COURT OF APPEALS

DECISION

DATED AND FILED

NOTICE

May 20, 1999

This opinion is subject to further editing. If published, the official version will appear in the bound volume of the Official Reports.

Marilyn L. Graves

Clerk, Court of Appeals

of Wisconsin

A party may file with the Supreme Court a petition to review an adverse decision by the Court of Appeals. See § 808.10 and Rule 809.62, Stats.
No. 98-2612
STATE OF WISCONSIN

IN COURT OF APPEALS

DISTRICT IV

Sauk County,

Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

Robert M. Engelhardt,

Defendant-Appellant.

BACKGROUND

There was discussion on, one, whether or not he should give a breath sample. He wasn't sure if he wanted to or not. There was also discussion as to requesting a blood test.

The blood test was brought up. Initially, it was explained to him consent-or, that he would have to give breath before he could give blood. He did consent and give breath. Once that testing was done, I asked him if he still wanted his blood test and he said, no, he did not.

The deputy also testified that after Engelhardt submitted to the breath test, Engelhardt asked the deputy's opinion about the advisability of a subsequent blood test:

It was about this time that I brought up and asked if he wanted his-the blood test yet. That I would be more than willing to take him to St. Clare's [hospital] to do a blood draw. He indicated, no, he did not want to do it; it would not be worth it. He had also asked if-what I thought, and told him, honestly, based on his intoxilyzer result, that the blood test would not be much different.

I make my ruling based upon what has come in through the Officer's testimony to this point in time. I do find that there was no interference by the Officer concerning defendant's alternative-or, defendant's right to take a second or alternative test. That he freely, knowingly and voluntarily chose not to take the test. That, at one point, he did ask an opinion of the [deputy]. The [deputy] is not required to give advice. Perhaps he should not have responded, but I don't believe that this rises to the level that's suggested in cases cited. That the defendant's right to the alternative test was in no way infringed upon, and therefore, the motion must be denied.

Okay. After the breath test, I was sitting there. He asked me if he could still take me up to the hospital, if I wanted to take the blood test and then he said, "But, I don't think it will do any good."

Engelhardt did not, however, renew his motion to suppress the breath test after his own testimony. We also note that Engelhardt did not testify that he requested an alternate test.

ANALYSIS

there was no interference by the Officer concerning defendant's alternative-or, defendant's right to take a second or alternative test. That he freely, knowingly and voluntarily chose not to take the test.

Because the trial court could have resolved this factual dispute had it been properly raised, we will not consider it for the first time on appeal. See Wirth v. Ehly, 93 Wis.2d 433, 443-44, 287 N.W.2d 140, 145-46 (1980).

Q.Tell us, if you would, what happened. At some point, you talked to the Deputy about a blood test?

A.Yes, I did.

Q.And why?

A.I have always-people have told me from the union and stuff-because, locomotive engineering, you have to be federally certified to run an engine-and I heard through the grapevine that people in the union always said, don't ever take a breathalyzer test, they're not accurate, they're not correct.

Q.Were you reluctant to take the breath test at first?

A.Yes, I was.

Q.At some point after you took the breath test, did you ask the Deputy anything about a blood test?

A.I didn't ask. He said at the end, said, if I still would like to, he could take me up to the hospital and take the breath test. Or, I mean, the blood test, excuse me. But, he didn't think it would do any good.

This testimony does not establish that Engelhardt requested an alternate test. It establishes only that Engelhardt expressed reservations about the accuracy of the breath test. Moreover, Engelhardt's testimony confirms the deputy's willingness to provide Engelhardt a blood test if he wanted it. We conclude that the deputy did not violate Engelhardt's rights under §343.305, Stats., by refusing to provide a requested alternate test.

1 This appeal is decided by one judge pursuant to §752.31(2)(c), Stats.

2 If the accused does not want the agency's secondary test, the accused may choose-and pay for-his or her own alternate test at an approved facility. See State v. Vincent, 171 Wis.2d 124, 128, 490 N.W.2d 761, 763 (Ct. App. 1992).