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574 So. 2d 859

Sides v. State

Supreme Court of Alabama

Decided November 16, 1990

Supreme Court of Alabama · decided 1990-11-16

Cited by 9 later decisions — most recently November 2005

7 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

“"[T]his Court concludes that the Court of Criminal Appeals correctly determined that the admission of the HGN test evidence was not harmless error. While we agree with that holding, we do not necessarily agree with the implicit holding that HGN test results would be admissible in future cases if the State laid the proper predicate. This Court has not been presented with sufficient evidence concerning the test's reliability or acceptance by the scientific community to address that question. "”

quoted by 1 later decision, including Cumbie v. City of Montgomery

Relies on 574 So. 2d 856 - Sides v. State

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1990-11-16

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

¶1

¶2Ben Alton Sides was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and of speeding. The Court of Criminal Appeals held that the admission of evidence regarding the results of a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus ("HGN") test, without a proper predicate showing the test's reliability, was reversible error. For a statement of the facts see Sides v. State,574 So.2d 856 (Ala.Cr.App. 1990). This Court granted the State's petition for the writ of certiorari.

¶3After reviewing the record and considering the arguments offered by the State and by Sides, this Court concludes that the Court of Criminal Appeals correctly determined that the admission of the HGN test evidence was not harmless error.574 So.2d at 859. While we agree with that holding, we do not necessarily agree with the implicit holding that HGN test results would be admissible in future cases if the State laid the proper predicate. This Court has not been presented with sufficient evidence concerning the test's reliability or acceptance by the scientific community to address that question. *860

¶4For the reasons stated above, the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals is affirmed.

¶5AFFIRMED.

¶6HORNSBY, C.J., and MADDOX, JONES, SHORES, ADAMS and HOUSTON, JJ., concur.

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