People v. Spriggs
California Court of Appeal
224 Cal. App. 4th 150 (2014)
- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
Steven Spriggs (defendant) was using a map application on his wireless phone while driving in traffic. Spriggs was cited for violating a California law that prohibited a driver from “using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving.” The traffic commissioner found Spriggs guilty. Spriggs appealed, arguing that the law prohibited only listening and talking on the phone, not using a map application. Spriggs relied on the legislative history of the law, which discussed talking on the phone but did not mention using a map application. Spriggs also relied on the fact that after the law was passed, the legislature passed additional legislation prohibiting drivers from using a wireless telephone to connect to the internet.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Levy, J.)
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