Lipari
Lipari v. Department of Motor Vehicles
Opinion
Opinion
Chin, J.
William Lipari appeals from a judgment dismissing his petition for writ of mandate, in which he sought an order setting aside the suspension of his driver’s license by respondent Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). He contends that the trial court erred in finding that, under Vehicle Code section 13559, it lacked jurisdiction to hear his petition. We agree. Therefore, we reverse.
Factual and Procedural Background
On November 10, 1991, Officer Stangland of the Sausalito Police Department took Lipari into custody following his arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. After transporting Lipari to the Mill Valley Police Department, Stangland administered two intoxilyzer breath tests to determine the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of Lipari’s blood. The tests showed that Lipari had a BAC of 0.24 percent. Accordingly, Stangland issued an administrative per se order of suspension under section 13353.2, which requires suspension of the driving privilege of anyone who drives with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more. The DMV upheld the suspension after administrative review.
Lipari then filed a petition for writ of mandate and request for stay in the Superior…