................... 10–30 § 10.7.4 Double Jeopardy ...................................................... 10–30 § 10.7.5 Miscellaneous Motions ............................................ 10–31 § 10.8 Penalties ................................................................................... 10–32 § 10.8.1 First Offense ............................................................. 10–33 § 10.8.2 Second Offense ........................................................ 10–33 § 10.8.3 Third Offense ........................................................... 10–34 § 10.8.4 Fourth Offense ......................................................... 10–35 § 10.8.5 Fifth and Subsequent Offense .................................. 10–35 § 10.9 Preserving Issues for Appeal .................................................. 10–35 § 10.10 License Reinstatement ............................................................ 10–35 CHECKLIST 10.1—Successfully Defending an OUI Case ............... 10–37 CHECKLIST 10.2— Expert Qualification—Establishing Expertise ................................................................................................. 10–41 EXHIBIT 10A—Model Jury Instruction 3.200, Operation of a Motor Vehicle .................................................................................. 10–46 EXHIBIT 10B—Model Jury Instruction 3.280, Public Way ............. 10–48 EXHIBIT 10C—Model Jury Instruction 5.300, Operating with a Blood Alcohol Level of .08 Percent or Greater ........................ 10–53 10–ii 6th Edition 2017 | MCLE, Inc. Successfully Defending an OUI Case EXHIBIT 10D—Model Jury Instruction 5.400, Operating Under the Influence of Drugs ........................................................................... 10–58 EXHIBIT 10E—Motion in Limine to Exclude Horizontal Nystagmus Test ....................................................................................... 10–62 EXHIBIT 10F—Consolidated Motion to Suppress Warrantless Stop and Statements .............................................................................. 10–63 EXHIBIT 10G—Chart Showing Consequences of Melanie’s Law ... 10–68 EXHIBIT 10H—Motion to Inspect Evidence and Reports ................. 10–73 EXHIBIT 10I—Motion in Limine to Exclude Breath Test Results ... 10–79 EXHIBIT 10J—Areas of Breathalyzer Expert Testimony ................... 10–81 EXHIBIT 10K—Proposed Jury Instructions of Defendant ................. 10–82 EXHIBIT 10L—Motion and Order for Return of License Following a Finding of Not Guilty ........................................................ 10–86 EXHIBIT 10M—Ten Frequently Asked Questions ............................ 10–88 MCLE, Inc. | 6th Edition 2017 10–iii Massachusetts Basic Practice Manual 10–iv 6th Edition 2017 | MCLE, Inc. CHAPTER 10 Successfully Defending an OUI Case David P. Sorrenti, Esq. Sorrenti & Delano, Brockton Scope Note This chapter offers practical guidance on the defense of an “operating under the influence” (OUI) case. It begins by reviewing the indi- vidual elements of the Commonwealth’s case—first addressing the defendant’s alleged “operation of motor vehicle” on a public “way” and then focusing on the allegation that the defendant was operating under the influence of alcohol or with blood alcohol of .08 percent or greater. The chapter then discusses various aspects of the defense, including expert testimony, cross-examination, motion practice, and applicable penalties. Included with the chapter are numerous forms and other exhibits, including responses to questions frequently asked by clients. § 10.1 INTRODUCTION During every legislative session, the General Court considers new bills that severely increase the penalties for operating under the influence. Important legislative enact- ments have included • Melanie’s Law, which substantially increased the length of suspension for refusing to take a breath test, established the use of interlocking devices by all second and subsequent offenders, and created new offenses, such as man- slaughter by motor vehicle; • a per se law that makes operating a motor vehicle with a .08 percent or greater blood alcohol level a separate crime; • elimination of the lookback period for considering prior OUIs; and • creation of new mandatory minimum sentences that carry the possibility of in- carceration in state prison for certain OUI offenses. See 2005 Mass. Acts c. 122; 2003 Mass. Acts c. 28; 1994 Mass. Acts c. 25. As a consequence, impaired driver cases dominate the District Court dockets as in- dictments are brought to take advantage of the enhanced penalties now available for subsequent offenders. Defense counsel must be prepared to fully litigate all aspects of an OUI case, including appropriate pretrial motions. MCLE, Inc. | 6th Edition 2017 10–1 § 10.1 Massachusetts Basic Practice Manual This chapter focuses on the defense of a defendant charged with OUI and offers some practical advice. Checklist 10.1 outlines key steps to take in defending against an OUI charge. § 10.2 THE OFFENSE General Laws c. 90, § 24 provides in part as follows: Whoever, upon any way or in any place to which the public has a right of access, or upon any way or in any place to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees, operates a motor vehicle with a percentage, by weight, of alcohol in their blood of eight one-hundredths or greater, or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor . shall be punished . The Commonwealth must, therefore, prove beyond a reasonable doubt three separate and distinct elements: • operation of the motor vehicle, • on a public way, • while under the influence of liquor or with a .08 percent or greater blood alcohol level. Perhaps the easiest way to understand the elements of operation, public way, and impairment is to study the District Court Model Jury Instructions. See Exhib- its 10A–10D. Almost every judge will read these instructions verbatim to the jury. The model OUI instruction set forth in the Criminal Model Jury Instructions for Use in the District Court (Instruction No. 5.300; see Exhibit 10C) incorporates the pro- visions of the per se law. § 10.3 OPERATION The definition of operation and various defenses based on operation are set forth below. § 10.3.1 Definition Under Instruction 3.200 of the Criminal Model Jury Instructions for Use in the Dis- trict Court (2014 ed.), [a] person “operates” a motor vehicle not only while doing all of the well-known things that drivers do as they travel on a street or highway, but also when doing any act which directly tends to set the vehicle

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