X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Defendant appeals from a judgment of the Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York County (Ann E. Scherzer, J.), rendered July 29, 2016, after a jury trial, convicting him of driving while intoxicated, and imposing sentence. PER CURIAM Judgment of conviction (Ann E. Scherzer, J.), rendered July 29, 2016, affirmed. The accusatory instrument charging driving while intoxicated (see Vehicle and Traffic Law §1192[3]) was not jurisdictionally defective. The instrument recited that defendant operated a motor vehicle at an excessive speed, that he had watery eyes and an odor of an alcohol on his breath, that there was a cup containing white wine on the floor of the backseat of the vehicle and a bottle of wine on the center console, and that defendant refused to submit to a breath test (see People v. Fiumara, 116 AD3d 421 [2014], lv denied 23 NY3d 1036 [2014]). The court properly denied defendant’s suppression motion. There is no basis for disturbing the court’s credibility determinations, which are supported by the record (see People v. Prochilo, 41 NY2d 759, 761 [1977]). Police had probable cause to arrest defendant, since he had watery eyes, smelled of alcohol, spoke with his mouth closed while looking away from the officers, had two containers containing a “yellow, greenish” liquid inside the car, and had been speeding (see People v. Dudley, 169 AD3d 1059, 1060 [2019], lv denied 33 NY3d 1068 [2019]; People v. Vargas, 123 AD3d 1149, 1150 [2014]; People v. Thomas, 68 AD3d 482, 483 [2009], lv denied 14 NY3d 806 [2010]). The court also properly denied defendant’s motion to suppress testimony of his refusal to take a breathalyzer test. The record supports the court’s finding that defendant effectively refused the test by “acting in an obstructionist manner” by refusing to give a “yes or no” response to the officer’s multiple requests that he take such test (see People v. Smith, 18 NY3d 544, 550 [2012]; People v. Lizaldo, 124 AD3d 432, 433 [2015], lv denied 26 NY3d 931 [2015]; see also People v. Warren, 160 AD3d 1132, 1136 [2018], lv denied 31 NY3d 1154 [2018]). The verdict was supported by legally sufficient evidence and was not against the weight of the evidence. There is no basis for disturbing the jury’s determinations concerning credibility (see People v. Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 348-349 [2007]). In addition to the officer’s testimony that defendant exhibited classic signs of intoxication, he refused to take a breath test, unsatisfactorily performed physical coordination tests, and the toxicology report confirmed that the bottle recovered from the center console of his vehicle contained alcohol (see People v. Cruz, 48 NY2d 419 [1979], appeal dismissed 446 US 901 [1980]). THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT. Dated: February 26, 2020

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
November 27, 2024
London

Celebrating achievement, excellence, and innovation in the legal profession in the UK.


Learn More
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More

Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening in the New York office for an attorney in our renowned Labor & Employment Department, working...


Apply Now ›

Our client, a large, privately-owned healthcare company, has engaged us to find an Assistant General Counsel for their headquarters located ...


Apply Now ›

A prestigious matrimonial law firm in Garden City is seeking a skilled Associate Attorney with 5 to 7 years of experience in family law. The...


Apply Now ›