Purpose


The purpose of the proposed rule action is to amend the current rule to reflect the 2006 revision to section 322.2615 Florida Statute, Suspension of license; right to review. This rule chapter sets forth the standards for proceedings relating to the review of a suspension or disqualification of a person’s driving privilege pursuant to sections 322.2615, 322.2616, or 322.64, F.S. Currently a law enforcement officer or correctional officer shall, on behalf of the department, suspend the driving privilege of a person who has been arrested by a law enforcement officer for a violation of Section 316.193, F.S., relating to unlawful blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol level, or of a person who has refused to submit to a breath, urine, or blood test authorized by Section 316.1932, F.S. The changes reflected in the 2006 revision to section 322.2165, Florida Statute, provide for further separation of the suspension of the driving privilege and the criminal charge for a violation of Section 316.193, F.S., Driving Under the Influence (DUI). These changes make the suspension purely an administrative function pursuant to Section 322.2615 F.S. The lawful arrest for the criminal charge for DUI is no longer an issue to be considered at a review hearing conducted pursuant to Section 322.2615 F.S. The changes allows for the crash report to be submitted into evidence for the hearing officer consideration when making their decision and hearing officers are only authorized to issue subpoenas to officers and witnesses identified in particular documents submitted pursuant to Section 322.2615(2) F.S. In addition a law enforcement agency may appeal any decision of the department invalidating a suspension by a petition for writ of certiorari.