The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals has denied a request from the Public Ministry to review a lower court's decision to suppress blood evidence in a driving under the influence (DUI) case against Raúl Baerga Rodríguez. This ruling, issued on June 30, 2026, could have significant implications for how evidence is obtained in similar cases across Puerto Rico.
The case stems from an incident on August 23, 2025, when Baerga Rodríguez was accused of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.17%. The Public Ministry presented evidence against him, including a blood test taken without a judicial order or his consent. The lower court found that the blood evidence was obtained illegally, leading to the current appeal.
The parties involved in this case include the El Pueblo de Puerto Rico, represented by the Public Ministry, and Raúl Baerga Rodríguez, the defendant. The dispute centers on whether the blood test results should be admissible in court. The case reached the Court of Appeals after the lower court, the Tribunal de Primera Instancia in Guayama, ruled in favor of Baerga Rodríguez by suppressing the blood evidence on March 6, 2026.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeals, led by Judge Rivera Torres and joined by Judges Hernández Sánchez and Marrero Guerrero, upheld the lower court's decision. The judges found that Baerga Rodríguez had consistently refused to undergo the breath test and had not provided valid consent for the blood test. The court noted, "...the TPI aquilató la evidencia documental y testimonial desfilada en la Vista de Supresión de Evidencia," indicating that the lower court properly evaluated the evidence presented during the suppression hearing.
The court further emphasized that the evidence obtained from Baerga Rodríguez's blood test was inadmissible because it was taken without a judicial order after he had refused to consent. The ruling stated, "...no se nos ha demostrado que el TPI haya incurrido en error, abuso de discreción o actuado bajo prejuicio..." This indicates that the appellate court found no basis to overturn the lower court's findings.
This ruling is significant for several reasons. It reinforces the importance of obtaining proper consent or a judicial order before conducting blood tests in DUI cases. It also highlights the legal protections individuals have against involuntary testing, which may set a precedent for future cases involving similar circumstances. The decision could impact how law enforcement agencies conduct DUI investigations and the procedures they follow when obtaining evidence.
Looking ahead, the Public Ministry may consider whether to appeal this decision to a higher court. However, details on any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may influence future legal interpretations regarding consent and the admissibility of evidence in DUI cases in Puerto Rico.