Summary
In Kutzli v Secretary of State, 152 Mich. App. 38; 391 N.W.2d 516 (1986), this Court considered whether a Florida drunken-driving conviction pursuant to a nolo contendere plea properly served as a basis for suspending the petitioner's driver's license.
Summary of this case from Johnson v. Secretary of StateOpinion
Docket No. 88330.
Decided May 20, 1986. Leave to appeal denied. 426 Mich. 859.
S. James Clarkson, for petitioner.
On January 28, 1985, in Pinellas County, Florida, petitioner entered a plea of nolo contendere to a charge of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Thereafter, the Michigan Secretary of State received a record of the conviction and, pursuant to MCL 257.319(2); MSA 9.2019(2), suspended petitioner's driver's license for a ninety-day period commencing on June 25, 1985.
On September 6, 1985, the Livingston Circuit Court denied petitioner's motion for reinstatement of her driving privileges. In addition, her motion to have the Florida conviction expunged from her Michigan driving record was denied. From an October 25, 1985, order denying her motion for rehearing and reconsideration, petitioner appeals as of right.
MCL 257.319(2); MSA 9.2019(2) provides:
The secretary of state shall suspend, for [a period not less than 90 days, nor more than 2 years], the license of a person upon receiving the record of conviction of the person for a violation of a law of another state substantially corresponding to [MCL 257.625a or 257.625b; MSA 9.2325(1) or 9.2325(2), which includes operating a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor]. [Emphasis added.]
Petitioner maintains that the Florida conviction cannot be used as a basis for suspending her license, averring that it does not substantially correspond to its Michigan counterpart. This argument is based on the fact that petitioner allegedly entered her plea by mail and was not advised that the conviction would result in suspension of her license under Michigan law. Pursuant to MCL 257.625(9); MSA 9.2325(9), a comparable plea could not have been accepted in Michigan unless petitioner had been advised of the statutorily required license suspension. See People v Tabar, 132 Mich. App. 376; 347 N.W.2d 458 (1984). Due to this distinction in plea-taking proceedings, petitioner maintains that the convictions do not "substantially correspond." Alternatively, she argues that a suspension based on the Florida conviction would deny her the equal protection of the law. The narrow issue raised is of first impression.
The question posed by the statute is not whether a foreign conviction or procedural guarantee substantially corresponds to its Michigan counterpart. Rather, in order for the penalty of suspension to be triggered, it must be decided that the foreign statute proscribing the behavior in question substantially corresponds to the Michigan statute proscribing the same behavior. MCL 257.319(2); MSA 9.2019(2) imposes a penalty where there has been a conviction for violation of a substantially similar statute. Thus, it is the language of the statute or the behavior proscribed which must substantially correspond to its Michigan equivalent, and not the procedures by which the conviction was obtained.
Fla Stat Ann, § 316.193 provides that one may be found guilty of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages where he or she is under the influence to the extent that normal faculties are impaired, or where his or her blood alcohol level measures. 10 percent or higher. In our opinion the statute "substantially corresponds" to MCL 257.625; MSA 9.2325, and therefore, the trial court did not err in denying petitioner's motion on this basis.
We also find that petitioner's equal protection argument must fail. Petitioner has not alleged that any special right or classification is affected by application of this statute. Accordingly, petitioner has the burden of demonstrating that there is no rational basis for the classification which distinguishes between those convicted of drunk-driving charges in Michigan state courts and those convicted in foreign jurisdictions. In other words, petitioner must show that there is no rational relationship between the classification and a legitimate state interest. State Treasurer v Wilson, 132 Mich. App. 648, 651-652; 347 N.W.2d 770 (1984), rev'd on other grounds 423 Mich. 138 (1985).
In support of her equal protection argument, petitioner merely points out that she has been treated differently. She has not made any showing that this treatment bore no rational relationship to a legitimate state interest. In any event, we believe that a rational relationship exists. The state has a legitimate interest in suspending or revoking the licenses of individuals convicted of drunk-driving charges. For those convicted in this state, the Legislature has required that they be informed of these potential consequences. Although it would be preferable if those convicted in foreign jurisdictions were extended the same courtesy, there is no state authority which can dictate plea-taking procedures to foreign jurisdictions. We believe that this lack of authority provides a rational reason for treating those convicted of drunk-driving charges in this state differently from those convicted in foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, there is no equal protection violation.
Affirmed.