Greer, Eric Alonzo
PD-1502-15
Tex. App.Nov 20, 2015Background
- Greer was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested for felony DWI.
- Greer refused all field sobriety tests and a breath sample.
- Two prior DWI convictions were confirmed before transport.
- Greer was taken to a hospital where a warrantless blood draw was conducted under Transportation Code §724.012(b)(3)(B).
- Trooper Guerra did not seek a warrant, believing the statute authorized immediate blood collection in 2012.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether warrantless blood draw under §724.012(b)(3)(B) complies with the Fourth Amendment. | Greer | Greer argues the statute is not an exception to the warrant requirement; evidence should be suppressed. | The exclusionary rule applies; suppression denied; evidence suppressed due to harm under Rule 44.2(a) to warrant a new trial. |
| Whether Article 38.23 bars admission of the blood evidence or admits a good-faith exception. | Greer | State argues good-faith reliance on presumptively valid statute and precedent; Article 38.23 may not bar under good faith. | No good-faith exception to Article 38.23 for non-warrant reliance; suppression warranted; reversal with remand. |
Key Cases Cited
- Davis v. United States, 131 S. Ct. 2419 (2011) (good-faith exception when relying on binding precedent)
- Illinois v. Krull, 480 U.S. 342 (1987) (good-faith reliance on statute exception to exclusionary rule)
- Gore v. State, 451 S.W.3d 182 (2014) (Texas cases rejecting statute-based good-faith exception to 38.23)
- Wilson v. State, 311 S.W.3d 452 (2010) (Texas exclusionary rule broader than federal)
- Miles v. State, 241 S.W.3d 28 (2007) (violation of traffic laws not implicating 38.23)
- Rocha v. State, 16 S.W.3d 1 (2000) (Vienna Convention not enforceable personal right under 38.23)
- State v. Jackson, 464 S.W.3d 724 (2015) (GPS statute prior to Jones; no police misconduct)
- United States v. Jones, 132 S. Ct. 945 (2012) (holding on GPS and Fourth Amendment)
