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295 A.3d 1281

Com. v. Westlake, C.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Decided May 31, 2023

Superior Court of Pennsylvania · decided 2023-05-31

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently December 2024

2 state decisions

Relies on 299 Pa. Super. 64 - Commonwealth v. Sanford · Commonwealth v. Grazier · 2007 Pa. Super. 48 - Commonwealth v. Hardy

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 2023-05-31

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

J-A06016-23

                                   
2023 PA Super 94


    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    CHRISTOPHER SEAN WESTLAKE                  :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :   No. 361 WDA 2022

         Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered March 24, 2022
     In the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County Criminal Division at
                        No(s): CP-03-CR-0000332-2019


BEFORE:      OLSON, J., NICHOLS, J., and PELLEGRINI, J.*

OPINION BY NICHOLS, J.:                                  FILED: MAY 31, 2023

        Appellant Christopher Sean Westlake appeals pro se from the judgment

of sentence entered after a jury convicted him of two counts of driving under

the influence of a controlled substance (DUI).1 On appeal, Appellant contends

that the trial court erred in denying his second omnibus motion as untimely.

After review, we affirm Appellant’s convictions, vacate the judgment of

sentence, and remand for resentencing.

        The trial court summarized the relevant facts and procedural history of

this matter as follows:

        [The] charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 3,
        2018. On that date, [Appellant] was stopped by the Pennsylvania

____________________________________________


*   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.

1See 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(ii) and (iii). In a separate bench trial at this
docket, Appellant was also convicted of the summary offense of driving an
unregistered vehicle in violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a).
J-A06016-23


     State Police (“PSP”) while driving his vehicle in North Buffalo
     Township, Armstrong County. The traffic stop was recorded by
     the mobile video recording (“MVR”) system used by the PSP.
     Based on the PSP’s observations and investigation during and
     after the traffic stop, [Appellant] was charged by criminal
     complaint filed November 12, 2018, with DUI and driving related
     charges. All charges were held over to [the trial c]ourt, and a
     criminal information was filed on May 2, 2019.

     [Appellant], by counsel, filed an omnibus pretrial motion to
     dismiss on November 12, 2019, in which he argued that all
     charges should be dismissed due to the PSP’s alleged destruction
     of, or failure to produce to him, a working copy of the downloaded
     MVR video recorded at the scene of the traffic stop. After multiple
     continuances, the [trial c]ourt held a hearing on the motion on
     August 17, 2020. The [trial c]ourt thereafter denied [Appellant’s]
     motion by order entered on October 19, 2020.                In the
     accompanying memorandum, [the trial c]ourt concluded that the
     MVR video was not exculpatory and was only potentially useful
     given that [Appellant] had not challenged any aspects of the
     underlying traffic stop. See [Trial Ct. Mem.], 10/19/20, at 5-6 &




                                    -2-
J-A06016-23


        n.6.[2] The [trial c]ourt further concluded that the Commonwealth
        had not acted in bad faith.[3]

        [Appellant’s] counsel withdrew his appearance, at [Appellant’s]
        request and with [the trial c]ourt’s approval,[4] on November 20,
        2020. On February 22, 2021, [Appellant] submitted to the
        Commonwealth a pro se request for additional discovery, in which
        he again requested access to the MVR video and other materials.
        On March 25, 2021, [Appellant] filed a pro se motion to compel
        outstanding discovery seeking the same items. On May 21, 2021,
        after hearing, the [trial c]ourt granted [Appellant’s] motion, in
        part, but only to the extent that the requested materials had not
        already been provided to [Appellant] or his prior counsel.

        On July 26, 2021, [Appellant] filed pro se a motion to dismiss for
        prosecutorial misconduct, in which he argued once again that the
        Commonwealth had not produced to him certain outstanding
        discovery. After hearing on August 5, 2021, the [trial c]ourt
____________________________________________


2The footnote to the trial court’s October 19, 2020 memorandum addressing
Appellant’s first omnibus motion states as follows:

        Although the [trial c]ourt has addressed the issue of whether the
        MVR video would be exculpatory, [Appellant] nowhere in his
        omnibus motion argues that it is exculpatory. He makes this
        argument only in his brief. Moreover, the MVR video would be
        relevant and potentially useful if the issues of the validity of the
        traffic stop of [Appellant’s] vehicle, [Appellant’s] continued
        detention after the initial stop, or his subsequent arrest were
        raised in an omnibus pre-trial motion. At no time has [Appellant]
        raised any of these issues despite the fact that this case has been
        pending in this [c]ourt for approximately 18 months.

Trial Ct. Mem., 10/19/20, at 6, n.6 (emphases in original).

3 The record reflects that Trooper Randy Orlic, a PSP MVR custodian, testified
that the reason the MVR video was unavailable was it was no longer on the
police server, and the PSP could not make a copy of the MVR video because
there was an error with the disk upon which the video was copied. See N.T.,
8/17/20, at 44-45. Trooper Orlic testified that neither he nor anyone from
the District Attorney’s office could get the MVR video to play. See id. at 46.

4   The trial court granted counsel’s motion to withdraw. See Order, 11/20/20.


                                           -3-
J-A06016-23


       granted the motion in part and ordered the Commonwealth to
       provide [Appellant] with certain requested items, including access
       to the MVR video. [Appellant] then filed the subject omnibus
       pretrial motion, his second, on October 28, 2021. In the motion,
       [Appellant] challenged the duration of the traffic stop, the PSP
       troopers’ justification for continuing the stop after the purpose for
       the initial stop had concluded, the probable cause supporting
       [Appellant’s] arrest, and the validity of the drug recognition expert
       (“DRE”) evaluation conducted after the stop at the PSP barracks.

       On November 4, 2021, after argument on the record, the [trial
       c]ourt denied the motion based on 1) its untimeliness, 2) the
       Commonwealth’s prior provision of discovery, and 3) [Appellant’s]
       ability to raise the same issues either in previous motions or at
       trial. See Order, 11/4/21; N.T., 11/4/21, 3:13 -21:13.

Trial Ct. Op., 4/25/22, at 2-4.

       Prior to jury selection, and almost one year after the trial court granted

Appellant’s counsel’s motion to withdraw in 2020, the trial court held a

Grazier hearing.5 At that time, the trial court conducted an on-the-record

colloquy and determined that Appellant was knowingly, voluntarily, and

intelligently waiving his right to counsel. See N.T., 11/8/21, at 6. The case

proceeded to a jury trial on November 12, 2021, and Appellant was ultimately

found guilty of two counts of DUI. Following a separate bench trial, Appellant

was convicted of the summary offense of driving an unregistered vehicle. On

March 24, 2022, the trial court sentenced Appellant on the first DUI count, 75

Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(ii) (DUI-schedule II or III controlled substance), to a

term of ninety days to thirty-six months of incarceration, with fifty-three days
____________________________________________


5 See Commonwealth v. Grazier, 
713 A.2d 81
 (Pa. 1998) (explaining the
procedure necessary to determine, on the record, that a defendant is
knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily, waiving the right to counsel).


                                           -4-
J-A06016-23



to be spent in total confinement and thirty-seven days served on house arrest.

Sentencing Order, 3/24/22.           On the second count of DUI, 75 Pa.C.S. §

3802(d)(1)(iii) (DUI-metabolite of schedule I, II, or III), the trial court

imposed a sentence of no further penalty. Id.6 Appellant filed a timely notice

of appeal, and both the trial court and Appellant complied with Pa.R.A.P.

1925.7
____________________________________________


6 On the summary offense of driving an unregistered vehicle the trial court
imposed a penalty of fines and costs. See Trial Ct. Op., 4/25/22, at 1.

7 As stated, on November 8, 2021, the trial court held a hearing and addressed
the requirements for waiving counsel pursuant to Grazier and Pa.R.Crim.P.
121(A)(2). Specifically, the trial court informed Appellant of his right to
counsel, the nature of the charges, the possible penalties, that Appellant
would be bound by court rules and rules of procedure, and that certain rights
and defenses available to Appellant could be waived if not properly raised.
See N.T., 11/8/21, at 3-6. Appellant responded that he understood his rights
and what he was waiving by representing himself, and Appellant affirmatively
stated that he wanted to waive his right to counsel and proceed pro se. See
id. at 5-6. Appellant also executed a written waiver-of-counsel colloquy that
same day. See Written Waiver Colloquy, 11/8/21, at 1-3. Although there
was a delay between Appellant’s trial counsel withdrawing in November of
2020 and the Grazier hearing in 2021, Appellant confirmed that he
understood his rights and what he was waiving by proceeding pro se. See
N.T., 11/8/21, at 5-6. Further, after Appellant filed his notice of appeal, this
Court directed the trial court to conduct a second Grazier hearing to
determine whether Appellant was knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily waiving
his right to counsel on appeal. See Order, 361 WDA 2022, 6/10/22. On July
7, 2022, this Court received the trial court’s response to our June 10, 2022
order. In the response, the trial court stated that it conducted a second
Grazier hearing, and on July 5, 2022, it entered an order finding that
Appellant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his right to counsel
and opted to represent himself on appeal. See Trial Ct. Resp. to Order,
7/7/22; Trial Ct. Order, 7/5/22. Although the reason for the delay in the initial
Grazier hearing is not clear, the record clearly reflects that Appellant, on two
occasions, knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his right to counsel
and exercised his right to represent himself. See N.T., 11/8/21, at 5-6; Trial
Ct. Order, 7/5/22.

                                           -5-
J-A06016-23



       On appeal, Appellant presents the following issues:

       1. Whether the trial court erred in it’s [sic] finding of fact, not
          supported by the court record, that the Commonwealth had not
          withheld any of the newly discovered evidence, causing it’s
          [sic] delayed discovery?

       2. Whether the trial court erred in denying [Appellant] a hearing
          on his motion to suppress for the reason that the issues in his
          motion were previously raised in his pretrial spoliation motion
          on November 12th, 2019?

       3. Did the trial court abuse it’s [sic] discretion in denying an
          evidentiary hearing on the suppression motion by disregarding
          the potential significance of the previously unknown and
          unavailable MVR contents and/or the recently provided Drug
          Recognition Expert (DRE) report?

       4. Did the trial court violate [Appellant’s] due process rights
          pursuant to the Pa.R.Cr[im.P.] 579(A) “exception”[] when it
          denied [Appellant] a hearing on his omnibus pretrial motion to
          suppress evidence as untimely?

Appellant’s Brief at 5-6 (some formatting altered).

                                     Suppression

       Appellant’s issues are interrelated and challenge the trial court’s order

denying Appellant’s second omnibus motion as untimely; therefore, we

address them concurrently.8
____________________________________________


8 The argument section of Appellant’s brief is comprised of multiple assertions
of error and unreasonableness by the trial court without citation to relevant
legal authority. See Appellant’s Brief at 22-33. We are cognizant that
Appellant is pro se, however, “[t]his Court will not act as counsel and will not
develop arguments on behalf of an appellant.” Commonwealth v. Hardy,
918 A.2d 766
, 771 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation omitted). “[I]t is an appellant’s
duty to present arguments that are sufficiently developed for our review. The
brief must support the claims with pertinent discussion, with references to the
record and with citations to legal authorities.” 
Id.
 (citations omitted); see
(Footnote Continued Next Page)


                                           -6-
J-A06016-23



       We review the trial court’s determination that a suppression motion was

untimely for an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v. Micklos, 
672 A.2d 796
, 802 (Pa. Super. 1996) (en banc).

       A mere error of judgment does not constitute an abuse of
       discretion. Rather, a trial court abuses its discretion if in reaching
       a conclusion[,] the law is overridden or misapplied, or the
       judgment exercised is manifestly unreasonable or the result of
       partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill-will as shown by the evidence or
       the record[.]

Id. at 803
 (citations omitted and formatting altered).

       As a general rule, a motion to suppress evidence must be included in an

omnibus pretrial motion. Pa.R.Crim.P. 578, cmt. (3).

       Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the omnibus pretrial
       motion for relief shall be filed and served within 30 days after
       arraignment, unless opportunity therefor did not exist, or the
       defendant or defense attorney, or the attorney for the
       Commonwealth, was not aware of the grounds for the motion, or
       unless the time for filing has been extended by the court for cause
       shown.

Pa.R.Crim.P. 579(A).


____________________________________________


also Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a)-(c). As such, “[w]hen issues are not properly raised
and developed in briefs, when the briefs are wholly inadequate to present
specific issues for review, a court will not consider the merits thereof.”
Commonwealth v. Sanford, 
445 A.2d 149
, 150 (Pa. Super. 1982) (citations
omitted). “Although this Court is willing to construe liberally materials filed
by a pro se litigant, a pro se appellant enjoys no special benefit.”
Commonwealth v. Tchirkow, 
160 A.3d 798
, 804 (Pa. Super. 2017). “[A]ny
layperson choosing to represent [himself] in a legal proceeding must, to some
reasonable extent, assume the risk that [his] lack of expertise and legal
training will prove [his] undoing.” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 
685 A.2d 1011
, 1013 (Pa. Super. 1996) (citation omitted and some formatting altered).

                                           -7-
J-A06016-23


      (A) The defendant’s attorney, or the defendant if unrepresented,
      may make a motion to the court to suppress any evidence alleged
      to have been obtained in violation of the defendant’s rights.

      (B) Unless the opportunity did not previously exist, or the interests
      of justice otherwise require, such motion shall be made only after
      a case has been returned to court and shall be contained in the
      omnibus pretrial motion set forth in Rule 578. If timely motion is
      not made hereunder, the issue of suppression of such evidence
      shall be deemed to be waived.

                                  

      (D) The motion shall state specifically and with particularity the
      evidence sought to be suppressed, the grounds for suppression,
      and the facts and events in support thereof.

Pa.R.Crim.P. 581(A)-(B), (D).

      If a defendant files an untimely omnibus pretrial motion, the defendant’s

suppression issue(s) “shall” be deemed waived “[u]nless the opportunity [to

raise the issue(s)] did not previously exist” or the court excuses the

defendant’s tardiness in the “interests of justice[.]” Pa.R.Crim.P. 581(B); see

also Pa.R.Crim.P. 581, cmt. (explaining that “[i]t should be noted that failure

to file the motion within the appropriate time limit constitutes a waiver of the

right to suppress”). In determining whether an exception to time bar from

Rule 579(A) is in the “interests of justice” pursuant to Rule 581(B), the trial

court considers “the length and cause of the delay, the merits of the

suppression claim, and the court’s ability, considering the complexity of the

issues and the availability of the witnesses, to hold the hearing promptly.”

Commonwealth v. Brown, 
378 A.2d 1262
, 1266 (Pa. Super. 1977) (citation

omitted). However, we note that “[c]ourts are reluctant to excuse untimely



                                      -8-
J-A06016-23



motions arguing issues that the defendant could have timely raised by the

original due date.”      Commonwealth v. Ealy, 1614 MDA 2021, 
2022 WL 15596055
, at *5 (Pa. Super. filed Oct. 28, 2022) (unpublished mem.)9 (citing

Commonwealth v. Johonoson, 
844 A.2d 556
, 561 (Pa. Super. 2004)

(finding that the trial court properly denied a defendant’s supplemental

suppression motion as untimely where the defendant knew the facts and

circumstances surrounding the traffic stop at the time of his original

suppression motion but limited the original motion to a different issue),

disapproved on other grounds by Commonwealth v. Livingstone, 
174 A.3d 609
 (Pa. 2017)).

       Here, the record reflects that on November 4, 2021, the trial court held

a hearing on Appellant’s second omnibus motion. The trial court noted that

Appellant filed his first omnibus motion on November 12, 2019, and Appellant

argued that the charges against him should be dismissed because the MVR

video was destroyed by the PSP to hinder Appellant’s defense. Trial Ct. Op.,

4/25/22, at 5; see also First Omnibus Mot., 11/12/19, at ¶¶10-18. However,

the trial court notes:

       No other grounds for dismissal or suppression were included in
       the motion, despite the fact that the nature of the stop, the
       investigation by the troopers on scene, the search of [Appellant’s]
       vehicle, the standard field sobriety tests, and the Drug Recognition
       Expert (DRE) examination at the PSP barracks all were issues
       known to [Appellant] at the time.

____________________________________________


9We may cite to unpublished memorandum decisions of this Court filed after
May 1, 2019, for their persuasive value. See Pa.R.A.P. 126(b).

                                           -9-
J-A06016-23



Trial Ct. Op., 4/25/22, at 5.      The trial court concluded that Appellant had

access to this information and had actual knowledge of the duration and

circumstances surrounding the traffic stop therefore, Appellant could have

presented these issues in his first motion. See 
id.
 The trial court continued:

      Second, the fact that [Appellant] later went to the PSP barracks
      and was able to get the original MVR video to play does not make
      the video newly discovered evidence that would provide new
      grounds to challenge the sufficiency or admissibility of the
      evidence obtained from the traffic stop. Further, the relevant
      portions of the MVR video were played at trial, and [Appellant]
      could and did utilize its contents to attempt to impeach the
      credibility of the testifying officers.[FN3] He further utilized the DRE
      report, which had been provided to [Appellant’s] prior counsel, to
      thoroughly cross-examine the officer who performed the
      evaluation. Thus, to the extent that [Appellant] did not himself
      have access to either of these pieces of evidence in advance, that
      fact did not result in any prejudice to him in preparing and
      presenting a defense at his trial.
         [FN3]The Commonwealth presented evidence that Trooper
         Small noticed both [Appellant’s] slow and slurred speech
         and his bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils prior to removing
         him from the vehicle. Although the issue is not now before
         the [c]ourt, those observations presumably would be
         sufficient to establish sufficient and reasonable suspicion of
         DUI to justify an ongoing investigatory detention. See N.T.,
         Trial, 11/12/21, at 35-46.

Id. at 5-6 (formatting altered).

      After review, we discern no error of law or abuse of discretion in the trial

court’s conclusion. See Micklos, 
672 A.2d at 802
; see also Ealy, 
2022 WL 15596055
, at *5.       Appellant filed a counseled first omnibus motion on

November 12, 2019, and the record reflects that the only claim in Appellant’s

first omnibus motion was that the Commonwealth acted in bad faith and that


                                       - 10 -
J-A06016-23



“the video was purposefully destroyed in an effort to hamper the defense in

this case.” First Omnibus Mot., 11/12/19, at ¶11. However, Appellant did not

raise any concern that the troopers prolonged the traffic stop nor did Appellant

even mention the duration of the stop.10 Additionally, the record shows that

prior to trial, the Commonwealth provided Appellant’s then-trial counsel with

a copy of the MVR video which was not playable, but later Appellant, while pro

se, obtained a playable copy of the MVR video, such that the video was not

withheld nor destroyed as Appellant claims. Trooper Orlic testified that the

MVR video was corrupted and unplayable, and that the MVR video was

previously unavailable due to technological issues. See N.T., 8/17/20, at 44-

46. Accordingly, Appellant’s claim that the Commonwealth withheld and or

destroyed the MVR video evidence fails. Moreover, Appellant filed a counseled

timely first omnibus motion, which could have included challenges to the

legality and duration of the traffic stop but did not do so. On this record, we

discern no error of law or abuse of discretion in the trial court’s conclusion

that Appellant’s second omnibus motion was untimely, and no relief is due.

See Johonoson, 
844 A.2d at 561
; Micklos, 
672 A.2d at 802
; see also

Pa.R.Crim.P. 579, 581.
____________________________________________


10 Although Appellant mentions the DRE report in his brief, see Appellant’s
Brief at 22-23, he provides no argument concerning its contents, its relevance,
nor legal authority to support any claim involving the DRE report and its
discovery or use at trial. Appellant’s undeveloped argument in this regard
results in waiver of the issue. See Commonwealth v. Romeo, 
153 A.3d 1084
, 1090-91 (Pa. Super. 2017) (holding that an appellant’s failure to
develop an argument or cite relevant authority in support of the argument
results in waiver); Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a), (b).

                                          - 11 -
J-A06016-23



                                    Merger

      Merger implicates the legality of the sentence, and the legality of a

sentence is an issue this Court can raise sua sponte. See Commonwealth

v. Watson, 
228 A.3d 928
, 941 (Pa. Super. 2020). Further, our standard of

review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary.          See 
id.
 (citation

omitted). As stated previously, the jury convicted Appellant of two counts of

DUI. On March 24, 2022, the trial court sentenced Appellant on the first DUI

count, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(ii) (DUI-schedule II or III controlled

substance), to a term of ninety days to thirty-six months of incarceration, with

fifty-three days to be spent in total confinement and thirty-seven days served

on house arrest. Sentencing Order, 3/24/22. On the second count of DUI,

75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(iii) (DUI-metabolite of schedule I, II, or III), the trial

court imposed a sentence of “no further penalty.”

      However, the record reflects that Appellant committed a single act of

driving while his blood contained both cocaine and Benzoylecgonine, the

metabolite of cocaine. See N.T., 11/12/21, at 17-18. This Court has held

that a defendant should not be subjected to separate sentences for multiple

convictions arising under Section 3802(d)(1).         See Commonwealth v.

Given, 
244 A.3d 508
, 512 (Pa. Super. 2020) (holding that “Section

3802(d)(1) proscribes a single harm to the Commonwealth – DUI-Controlled

Substance.”). Accordingly, the trial court should have merged Appellant’s DUI

convictions for purposes of sentencing. See 
id.




                                     - 12 -
J-A06016-23



      Further, the trial court imposed a sentence of “no further penalty” for

75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(iii) (DUI-metabolite of schedule I, II, or III), and this

Court has held that a sentence of “no further penalty” constitutes a sentence.

See Commonwealth v. Farrow, 
168 A.3d 207
, 215 (Pa. Super. 2017)

(holding that “since a court may impose ‘guilt without further penalty’ as a

sentence under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(a)(2),” we shall treat such dispositions “as

sentences for purposes of our double jeopardy analysis”), disapproved on

other grounds by Commonwealth v. Hill, 
238 A.3d 399
 (Pa. 2020); see also

42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(a)(2). Because Appellant’s sentences for DUI should have

merged, the sentence of no further penalty must be vacated. See Farrow,

168 A.3d at 215
; see also Commonwealth v. Seif, 943 WDA 2018, 
2020 WL 5423953
, at *5 (Pa. Super. filed Sept. 10, 2020) (unpublished mem.).

      For these reasons, we conclude that Appellant’s conviction for 75 Pa.C.S.

§ 3802(d)(1)(iii) merges with his conviction for 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(ii)

for purposes of sentencing, and we vacate the sentence of no further penalty

for 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(iii).

                            Legality of Sentence

      Finally, we address the legality of the sentence imposed for 75 Pa.C.S.

§ 3802(d)(1)(ii).   We reiterate that this Court can raise the legality of a

sentence sua sponte, and an illegal sentence must be vacated. See Watson,

228 A.3d at 941. Moreover, our standard of review is de novo and our scope

of review is plenary. See id.




                                     - 13 -
J-A06016-23



      As stated, Appellant was convicted of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(ii), and

the trial court imposed a sentence of ninety days to thirty-six months of

incarceration.   Further, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814 mandates that any defendant

convicted of DUI shall be evaluated using the Court Reporting Network under

Section 3816. 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3814(1), 3816(a). Additionally, any defendant

who, “within ten years prior to the offense for which sentence is being

imposed, has been sentenced for an offense under[]” Section 3802 of the

Motor Vehicle Code, shall receive a full drug and alcohol evaluation.        75

Pa.C.S. § 3814(2)(i)(A).   Moreover, this Court has held that the trial court is

statutorily required to order the drug and alcohol evaluation before

sentencing. See Commonwealth v. Borovichka, 
18 A.3d 1242
, 1255 (Pa.

Super. 2011); 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814.

      Additionally, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804(d) provides:

         (d) Extended supervision of court.—If a person is
         sentenced pursuant to this chapter and, after the initial
         assessment required by section 3814(1), the person is
         determined to be in need of additional treatment pursuant
         to section 3814(2), the judge shall impose a minimum
         sentence as provided by law and a maximum sentence equal
         to the statutorily available maximum. A sentence to the
         statutorily available maximum imposed pursuant to this
         subsection may, in the discretion of the sentencing court,
         be ordered to be served in a county prison, notwithstanding
         the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 9762 (relating to sentencing
         proceeding; place of confinement).

75 Pa.C.S. § 3804(d). Here, it is unclear from the record whether Appellant

received a drug and alcohol evaluation prior to sentencing.




                                    - 14 -
J-A06016-23



      Accordingly, we vacate the judgment of sentence for 75 Pa.C.S. §

3802(d)(1)(ii) and remand for resentencing. On remand, the trial court shall

determine whether Appellant was evaluated pursuant to Sections 3814 and

3816 of the Motor Vehicle Code and make the results part of the record. If

Appellant is not in need of further treatment, the trial court shall reimpose the

judgment of sentence. However, if Appellant is in need of further treatment,

the trial court shall resentence Appellant consistent with the terms of Section

3804(d) of the Motor Vehicle Code.

                                  Conclusion

      For these reasons, we discern no error in the trial court’s order denying

Appellant’s second omnibus motion as untimely.           We, therefore, affirm

Appellant’s convictions.     However, because Appellant’s two DUI sentences

should have merged for sentencing purposes, we vacate the sentence of no

further penalty for 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(d)(1)(iii) (DUI-metabolite of schedule I,

II, or III). Further, we vacate Appellant’s judgment of sentence 75 Pa.C.S. §

3802(d)(1)(ii) and remand for resentencing consistent with this opinion.

      Judgment of sentence vacated.           Case remanded with instructions.

Jurisdiction relinquished.

Judgment Entered.




Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 5/31/2023


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