39-20 Chemical Test for Intoxication, Implied Consent
Loading PDF...
public has a right of access for vehicular use in this state is deemed to have given consent, and
shall consent, subject to the provisions of this chapter, to a chemical test, or tests, of the blood,
breath, saliva, or urine for the purpose of determining the alcohol, other drug, or combination
thereof, content of the blood.As used in this chapter, the word "drug" means any drug orsubstance or combination of drugs or substances which renders a person incapable of safely
driving, and the words "chemical test" or "chemical analysis" mean any test to determine the
alcohol, or other drug, or combination thereof, content of the blood, breath, saliva, or urine,
approved by the director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee under this
chapter. The test or tests must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only
after placing the person, except persons mentioned in section 39-20-03, under arrest and
informing that person that the person is or will be charged with the offense of driving or being in
actual physical control of a vehicle upon the public highways while under the influence of
intoxicating liquor, drugs, or a combination thereof. For the purposes of this chapter, the taking
into custody of a child under section 27-20-13 or a person under twenty-one years of age
satisfies the requirement of an arrest. The law enforcement officer shall also inform the person
charged that refusal of the person to submit to the test determined appropriate will result in a
revocation for up to four years of the person's driving privileges. The law enforcement officer
shall determine which of the tests is to be used. When a person under the age of eighteen years
is taken into custody for violating section 39-08-01 or an equivalent ordinance, the law
enforcement officer shall attempt to contact the person's parent or legal guardian to explain the
cause for the custody.Neither the law enforcement officer's efforts to contact, nor anyconsultation with, a parent or legal guardian may be permitted to interfere with the administration
of chemical testing requirements under this chapter. The law enforcement officer shall mail a
notice to the parent or legal guardian of the minor within ten days after the test results are
received or within ten days after the minor is taken into custody if the minor refuses to submit to
testing. The notice must contain a statement of the test performed and the results of that test; or
if the minor refuses to submit to the testing, a statement notifying of that fact. The attempt to
contact or the contacting or notification of a parent or legal guardian is not a precondition to the
admissibility of chemical test results or the finding of a consent to, or refusal of, chemical testing
by the person in custody.39-20-01.1. Chemical test of driver in serious bodily injury or fatal crashes.1.Notwithstanding section 39-20-01 or 39-20-04, when the driver of a vehicle is
involved in an accident resulting in the death of another person, and there is
probable cause to believe that the driver is in violation of section 39-08-01 or has
committed a moving violation as defined in section 39-06.1-09, the driver must be
compelled by a police officer to submit to a test or tests of the driver's blood, breath,
or urine to determine the alcohol concentration or the presence of other drugs or
substances.2.Notwithstanding section 39-20-01 or 39-20-04, when the driver of a vehicle is
involved in an accident resulting in the serious bodily injury, as defined in section
12.1-01-04, of another person, and there is probable cause to believe that the driver
is in violation of section 39-08-01, a law enforcement officer may compel the driver
to submit to a test or tests of the driver's blood, breath, or urine to determine the
alcohol concentration or the presence of other drugs or substances. The methods
and techniques established by the director of the state crime laboratory must be
followed in collecting and preserving a specimen or conducting a test.39-20-02. Persons qualified to administer test and opportunity for additional test.Only an individual medically qualified to draw blood, acting at the request of a law enforcement
officer, may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcohol, drug, or combinationPage No. 1thereof, content therein. The director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee shall
determine the qualifications or credentials for being medically qualified to draw blood, and shall
issue a list of approved designations including medical doctor and registered nurse.Thislimitation does not apply to the taking of breath, saliva, or urine specimen. The person tested
may have an individual of the person's choosing, who is medically qualified to draw blood,
administer a chemical test or tests in addition to any administered at the direction of a law
enforcement officer with all costs of an additional test or tests to be the sole responsibility of the
person charged. The failure or inability to obtain an additional test by a person does not preclude
the admission of the test or tests taken at the direction of a law enforcement officer. Upon the
request of the person who is tested, a copy of the operational checklist and test record of a
breath sample test or analytical report of a blood, urine, or saliva sample test taken at the
direction of the law enforcement officer must be made available to that person by the law
enforcement agency that administered the test or tests.39-20-03. Consent of person incapable of refusal not withdrawn. Any person who isdead, unconscious, or otherwise in a condition rendering the person incapable of refusal, must
be deemed not to have withdrawn the consent provided by section 39-20-01 and the test or tests
may be given.39-20-03.1. Action following test result for a resident operator. If a person submitsto a test under section 39-20-01, 39-20-02, or 39-20-03 and the test shows that person to have
an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with
respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two
one-hundredths of one percent by weight at the time of the performance of a chemical test within
two hours after the driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle, the following
procedures apply:1.The law enforcement officer shall immediately issue to that person a temporary
operator's permit if the person then has valid operating privileges, extending driving
privileges for the next twenty-five days, or until earlier terminated by the decision of a
hearing officer under section 39-20-05. The law enforcement officer shall sign and
note the date on the temporary operator's permit. The temporary operator's permit
serves as the director's official notification to the person of the director's intent to
revoke, suspend, or deny driving privileges in this state.2.If a test administered under section 39-20-01 or 39-20-03 was by saliva or urine
sample or by drawing blood as provided in section 39-20-02 and the person tested is
not a resident of an area in which the law enforcement officer has jurisdiction, the
law enforcement officer shall, on receiving the analysis of the saliva, urine, or blood
from the director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee and if the
analysis shows that person had an alcohol concentration of at least eight
one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to a person under
twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of
one percent by weight, either proceed in accordance with subsection 1 during that
person's reappearance within the officer's jurisdiction, proceed in accordance with
subsection 3, or notify a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the
person lives.On that notification, that law enforcement agency shall, withintwenty-four hours, forward a copy of the temporary operator's permit to the law
enforcement agency making the arrest or to the director.The law enforcementagency shall issue to that person a temporary operator's permit as provided in this
section, and shall sign and date the permit as provided in subsection 1.3.If the test results indicate an alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit, the law
enforcement agency making the arrest may mail a temporary operator's permit to
the person who submitted to the blood, urine, or saliva test, whether or not the
person is a resident of the area in which the law enforcement officer has jurisdiction.
The third day after the mailing of the temporary operator's permit is considered the
date of issuance. Actual notice of the opportunity for a hearing under this section is
deemed to have occurred seventy-two hours after the notice is mailed by regularPage No. 2mail to the address submitted by the person to the law enforcement officer. The
temporary operator's permit serves as the director's official notification to the person
of the director's intent to revoke, suspend, or deny driving privileges in this state.4.The law enforcement officer, within five days of the issuance of the temporary
operator's permit, shall forward to the director a certified written report in the form
required by the director. If the person was issued a temporary operator's permit
because of the results of a test, the report must show that the officer had reasonable
grounds to believe the person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a
motor vehicle while in violation of section 39-08-01, or equivalent ordinance, that the
person was lawfully arrested, that the person was tested for alcohol concentration
under this chapter, and that the results of the test show that the person had an
alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight or,
with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of
at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight. In addition to the operator's
license and report, the law enforcement officer shall forward to the director a certified
copy of the operational checklist and test records of a breath test and a copy of the
certified copy of the analytical report for a blood, saliva, or urine test for all tests
administered at the direction of the officer.39-20-03.2. Action following test result or on refusing test by nonresident operator.If a person licensed in another state refuses in this state to submit to a test provided under
section 39-20-01 or 39-20-14, or who submits to a test under section 39-20-01, 39-20-02, or
39-20-03 and the test results show the person to have an alcohol concentration of at least eight
one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of
age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight at the time
of performance of a test within two hours after driving or being in physical control of a motor
vehicle, the following procedures apply:1.Without taking possession of the person's out-of-state operator's license, the law
enforcement officer shall issue to the person a notification of the test results and a
temporary operator's permit extending nonresident operating privileges in this state
for twenty-five days from the date of issuance or until earlier terminated by the
decision of a hearing officer under section 39-20-05. The temporary permit must be
signed and dated by the officer and serves as the director's official notification to the
person of the director's intent to revoke, suspend, or deny driving privileges in this
state, and of the hearing procedures under this chapter.2.If the test was administered by saliva or urine sample or by drawing blood, the law
enforcement officer, on reviewing the alcohol concentration analysis showing the
person had an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one percent
by weight or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, an alcohol
concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight, shall mail or
issue to the person a notification of the test results, a temporary operator's permit
extending nonresident operating privileges in this state for twenty-five days from the
date of mailing or issuance or until earlier terminated by the decision of a hearing
officer under section 39-20-05, and notice of the intent to revoke, suspend, or deny
driving privileges in this state, together with the notice provided under section
39-06.1-07 of the procedures available under this chapter. The temporary operator's
permit must be signed and dated by the officer. The third day after the mailing of the
temporary operator's permit is considered the date of issuance.3.The law enforcement officer, within five days of issuing the temporary operator's
permit, shall forward to the director a certified written report in the form required by
the director and a certified copy of the operational checklist and test records of a
breath test and a copy of the certified copy of the analytical report for a blood, saliva,
or urine test for all tests administered at the direction of the officer. If the person was
issued a temporary operator's permit because of the person's refusal to submit to a
test under sections 39-20-01 and 39-20-14, the report must include information asPage No. 3provided in section 39-20-04.If the person was issued a temporary operator'spermit because of the results of a test, the report must show that the officer had
reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving or was in actual physical
control of a motor vehicle while in violation of section 39-08-01, or equivalent
ordinance, that the person was lawfully arrested, that the person was tested for
alcohol concentration under this chapter, and that the results of the test show that
the person had an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one
percent by weight or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, an
alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight.39-20-04. Revocation of privilege to drive motor vehicle upon refusal to submit totesting.1.If a person refuses to submit to testing under section 39-20-01 or 39-20-14, none
may be given, but the law enforcement officer shall immediately take possession of
the person's operator's license if it is then available and shall immediately issue to
that person a temporary operator's permit, if the person then has valid operating
privileges, extending driving privileges for the next twenty-five days or until earlier
terminated by a decision of a hearing officer under section 39-20-05.The lawenforcement officer shall sign and note the date on the temporary operator's permit.
The temporary operator's permit serves as the director's official notification to the
person of the director's intent to revoke driving privileges in this state and of the
hearing procedures under this chapter.The director, upon the receipt of thatperson's operator's license and a certified written report of the law enforcement
officer in the form required by the director, forwarded by the officer within five days
after issuing the temporary operator's permit, showing that the officer had
reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving or was in actual physical
control of a motor vehicle while in violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent
ordinance or, for purposes of section 39-20-14, had reason to believe that the
person committed a moving traffic violation or was involved in a traffic accident as a
driver, and in conjunction with the violation or accident the officer has, through the
officer's observations, formulated an opinion that the person's body contains alcohol,
that the person was lawfully arrested if applicable, and that the person had refused
to submit to the test or tests under section 39-20-01 or 39-20-14, shall revoke that
person's license or permit to drive and any nonresident operating privilege for the
appropriate period under this section, or if the person is a resident without a license
or a permit to operate a motor vehicle in this state, the director shall deny to the
person the issuance of a license or permit for the appropriate period under this
section after the date of the alleged violation, subject to the opportunity for a
prerevocation hearing and postrevocation review as provided in this chapter. In the
revocation of the person's operator's license the director shall give credit for time in
which the person was without an operator's license after the day of the person's
refusal to submit to the test except that the director may not give credit for time in
which the person retained driving privileges through a temporary operator's permit
issued under this section or section 39-20-03.2. The period of revocation or denial
of issuance of a license or permit under this section is:a.One year if the person's driving record shows that within the five years
preceding the most recent violation of this section, the person's operator's
license has not previously been suspended, revoked, or issuance denied for a
violation of this chapter or section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance.b.Three years if the person's driving record shows that within the five years
preceding the most recent violation of this section, the person's operator's
license has been once previously suspended, revoked, or issuance denied for a
violation of this chapter or section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance.c.Four years if the person's driving record shows that within the five years
preceding the most recent violation of this section, the person's operator'sPage No. 4license has at least twice previously been suspended, revoked, or issuance
denied under this chapter, or for a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent
ordinance, or any combination of the same, and the suspensions, revocations,
or denials resulted from at least two separate arrests.2.A person's driving privileges are not subject to revocation under subdivision a of
subsection 1 if all of the following criteria are met:a.An administrative hearing is not held under section 39-20-05;b.The person mails an affidavit to the director within twenty-five days after the
temporary operator's permit is issued. The affidavit must state that the person:(1)Intends to voluntarily plead guilty to violating section 39-08-01 or
equivalent ordinance within twenty-five days after the temporary
operator's permit is issued;(2)Agrees that the person's driving privileges must be suspended as
provided under section 39-06.1-10;(3)Acknowledges the right to a section 39-20-05 administrative hearing and
section 39-20-06 judicial review and voluntarily and knowingly waives
these rights; and(4)Agrees that the person's driving privileges must be revoked as provided
under this section without an administrative hearing or judicial review, if
the person does not plead guilty within twenty-five days after the
temporary operator's permit is issued, or the court does not accept the
guilty plea, or the guilty plea is withdrawn;c.The person pleads guilty to violating section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance
within twenty-five days after the temporary operator's permit is issued;d.The court accepts the person's guilty plea and a notice of that fact is mailed to
the director within twenty-five days after the temporary operator's permit is
issued;e.A copy of the final order or judgment of conviction evidencing the acceptance of
the person's guilty plea is received by the director prior to the return or
reinstatement of the person's driving privileges; andf.The person has never been convicted under section 39-08-01 or equivalent
ordinance.3.The court must mail a copy of an order granting a withdrawal of a guilty plea to
violating section 39-08-01, or equivalent ordinance, to the director within ten days
after it is ordered. Upon receipt of the order, the director shall immediately revoke
the person's driving privileges as provided under this section without providing an
administrative hearing.39-20-04.1. Administrative sanction for driving or being in physical control of avehicle while having certain alcohol concentration.1.After the receipt of the certified report of a law enforcement officer and if no written
request for hearing has been received from the arrested person under section
39-20-05, or if that hearing is requested and the findings, conclusion, and decision
from the hearing confirm that the law enforcement officer had reasonable grounds to
arrest the person and test results show that the arrested person was driving or in
physical control of a vehicle while having an alcohol concentration of at least eightPage No. 5one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to a person under
twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of
one percent by weight at the time of the performance of a test within two hours after
driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle, the director shall suspend the
person's driving privileges as follows:a.For ninety-one days if the person's driving record shows that, within the five
years preceding the date of the arrest, the person has not previously violated
section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance or the person's operator's license has
not previously been suspended or revoked under this chapter and the violation
was for an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one
percent by weight or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age,
an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by
weight, and under eighteen one-hundredths of one percent by weight.b.For one hundred eighty days if the operator's record shows the person has not
violated section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance within five years preceding
the last violation and the last violation was for an alcohol concentration of at
least eighteen one-hundredths of one percent by weight.c.For three hundred sixty-five days if the person's driving record shows that,
within the five years preceding the date of the arrest, the person has once
previously violated section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance or the person's
operator's license has once previously been suspended or revoked under this
chapter with the last violation or suspension for an alcohol concentration under
eighteen one-hundredths of one percent by weight.d.For two years if the person's driving record shows that within the five years
preceding the date of the arrest, the person's operator's license has once been
suspended, revoked, or issuance denied under this chapter, or for a violation of
section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance, with the last violation or suspension
for an alcohol concentration of at least eighteen one-hundredths of one percent
by weight or if the person's driving record shows that within the five years
preceding the date of arrest, the person's operator's license has at least twice
previously been suspended, revoked, or issuance denied under this chapter, or
for a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance, or any combination
thereof, and the suspensions, revocations, or denials resulted from at least two
separate arrests with the last violation or suspension for an alcohol
concentration of under eighteen one-hundredths of one percent by weight.e.For three years if the operator's record shows that within five years preceding
the date of the arrest, the person's operator's license has at least twice
previously been suspended, revoked, or issuance denied under this chapter, or
for a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance, or any combination
thereof, and the suspensions, revocations, or denials resulted from at least two
separate arrests and the last violation or suspension was for an alcohol
concentration of at least eighteen one-hundredths of one percent by weight.2.In the suspension of the person's operator's license the director shall give credit for
the time the person was without an operator's license after the day of the offense,
except that the director may not give credit for the time the person retained driving
privileges through a temporary operator's permit issued under section 39-20-03.1 or
39-20-03.2.39-20-05. Administrative hearing on request.1.Before issuing an order of suspension, revocation, or denial under section 39-20-04
or 39-20-04.1, the director shall afford that person an opportunity for a hearing if the
person mails or communicates by other means authorized by the director a requestPage No. 6for the hearing to the director within ten days after the date of issuance of the
temporary operator's permit. The hearing must be held within thirty days after the
date of issuance of the temporary operator's permit.If no hearing is requestedwithin the time limits in this section, and no affidavit is submitted within the time
limits under subsection 2 of section 39-20-04, the expiration of the temporary
operator's permit serves as the director's official notification to the person of the
revocation, suspension, or denial of driving privileges in this state.2.If the issue to be determined by the hearing concerns license suspension for
operating a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration of at least eight
one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to a person under
twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of
one percent by weight, the hearing must be before a hearing officer assigned by the
director and at a time and place designated by the director. The hearing must be
recorded and its scope may cover only the issues of whether the arresting officer
had reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving or was in actual
physical control of a vehicle in violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance
or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, the person had been
driving or was in actual physical control of a vehicle while having an alcohol
concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight; whether the
person was placed under arrest, unless the person was under twenty-one years of
age and the alcohol concentration was less than eight one-hundredths of one
percent by weight, then arrest is not required and is not an issue under any provision
of this chapter; whether the person was tested in accordance with section 39-20-01
or 39-20-03 and, if applicable, section 39-20-02; and whether the test results show
the person had an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one
percent by weight or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, an
alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight. For
purposes of this section, a copy of a certified copy of an analytical report of a blood,
urine, or saliva sample from the director of the state crime laboratory or the director's
designee or a certified copy of the checklist and test records from a certified breath
test operator establish prima facie the alcohol concentration shown therein.
Whether the person was informed that the privilege to drive might be suspended
based on the results of the test is not an issue.3.If the issue to be determined by the hearing concerns license revocation for refusing
to submit to a test under section 39-20-01 or 39-20-14, the hearing must be before a
hearing officer assigned by the director at a time and place designated by the
director. The hearing must be recorded. The scope of a hearing for refusing to
submit to a test under section 39-20-01 may cover only the issues of whether a law
enforcement officer had reasonable grounds to believe the person had been driving
or was in actual physical control of a vehicle in violation of section 39-08-01 or
equivalent ordinance or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, the
person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a vehicle while having
an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight;
whether the person was placed under arrest; and whether that person refused to
submit to the test or tests. The scope of a hearing for refusing to submit to a test
under section 39-20-14 may cover only the issues of whether the law enforcement
officer had reason to believe the person committed a moving traffic violation or was
involved in a traffic accident as a driver, whether in conjunction with the violation or
the accident the officer has, through the officer's observations, formulated an opinion
that the person's body contains alcohol and, whether the person refused to submit to
the onsite screening test. Whether the person was informed that the privilege to
drive would be revoked or denied for refusal to submit to the test or tests is not an
issue.4.At a hearing under this section, the regularly kept records of the director may be
introduced.Those records establish prima facie their contents without furtherfoundation. For purposes of this chapter, the following are deemed regularly keptPage No. 7records of the director: any copy of a certified copy of an analytical report of a blood,
urine, or saliva sample received by the director from the director of the state crime
laboratory or the director's designee or a law enforcement officer, a certified copy of
the checklist and test records received by the director from a certified breath test
operator, and any copy of a certified copy of a certificate of the director of the state
crime laboratory or the director's designee relating to approved methods, devices,
operators, materials, and checklists used for testing for alcohol concentration
received by the director from the director of the state crime laboratory, the director's
designee, or the recorder, unless the board of county commissioners has designated
a different official to maintain the certificate.5.At the close of the hearing, the hearing officer shall notify the person of the hearing
officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision based on the findings and
conclusions and shall immediately deliver to the person a copy of the decision. If the
hearing officer does not find in favor of the person, the copy of the decision serves
as the director's official notification to the person of the revocation, suspension, or
denial of driving privileges in this state.If the hearing officer finds, based on apreponderance of the evidence, that the person refused a test under section
39-20-01 or 39-20-14 or that the person had an alcohol concentration of at least
eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to a person under
twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of
one percent by weight, the hearing officer shall immediately take possession of the
person's temporary operator's permit issued under this chapter. If the hearing officer
does not find against the person, the hearing officer shall sign, date, and mark on
the person's permit an extension of driving privileges for the next twenty days and
shall return the permit to the person. The hearing officer shall report the findings,
conclusions, and decisions to the director within ten days of the conclusion of the
hearing. If the hearing officer has determined in favor of the person, the director
shall return the person's operator's license by regular mail to the address on file with
the director under section 39-06-20.6.If the person who requested a hearing under this section fails to appear at the
hearing without justification, the right to the hearing is waived, and the hearing
officer's determination on license revocation, suspension, or denial will be based on
the written request for hearing, law enforcement officer's report, and other evidence
as may be available. The hearing officer shall, on the date for which the hearing is
scheduled, mail to the person, by regular mail, at the address on file with the director
under section 39-06-20, or at any other address for the person or the person's legal
representative supplied in the request for hearing, a copy of the decision which
serves as the director's official notification to the person of the revocation,
suspension, or denial of driving privileges in this state. Even if the person for whom
the hearing is scheduled fails to appear at the hearing, the hearing is deemed to
have been held on the date for which it is scheduled for purposes of appeal under
section 39-20-06.39-20-06. Judicial review. Any person whose operator's license or privilege has beensuspended, revoked, or denied by the decision of the hearing officer under section 39-20-05 may
appeal within seven days after the date of the hearing under section 39-20-05 as shown by the
date of the hearing officer's decision, section 28-32-42 notwithstanding, by serving on the director
and filing a notice of appeal and specifications of error in the district court in the county where the
events occurred for which the demand for a test was made, or in the county in which the
administrative hearing was held. The court shall set the matter for hearing, and the petitioner
shall give twenty days' notice of the hearing to the director and to the hearing officer who
rendered the decision. Neither the director nor the court may stay the decision pending decision
on appeal. Within twenty days after receipt of the notice of appeal, the director or the hearing
officer who rendered the decision shall file in the office of the clerk of court to which the appeal is
taken a certified transcript of the testimony and all other proceedings. It is the record on which
the appeal must be determined. No additional evidence may be heard. The court shall affirm the
decision of the director or hearing officer unless it finds the evidence insufficient to warrant thePage No. 8conclusion reached by the director or hearing officer. The court may direct that the matter be
returned to the director or hearing officer for rehearing and the presentation of additional
evidence.39-20-07. Interpretation of chemical tests. Upon the trial of any civil or criminal actionor proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person while driving or
in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs,
or a combination thereof, evidence of the amount of alcohol, drugs, or a combination thereof in
the person's blood at the time of the act alleged as shown by a chemical analysis of the blood,
breath, saliva, or urine is admissible. For the purpose of this section:1.A person having, at that time, an alcohol concentration of not more than five
one-hundredths of one percent by weight is presumed not to be under the influence
of intoxicating liquor. This presumption has no application to the administration of
chapter 39-06.2.2.Evidence that there was at that time more than five one-hundredths of one percent
by weight alcohol concentration in a person is relevant evidence, but it is not to be
given prima facie effect in indicating whether the person was under the influence of
intoxicating liquor.3.A person having an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one
percent by weight or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, an
alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight at the
time of the performance of a chemical test within two hours after driving or being in
physical control of a vehicle is under the influence of intoxicating liquor at the time of
driving or being in physical control of a vehicle.4.Alcohol concentration is based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of
blood or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of end expiratory breath or
grams of alcohol per sixty-seven milliliters of urine.5.The results of the chemical analysis must be received in evidence when it is shown
that the sample was properly obtained and the test was fairly administered, and if
the test is shown to have been performed according to methods and with devices
approved by the director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee, and
by an individual possessing a certificate of qualification to administer the test issued
by the director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee. The director
of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee is authorized to approve
satisfactory devices and methods of chemical analysis and determine the
qualifications of individuals to conduct such analysis, and shall issue a certificate to
all qualified operators who exhibit the certificate upon demand of the person
requested to take the chemical test.6.The director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee may appoint,
train, certify, and supervise field inspectors of breath testing equipment and its
operation, and the inspectors shall report the findings of any inspection to the
director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee for appropriate action.
Upon approval of the methods or devices, or both, required to perform the tests and
the persons qualified to administer them, the director of the state crime laboratory or
the director's designee shall prepare and file written record of the approval with the
director and the recorder in each county, unless the board of county commissioners
designates a different official, and shall include in the record:a.An annual register of the specific testing devices currently approved, including
serial number, location, and the date and results of last inspection.b.An annual register of currently qualified and certified operators of the devices,
stating the date of certification and its expiration.Page No. 9c.The operational checklist and forms prescribing the methods currently
approved by the director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee
in using the devices during the administration of the tests.The material filed under this section may be supplemented when the director of the
state crime laboratory or the director's designee determines it to be necessary, and
any supplemental material has the same force and effect as the material that it
supplements.7.Copies of the records referred to in subsections 5 and 6, certified by the recorder, or
designated official, must be admitted as prima facie evidence of the matters stated
in the records.8.A certified copy of the analytical report of a blood, urine, or saliva analysis referred to
in subsection 5 and which is issued by the director of the state crime laboratory or
the director's designee must be accepted as prima facie evidence of the results of a
chemical analysis performed under this chapter. The certified copy satisfies the
directives of subsection 5.9.Notwithstanding any statute or rule to the contrary, a defendant who has been found
to be indigent by the court in the criminal proceeding at issue may subpoena, without
cost to the defendant, the person who conducted the chemical analysis referred to in
this section to testify at the trial on the issue of the amount of alcohol, drugs, or a
combination thereof in the defendant's blood, breath, saliva, or urine at the time of
the alleged act. If the state toxicologist, the director of the state crime laboratory, or
any employee of either, is subpoenaed to testify by a defendant who is not indigent
and the defendant does not call the witness to establish relevant evidence, the court
shall order the defendant to pay costs to the witness as provided in section
31-01-16. An indigent defendant may also subpoena the individual who withdrew
the defendant's blood by following the same procedure.10.A signed statement from the individual medically qualified to draw the blood sample
for testing as set forth in subsection 5 is prima facie evidence that the blood sample
was properly drawn and no further foundation for the admission of this evidence may
be required.39-20-08. Proof of refusal admissible in any civil or criminal action or proceeding.If the person under arrest refuses to submit to the test or tests, proof of refusal is admissible in
any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while
the person was driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle upon the public highways while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or a combination thereof.39-20-09.Effect of evidence of chemical test.This chapter does not limit theintroduction of any other competent evidence bearing on the question of whether the person was
under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or a combination thereof, but, if the test results
show an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one percent or, with respect to
a person under twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths
of one percent by weight, the purpose of such evidence must be limited to the issues of probable
cause, whether an arrest was made prior to the administering of the test, and the validity of the
test results.39-20-10.Notice to other states.When it has been finally determined under theprocedures of this chapter that a nonresident's privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state
has been revoked or denied, the director shall give information in writing of the action taken to
the official in charge of traffic control or public safety of the state of the person's residence and of
any state in which the person has a license.39-20-11. Application to prosecutions under municipal ordinances. The provisionsof this chapter also apply to prosecutions for the violation of municipal ordinances prohibiting thePage No. 10driving or control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or a
combination thereof.39-20-12. Liability. Any individual medically qualified to draw blood or any licensedphysician, nurse, technician, or an employee of a hospital who draws blood from any person
pursuant to a request of any arresting officer is not liable in any civil action for damages arising
out of said act except for gross negligence.39-20-13. State crime laboratory to examine specimens of fatalities in accidentaldeaths involving a motor vehicle - Record use. In cases of death resulting from a motor
vehicle accident or other unnatural death occurring in a motor vehicle, the county coroner shall
require that specimens of blood, urine, and vitreous humor be withdrawn from the body of the
decedent within twenty-four hours after the decedent's death by a coroner, coroner's physician,
or other qualified person, prior to embalming. The specimens must be collected and preserved
by methods and techniques established by the director of the state crime laboratory or the
director's designee. The specimens so drawn must be sent to the director of the state crime
laboratory or the director's designee for analysis for alcohol, carbon monoxide, and other drug
content. The director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee shall keep a record
of all such examinations to be used for statistical purposes. The records must be made available
to the director for use by the national highway traffic safety administration in analyzing fatal
accidents. The information in the possession of the director may be obtained from the director of
the state crime laboratory or the director's designee only as provided in this section. Except as
provided, the results of the examinations referred to in this section must be used only for
statistical purposes, except that the results must be released upon the issuance of a subpoena
duces tecum by a court of competent jurisdiction in any civil or criminal action. The cumulative
results of the examinations, without identifying the individuals involved, must be disseminated to
interested state and local officials and made public by the director of the state crime laboratory or
the director's designee.Any person drawing the specimens and any person making anyexamination under the terms of this section are immune from all liability, civil or criminal, that
might otherwise be incurred or imposed.39-20-14. Screening tests. Any person who operates a motor vehicle upon the publichighways of this state is deemed to have given consent to submit to an onsite screening test or
tests of the person's breath for the purpose of estimating the alcohol content of the person's
blood upon the request of a law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that the person
committed a moving traffic violation or was involved in a traffic accident as a driver, and in
conjunction with the violation or the accident the officer has, through the officer's observations,
formulated an opinion that the person's body contains alcohol. A person may not be required to
submit to a screening test or tests of breath while at a hospital as a patient if the medical
practitioner in immediate charge of the person's case is not first notified of the proposal to make
the requirement, or objects to the test or tests on the ground that such would be prejudicial to the
proper care or treatment of the patient. The screening test or tests must be performed by an
enforcement officer certified as a chemical test operator by the director of the state crime
laboratory or the director's designee and according to methods and with devices approved by the
director of the state crime laboratory or the director's designee. The results of such screening
test must be used only for determining whether or not a further test shall be given under the
provisions of section 39-20-01. The officer shall inform the person that refusal of the person to
submit to a screening test will result in a revocation for up to four years of that person's driving
privileges. If such person refuses to submit to such screening test or tests, none may be given,
but such refusal is sufficient cause to revoke such person's license or permit to drive in the same
manner as provided in section 39-20-04, and a hearing as provided in section 39-20-05 and a
judicial review as provided in section 39-20-06 must be available. However, the director must not
revoke a person's driving privileges for refusing to submit to a screening test requested under this
section if the person provides a sufficient breath, blood, or urine sample for a chemical test
requested under section 39-20-01 for the same incident.No provisions of this section maysupersede any provisions of chapter 39-20, nor may any provision of chapter 39-20 be construed
to supersede this section except as provided herein. For the purposes of this section, "chemical
test operator" means a person certified by the director of the state crime laboratory or thePage No. 11director's designee as qualified to perform analysis for alcohol in a person's blood, breath, saliva,
or urine.Page No. 12Document Outlinechapter 39-20 chemical test for intoxication, implied consent