Summary
reversing conviction when clerk failed to mail a copy of certificate prior to trial
Summary of this case from Cregger v. CommonwealthOpinion
50259 Record No. 0317-94-2
Decided: June 6, 1995
Present: Chief Judge Moon, Judges Benton and Elder
From the Circuit Court of Chesterfield County, John F. Daffron, Jr., Judge.
Reversed and remanded.
W. Edward Riley, IV (Boone, Beale, Carpenter Cosby, on brief), for appellant.
Monica S. McElyea, Assistant Attorney General (James S. Gilmore, III, Attorney General, on brief), for appellee.
OPINION
Stuart Allen Bottoms (appellant) appeals his conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol in violation of Code Sec. 18.2-266. Appellant contends that the trial court erred in failing to suppress blood test results because the circuit court clerk did not send appellant a copy of the certificate of analysis after he had requested it in writing pursuant to Code Sec. 19.2-187(ii). Because the certificate was not delivered to appellant seven days prior to trial, we reverse the conviction and remand the case for retrial if the Commonwealth be so advised.
The record shows that on September 4, 1993, Trooper James Elmore of the Virginia State Police saw appellant make a turn without using his turn signal as he was operating a motor vehicle. After appellant was pulled over and exhibited signs of intoxication, he submitted to a blood test, which revealed that his blood alcohol content was .12 percent. Appellant was charged with driving under the influence and tried without a jury on January 25, 1994.
Fifty-four days before trial, appellant requested a copy of the certificate of analysis of his blood test from the clerk of the circuit court. Appellant did not notify the Commonwealth's attorney of this request. At trial, appellant objected to the admission of the certificate of analysis of his blood test, because he had not received a copy of the certificate prior to trial, pursuant to Code Sec. 19.2-187(ii).
In response to appellant's objection, the Commonwealth moved for a continuance to provide appellant with the opportunity to review the certificate. Appellant objected to the continuance on the basis that it would be prejudicial to his case. The court overruled the objection and offered appellant two alternatives: (1) to continue the case in order to allow the Commonwealth to provide appellant with the certificate pursuant to the statute; or (2) to proceed with the case after a short recess in order to allow appellant time to review the certificate. Appellant took exception to the court's ruling and selected the second option. The certificate was received into evidence over appellant's objection, and he was convicted of driving under the influence.
Code Sec. 19.2-187 states:
In any hearing or trial of any criminal offense or in any proceeding brought pursuant to Chapter 22.1 . . . of this title, a certificate of analysis of a person performing an analysis or examination . . . shall be admissible as evidence of the facts therein stated and the results of the analysis or examination referred to therein, provided (i) the certificate of analysis is filed with the clerk of the court hearing the case at least seven days prior to the hearing or trial and (ii) a copy of such certificate is mailed or delivered by the clerk or attorney for the Commonwealth to counsel of record for the accused at least seven days prior to the hearing or trial upon request of such counsel.
(Emphasis added).
As we have stated on numerous occasions, "[a] certificate of analysis is not admissible if the Commonwealth fails strictly to comply with the provisions of Code Sec. 19.2-187." Woodward v. Commonwealth, 16 Va. App. 672, 674, 432 S.E.2d 510, 512 (1993); Mullins v. Commonwealth, 12 Va. App. 372, 374-75, 404 S.E.2d 237, 238-39 (1991); Basfield v. Commonwealth, 11 Va. App. 122, 124, 398 S.E.2d 80, 81 (1990). Code Sec. 19.2-187 is construed strictly against the Commonwealth. Mullins, 12 Va. App. at 374, 404 S.E.2d at 238.
The Commonwealth argues that by agreeing, over objection, to try the case later in the day rather than continue the case for seven days, appellant waived his objection to the admissibility of the certificate of analysis. This argument assumes that a continuance for seven days after trial had begun would have allowed the Commonwealth to comply with Code Sec. 19.2-187(ii).
Code Sec. 19.2-187(ii) requires that the certificate be mailed or delivered to counsel "at least seven days prior to . . . trial." (Emphasis added). A continuance of any length after the trial had begun would not have remedied the Commonwealth's non-compliance. Because the Commonwealth failed strictly to comply with the requirements of Code Sec. 19.2-187, the judgment of the trial court is reversed and remanded for further proceedings if the Commonwealth be so advised.
Reversed and remanded.