People v. Kladis
Citation2011 IL 110920
Date Filed2011-12-30
Docket110920
Cited58 times
StatusPublished
Full Opinion (html_with_citations)
ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
Supreme Court
People v. Kladis, 2011 IL 110920
Caption in Supreme THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. MARINA
Court: KLADIS, Appellee.
Docket No. 110920
Filed December 30, 2011
Held A squad-car video recording of a misdemeanor DUI arrest was
(Note: This syllabus discoverable, and there was no abuse of discretion in sanctioning its
constitutes no part of destruction, subsequent to a timely request to produce, by barring the
the opinion of the court arresting officerās testimony as to what was on the tape.
but has been prepared
by the Reporter of
Decisions for the
convenience of the
reader.)
Decision Under Appeal from the Appellate Court for the First District; heard in that court
Review on appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Hon. William H.
Wise, Judge, presiding.
Judgment Affirmed; cause remanded.
Counsel on Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Anita Alvarez,
Appeal Stateās Attorney, of Chicago (Alan J. Spellberg, Annette Collins and John
E. Nowak, Assistant Stateās Attorneys, of counsel), for the People.
Edward M. Maloney, of Ahern, Maloney, Moran & Block, of Skokie,
Louis A. Berns, of Favil David Berns & Associates, LLC, of Northlake,
Robert B. Marcus and Michael Maksimovich, of Lyons, and Katie M.
Anderson, of Chicago (Ralph Ruebner, of Chicago, of counsel), and
Danielle L. Berns and Nikki G. Ashmore, law students, for appellee.
Justices JUSTICE FREEMAN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Chief Justice Kilbride and Justices Thomas, Garman, Karmeier, Burke,
and Theis concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
Ā¶1 Defendant, Marina Kladis, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
(625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(2) (West 2006)). She requested that the State produce the video
recording of the stop made by the camera located in the arresting officerās vehicle. After the
State destroyed the recording, the circuit court of Cook County granted defendantās motion
for sanctions and barred the State from introducing testimony concerning what was contained
on the videotape. The State filed a certificate of substantial impairment and a notice of
appeal. The appellate court affirmed. 403 Ill. App. 3d 99. We granted the Stateās petition for
leave to appeal and now affirm the judgment of the appellate court.
Ā¶2 BACKGROUND
Ā¶3 On May 3, 2008, defendant was arrested for DUI by Northlake police officer Phillip
Gaske. On May 8, 2008āfive days after her arrest and 25 days prior to the first court date on
June 3, 2008ādefendant filed and hand delivered to the Stateās Attorneyās office a petition
to rescind her statutory summary license suspension. Defendant also filed and delivered on
the same date a document captioned āNotice to Produce at Summary Suspension Hearing.ā
The notice was premised upon our Rule 237 (Ill. S. Ct. R. 237 (eff. July 1, 2005)) and
requested that at the first court date the State produce the arresting officer along with copies
of various reports and āany and all video tapes of defendantā while she was in custody.
Ā¶4 On June 3, 2008, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the parties appeared in court for the first
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time.1 Because the State had not yet produced the materials defendant had previously
requested, defense counsel made an oral motion for discovery, pursuant to People v. Schmidt,
56 Ill. 2d 572 (1974), which included the videotape. Because the State claimed that it did not
know whether such a tape existed, Officer Gaskeāwho was present for the hearingāwas
questioned. Gaske confirmed that his squad car had a camera mounted to the windshield
which had recorded his encounter with defendant.
Ā¶5 The State thereafter agreed to produce all the requested materialsāincluding the
videotapeāto defense counsel.2 Later in the day on June 3, the State mailed written discovery
to counsel and a request for the video recording to the Northlake police department. By
agreement, the hearing on defendantās petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension
of her driverās license was entered and continued to June 17, 2008.
Ā¶6 When the parties returned to court on that date, the State tendered to defense counsel a
two-page business record from the Northlake police department. This document stated that
pursuant to departmental policy, video recordings are automatically purged within 30 days
of arrest, and that the tape requested by defendant had been erased at 4:24 a.m. on June 3,
2008, just hours before the parties first appeared in court. Because the requested evidence
had been destroyed, and in view of the fact that, but for its absence, defendant would have
been ready to proceed on her petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension, the court
granted her leave to file a written motion for sanctions against the State.3 The court scheduled
a hearing on the sanctions motion for June 26, 2008, and further ordered that the hearing on
the petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension would proceed immediately after
the court ruled on the motion for sanctions.
Ā¶7 Upon their return to court on June 26, the parties discovered that the judge handling this
case had been transferred, and they appeared before a different judge who was unfamiliar
with what had previously transpired. The parties stipulated to the facts in the case up to that
point, and then engaged in brief argument on defendantās sanctions motion.
Ā¶8 The court found that the āNotice to Produceā which accompanied defendantās petition
to rescind her statutory summary suspension placed the State on clear notice that she wished
to have a copy of the video recording at the first court dateāa fact which the State did not
1
No transcripts exist for the June 3, 2008, court date or for the proceedings subsequently held
on June 17, 2008. However, during a court hearing on June 26, 2008, the parties stipulated as to what
transpired on those earlier dates.
2
We note that at no time did the State dispute that it received defendant's Rule 237 request
for production of the video recording, nor did the State object to defendantās oral Schmidt motion
to preserve and produce the same recording referenced in her earlier request for production. The
record, therefore, unquestionably establishes that the State was fully on notice regarding defendant's
repeated requests to obtain the recording, a fact supported by its ready agreement during this hearing
to produce it.
3
This motion, which was premised on our Rule 219 (Ill. S. Ct. R. 219 (eff. July 1, 2002)),
was filed on June 20, 2008.
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dispute. The State, however, did nothing in response. The court observed that the State
ācould have called the police department and got the tape prior to the time that it ran outā or
it ācould have filed an answer *** stating itās not our obligation [to produce the tape] yet
because we donāt deem this to be a discovery motion *** [because it includes] things
requested in here that we donāt have to supply to you.ā
Ā¶9 Noting that this was āthe third case I have had like this in three weeksā where a defendant
asked the State to preserve a video recording and it was destroyed, the court found the
recording of defendantās traffic stop to be āan important piece of evidenceā and held that
imposition of a sanction against the State for its destruction was proper. The court
determined that it would bar the State from introducing testimony relating to what was
contained on the tape. However, because no one had seen the recording, defendant called
Officer Gaske to establish its contents and thereby clarify the scope of the courtās ruling.
Ā¶ 10 Gaske testified that the in-car video system begins recording five seconds prior to the
activation of the emergency lights. At that time, the microphone he wears is also activated.4
According to Gaske, the tape would have captured the following: images of defendantās car
five seconds prior to the stop; the manner in which defendant pulled over and curbed her
vehicle; defendantās actions when he approached her vehicle; the manner in which defendant
opened her car door and exited her vehicle; and defendantās performance of the field sobriety
tests. Gaske stated that he turned off the emergency lights prior to transporting defendant to
the station, and it was then that the recording ended.
Ā¶ 11 The court then clarified its sanction ruling, holding that ā[t]he video may not be used for
any purpose from five seconds prior to the lights going on at the time that the defendant was
stopped getting out of the car until she was taken away via the arrest.ā The court specified,
however, that any driving or actions of defendant prior to this were admissible, as were any
of her actions after she was placed under arrest.
Ā¶ 12 The court then proceeded to conduct the hearing on defendantās petition for recision of
the statutory summary suspension of her driverās license. Although defendant answered
ready, the State requested leave to immediately file a notice of appeal of the sanctions ruling.
However, because the State did not ask the court to certify an interlocutory appeal on the
sanctions issue and because there was no final judgment in the statutory summary suspension
matter at that time, the Stateās request was denied.
Ā¶ 13 The hearing on defendantās petition proceeded. Based upon the evidence presented, the
court held that Officer Gaske had no probable cause to stop, detain and arrest defendant.
Accordingly, defendantās petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension of her driverās
license was granted.
Ā¶ 14 Defense counsel then made an oral motion to quash arrest and suppress evidence in
4
After defendantās arrest, Gaske realized that the microphone was not on, and believed that
the recording of that encounter would not have had audio.
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defendantās criminal DUI case. The court instructed counsel to file a written pleading5 and
the parties set a return date by agreement. The State then renewed its request for leave to file
an appeal, which was granted. The State thereafter filed an appeal of the sanctions ruling in
the statutory summary suspension case. However, it later voluntarily dismissed that action.
Accordingly, that ruling is not at issue here.
Ā¶ 15 The parties returned on September 2, 2008. The court inquired of the State whether it
wished to ārelitigate the sanctions for purposes of trial.ā The State responded that ā[t]here
is going to be a lot of the same testimony, and we were here, basically, for arguments and for
ruling [on] the criminal case at hand.ā The court then granted defendantās motion for
sanctions in the DUI case, stating that its ruling would be āexactly the sameā as on June 26.
The court held that āthe video may not be used, or any testimony regarding what is on the
video pertaining to just before the officer stopped the defendant and the time that the
defendant was placed in the squad car, which would mean anything that happened on the
street prior to her being placed in the squad car.ā As it had in the summary suspension
matter, the court again clarified that any relevant evidence of defendantās conduct which
occurred before and after the recording would be admissible.
Ā¶ 16 After the court had ruled, the State maintained that the courtās decision on the sanctions
motion substantially impaired its ability to prosecute defendant. Based upon the courtās
understanding of the Stateās position, it granted the State leave to file a certificate of
substantial impairment and a notice of appeal of the sanction order.
Ā¶ 17 The appellate court upheld the sanctions imposed by the trial court in the DUI case. 403
Ill. App. 3d 99. Applying Schmidt, the court held that the video recording was discoverable,
and that the State was placed on notice that it should not be destroyed. Nevertheless, the
State took no action in response to defendantās discovery request, which set the stage for the
deletion of the recording. The appellate court further determined that the sanction imposed
by the trial court was proportionate to the Stateās discovery violation and that there was no
abuse of discretion.
Ā¶ 18 We granted the Stateās petition for leave to appeal (Ill. S. Ct. R. 315 (eff. Feb. 26, 2010)).
Ā¶ 19 ANALYSIS
Ā¶ 20 The State does not dispute that it was placed on notice by defendant to produce the
recording of her stop and arrest in the civil statutory summary suspension proceedings. The
State also does not contest that its inaction resulted in the destruction of this recording, and,
in fact, concedes that the sanction was proper in that matter.
Ā¶ 21 The State does contend, however, that its conduct has no import with respect to
defendantās criminal DUI case. Asserting that discovery in misdemeanor actions is strictly
limited by our decision in People v. Schmidt, 56 Ill. 2d 572 (1974), and noting that video
recordings are not included within Schmidtās list of discoverable items, the State maintains
5
Defendant filed her āMotion to Quash Arrest and Suppress Evidence Illegally Seizedā on
July 10, 2008.
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that it had no obligation to produce the recording. The State therefore concludes that its
failure to preserve the recording was not sanctionable in the DUI case and the trial court
abused its discretion by doing so. We disagree.
Ā¶ 22 A. Discovery Violation
Ā¶ 23 The State contends that because the trial court had no discretion to order discovery in a
misdemeanor case beyond the limited areas set forth in People v. Schmidt, 56 Ill. 2d 572
(1974), it therefore erred in imposing sanctions against the State. A trial courtās decision to
impose sanctions is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. People v. Ramsey, 239
Ill. 2d 342, 429 (2010). A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is āfanciful,
arbitrary, or unreasonable to the degree that no reasonable person would agree with it.ā
People v. Ortega, 209 Ill. 2d 354, 359 (2004).
Ā¶ 24 We must first determine whether the Stateās failure to produce and preserve the video
recording of the stop and arrest in defendantās misdemeanor DUI case constitutes a discovery
violation. This court addressed the scope of discovery required in a misdemeanor case nearly
40 years ago in People v. Schmidt, 56 Ill. 2d 572 (1974). There, the defendant was charged
with a misdemeanor DUI. She sought pretrial discovery of various reports, including a
āDriving While Intoxicated Arrest Report,ā which the State refused to produce. Id. at 573.
Ā¶ 25 In holding that the requested report should have been tendered to the defendant, we
observed that it was only one of a number of items a misdemeanor defendant may discover:
āThe State is required to furnish defendants in misdemeanor cases with a list of
witnesses (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1971, ch. 38, par. 114-9), any confession of the defendant
(Ill. Rev. Stat. 1971, ch. 38, par. 114-10), evidence negating the defendantās guilt
(Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83,10 L. Ed. 2d 215
,83 S. Ct. 1194
), and, in this
particular case, the results of the breathalyzer test (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1971, ch. 95Ā½, par.
11-501(g)). Additionally, the report which the defendant seeks will be available at
trial for use in impeachment of the prosecution witness who prepared it. (People v.
Cagle, 41 Ill. 2d 528.)āId. at 575
.
This ruling was based on āthe discovery provided [for] by case law and statuteā at that time,
and distinguished its limited scope from the broader discovery available for felony cases
under our Rule 411. Id. at 574-75. Our decision to limit discovery in misdemeanor matters
was based on āour awareness of the very substantial volume of less serious cases and the
impact upon their expeditious dispositionā if broader discovery were required. Id. We
concluded that there was āno reason to depart from th[e] viewā that the scope of discoverable
items noted in that opinion was āadequate for the lesser offensesā at the time of that ruling.
Id. at 575.
Ā¶ 26 The State misapprehends our decision in Schmidt and interprets it in a far too narrow
manner. Schmidt determined the scope of discovery in misdemeanor cases by considering
relevant decisions, statutes, and custom and practice as it existed in 1974. From this survey,
the Schmidt court drew together a number of items which share important evidentiary value
and are relevant to those charged with offenses in crafting a defense. Indeed, our case law
with respect to discovery at that time was clear. We previously held that pretrial discovery
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āpresupposes a range of relevance and materiality which includes not only what is admissible
at the trial, but also that which leads to what is admissible.ā Krupp v. Chicago Transit
Authority, 8 Ill. 2d 37, 41 (1956). The State overlooks the nature and relevancy of these
discovery items, instead focusing on the incorrect concept that Schmidt set forth a rigid list
which it believes should remain static and not take into account the fundamental changes
which have occurred in law and society since that ruling.
Ā¶ 27 Relevancy is ādetermined by reference to the issues, for generally, something is relevant
if it tends to prove or disprove something in issue.ā Bauter v. Reding, 68 Ill. App. 3d 171,
175 (1979). In the nearly four decades since we decided Schmidt, video recordings made by
in-squad car cameras in misdemeanor DUI cases have become as relevant to the issue of
proving or disproving guilt as the materials specifically mentioned in Schmidt. As such,
allowing their discovery furthers the objectives of pretrial discovery to āenhance the truth-
seeking process, to enable attorneys to better prepare for trial, to eliminate surprise and to
promote an expeditious and final determination of controversies in accordance with the
substantive rights of the parties.ā D.C. v. S.A., 178 Ill. 2d 551, 561 (1997).
Ā¶ 28 Since the time of Schmidt, the use of video recordings as evidence at trial has become a
common practice to allow a defendant the opportunity to present an effective defense and to
further the truth-seeking process. We recently reaffirmed the general admissibility of such
evidence (People v. Taylor, 2011 IL 110067), and courts across the country are increasingly
relying on video recordings to present an objective view of the facts in a case. See, e.g., Scott
v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372 (2007) (relying on a squad car video recording, Supreme Court
reversed lower courtās denial of summary judgment on claim against the officer for the use
of excessive force; Court found that a videotape capturing the events in question clearly
contradicted the version of the story told by the driver and adopted by the court of appeals,
and stated that the court of appeals should have viewed the facts in the light depicted by the
videotape); United States v. Prokupek, 632 F.3d 460 (8th Cir. 2011) (reversing the district
courtās denial of the defendantās motion to suppress on the basis that the officerās testimony
at the suppression hearing was clearly contradicted by his contemporaneous statements
captured on the squad-car video recording).
Ā¶ 29 In sum, we conclude that the routine video recording of traffic stops has now become an
integral part of those encounters, objectively documenting what takes place by capturing the
conduct and the words of both parties. We therefore hold that this important and relevant
evidence falls within the scope of materials held to be discoverable under Schmidt. We
therefore clarify that under Schmidt, these video recordings are discoverable in misdemeanor
DUI cases.
Ā¶ 30 This conclusion is supported by several recent legislative enactments regarding
recordings of traffic stops made by law enforcement officers. Although the passage of these
laws occurred subsequent to defendantās arrest in this case, the great importance placed by
the General Assembly upon the production and preservation of video recordings made by
squad car cameras during law enforcement actions confirms our recognition of their
significant evidentiary value and relevance.
Ā¶ 31 In late 2008 our legislature mandated that Illinois State Police squad cars be equipped
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with recording equipment. 20 ILCS 2610/30(b) (West 2008) (Pub. Act 95-1009 (eff. Dec.
15, 2008)). The law specified that both video and audio must be captured (id.) and required
that these recordings be maintained for a storage period of at least 90 days before being
destroyed. 20 ILCS 2610/30(f) (West 2008).
Ā¶ 32 The following year, the General Assembly clarified and broadened the production and
preservation safeguards for police recordings. It established the general rule that when any
law enforcement agency makes an in-squad video and audio recording in connection with
either law enforcement or investigative duties, that recording shall be retained for a minimum
period of 90 days. 720 ILCS 5/14-3(h-15) (West 2010) (Pub. Act 96-670 (eff. Aug. 25,
2009)). Significantly, the legislature has also mandated an extended period of storage for
certain recordings. Where āthe recordings *** are made as a part of an arrest or *** are
deemed evidence in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceedingā they cannot be
destroyed except āupon a final disposition and an order from the court.ā Id. We note that this
heightened protection is triggered either where, as here, an arrest occurred or where the
recording is considered to be evidence in any criminal, civil or administrative proceeding.
Significantly, the General Assembly placed no restriction on this latter factor, encompassing
all proceedings.
Ā¶ 33 The transcript of the debates of the 2009 enactment reveals that the General Assembly
intended that the routine recording of traffic stops by squad car cameras would be of benefit
to both citizens and law enforcement agencies by providing an objective record of what
occurred during the encounter. This is illustrated by remarks made by the sponsor of this
provision, who explained that ā[i]tās a tool for law enforcement, but I also believe it is a tool
for the citizens, too, because then there is actual proof of what was said or what was done.
So I think itās a protection for both.ā 96th Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, April 2,
2009, at 84-85 (statements of Representative Dugan).
Ā¶ 34 These enactments express the clear legislative intent that the purpose of recording traffic
stops and preserving these recordings for later production is to assist in the truth-seeking
process by providing objective evidence of what occurred between the law enforcement
officer and the citizen. As noted in the legislative history, the General Assembly enacted
these laws with the view that these recordings could be useful to both the State and the
defendant. If the recording reflects the defendant committing an offense, the State could use
it to cement his or her guilt. The reverse is also true: if the recording does not clearly reflect
commission of a crime, the defendant could use it in support of his or her defense. In either
instance, the recording assists the trier of fact in seeking the truth and at arriving at a just
result.
Ā¶ 35 The State contends, however, that requiring discovery of video recordings in
misdemeanor DUI cases is unduly burdensome and will delay the judicial process. Noting
that the limited scope of misdemeanor discovery set forth in Schmidt was partially driven by
consideration of the large number of misdemeanor actions and the desire to efficiently move
them through the system, the State contends these same considerations apply with equal force
today. We believe that the particular facts of this case undermine the Stateās general
assertions.
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Ā¶ 36 The record indicates that defendantās request was not one that was unique in any way.
The State never formally objected to the request, nor did it contend that it fell outside of
Schmidt. Further, we note that during oral argument before this court, counsel for the State
was asked to comment on the fact that the State had readily agreed to produce and preserve
the videotape in this matter. He responded: āWe have no problem tendering these videos in
a particular case. If the defendant asks for it, and it is available, we will do so. *** Itās just
a matter of collegiality.ā
Ā¶ 37 The video recording is relevant and admissible evidence because it reveals what
transpired during the traffic stop which serves to further the truth-seeking function of a trial.
This evidence may be helpful to both the defendant and the State. Indeed, the flow of cases
actually going to trial may be eased upon allowing defendants and their counsel to review
these recordings: those which reflect events favorable to the State may result in defendants
willing to enter pleas which they otherwise may not have contemplated. This also advances
the purpose of our DUI statutes to ensure that our roads remain safe from impaired drivers.
Ā¶ 38 We therefore agree with the courts below that upon receiving the written Rule 237 notice
to produce the video recording five days after defendant was arrestedāand 25 days before it
was destroyedāthe State was placed on notice and should have taken appropriate steps to
ensure that it was preserved.6
Ā¶ 39 In sum, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding that the video
recording of defendantās stop and arrest was subject to discovery in her misdemeanor DUI
case and that the State committed a discovery violation by allowing the destruction of the
recording. We next address the question of whether the sanction imposed by the trial court
was appropriate for the discovery violation.
Ā¶ 40 B. Reasonableness of the Discovery Sanction
Ā¶ 41 The State contends that the discovery sanction imposed by the trial court was too harsh
for the circumstances presented in this case and, therefore, amounted to an abuse of
discretion. According to the State, the sanction was āeffectively a dismissal of the charges
as it prevented the officer from testifying about all of the relevant facts showing that
defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol.ā We reject the Stateās contentions.
Ā¶ 42 The correct sanction to be applied for a discovery violation is a decision appropriately
left to the discretion of the trial court, and its judgment shall be given great weight. People
v. Morgan, 112 Ill. 2d 111, 135 (1986). The trial court is in the best position to determine an
appropriate sanction based upon the effect the discovery violation will have upon the
6
Although the Rule 237 notice was filed in the civil summary suspension proceeding, the
State explained at oral argument that the summary suspension proceeding and the criminal DUI case
proceed in tandem, before the same judge and with the same Stateās Attorneys handling both matters.
Although the better practice would be for the defendant to request production of the video recording
in both proceedings, we have no doubt that in this case the State was aware of the need to preserve
the recording. Indeed, defendant also made an oral motion for discovery pursuant to Schmidt during
the proceedings on the first court date.
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defendant. People v. Koutsakis, 255 Ill. App. 3d 306, 314 (1993). As stated, an abuse of
discretion exists only where the decision of the trial court is fanciful, arbitrary, or
unreasonable to the degree that no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial
court. Ortega, 209 Ill. 2d at 359.
Ā¶ 43 The record clearly establishes that the discovery sanction imposed by the trial court did
not preclude the State from prosecuting defendant. The courtās sanction ruling was narrowly
tailored, and provided that ā[t]he video may not be used for any purpose from five seconds
prior to the lights going on at the time that the defendant was stopped getting out of the car
until she was taken away via the arrest.ā Notably, the court also clearly specified that any
driving or actions of defendant prior to the start of the recording were admissible, as were
any of her actions after she was placed under arrest.
Ā¶ 44 Accordingly, under the courtās ruling, Officer Gaske was not barred from testifying;
rather, his testimony was limited to observations regarding events other than those captured
on the purged recording. Thus, the State could have questioned Officer Gaske concerning any
erratic driving on the part of defendant prior to her being stopped. Gaske could also have
been questioned about defendantās behavior after he deactivated the lights and placed her in
his squad car to transport her back to the police station, which occurred immediately after
defendant performed the field sobriety tests. Gaske could have offered any observations of
indications of intoxication at that time, including whether defendant exhibited bloodshot and
glassy eyes, slurred speech or an odor of alcohol. He also could have testified to any
problems with balance or dexterity defendant may have had as she arrived at the police
station for processing. Thus, contrary to the Stateās assertion that the courtās sanction
āremoved all possible proof that defendant had been driving under the influence of alcohol,ā
the State could have questioned Gaske on any of these points. It declined to do so.
Ā¶ 45 As stated, the authority to impose reasonable sanctions for discovery violations lies
within the sound discretion of the trial court. Here, the court properly exercised its discretion
in choosing from the spectrum of available options and narrowly tailoring its sanction to bar
the State from introducing testimony regarding what was contained in the video recording.
Contrary to the Stateās assertion that the sanction was disproportionate to the discovery
violation because it āexcluded all evidence that defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt,ā the record establishes that the State made the conscious decision not to participate
in the trial and to forgo the opportunities available to present evidence apart from that which
was barred under the sanction.
Ā¶ 46 Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in imposing this
sanction against the State. We therefore affirm the sanction order entered by the trial court
against the State. We remand this cause to the trial court for further proceedings on the
Stateās prosecution of defendantās misdemeanor DUI case.
Ā¶ 47 CONCLUSION
Ā¶ 48 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the appellate court is affirmed. This cause is
remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
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Ā¶ 49 Affirmed;
Ā¶ 50 cause remanded.
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