The opinion of the court was delivered by
Defendant Bobbie L. Heironimus, declared a habitual violator (K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-286), was charged with operating a motor vehicle while his driving privileges were revoked (K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-287, a severity level 9, nonperson felony).
Our jurisdiction is under K.S.A. 22-3602(b)(l) (State’s appeal from a dismissal of the complaint). The issue is whether the ha
We find the HVS constitutional and reverse the district court. Heironimus received the process he was due.
FACTS
Heironimus was stopped for speeding on May 25,1996. He had in his possession a Kansas driver’s license issued February 14,1996, with an expiration date of February 6, 2000. On April 3, 1996, he was declared a habitual violator under K.S.A. 8-285 by the Division of Vehicles of the Department of Revenue (Division). The order giving notice of revocation of driving privileges mailed by the Division to Heironimus on April 3, 1996, listed three prior violations for failure to maintain liability automobile insurance, contrary to K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 40-3104, and the conviction dates. The order began: “Our records indicate that you have been convicted of at least three serious moving violations as set out in K:S.A. 8-285.” The order said that Heironimus’ driving privileges were revoked until April 3, 1999, and directed him to surrender his current license, stating that his failure to do so would be a misdemeanor. The order did not mention that continuing to drive after being declared a habitual violator was a felony offense. The order said: “Please do not request any restricted driving privileges. Modifications to the above revocation are prohibited by statute.” The order did not mention any right to request administrative review. Heironimus continued to drive, ignoring the order. He did not surrender his license.
On June 26, 1996, the Statе filed a felony complaint against Heironimus, alleging a violation of K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-287. At the preliminary hearing, Heironimus challenged the constitutionality of the HVS, claiming a due process violation because the HVS do not provide for a prerevocation administrative hearing. The district court found sufficient evidence to bind him over, but declared the HVS unconstitutional for lack of due process and dismissed the complaint without prejudice.
The HVS
Key HVS are K.S.A. 8-285 and K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-286. K.S.A. 8-285 provides in part:
“The term ‘habitual violator’ means any resident or nonresident person who, within the immediately preceding five years, has been convicted in this or any other state:
“(a) Three or more times of:
(8) violating the provisions of K.S .A. 40-3104 and amendments thereto, relating to motor vehicle liability insurance coverage or an ordinance of any city in this state, which is in substantial conformity with such statute.”
K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-286 provides:
“Whenever the files and records of the division shall disclose that the record-of convictions of any person is such that the person is an habitual violator, as prescribed by K.S.A. 8-285 and amendments thereto, the division promptly shall revoke the person’s driving privileges for a period of three years.”
Before amendment in 1994, K.S.A. 8-286 required the Division to forward a certified abstract of a person’s record of convictions reflecting habitual violator status to the district or county attorney, who would then prosecute in the district court. At the hearing, the district court would determine identity and the accuracy of the abstract of the record of convictions. If the information was accurate, the defendant was found to be guilty as a “habitual violator” and directed not to operate a motor vehiсle on the public highways. Under K.S.A. 8-287 and K.S.A. 8-288, a habitual violator was guilty of a class-E felony and was not to be issued a'driver’s license for 3 years from the date of the district court order. See
State v. Proffitt,
The 1994 amendment eliminated the district court proceeding. Instead, the Division automatically revokes a driver’s license when its records reveal habitual violator status.
The State and
amicus curiae
contend that the 1994 amendment broadened the scope of the post-suspension/revocation adminis
K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) provides:
“When the action by the division suspending, revoking or disqualifying a person’s driving privileges is based upon a report of a conviction or convictions from a convicting court, the person may not request a hearing but, within 30 days after notice of suspension, revocation or disqualification is mailed, may submit a written request for administrative review and provide evidence to the division to show the person whose driving privileges have been suspended, revоked or disqualified by the division was not convicted of the offense upon which the suspension, revocation or disqualification is based. Within 30 days of its receipt of the request for administrative review, the division shall notify the person whether the suspension, revocation or disqualification has been affirmed or set aside. The request for administrative review shall not stay any action taken by the division.” (Emphasis added.)
Heironimus responds that the State did not raise the K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) statutory argument in the district court, and, therefore, the general rule against new theories on appeal blocks our review. The record does not support this contention. The district court considered and rejected the State’s argument.
District Court Decision
The district court interpreted the administrative review procedures in K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) as not applicable to habitual violator revocations because the 8-255(c) procedures were part of the Motor Vehicle Drivers’ License Act, K.S.A. 8-234 through K.S.A. 8-271, which is separate from the HVS. The district court viewed K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) administrative review as applicable only to suspensions оr revocations under K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(a). According to the district court, Heironimus’ revocation under K.S.A. 8-285(a)(8) did not fit into any of the categories described in K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(a). Also, the HVS contained no administrative review provisions.
In the district court’s view, even if8-255(c) administrative review was applicable to Heironimus’ revocation, the order of revocation was deficient, from a due process standpoint, in several respects: (1) The order stated that tire Division’s records showed Heironimus had been convicted of “at least three serious moving violаtions
1994 Amendment Legislative History and Intent
The rules of statutory construction have been oft-repeated in our opinions. A typical recitation emphasizing our search for legislative intent is found in
State v.
Gonzales,
We embark on that search. The first sentence in K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) refers to “action” by the Division in suspending or revoking driving privileges based on a “report of conviction or convictions.” Is this language broad enough to include habitual violator revocations under K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-286? We believe it is.
The 1994 amendments to 8-255(c) and 8-286 were both contained in the same bill, H.B. 2579. L. 1994, ch. 353, §§ 1, 5. The legislature has a history of including amendments germane to the broad area of alcohol/drugs, public welfare, driving, and habitual violators in the same act. See
State v. Reves,
Before the 1994 amendment, the administrative review language in K.S.A. 8-255(c) had been restricted to administrative action based upon convictions for cеrtain specified offenses listed in the statute. The 1994 amendment to K.S.A. 8-255(c) eliminated the
The pre-1994 version of K.S.A. 8-286 required the court to “direct such person by appropriate order not to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways in this state.” The district court took action concerning the habitual violator’s driving privileges, not the Division, and the word “revoke” was not used in K.S.A. 8-286. Insertion of the word “revoke” in K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-286 thus links into the K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) language “action by the division . . . revoking ... a person’s driving privileges.”
Although no due process issues were raised in Proffitt, we described the 1994 amendment to the HVS, in that opinion saying:
“This streamlined statutory scheme eliminates the prior judicial role in determining habitual violator status and in revoking or restoring driving privileges. No hearing is now statutorily provided for in either the revocation of driving privileges or their restoration. In fact, there is no hearing or proceeding to determine if an individual is a habitual violator.”261 Kan. at 529 .
We call on the familiar maxims of statutory construction expressed in
Taylor v. Peredition Minerals Group, Ltd.,
Heironimus argues that to construe K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) as applying to habitual violators will produce an absurd result. He observes that 8-255(c) only authorizes habitual violators to request a post-revocation administrative review without a hearing, but per
We hold that the administrative review procedures in K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) apply to K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-286 revocations. The K.S.A. 1996 Supp. ¿-255(c) administrative review procedure applies to a person whose license has been suspended or revoked “based upon a report of a conviction or convictions from a convicting court.” This includes not only habitual violators but also persons receiving suspensions or revocations based on ministerial determinations from convictions shown on the driving records, under any of the applicable categories listed in K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(a) (as in 8-255[a][1], [2], or [4]), or under any other applicable statutes.
Due Process Cases
Resolving the constitutional status of a statute is a question of law; thus, we exercise an unlimited, de novo standard of review.
State v. Myers,
The prologue to our analysis acknowledges that Heironimus does not question the validity of the three K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 40-3104 convictions that sponsor his status of habitual violator. The Division’s paperwork is accurate. Also, the mailing and address on the order are not questioned.
A characteristic of the HVS is that no criminal sanction attaches to being declared a habitual violator until the offender voluntarily decides to operate a motor vehicle while flouting the order of license revocation.
The purpose of a hearing mandated by
Bell v. Burson
is to permit a licensed driver to demonstrate that he or she is free from fault and thus the license should not be revoked.
State v. Jennings,
In
Bell v. Burson,
the Court determined a Georgia motor vehicle safety responsibility statute covering uninsured motorists was unconstitutional for violating the petitioner s due process rights by failing to give him a presuspension hearing on liability.
In deciding that the HVS violated due process, the district court applied the three-part test of
Mathews v. Eldridge,
“[D]ue process [analysis] generally requires consideration of three distinct factors: First, the private interest that will be affected by the official action; second, the risk of an erroneous deprivation of such interest through the procedures used, and the probable value, if any, of additional or substitute procedural safeguards;аnd finally, the Government’s interest, including the function involved and the fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute procedural requirement would entail.”
The
Eldridge
test has been applied in determining the constitutionality of driver s license revocation statutes in two United States Supreme Court cases:
Mackey v. Montrym,
Montrym
held that a Massachusetts statute mandating suspension of a driver’s license for refusal to take a breath test upon arrest for driving while intoxicated, without a presuspension hearing, did not violate due process. The Massachusetts statute provided for аn immediate postsuspension hearing and provided for an appeal. Montrym’s license was suspended when he initially refused to take a breath test after his arrest. Applying the third part of the
Eldridge
test (the government’s interest),
Montrym
concluded “that the compelling interest in highway safety justifies the Commonwealth in making a summary suspension effective pending the outcome of the prompt postsuspension hearing available.”
Dixon v. Love,
a habitual violator case, is of interest here because of its factual similarity.
Love
reviewed the constitutionality of an Illinois statute authorizing the Secrеtary of State to suspend or revoke a driver’s license, without a prerevocation hearing, if official records or other sufficient evidence showed that the driver had been repeatedly convicted of traffic offenses.
Love
found that “the risk of an erroneous deprivation in the absence of a prior hearing is not great,” because under the Secretary’s regulations, suspension and revocation decisions were largely automatic.
“Of course, there is the possibility of clerical error, but written objection will bring a mattеr of that kind to the Secretary’s attention. In this case appellee had the opportunity for a full judicial hearing in connection with each of the traffic convictions on which the Secretary’s decision was based. Appellee has not challenged the validity of those convictions or the adequacy of his procedural rights at the time they were determined. . . . Since appellee does not dispute the factual basis for the Secretary’s decision, he is really asserting the right to appear in person only to arguе that the Secretary should show leniency and depart from his own regulations. Such an appearance might make the licensee feel that he has receivedmore personal attention, but it would not serve to protect any substantive rights. We conclude that requiring additional procedures would be unlikely to have significant value in reducing the number of erroneous deprivations.” 431 U.S. at 113 .
Justice Stevens, in his concurring opinion, emphasized that Love’s license was subject to mandatory revocation.
A hearing for Heironimus was unnecessary to establish what was already clear, that revocation of his license was mandatory. This is not a Bell v. Burson case. Bell’s license was revoked before he had any opportunity for a hearing. Here, Heironimus had the opportunity for a hearing with each underlying conviction'.
Due Process Analysis Under Eldridge
Revocation of driving privileges for 3 years is the private interest affected here. Heironimus argues that the imposition of felony driver status on habitual violators should increase the weight assigned to the private interest involved. We disagree. Heironimus’ due process attack targets the administrative driver’s license revocation procedures, not the felony charge.
Risk of Erroneous Deprivation
The legislative history of the 1994 HVS amendments shows concern that the pre-1994 district court proceeding was an administrative burden on the Division, prosecutors, and the courts, and resulted in many habitual violators remaining behind the wheel.
Heironimus argues that he should be entitled to a prerevocation “full blown evidentiary hearing,” equivalent to the former district court proceeding, in order to prevent an erroneous deprivation. The risk of an erroneous deprivation is slight, however, in view of the limited factual issues in the habitual violator determination. The only issues involved are whether the Division’s records reflect the requisite convictions, and the identity of the violator. A prerevocation hearing is not needed. See
State v. Boos,
The postrevocation review procedure provided at K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-255(c) is sufficient for due process purposes. Revocation is automatic, once the requisite convictions appear on a record. The HVS do not provide for leniency or exceptions requiring a hearing. The habitual violator had due process for each of the underlying convictions. See
Love,
Heironimus also was entitled to a K.S.A. 40-3118(e) hearing in connection with each driver’s license suspension for violating K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 40-3104. K.S.A. 40-3118(e) provides in part: “Upon receipt of a timely request for a hearing, the director shall afford such person an opportunity for hearing within the time and in the manner provided in K.S.A. 8-255 and amendments thereto.”
Heironimus points out that the district court found the likelihood of erroneous deprivation high, based on the other cases in district court involving erroneous action taken by the Division against various drivers. Without more specific information about these cases, it is not clear whether erroneous deprivations have taken place. Heironimus makes no showing that the risk of an erroneous deprivation is great.
Governmental Interest
K.S.A. 8-284 provides:
“It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state of Kansas:
“(a) To provide maximum safety for all persons who travel or otherwise use the public highways of the state;
“(b) To deny the privilege of operating motor vehicles on such highways to persons who by their conduct, attitude and record have demonstrated their indifference to the safety and welfare of others and their disrespect for the laws of this state, the orders of its courts and the statutorily required acts of its administrative agencies; and
“(c) To discourage repetition of criminal acts by individuals against the peace and dignity of this state and its political subdivisions and to impose increased and added deprivation of the privilege to operate motor vehicles upon habituаl violators who have been convicted repeatedly of violations of traffic laws.” (Emphasis added.)
The government’s interest in keeping habitual violators off Kansas roads is a substantial and important one — both from public safety and public welfare perspectives. We believe that Heironimus’ case raises both safety and public welfare concerns. While driving without liability insurance may not impact safety as dramatically as driving while intoxicated, it certainly jeopardizes a potential personal injury victim’s ability to receive adequate compensation.
In
Manzanares v. Bell,
“The [Kansas No-Fault] Act is a legislative response to a growing public demand for a change in the manner society deals with the enormous legal, social and economic problems resulting from motor vehicle accidents. Every citizen of this state is affected by the carnage occasioned by motor vehicle accidents occurring upon our highways. The state has an interest in protecting those who use the public highways and that interest is not limited to accident prevention.”
The State, relying on
Love,
The Order of Revocation
We now examine the Division’s April 3,1996, order of revocation mailed to Heironimus. Is the order so misleading that it tramples
Heironimus contends that the failure in the order to inform him of any right to administrative review, coupled with the statement “Modifications to the above revocation are prohibited by statute,” violated due process by giving him the impression that no right to administrative review existed. The Division advises that it currently gives notice to habitual violators of their administrative review rights, although it did not do so in the revocation order sent to Heironimus.
The administrative review procedures are published in the statutes. In addition, because the accuracy of the three past convictions listed in the order are not questioned, no error exists to be corrected by administrative review. We agree that the order was bumbled. A preferable order would have omitted the “moving violation” label and also informed Heironimus of his administrative review rights. However, those deficiencies did not deny Heironimus any due process. He has shown no prejudice. Absent such showing, his defective notice claim lacks merit. See
Barnhart v. Kansas Dept. of Revenue,
Heironimus argues that due process should require the Division to notify the licensee at the time of revocation that driving after habitual violator revocation is a felony. The order correctly informed him that his failure to turn in his license would be a misdemeanor. See K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-260(a)(4) and (b). He was not informed that continuing to drive after the revocation would be a felony. As a matter of public poliсy, it seems wise for the Division to notify habitual violators that continuing to drive after revocation is a felony. The information may have a salutatory effect on reduc
We agree with the rationale of
People v. McKnight,
The Supreme Court said in Montrym:
“[T]he Due Process Clause has never been construed to require that the procedures used to guard against an erroneous deprivation of a protectible ‘property’ or ‘liberty’ interest be so comprehensive as to preclude any possibility of error. The Due Process Clause simply does not mandate that all governmental decision-making comply with standards that assure perfect, error-free determinations. [Citations omitted.]”443 U.S. at 13 .
Heironimus’ repeated violations under the mandatory insurance law, K.S.A. 40-3104, show his indifference to the welfare of others and his disrespect for the laws of this State. He was not free to ignore the Division’s order of revocation and drive in violation of the law.
State v. Damman,
We reverse the district court and remand for trial.
