STATE
v.
SUAREZ
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In this DUI case, the court granted the defendant's motion to dismiss, holding that a person asleep in a parked vehicle with the engine off lacks the "actual physical control" required under Florida's Driving While Under the Influence statute. The decision turns on the definition of "actual physical control" and whether mere presence in the driver's seat while intoxicated constitutes sufficient control.
The motion to dismiss is granted. A person asleep in a vehicle with the motor off does not exercise "actual physical control" as required by the DUI statute because they are neither exercising dominion over the vehicle nor in control of it.
[1] A person is not in "actual physical control" of a motor vehicle for purposes of a DUI statute when the vehicle's motor is turned off and the person is asleep.
[2] "Actual physical control" of a motor vehicle requires present bodily restraint, directing influence, domination, or regulation.
Previewing 2 of 3 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“actual physical control" in its ordinary sense means "existing" or "present bodily restraint, directing influence, domination or regulation."”
Establishes the court's adopted definition of "actual physical control" under the DUI statute
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceOn April 4, 1978, at approximately 10:15 P.M., officers observed the defendant slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle in a public parking lot.…
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Defendant has in this case moved to dismiss on the ground that the material and undisputed facts of this cause fail to establish prima facie, the guilt of this defendant of the offense charged. The state filed a traverse. The facts as stated in the state’s memorandum of law, which are consistent with its traverse, are as follows —
“On April 4, 1978, at approximately 10:15 P. M., the defendant was observed by Officers Rojas and Cadavid slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle in the parking lot of the New England Oyster House. The motor of the defendant’s vehicle was turned off, but the keys were in the ignition. The officers repeatedly attempted to awaken the defendant, but were unsuccessful. At that time, the officers detected an odor of alcohol about the defendant’s person and breath. When the subject was finally awakened, the officers further observed that the defendant’s eyes were bloodshot and his speech was impaired.”
The issue is whether “actual physical control” of a motor vehicle, contained in the Driving While Under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages Statute, F.S. 316.193(1), includes a driver asleep in a *131public parking lot. The court finds the most analogous cases throughout the county to be divided — City of Cincinnati v. Kelly, 47 Ohio St. 2d 94, 351 N.E. 2d 85 (1976); Hughes v. State, 535 P. 2d 1023 (Okl. Cr. 1975); State v. Ruana, 321 P. 2d 615 (Mont., 1958); and State v. Webb, 78 Ariz. 8, 274 P. 2d 338 (1954). The strongést case is State v. Webb, which held that there is a legitimate inference to be drawn that defendant had of his own volition placed himself behind the wheel, and had either started the motor or permitted it to run. 274 P. 2d 338, at 340.
The fact that the defendant was asleep places this case more consistently with State v. Bugger, 25 Utah 2d 404, 483 P. 2d 442 (1971) where the court held “actual physical control” to be as follows —
The word “actual” has been defined as meaning “existing in act or reality ;***in action or existence at the time being; present;***.”
The word “physical” is defined as “bodily” and “control” is defined as “to exercise restraining or directing influence over; to dominate; regulate; hence, to hold from actions; to curb.” The term in “actual physical control” in its ordinary sense means “existing” or “present bodily restraint, directing influence, domination or regulation.” (Citations omitted.)
The court specifically distinguished State v. Webb, supra.
Under that definition, without the motor running, this court does not find that defendant’s control was sufficient to be culpable and adopts the rationale of the majority opinion in State v. Bugger, supra. The defendant was not exercising dominion (the motor was off) nor was he in control (he was asleep).
Wherefore, the motion to dismiss is granted and the defendant is discharged.