c. Preliminary breath test

Winnebago County v. Anastasia G. Christenson, 2012AP1189, District 2, 10/31/12 court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity Probable Cause – PBT, § 343.303 ¶11      At the time Putzer administered the PBT to Christenson, he was aware that she had driven her car into a ditch, smelled of “intoxicating beverages” around midnight on Saturday… Read more

State v. Marilee F. Devries, 2012 WI App 119 (recommended for publication); case activity Devries’ probation agent, after detecting alcohol on her breath during a visit at the probation office, had a law enforcement officer administer a preliminary breath test. One thing led to another and she was convicted of OWI. She challenges the PBT… Read more

State v. Christopher J. Felton, 2012 WI App 114 (recommended for publication); case activity Search & Seizure – PBT – Probable Cause  Notwithstanding that Felton passed field sobriety tests, probable cause existed to administer a preliminary breath test. ¶8        This section does not require that the officer have probable cause to arrest a driver for drunk… Read more

Town of Mukwonago v. John J. Uttke, 2011AP2021, District 2, 1/18/12 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Uttke: Michael C. Witt; case activity Uttke’s driver’s license was revoked for refusal to submit to a blood test upon OWI arrest, and he requested a “refusal hearing,” unsuccessfully challenging the existence of probable cause… Read more

State v. Jason E. Goss, 2011 WI 104, affirming court of appeals summary order;  for Goss: Daniel J. Chapman; case activity ¶2   We are asked to determine whether the officer’s request for the PBT breath sample was made in violation of Wis. Stat. § 343.303, which states that an officer “may request” a PBT breath sample “[i]f a law… Read more

State v. Herbert L. Hamilton, 2011AP1325-CR, District 4, 11/23/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Hamilton: Dixie Lippit; case activity Although driver in single-car accident didn’t exhibit signs commonly associated with intoxication, the smell of alcohol on his breath coupled with his loss of control of the car provided probable cause to administer a preliminary… Read more

State v. Ryan Stefan Roberts, 2010AP2899, District 4, 6/30/11 court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Roberts: Bruce J. Rosen, Susan C. Blesener; case activity Request for preliminary breath test supported by probable cause, despite somewhat inconclusive field test results, in view of strong odor of alcohol emitted by Roberts along with his… Read more