City of Wauwatosa v. Collett

MOSER, P.J.

Ricky K. Collett (Collett) was convicted of speeding in violation of a Wauwatosa ordinance incorporating sec. 346.57 (5), Stats. Collett was issued a citation after a Wauwatosa police officer clocked his vehicle with stationary radar.

*523

The sole issue on this appeal is whether the evidence adduced at trial was insufficient for failure of the city to meet the criteria of

State v. Hanson

1

regarding proof of radar accuracy. We determine that the criteria set forth in

Hanson

do not apply to stationary radar, and we therefore affirm.

In

Hanson

five criteria were set forth which, if satisfied, would give rise to a

prima facie

presumption of the accuracy of a moving radar unit, sufficient to support a speeding conviction.

2

In explaining the need for criteria to prove the accuracy of moving radar, the supreme court noted several features of moving radar which are not true of stationary radar:

3

(1) moving radar is a “relatively recent innovation”; (2) moving radar involves the emission of two frequency beams (one to measure the speed of the moving patrol car and the other to measure the speed of the moving oncoming car) as compared to the one frequency beam involved in stationary radar; and (3) only one jurisdiction (Ohio) has permitted the taking of judicial notice as to the reliability and accuracy of moving radar. Further, the court in

Hanson

was particularly impressed by the fact that there was conflicting expert testimony as to the accuracy of moving radar.

4

In light of the unique characteristics of moving radar noted above and the supreme court’s express statement in

Hanson

that the criteria set forth therein apply to “moving radar,”

5

we determine that the criteria of the

Hanson

case do not apply to stationary radar. Where stationary units are involved, a presumption of accuracy automatically arises:

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[T]ests by

recognized methods need not be proved for reliability in every case of violation. Examples, speedometer, breathalyzer, radar. [Citations omitted.] These methods of measurement carry a

prima facie

presumption of accuracy. Whether the test was properly conducted or the instruments used were in good working order is a matter of defense. The administration of law would be seriously frustrated if the validity of basic and everyday accepted tests had to be a matter of evidence in every case in the first instance.

6

Hence, whether a stationary radar device was inaccurate or unreliable is a matter of defense. The state is not required to affirmatively prove accuracy and reliability.

Here the trial court correctly determined that a

prima facie

presumption of accuracy applied. The defense failed to rebut this presumption.

By the Court.

— Judgment affirmed.

1

85 Wis.2d 233, 270 N.W.2d 212 (1978).

2

Id.

at 245, 270 N.W.2d at 218.

3

Id.

at 239-40, 270 N.W.2d at 215-16.

4

Id.

at 241-43, 270 N.W.2d at 217-18.

5

Id.

at 245, 270 N.W.2d at 218.

6

State v. Trailer Serv. Inc.,

61 Wis.2d 400, 408, 212 N.W.2d 683, 688-89 (1973).