VÁSQUEZ, Presiding Judge.
¶ 1 In Guthrie v. Jones, 202 Ariz. 273, ¶ 2, 43 P.3d 601, 602 (App.2002), this court held that evidence regarding breath-to-blood partition ratios
¶ 2 In this case involving a prosecution under both § 28-1381(A)(1) and (A)(2), the state filed a motion in limine to preclude Joseph Cooperman from introducing at his trial in the Tucson City Court partition-ratio evidence contesting the accuracy of the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath tests. The city court denied the state's motion, and the state filed a special action challenging that ruling in the superior court. The state now appeals from the superior court's denial of relief. Relying on Guthrie, the state contends the superior court abused its discretion by affirming the city court's ruling. For the reasons stated below, we affirm.
¶ 3 On June 20, 2010, a Tucson police officer cited and arrested Cooperman for DUI while impaired to the slightest degree, in violation of § 28-1381(A)(1), and, based on the results of duplicate Intoxilyzer breath tests, for driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more within two hours of driving, in violation of § 28-1381(A)(2).
¶ 4 Before trial, the state moved to preclude Cooperman from presenting evidence of partition ratios, breath and body temperatures, breathing patterns, and radio frequency interference (RFI)
¶ 5 The state then filed a petition for special action with the superior court. The respondent judge accepted jurisdiction but denied relief, affirming the city court's ruling. The state filed this appeal. We have jurisdiction pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 12-120.21(A)(1), 12-2101(A)(1), and Rule 8(a), Ariz. R.P. Spec. Actions.
¶ 6 Under Arizona's statutory scheme, a defendant accused of drinking and driving or being in actual control of a vehicle can be charged with multiple DUI-related offenses. See A.R.S. §§ 28-1381 through 28-1383. Under § 28-1381(A)(1), the state must prove the defendant was driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle "[w]hile under the influence of intoxicating liquor ... if the person is impaired to the slightest degree." And, for a violation of § 28-1381(A)(2), the state must prove the defendant had "an alcohol concentration of .08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle." Cooperman was charged under both subsections.
¶ 7 Arizona's implied consent law, A.R.S. § 28-1321(A), provides that any person operating a motor vehicle in this state and arrested for DUI "gives consent ... to a test or tests of [his] blood, breath, urine or other bodily substance for the purpose of determining alcohol concentration." If the test shows the defendant's alcohol concentration within two hours of the time of driving or being in actual physical control was .08 or more, "it may be presumed that the defendant was under the influence of intoxicating liquor" for purposes of the (A)(1) offense.
¶ 8 "Alcohol in the breath does not cause impairment; impairment results when alcohol enters the body, is absorbed into the bloodstream, and is transported to the central nervous system and the brain." Guthrie, 202 Ariz. 273, ¶ 5, 43 P.3d at 602. "[B]reath alcohol readings nonetheless indicate blood alcohol levels, and ... the percentage of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood could be equated to the percentage of alcohol in 210 liters of breath." Id. ¶¶ 5-6. Accordingly, our legislature adopted a 2,100:1 ratio of breath-to-blood alcohol. Id. ¶ 6. The 2,100:1 partition ratio is "an estimation" and varies among individuals based on several factors, including: body temperature, breathing patterns, blood consistency, and environmental factors. Id. ¶¶ 7-8. Evidence of such variability, nevertheless, is admissible only in certain circumstances.
¶ 9 For example, in Guthrie, this court held partition-ratio evidence is inadmissible in a prosecution under § 28-1381(A)(2). 202 Ariz. 273, ¶ 10, 43 P.3d at 603. Section 28-1381(A)(2) prohibits a person from driving or physically controlling a vehicle if the person has an "alcohol concentration" of .08 or more. And A.R.S. § 28-101(2) defines alcohol concentration, when expressed as a percentage, as either "[t]he number of grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of blood," or "[t]he number of grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath." "The statutes thus permit[ ] either a breath alcohol reading or a blood alcohol reading to establish the element of alcohol concentration without regard to the question how the former might be converted to the latter." Guthrie, 202 Ariz. 273, ¶ 10, 43 P.3d at 603. Accordingly, in Guthrie, we reasoned that the accuracy of the 2,100:1 partition ratio was irrelevant in a prosecution under (A)(2) because "it [i]s illegal to drive or physically control a vehicle if, according to a test within two hours, the number of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath exceeded [.08]." Id. However, we also held that, in a prosecution under (A)(1), where the state uses the defendant's breath-test results to establish a presumption of intoxication pursuant to § 28-1381(G), the defendant may introduce evidence challenging
¶ 10 In its petition for special action to the superior court, the state contended the city court had abused its discretion by ruling that (1) the § 28-1381(G) presumption arises by operation of law when test results are admitted in evidence, even when the state "never sought to take advantage of the ... statutory presumption"; (2) once the presumption arises, evidence of the variability of the partition ratio in the general population is relevant and admissible in an (A)(1) case; and (3) evidence of hematocrit, breathing patterns, and breath and body temperature — and their effect on breath tests — are relevant and admissible in both types of DUI cases. On appeal, the state essentially reurges these arguments, asserting the superior court abused its discretion by affirming the city court's ruling, which it contends is "contrary to [the] caselaw." We address each argument in turn.
¶ 11 When a special action initiated in the superior court is appealed to this court, we must conduct a bifurcated review. Bazzanella v. Tucson City Court, 195 Ariz. 372, ¶ 3, 988 P.2d 157, 159 (App.1999). First, we consider the superior court's decision to accept or refuse jurisdiction; second, we consider the merits of the superior court's decision. Id. Here, the court accepted jurisdiction, finding there was "no equally plain, speedy, and adequate remedy available by appeal." Neither party argues the court erred in so finding, and we agree the state had no avenue to appeal the city court's order and special-action jurisdiction therefore was appropriate. See State ex rel. Thomas v. Duncan, 216 Ariz. 260, ¶ 4, 165 P.3d 238, 240 (App.2007) (state can appeal order granting motion to preclude evidence, but not order denying preclusion).
¶ 12 Accordingly, we turn to the merits of the superior court's decision. "The denial of special action relief is a discretionary decision for the superior court," State ex rel. Dean v. City Court of City of Tucson, 123 Ariz. 189, 192, 598 P.2d 1008, 1011 (App. 1979), but we review questions of law, such as the interpretation of a statute, de novo, Files v. Bernal, 200 Ariz. 64, 66, 22 P.3d 57, 59 (App.2001). "Generally, a court abuses its discretion where the record fails to provide substantial support for its decision or the court commits an error of law in reaching the decision." Id. at 65, 22 P.3d at 58. Here, the court denied relief and confirmed the city court's order, finding it "thorough, well considered and consistent with the evidentiary record and cited case law."
¶ 13 First, we address the state's argument that evidence regarding the partition-ratio calculation is inadmissible where "the [s]tate does not [rely on] the statutory presumption of impairment." Guthrie permits partition-ratio rebuttal evidence in a prosecution under (A)(1) when the state introduces breath-test results and thereby raises the § 28-1381(G) presumption. But the state apparently suggests that if it does not raise the presumption expressly, then partition-ratio evidence is neither relevant nor admissible. And, it asserts it does not intend to use Cooperman's breath-test results in order to take advantage here of the statutory presumption on the (A)(1) charge.
¶ 14 Cooperman counters that the state has misinterpreted Guthrie. He contends Guthrie stands for the proposition that in an (A)(1) prosecution, the statutory presumption effectively is raised whenever the state introduces evidence of alcohol concentration, and a defendant is entitled to rebut that presumption
¶ 15 The city court found there is no language in Guthrie, or § 28-1381(G), limiting use of the presumption in the manner suggested by the state. Rather, the court concluded the presumption "will always apply" in an (A)(1) prosecution once the state introduces evidence of the Intoxilyzer results to prove the defendant was driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor. In other words, the presumption "does not offer an opt out clause" for the state.
¶ 16 The interpretation of a statute is a question of law we review de novo. State v. Bolding, 227 Ariz. 82, ¶ 5, 253 P.3d 279, 282 (App.2011). Our primary goal in interpreting a statute is to effectuate the intent of the legislature. State v. Ross, 214 Ariz. 280, ¶ 22, 151 P.3d 1261, 1264 (App.2007). We look first to the plain language of the statute as the best indicator of that intent and give that language effect when it is clear and unambiguous. Fragoso v. Fell, 210 Ariz. 427, ¶ 7, 111 P.3d 1027, 1030 (App.2005). We "will not read into a statute something which is not within the manifest intent of the legislature as reflected by the statute itself." State v. Ritch, 160 Ariz. 495, 497, 774 P.2d 234, 236 (App.1989).
¶ 17 We find the language of § 28-1381(G) clear and unambiguous. According to that statute, the defendant's alcohol concentration — as determined by an analysis of his blood, breath, or other bodily substance taken within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle — "gives rise" to certain presumptions. And, contrary to the state's position, the statutory presumption of intoxication is raised in a prosecution for an (A)(1) offense whenever the state introduces evidence that a defendant had an alcohol concentration of .08 or more. We find nothing in the statute's language to support the state's argument that the presumption applies only when expressly invoked by the state.
¶ 18 Trial courts have a duty to instruct the jury on the general principles of law that pertain to a criminal offense. State v. McAlvain, 104 Ariz. 445, 448, 454 P.2d 987, 990 (1969); see also State v. Clark, 112 Ariz. 493, 495, 543 P.2d 1122, 1124 (1975) (failure to instruct on matter vital to rights of defendant constitutes fundamental error). This duty exists regardless of who requests a particular instruction. McAlvain, 104 Ariz. at 448, 454 P.2d at 990. Although the presumption contained in § 28-1381(G) is permissive and "nothing more than an inference," State v. Seyrafi, 201 Ariz. 147, ¶ 9, 32 P.3d 430, 433 (2001), the trial judge still has a duty to instruct the jury on this general principle of law pertaining to a prosecution under (A)(1) once evidence is introduced of the defendant's alcohol concentration.
¶ 19 Next, we consider the state's argument that "any defendant who wishes to challenge the `standard' or `generally accepted' [partition] ratio on which the Intoxilyzer (5000 or 8000) is based, must present evidence of his own ratio at the time of the test." The state maintains that "the logic [and language] of Guthrie" compel that result and "[t]he probative value of any other evidence (such as a `hypothetical' person) is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice." In response, Cooperman argues that Guthrie "d[oes] not preclude a defendant from introducing studies or other evidence about variations in the population."
¶ 21 We believe the state interprets Guthrie too broadly. In that case, we said partition-ratio evidence is relevant and admissible in an (A)(1) but not an (A)(2) prosecution. Although dictum in Guthrie may suggest otherwise, we did not address specifically whether a defendant is limited to evidence of his own partition ratio, or whether he may show generally that partition ratios vary from person to person, and even from moment to moment for the same person.
¶ 22 The state nonetheless maintains that evidence regarding variances in partition ratios generally should be precluded because it "could only serve to confuse the issue and[/]or mislead the jury." Rule 403 provides that relevant evidence can be excluded if "its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of ... unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence."
¶ 23 As did the city court, we find Hanks and McNeal instructive. In Hanks, the Vermont Supreme Court concluded general partition-ratio evidence was admissible in a prosecution for DWI, similar to our (A)(1) DUI offense, because "any evidence raising a doubt as to defendant's condition ... is relevant."
Id. at 1093. Similarly, in McNeal, the California Supreme Court approved the use of general partition-ratio evidence, explaining that all evidence tending to rebut the presumption of intoxication is admissible. 46 Cal.4th at 1200, 96 Cal.Rptr.3d 261, 210 P.3d 420.
¶ 24 We agree with the court in Hanks that although the probative value of general partition-ratio evidence usually will be low, 772 A.2d at 1092, we cannot say it is substantially outweighed by the danger of confusing the issues or misleading the jury. Because the ultimate issue in an (A)(1) case is whether the defendant was driving while "under the influence of intoxicating liquor," § 28-1381(A)(1), evidence showing the Intoxilyzer may have overstated a defendant's alcohol concentration, and thus his impairment, could be an important part of the defense, especially if the defendant tested at or near the .08 threshold. Cf. Fuenning v. Superior Court, 139 Ariz. 590, 598, 680 P.2d 121, 129 (1983) (defendant may offer expert testimony to show "for one reason or another" test results did not establish DUI). Although the Intoxilyzer produces accurate, even understated, results in most cases, State v. Velasco, 165 Ariz. 480, 485, 799 P.2d 821, 826 (1990), a defendant charged under § 28-1381(A)(1) nonetheless is entitled to introduce reliable evidence challenging the state's alcohol-concentration evidence in his particular case.
¶ 25 Accordingly, we hold that when a defendant is charged with DUI under § 28-1381(A)(1) and the state introduces evidence of his breath-alcohol concentration at trial, he may offer evidence explaining how partition ratios vary within an individual and among the general population and how that variability may result in breath-test results
¶ 26 Finally, the state argues that evidence of the possible effect on breath tests of hematocrit, breathing patterns, and breath and body temperature should be excluded in both (A)(1) and (A)(2) cases unless the defendant can offer evidence of his own physiology at the time of the test. The state maintains the possibility these factors could affect the breath test is not relevant because it "has no basis in fact — as applied to this defendant." To support its argument, the state asserts the experts agreed that "blood hematocrit (blood concentration) was irrelevant to the issue of what might affect the differences between contemporaneous breath and blood tests"; a properly administered test — one in which the subject is instructed to take a deep breath and blow into the machine as long as he can — would "negate" any potential effect breathing patterns could have on the test results; and one study had found "no direct correlation shown between body temperature, breath temperature and the effect it would have on simultaneous breath and blood tests for alcohol concentration."
¶ 27 But quoting State ex rel. McDougall v. Superior Court, 178 Ariz. 544, 546, 875 P.2d 203, 205 (App.1994), Cooperman contends a "defendant may attack the accuracy of a breathalyzer on any relevant ground, including the inherent margin of error." He claims "evidence of temperature and breathing patterns are independent of partition ratio... [and] are always relevant and admissible in challenging the § 28-1381(A)(2) charge," and "requiring the defendant to provide specific evidence of independent physiological variables is improper burden shifting."
¶ 28 As noted above, evidence is relevant if it has "any tendency to make a fact more or less probable." Ariz. R. Evid. 401. In reaching its conclusion that evidence of these physiological variables is relevant and admissible in both types of cases — even without defendant — specific evidence — the city court necessarily rejected the opinion of the state's expert and, instead, relied upon the testimony of defense expert Flaxmayer. Although Sloneker testified that hematocrit "doesn't make any difference in the simultaneous breath/blood comparisons" based on the results of one study, Flaxmayer opined that "hematocrit can change [either breath or blood alcohol concentration] by about plus or minus five percent" based on the results of a different study. Where the experts' testimony differed, it was within the court's discretion to reject Sloneker's opinion. State v. Ellison, 213 Ariz. 116, ¶ 32, 140 P.3d 899, 911 (2006).
¶ 29 Flaxmayer also testified that "how you breathe and how you blow into the instrument changes the reading that you obtain on the instrument. It changes your breath alcohol concentration." As to temperature, he stated that "[t]he amount of alcohol that leaves the blood is a function of [body] temperature"; that studies have shown a statistically significant difference in the
¶ 30 The city court noted that Sloneker "did not address this exact issue" of how breathing patterns and temperature may affect breath alcohol readings, other than to state that these factors were related to the partition ratio. And although Flaxmayer agreed that if an individual takes a deep breath and blows into the machine as instructed it should cancel out the potential physiological effects, he also testified "you can't always tell if somebody's breathing exactly as instructed." In sum, Cooperman presented competent expert testimony that these physiological factors, apart from partition-ratio evidence, can impact the ability of the machine to accurately register a defendant's breath alcohol concentration, which is relevant to both charges. The court thus did not abuse its discretion in concluding the evidence had some tendency to make a fact in issue more or less probable. Cf. State v. Storholm, 210 Ariz. 199, ¶¶ 11-12, 109 P.3d 94, 96 (App.2005) (defendant has right to obtain blood test to "cast doubt on the validity of the breath alcohol concentration results"); Moss v. Superior Court, 175 Ariz. 348, 352, 857 P.2d 400, 404 (App.1993) (accuracy of breath readings means due process does not require state to preserve breath sample for independent testing; "focus inherently shifts from the breath sample to the machine itself and its proper operation").
¶ 31 For the reasons stated above, the superior court's ruling is affirmed.
CONCURRING: VIRGINIA C. KELLY, and PETER J. ECKERSTROM, Judges.
Ariz. R. Evid. 702 cmt. 2012 amend.