The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Harold D. KORZENEWSKI, Defendant-Appellant.
Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District.
*92 Michael J. Pelletier, State Appellate Defender, Karen Munoz, Deputy Defender, Duane E. Schuster, Asst. Appellate Defender, Office of the State Appellate Defender, Springfield, for appellant.
Jack Ahola, Macon County State's Attorney, Decatur (Patrick Delfino, Director, Robert J. Biderman, Dep. Director, Aimee Sipes Johnson, Staff Attorney, State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, of counsel), for the People.
OPINION
Justice McCULLOUGH delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
¶ 1 Following an August 30, 2009, traffic stop, the State charged defendant, Harold D. Korzenewski, with (1) aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (count I) (625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(C) (West 2008)), (2) driving while license suspended or revoked (count II) (625 ILCS 5/6-303(d-3) (West 2008)), and (3) unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia (count III) (720 ILCS 600/3.5(a) (West 2008)). Defendant tendered an open guilty plea on counts II and III and proceeded to trial on count I.
¶ 2 On the day of the March 2010 trial, defense counsel filed a motion in limine seeking to bar any testimony regarding the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test conducted on defendant at the time of the traffic stop when no other tests were performed. Counsel argued that under People v. McKown,
¶ 3 In April 2010, defense counsel filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or, alternatively, for a new trial. Counsel alleged (1) the trial court erred in denying defendant's motion in limine seeking suppression of the HGN test and (2) the evidence was insufficient to prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Following a May 2010 hearing where arguments from both parties were heard, the court denied the posttrial motion and proceeded to sentencing. The court sentenced defendant to five years' imprisonment on count I and ordered him to pay $133 in restitution to the Decatur police department. Additionally, the court sentenced defendant to four years' imprisonment on count II to be served concurrently with the five-year sentence on count I and imposed a $750 fine for count III.
¶ 4 In June 2010, defendant filed a notice of appeal and a motion for reduction of sentence. We docketed his appeal and remanded with directions to strike the notice of appeal and proceed on defendant's motion to reconsider sentence. People v. Korzenewski, No. 4-10-0451 (Aug. 11, 2010) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). The trial court struck defendant's pro se notice of appeal as directed, and defendant filed an amended motion to reconsider sentence. In December 2010, the trial court denied defendant's amended motion to reconsider sentence after a hearing.
¶ 5 This appeal followed.
¶ 6 On appeal, defendant asserts (1) he was denied a fair trial when the trial court admitted evidence of the HGN test because the State failed to lay a proper foundation for the officer's testimony regarding the HGN test as the officer who administered the test did not follow the strict protocols required in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Student Manual (Manual), and (2) the court erred in ordering the $133 restitution because the Decatur police department is not a victim eligible for restitution. The State responds (1) defendant forfeited his foundation argument because he failed to preserve the issue for review and, absent forfeiture, no error resulted from the admission of the HGN test; and (2) the restitution was properly ordered. We agree with the State that defendant has forfeited the foundation issue, but agree with defendant that the restitution order was improper.
¶ 7 Generally, "[t]o preserve an issue for appeal, the defendant must have raised the issue in a motion in limine or an objection at trial and also in a posttrial motion." People v. Brown,
¶ 8 Defendant concedes neither the motion in limine nor the posttrial motion specifically alleged that the officer failed to follow the guidelines delineated in McKown II and the NHTSA Manual. However, defendant cites People v. Hudson,
¶ 9 In Hudson, defense counsel sought to prohibit the prosecutor from making any reference to defense expert Dr. Marbin Ziporyn's relationship with Richard Speck (a then-notorious serial murderer). Hudson,
¶ 10 Defendant also contends, however, that the foundation issue was properly preserved because the question of whether the prejudicial nature of the officer's testimony outweighs its probative value is "inextricably intertwined" with the question of whether the officer's testimony met the standards outlined in McKown II and the NHTSA Manual. In People v. McKown,
¶ 11 In McKown II, the defendant argued that the State failed to lay a proper foundation for the results of her HGN test to be admitted at trial. Id. at 294,
¶ 12 The State argued that defendant forfeited the HGN test foundation argument because she did not raise the issue at trial or in a posttrial motion, and, thus, the State was deprived of the opportunity to cure any defect in the foundation testimony. Id. Our supreme court rejected the State's forfeiture argument, finding the following:
"The issues properly before this court in the present appeal are whether, in general, evidence regarding HGN testing of a defendant in a DUI prosecution is admissible under the Frye test and, if so, what circumstances must be present before such evidence may be admitted in a specific case. We conclude that the forfeited question is inextricably intertwined with the issues that we have addressed herein, particularly given the clear record [the officer's] testimony did not meet the standards we have now adopted." Id. at 310-11,338 Ill.Dec. 415 ,924 N.E.2d at 959 .
¶ 13 Contrary to defendant's contention, the foundation issue is not "inextricably intertwined" with whether the HGN test results unfairly prejudiced defendant. See Id. at 310,
¶ 14 Here, defendant's motion in limine argued only that defendant's HGN testing should not be admitted because its prejudicial value outweighed its probativeness. In his posttrial motion, defendant asserted only that the trial court erred in *96 denying the motion in limine. However, defendant contends that by citing McKown II in his motion in limine, the trial court was put on notice that McKown II governs questions of the admissibility, probative value, and prejudicial effect of HGN testimony. Having cited the case, defendant was also on notice that McKown II governed the admissibility of HGN testing and should have objected at trial if the State failed to lay a proper foundation for its admissibility. Because defendant failed to object at trial, he has forfeited the foundation issue. See Michael H. Graham, Graham's Handbook of Illinois Evidence § 103.2, at 7-8 (10th ed. 2010); see also 6 Linda S. Pieczynski, Ill. Prac. §§ 23.25 to 23.30 (2d ed. 2005). An in limine ruling is interlocutory in nature. That issue, and any others defendant has, must be presented at trial to give the trial court the opportunity to address the issue in view of the developing record, that is, at a time when the court could consider anew its ruling at the most meaningful time. See Graham, supra, § 103.9, at 48.
¶ 15 Moreover, we note that defendant also forfeited the foundation issue by acquiescing in its admittance. See Durgan,
"Q. Having a nystagmus can be caused by health disorders, isn't that correct?
A. Correct.
Q. There could be a medical condition?
A. Correct.
Q. Or a neurological condition?
A. Correct.
* * *
Q. On its own, the HGN test is not conclusive of intoxication, is that correct?
A. Correct."
While defense counsel did not specifically ask questions pertaining to whether Officer Pratt administered the HGN test in accordance with NHTSA requirements, counsel did inquire into other conditions that could cause a nystagmus conditions that Officer Pratt knew could cause a nystagmus because of his knowledge of the NHTSA Manual. Defense counsel could have asked Officer Pratt questions pertaining to the administration of the test but chose not to. As such, defendant acquiesced in Officer Pratt's testimony regarding the HGN test.
¶ 16 In his reply brief, defendant argues that should we find forfeiture, we can still reach the foundation issue under the plain-error doctrine. See People v. Williams,
¶ 17 The plain-error doctrine set forth in Supreme Court Rule 615(a) (Ill.S.Ct. R. 615(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 1967)) provides a narrow exception to the general rule of procedural default. People v. Walker,
"(1) a clear or obvious error occurred and the evidence is so closely balanced that the error alone threatened to tip *97 the scales of justice against the defendant, regardless of the seriousness of the error, or (2) a clear or obvious error occurred and that error is so serious that it affected the fairness of the defendant's trial and challenged the integrity of the judicial process, regardless of the closeness of the evidence." People v. Sargent,239 Ill.2d 166 , 189,346 Ill.Dec. 441 ,940 N.E.2d 1045 , 1058 (2010).
We begin our analysis by determining whether any error occurred at all. Id. at 189,
¶ 18 Defendant contends the officer administering the HGN test did not comply with the prescribed pretest procedures. Specifically, he asserts the officer did not testify he asked defendant whether he wore corrective lenses or had any medical impairment that would affect the test results. Defendant also states the officer did not testify that he checked for equal pupil size or for resting nystagmus. Last, defendant complains that the officer did not testify he repeated the procedure for steps two and three as required in the NHTSA Manual. In McKown II, the court set forth the procedure an officer must follow to administer an HGN test as follows:
"In brief, the officer first questions the subject to determine whether he or she has any medical condition or is taking any medication that might affect the results of the test. If not, the officer performs a preliminary test to determine whether the pupils of the subject's eyes are of equal size and whether the eyes `track' equally as an object is moved, at eye level, from side to side. If so, the HGN test itself is performed. The officer looks for three `clues,' assessing each eye separately. The three clues are lack of smooth pursuit, distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus at an angle less than 45 degrees. One point is assigned for each clue that is present in either eye. Thus, the maximum score is six, which would indicate all three clues present in both eyes. A score of four or more is considered `failing' and indicative of alcohol impairment." McKown II,236 Ill.2d at 284-85 ,338 Ill.Dec. 415 ,924 N.E.2d at 945 (citing McKown I,226 Ill.2d at 249-50 ,314 Ill.Dec. 742 ,875 N.E.2d at 1032 ).
¶ 19 Our review of the NHTSA Manual (NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Student Manual, VIII-3 to VIII-8 (2004) (hereinafter, NHTSA Manual) (available online at http://www.wsp.wa. gov/breathtest/docs/webdms/DRE_Forms/ Manuals/dwi/Student% 20Manual% 20-% 20September% 202004.pdf (last visited May 17, 2012))) does not reveal any requirement that an arresting officer must ask a testing subject whether he wears corrective lenses. Rather, the NHTSA Manual states, "If the suspect is wearing eyeglasses, have them removed." NHTSA Manual, at VIII-6. When asked what the first step is in administering the test, Officer Pratt responded that "the first step is to, you have the individual assume the starting position, feet together, arms at their sides, you advise them you are going to check their eyes. If they are wearing glasses, you have them remove their glasses." Pratt testified to his knowledge of the protocol for a suspect with eyeglasses, which was in compliance with the NHTSA Manual, and defendant made no objection. Thus, defendant failed to establish any error *98 in regard to the handling of a suspect with eyeglasses.
¶ 20 Our review of the NHTSA Manual also does not reveal a requirement to ask a suspect about medical conditions. Rather, the NHTSA Manual states, "Prior to administration of HGN, the eyes are checked for equal pupil size, resting nystagmus, and equal tracking (can they follow an object together). If the eyes do not track together, or if the pupils are noticeably unequal in size, the chance of medical disorders or injuries causing the nystagmus is present." NHTSA Manual, at VIII-5. Pratt testified he ensured defendant's eyes tracked together as part of the first step, which indicated defendant did not have a medical condition. Although Pratt did not testify he checked defendant's pupils to ensure they were of equal size or for resting nystagmus, it does not necessarily follow that Pratt did not check for these conditions of medical impairment. Pratt testified that he administered the test in accordance with the procedure outlined in the NHTSA Manual and, thus, no error resulted.
¶ 21 The NHTSA Manual does require an officer to repeat all three steps of the HGN testing procedure. NHTSA Manual, at VIII-7. However, defendant again bases his argument that Officer Pratt did not repeat the procedures merely because he did not testify that he did so. We are not persuaded. Citing McKown II, defendant argues that "a proper foundation [for HGN testimony] must be laid, including a showing that the witness is properly trained and that he performed the test in accordance with proper procedures." McKown II,
¶ 22 Last, defendant argues Officer Pratt crossed the lines of limitation drawn in McKown II, which agreed with the trial court that "the use of HGN test results at trial `should be limited to the conclusion that a "failed" test suggests that the subject may have consumed alcohol and may [have] be[en] under the influence. There should be no attempt to correlate the test results with any particular blood-alcohol level or range or level of intoxication.'" McKown II,
¶ 23 Since the trial court did not commit error by allowing the HGN testimony, defendant's claim that a proper foundation was not laid does not warrant plain-error review. Because defendant did not properly preserve this issue for appeal, it is forfeited.
*99 ¶ 24 Defendant also argues the trial court erred in ordering him to pay $133 restitution to the Decatur police department. In his initial brief, defendant specifically argues the restitution order was improper because the Decatur police department is not a "victim" under section 5-5-6 of the Unified Code of Corrections (Unified Code) (730 ILCS 5/5-5-6 (West 2010)) and defendant's conduct did not cause the police department any out-of-pocket expenses, losses, damages, or injuries beyond its usual time and expense for investigating crime and making an arrest. The State argues the restitution order was proper and was not imposed under section 5-5-6 of the Unified Code as defendant contends but, rather, was imposed and authorized under section 11-501.01(i) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Vehicle Code) (625 ILCS 5/11-501.01(i) (West 2010)). Defendant responds that even if the trial court did impose restitution under section 11-501.01(i) of the Vehicle Code, it did so in error because section 11-501.01(i) does not authorize restitution for what amounted to a traffic stop. We agree with defendant that the restitution was not authorized under section 11-501.01(i).
¶ 25 In his reply brief, defendant first asserts that the trial court's restitution order was not clear and definite since it did not clarify whether it was ordering restitution under section 11-501.01(i) of the Vehicle Code or section 5-5-6 of the Unified Code and is thus invalid. See People v. White,
¶ 26 At the May 21, 2010, sentencing hearing, the State requested that the trial court impose $133 for "Emergency Response Restitution to the Decatur Police Department." The trial court did so, ordering restitution in the amount of $133 to be paid to the police department. While the court did not specifically state the restitution was being ordered for "emergency response," it was ordered following the State's request and, thus, was clear and definite.
¶ 27 The question of whether a restitution order was authorized by statute and properly imposed is reviewed de novo. People v. Felton,
¶ 28 Section 11-501.01(i) of the Vehicle Code provides as follows:
"In addition to any other fine or penalty required by law, an individual convicted of a violation of Section 11-501 * * * whose operation of a motor vehicle * * * proximately caused an incident resulting in an appropriate emergency response, shall be required to make restitution to a public agency for the costs of that emergency response. * * * `[E]mergency response' means any incident requiring a response by a police officer, a firefighter carried on the rolls of a regularly constituted fire department, or an ambulance." 625 ILCS 5/11-501.01(i) (West 2010).
While the statute defines "emergency response" as "any incident requiring a response by a police officer," this language is qualified by the preceding language defining the offender's proximate liability. Under *100 the doctrine of in pari materia, "all the provisions of a statute must be viewed as a whole" and "considered with reference to one another to give them harmonious effect." People v. McCarty,
¶ 29 Our supreme court recently addressed a similar issue in Gaffney v. Board of Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District,
¶ 30 In this case, Officer Pratt testified he was assigned to traffic enforcement detail and was conducting speed enforcement when he noticed defendant's vehicle moving at a high rate of speed. Pratt pulled defendant over because the radar he was using showed defendant was driving 49 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone at approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2009. While defendant was driving 19 miles per hour over the speed limit, Pratt conducted a routine traffic stop he was not responding to an emergency that required an urgent response.
¶ 31 Because speeding in this case was not "an unforeseen circumstance involving imminent danger," defendant did not proximately cause an incident requiring an emergency response and the restitution to the Decatur police department is not authorized under section 11-501.01(i) of the Vehicle Code. To interpret the emergency response statute as the State wants us to would result in a finding that any person who is pulled over by a police officer for the violation of any traffic law and is ultimately charged with driving under the influence could be required to make restitution to the police department that initiated the traffic stop. This result was clearly not intended by the legislature. Accordingly, we vacate the $133 restitution order. See People v. Thompson,
¶ 32 For the reasons stated, we affirm the trial court's judgment regarding the HGN testimony and vacate the $133 restitution order. As part of our judgment, we award the State its $50 statutory assessment against defendant as costs of this appeal.
¶ 33 Affirmed in part and vacated in part.
Presiding Justice TURNER and Justice STEIGMANN concurred in the judgment and opinion.
