571 P.2d 1086 (1977) Arthur FRIEDMAN, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION OF the DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, State of Colorado, Defendants-Appellees. No. 27565. Supreme Court of Colorado, En Banc. November 7, 1977. *1087 Bye & Gascoyne, John P.
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FRIEDMAN v. MOTOR VEH. DIV.,194 Colo. 228(1977)
Arthur Friedman v. Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Revenue,
State of Colorado
Supreme Court of Colorado.
Decided November 7, 1977.
Motor Vehicle Division suspended driver's license for seven months and denied his request for a probationary license. On appeal, district court dismissed driver's complaint, and he appealed.Reversed
1.MOTOR VEHICLES—Probationary License — Denial — Without Agency Rules —New Hearing — Requirements — Elizondo v. State. Because Motor Vehicle Division hearing officer denied operator's request for a probationary driver's license without the guidance of agency rules or regulations — as required byElizondo v. State— reviewing court cannot determine whether there has been an abuse of discretion by the officer; the judgment is therefore reversed and the cause remanded for a new administrative hearing pursuant to the requirements of theElizondodecision.
2.CONSTITUTIONAL LAW—Issue — Not Decided — Unless — Determination —Essential — Pending Case. It is fundamental that a court does not decide constitutional issues unless their determination is essential to the disposition of the pending case.
Appeal from the District Court of Larimer County, Honorable John A. Price, Judge.
Bye Gascoyne, John P. Gascoyne, for plaintiff-appellant.
J. D. MacFarlane, Attorney General, David W. Robbins, Deputy, Edward G. Donovan, Solicitor General, Arthur G. Staliwe, Special Assistant, General Legal Services Section, for defendants-appellees.
MR. JUSTICE CARRIGAN delivered the opinion of the Court.
The appellant accumulated fourteen points against his driver's license in less than twelve consecutive months. The Motor Vehicle Division, acting pursuant to section42-2-123, C.R.S. 1973, suspended the appellant's license for seven months and denied his request for a probationary license. On appeal from that administrative ruling, the district court dismissed the appellant's complaint. We reverse and remand.[1]The appellant's first contention is that the Motor Vehicle Division hearing officer abused his discretion in denying the appellant's request for a probationary license. Because the hearing officer made his decision without the guidance of any articulated standards in the form of rules or regulations, as required byElizondo v. State,194 Colo. 113,570 P.2d 518, there is no basis upon which a reviewing court can determine whether or not the officer abused his discretion. Therefore, we must reverse the judgment of the district court and remand the cause for a new administrative hearing, pursuant to the requirements ofElizondo v. State, supra.[2]Secondly, the appellant asserts that section42-2-123(1)(a), C.R.S. 1973 (1976 Supp.), denies him equal protection of the law. However, it is fundamental that a court does not decide constitutional issues unless their determination is essential to the disposition of the pending case.Kirk v.Douglas,176 Colo. 104,489 P.2d 201(1971). Since we are remanding the case for a rehearing which may settle this dispute, we need not address the constitutional issue at this time.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is reversed and the cause is returned to the district court with directions to remand to the Motor Vehicle Division for a rehearing.Page 230