Brandon Dean Watson v. Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division
2013 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 37
| Iowa | 2013Background
- Watson, a commercial driver, was stopped in Monroe County on Oct 22, 2010, and a DataMaster breath test showed 0.041.
- IDOT suspended Watson’s CDL for operating a CMV with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more under Iowa Code § 321.208(1)(a).
- Watson argued the breath test margin of error (0.004) must be subtracted before determining alcohol concentration.
- The district court affirmed the agency’s decision; the court of appeals affirmed as well.
- The court reviews agency action de novo on questions of statutory interpretation, not deference to IDOT, since interpretation is not clearly vested in agency discretion.
- Legislative history shows margin-of-error adjustments were not expressly extended to CDL suspensions.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether margin of error applies to CDL suspensions. | Watson urges subtracting 0.004 from test results. | IDOT contends margin of error applies only to noncommercial revocations. | Margin of error does not apply to CDL suspensions; IDOT’s result upheld. |
Key Cases Cited
- Wallace v. Iowa State Bd. of Educ., 770 N.W.2d 344 (Iowa 2009) (standard of review for agency action)
- Ludtke v. Iowa Dep’t of Transp., 646 N.W.2d 62 (Iowa 2002) (errors at law in review of agency actions)
- Lee v. Iowa Dep’t of Transp., 693 N.W.2d 342 (Iowa 2005) (deference and review when agency interpretation involved)
- State v. Schultz, 604 N.W.2d 60 (Iowa 1999) (statutory interpretation principles)
- Wiebenga v. Iowa Dep’t of Transp., 530 N.W.2d 735 (Iowa 1995) (commercial vs. noncommercial driver treatment)
- Guzman-Juarez, 591 N.W.2d 1 (Iowa 1999) (legislative intent and statutory interpretation)