State v. HowellState v. Howell
- Reporters:
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- Before:
- White
Lead Opinion
This case presents the question, Does the administrative revocation of a driver’s license for refusal to submit to a chemical test constitute punishment, such that any subsequent criminal prosecution puts the offender twice in jeopardy? Although we addressed a similar question in State v. Hansen, 249 Neb. 177, 542 N.W.2d 424 (1996), we now readdress Nebraska’s administrative license revocation statute, applying the U.S. Supreme Court’s analysis from Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. 93, 118 S. Ct. 488, 139 L. Ed. 2d 450 (1997). We conclude that administrative license revocation for failure to submit to a chemical test does not violate double jeopardy, and thus, we affirm.
I.BACKGROUND
Appellant, Steven G. Howell, was arrested and charged with refusal to submit to a chemical test and driving under the influence. Howell’s driver’s license was later administratively revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles. After Howell’s driver’s license was revoked, he filed a plea in bar alleging that his criminal prosecution for refusal to submit to a chemical test and for driving under the influence placed him twice in jeopardy for the same offense. The county court denied Howell’s plea in bar, and Howell appealed to the district court, which affirmed.
II.ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
Howell asserts that the district court erred in affirming the decision of the county court overruling Howell’s plea in bar.
III.SCOPE OF REVIEW
On questions of law, a reviewing court has an obligation to reach its own conclusions independent of those reached by the lower courts. Sacco v. Carothers, 253 Neb. 9, 567 N.W.2d 299 (1997).
IV. ANALYSIS
The double jeopardy clause of the Nebraska Constitution provides no greater protection than that of the U.S. Constitution. State v. Hansen, supra. Thus, our analysis will proceed under the .Double Jeopardy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which provides that no person shall “be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.”
The Double Jeopardy Clause protects against three distinct abuses: (1) a second prosecution for the same offense after acquittal, (2) a second prosecution for the same offense after conviction, and (3) multiple punishments for the same offense. State v. McBride, 252 Neb. 866, 567 N.W.2d 136 (1997). Howell argues that the administrative revocation of his driver’s license for refusal to submit to a chemical test constituted “punishment” for double jeopardy purposes, and thus, that any further prosecution therefor constitutes multiple punishment for the same offense. The State disagrees, relying on Neil v. Peterson, 210 Neb. 378, 314 N.W.2d 275 (1982).
In Neil, the defendant had been criminally charged with refusal to submit to a chemical test, which charge was later dismissed. After the defendant’s criminal charge was dismissed, his driver’s license was administratively revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical test, which revocation arose from the same incident as the criminal charge. This court held that the subsequent administrative license revocation did not constitute double jeopardy because “[a]cquittal on a criminal charge is not a bar to a civil action by the government.” Id. at 379, 314 N.W.2d at 276. Implicit in the holding in Neil is that the administrative license revocation does not constitute punishment for purposes of double jeopardy. We note, however, that Neil lacked any substantive analysis concerning punishment. We also note that Neil was decided before several significant double jeopardy decisions concerning punishment, including our decision in
1. Applicability of Hansen
We have previously analyzed whether the administrative revocation of a driver’s license pursuant to
After Hansen was decided, the U.S. Supreme Court disavowed Halper and reaffirmed its previously established analysis of multiple punishment under the Double Jeopardy Clause, as set out in United States v. Ward, 448 U.S. 242, 100 S. Ct. 2636, 65 L. Ed. 2d 742 (1980), supplemented by Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. 144, 83 S. Ct. 554, 9 L. Ed. 2d 644 (1963). Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. 93, 118 S. Ct. 488,139 L. Ed. 2d 450 (1997). Since the protection provided by Nebraska’s double jeopardy clause is coextensive with that provided by the U.S. Constitution’s, we conclude that the analysis in Hansen, which was based on that in Halper, no longer applies to administrative license revocation. Instead, we will apply the two-part Kennedy-Ward analysis, as applied in Hudson.
2. Multiple Punishment for Same Offense
Thus, in analyzing whether administrative license revocation for refusal to submit to a chemical test constitutes punishment for purposes of double jeopardy, we must inquire (1) whether the Legislature intended the statutory sanction to be criminal or civil and (2) whether the statutory sanction is so punitive in purpose or effect as to transform what was clearly intended as a civil sanction into a criminal one. See Hudson v. United States, supra. Whether the Legislature intended a civil or criminal sanction is a matter of statutory construction. See id.
In analyzing whether the purpose or effect of the statute is so punitive as to negate the Legislature’s intent, we look to the factors set forth in Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, supra. See Hudson v. United States, supra. We consider:
(1) “[wjhether the sanction involves an affirmative disability or restraint”; (2) “whether it has historically been regarded as a punishment”; (3) “whether it comes into play only on a finding of scienter”; (4) “whether its operation will promote the traditional aims of punishment— retribution and deterrence”; (5) “whether the behavior to which it applies is already a crime”; (6) “whether an alternative purpose to which it may rationally be connected is assignable for it”; and (7) whether it appears excessive in relation to the alternative purpose assigned.”
Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. at 99-100, quoting Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, supra.
These factors are “helpful,” but “certainly neither exhaustive nor dispositive,” United States v. Ward, 448 U.S. at 249, and “ ‘must be considered in relation to the statute on its face,’ ” Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. at 100, quoting Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, supra. Furthermore, only the “ ‘clearest proof’ ” is sufficient to negate the Legislature’s intent, rendering a civil sanction criminal. See id. See, also, Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346, 361, 117 S. Ct. 2072, 138 L. Ed. 2d 501 (1997) (indicating that such proof is “heavy burden”); United States v. Ursery, 518 U.S. 267, 116 S. Ct. 2135, 135 L. Ed. 2d 549 (1996).
(a) Legislative Intent
We must first determine whether the Legislature intended the sanction to be civil in nature. “If so, we ordinarily defer to the legislature’s stated intent.” Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. at 361. The Legislature specifically set forth its intent concerning administrative license revocation procedures in
Because persons who drive while under the influence of alcohol present a hazard to the health and safety of all persons using the highways, a procedure is needed for the swift and certain revocation of the operator’s license of any person who has shown himself or herself to be a health and safety hazard (a) by driving with an excessive concentration of alcohol in his or her body or (b) by driving while under the influence of alcohol.
This language clearly states that the Legislature intended administrative license revocation to protect the public from the health and safety hazards posed by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. Thus, the Legislature intended to create a civil sanction. See State v. Hansen, 249 Neb. 177, 542 N.W.2d 424 (1996).
Howell, however, correctly points out that the Legislature amended
Before the 1996 amendment,
In any event, the language used by the legislators, on the floor and in the statute, is not dispositive. State v. Hansen, supra. See, also, Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. at 361 (stating that “a ‘civil label is not always dispositive’ ”). We must also look at the structure and design of the statute to determine the Legislature’s intent. The primary consideration in this regard is the procedural mechanisms established by the Legislature to enforce the statute. See United States v. Ursery, supra. In administrative license revocation, a peace officer, not a judge, initially revokes the license, which revocation is effective automatically.
(b) Punitive in Purpose or Effect
Having determined that the Legislature intended administrative license revocation to be a civil sanction, we presume the sanction is civil unless Howell provides the clearest proof that the statute is so punitive in purpose or effect as to negate the Legislature’s intent. See Hudson v. United States, supra. See, also, United States v. Ursery, supra. Howell has failed to do so.
As we stated in State v. Hansen, 249 Neb. 177, 191, 542 N.W.2d 424, 433 (1996), “Although there is an element of deterrence” in administrative license revocation, its primary purpose is to protect the public, a rational alternative purpose, and an important nonpunitive goal. See, also, United States v. Ursery, 518 U.S. at 291 (indicating that whether alternative purposes are assignable to the statute is “[m]ost significant”). Howell argues that our holding in Hansen does not apply, since persons who refuse to submit to a chemical test yet are not under the influence of alcohol are not in the class which presents the harm to be avoided. Howell overlooks
Howell also contends that the sanction appears excessive in relation to its purpose, a relevant Mendoza-Martinez factor. See Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. 144, 83 S. Ct. 554, 9 L. Ed. 2d 644 (1963). Specifically, Howell notes that the period of revocation for refusing to submit to a chemical test is 1 year, whereas the period of revocation for failing the test, first offense, is 90 days.
Imposing a longer period of revocation for failure to submit to a chemical test, as opposed to taking and failing the test, does not mean that the period is excessive in relation to its purpose. Administrative license revocation serves different purposes when it is imposed for refusal to submit to a chemical test. In the context of failing a chemical test, the purpose of administrative license revocation is limited to protecting public health and safety. In the context of refusal to submit to a chemical test, administrative license revocation both protects public health and safety and facilitates the gathering of evidence, which is yet another nonpunitive purpose. Ellis v. Pierce, 230 Cal. App. 3d 1557, 282 Cal. Rptr. 93 (1991).
Howell’s argument emphasizes two other Mendoza-Martinez factors: whether the behavior to which the administrative license revocation statutes apply is already a crime and whether the operation of the administrative license revocation statutes will promote the traditional aims of punishment. First, although the behavior to which administrative license revocation applies in this case is already a crime, see
The remaining Mendoza-Martinez factors indicate that administrative license revocation is civil in purpose and effect. A driver’s license is a privilege, not a right. State v. Hansen, supra. Revocation of a privilege is usually not considered punishment, Hudson v. United States, supra, and administrative license revocation has not traditionally been understood to constitute punishment in this state. See State v. Hansen, supra. Because a privilege is granted to an individual by the State, and is not a fundamental right, revocation thereof is not an affirmative disability or restraint. See Hudson v. United States, supra. Finally, administrative license revocation for refusal to submit to a chemical test does not require any showing of scienter. Ellis v. Pierce, supra; Ex parte Avilez, supra.
Our application of the Mendoza-Martinez factors, see Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. 144, 83 S. Ct. 554, 9 L. Ed. 2d 644 (1963), persuades us that the administrative license revocation statutes are not so punitive in purpose or effect as to negate the Legislature’s intent. Howell has failed to meet his burden of showing, by the clearest proof, that such is the case. Therefore, we must defer to the intent of the Legislature and conclude that administrative license revocation is a civil sanction.
V. CONCLUSION
The Supreme Court’s analysis in United States v. Ward, 448 U.S. 242, 100 S. Ct. 2636, 65 L. Ed. 2d 742 (1980), supplemented by Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, supra, as applied in Hudson, supra, and not its analysis in United States v. Halper, 490 U.S. 435, 109 S. Ct. 1982, 104 L. Ed. 2d 487 (1989), controls this case. We conclude that the Legislature intended administrative license revocation to be a civil sanction and that Howell has failed to demonstrate by the clearest proof that the sanction is so punitive in purpose or effect as to negate the Legislature’s intent. Thus, administrative license revocation for failure to submit to a chemical test does not violate the Double Jeopardy Clauses of the U.S. or Nebraska Constitutions because it does not constitute multiple punishment for the same offense.
Affirmed.
Concurrence Opinion
concurring.
Although I disagreed with the majority’s double jeopardy analysis in State v. Hansen, 249 Neb. 177, 542 N.W.2d 424 (1996) (Gerrard, J., dissenting, joined by White, C.J., and Fahmbruch, J.), I concur in the instant judgment in light of Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. 93, 118 S. Ct. 488, 139 L. Ed. 2d 450 (1997), in which the U.S. Supreme Court largely “disavow [ed] the method of analysis used in United States v. Halper,” 522 U.S. at 96, and reaffirmed the traditional rule that the Double Jeopardy Clause prohibits multiple sanctions for the same offense only if those sanctions are “criminal punishments,” (emphasis in original) id. at 99. I agree that United States v. Ward, 448 U.S. 242, 100 S. Ct. 2636, 65 L. Ed. 2d 742 (1980), rehearing denied 448 U.S. 916, 101 S. Ct. 37, 65 L. Ed. 2d 1179, and Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. 144, 83 S. Ct. 554, 9 L. Ed. 2d 644 (1963), set forth the proper approach.
This court has never construed Nebraska’s double jeopardy clause to provide any greater protections than those guaranteed by the federal Constitution. See State v. Hansen, supra. Howell contends that because he has already had his driver’s license administratively revoked, to prosecute him for failure to submit to a chemical test would subject him to multiple punishment for the same offense. However, in protecting an already-punished person against further punishments, it is clear that the Double Jeopardy Clause does not prohibit the imposition of all additional sanctions that “could, ‘ “in common parlance,” ’ be described as punishment,” Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. at 99; rather, it “protects only against the imposition of multiple criminal punishments for the same offense” in successive proceedings (emphasis in original), id. Whether a particular punishment is criminal or civil is, at least initially, a matter of statutory interpretation. See, Hudson v. United States, supra; Helvering v. Mitchell, 303 U.S. 391, 58 S. Ct. 630, 82 L. Ed. 917 (1938).
Thus, the first question the court must ask is “whether the legislature, ‘in establishing the penalizing mechanism, indicated either expressly or impliedly a preference for one label or the other.’ ” Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. at 99 (quoting United States v. Ward, supra). If the court determines that the Legislature has indicated an intention to establish a sanction that is civil, the court must then ask whether the statutory scheme is “ ‘so punitive either in purpose or effect,’ ” as to “ ‘transform] what was clearly intended as a civil remedy into a criminal penalty.’ ” 522 U.S. at 99.
With regard to the first question, I agree with the majority’s analysis that the Legislature intended the administrative license revocation sanction to be civil in nature. A legislative body’s designation of a penalty as civil is entitled to considerable deference. As such, a legislative body’s designation of a penalty as civil will not be overborne unless the statute, considered on its face and without reference to the level of sanction imposed in the particular case, see, Hudson v. United States, supra-, Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, supra, is clearly so punitive as to “render [it] criminal despite Congress’ intent to the contrary,” United States v. Ursery, 518 U.S. 267, 116 S. Ct. 2135, 2148, 135 L. Ed. 2d 549 (1996). “ ‘[O]nly the clearest proof’ ” of its punitive character “will suffice to override legislative intent and transform” a sanction labeled “civil” into one that is criminal. Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. at 100 (quoting United States v. Ward, supra).
The test to be used in determining whether a sanction is so punitive in nature as to transform what was intended as a civil remedy into a criminal penalty, and thus subject to the Double Jeopardy Clause’s bar on multiple punishments, is the same inquiry that is used in determining whether other criminal proceeding protections apply. See Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. 93, 118 S. Ct. 488, 139 L. Ed. 2d 450 (1997) (citing United States v. Ward, 448 U.S. 242, 100 S. Ct. 2636, 65 L. Ed. 2d 742 (1980), rehearing denied 448 U.S. 916, 101 S. Ct. 37, 65 L. Ed. 2d 1179; Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. 144, 83 S. Ct. 554, 9 L. Ed. 2d 644 (1963)). Thus, the majority correctly considered the seven factors set out in Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, supra:
(1) “[wjhether the sanction involves an affirmative disability or restraint”; (2) “whether it has historically been regarded as a punishment”; (3) “whether it comes into play only on a finding of scienter”; (4) “whether its operation will promote the traditional aims of punishment— retribution and deterrence”; (5) “whether the behavior to which it applies is already a crime”; (6) “whether an alternative purpose to which it may rationally be connected is assignable for it”; and (7) “whether it appears excessive in relation to the alternative purpose assigned.”
(Emphasis in original.) Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. at 99-100 (quoting Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, supra).
This seven-factor list provides “useful guideposts,” 522 U.S. at 99, and certainly no single factor is meant to be dispositive, see, Hudson v. United States, supra; United States v.
I therefore concur in the judgment.
White, C.J., joins in this concurrence.