People v. Begay CA5 ( 2021 )

Filed 6/7/21 P. v. Begay CA5
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
THE PEOPLE,
F080691
Plaintiff and Respondent,
(Super. Ct. No. F16906769)
v.
AARON BEGAY, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
THE COURT*
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Fresno County. Alvin M.
Harrell III, Judge.
Allen G. Weinberg, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Louis M. Vasquez, Lewis A.
Martinez and Jennifer Oleksa, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
-ooOoo-
* Before Levy, Acting P.J., Poochigian, J. and Detjen, J.
INTRODUCTION
In 2016, defendant Aaron Begay was arrested after a teenage family member
reported that he had sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion in 2015.
Defendant was charged by information in count 1 with aggravated sexual assault of a
child, in violation of Penal Code section 269, subdivision (a)(1),1 and in count 2 with
committing a lewd or lascivious act on a child under the age of 14 years, in violation of
section 288, subdivision (a).2
Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of both counts. The trial court
sentenced him to an indeterminate term of 15 years to life on count 1, consecutive to the
upper term of eight years on count 2. Relevant to the issues raised on appeal, the court
also imposed a restitution fine of $6,300 under section 1202.4, subdivision (b)(1), and a
parole revocation restitution fine of $6,300 under section 1202.45, subdivision (a),
suspended.
Defendant advances three claims on appeal. He argues that the trial court abused
its discretion in selecting the upper term on count 2, deprived him of two days of actual
presentence custody credit, and erred in imposing a $6,300 restitution fine given his
inability to pay. (People v. Dueñas (2019) 30 Cal.App.5th 1157 (Dueñas).)
The People concede defendant is entitled to an additional two days of custody
credit, but otherwise dispute his entitlement to any relief.
We reject defendant’s claim that the trial court abused its discretion when it
imposed the upper term on count 2 and we reject his claim for relief pursuant to Dueñas.
However, we agree with the parties that defendant is entitled to an additional two days of
actual presentence custody credit and we modify the judgment accordingly. On our own
1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise noted.
2 Defendant’s claims are confined to sentencing issues and, therefore, we do not
summarize the facts underlying his crimes except as relevant to his challenge to imposition of the
upper term on count 2.
2.
motion, we also direct the trial court to correct the abstract of judgment to reflect that
defendant was sentenced to an indeterminate term of 15 years to life pursuant to
section 269, subdivision (b), rather than section 667.61 (the One Strike Law). (People v.
Jones (2012) 54 Cal.4th 1, 89.)
Except as modified, the judgment is affirmed.
DISCUSSION
I. Selection of Upper Term on Count 2
A. Background
The probation report recommended imposition of the middle term of six years on
count 2 for committing a lewd or lascivious act on a child under the age of 14 years, and
noted two aggravating factors: “[t]he defendant took advantage of a position of trust or
confidence to commit the offense” and “engaged in violent conduct that indicates a
serious danger to society.” (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 4.421(a)(11), (b)(1).)3 The
probation report also noted one mitigating circumstance: “[t]he defendant has no prior
record, or has an insignificant record of criminal conduct, considering the recency and
frequency of previous crimes.” (Rule 4.423(b)(1).)
At the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor argued for the upper term while
defendant sought the lower term. After addressing the aggravating and mitigating
factors, the court agreed with the prosecutor and sentenced defendant to the upper term of
eight years on count 2.
Defendant acknowledges that a single factor in aggravation may justify imposition
of the upper term. (People v. Davis (1995) 10 Cal.4th 463, 552; accord, People v.
Sandoval (2007) 41 Cal.4th 825, 848.) However, he argues that “the trial court based its
decision on an erroneous finding that [his] offense was as aggravated as such an offense
can get, and it seemed to be punishing him for going from having no criminal record to
3 All further reference to rules are to the California Rules of Court unless otherwise noted.
3.
what the court described as a ‘barbaric act.’” He argues further that “[a]t best, it appears
the trial court conflated the conduct in count 1, which resulted in the life sentence
appellant does not contest here, with the far less egregious touching offense in count 2.”
Defendant also points out that section 288 is already classified as a violent offense within
the meaning of the “Three Strikes” law (§§ 667, subd. (d)(1), 667.5, subd. (c)(6)), and
“[a]n aggravating circumstance is a fact that makes the offense ‘distinctively worse than
the ordinary’” (People v. Black (2007) 41 Cal.4th 799, 817).
For the reasons set forth below, we disagree that the trial court abused its
discretion in selecting the upper term.
B. Legal Standard
“On appeal, we presume that a judgment or order of the trial court is correct,
‘“[a]ll intendments and presumptions are indulged to support it on matters as to which the
record is silent, and error must be affirmatively shown.”’” (People v. Giordano (2007)
42 Cal.4th 644, 666.) In general, trial courts have broad sentencing discretion (People v.
Clancey (2013) 56 Cal.4th 562, 579; People v. Scott (1994) 9 Cal.4th 331, 349), and
“‘[t]he burden is on the party attacking the sentence to clearly show that the sentencing
decision was irrational or arbitrary. [Citation.] In the absence of such a showing, the
trial court is presumed to have acted to achieve legitimate sentencing objectives, and its
discretionary determination to impose a particular sentence will not be set aside on
review’” (People v. Superior Court (Alvarez) (1997) 14 Cal.4th 968, 977–978; accord,
People v. Lee (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 861, 866; People v. Sperling (2017) 12 Cal.App.5th
1094, 1103).
“Sentencing courts have wide discretion in weighing aggravating and mitigating
factors.” (People v. Lai (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 1227, 1258, quoting People v. Avalos
(1996) 47 Cal.App.4th 1569, 1582.) “Indeed, a trial court may ‘minimize or even
entirely disregard mitigating factors without stating its reasons.’” (People v. Lai, supra,
at p. 1258, quoting People v. Salazar (1983) 144 Cal.App.3d 799, 813.) However, “[a]
4.
fact that is an element of the crime on which punishment is being imposed may not be
used to impose a particular term.” (Rule 4.420(d).)
C. Analysis
As an initial matter, “complaints about the manner in which the trial court
exercises its sentencing discretion and articulates its supporting reasons cannot be raised
for the first time on appeal.” (People v. Scott, supra, 9 Cal.4th at p. 356.) Defendant did
not object in the trial court to the use of either aggravating factor, and, therefore, his
claim is forfeited. (Ibid.; accord, People v. Kidane (2021) 60 Cal.App.5th 817, 826;
People v. Sperling, supra, 12 Cal.App.5th at pp. 1100–1101.) Nevertheless, forfeiture
notwithstanding, his claim also fails on its merits.
With respect to the first factor in aggravation, the victim was asleep in her bed
when defendant penetrated her vagina either with his fingers, as she reported to police, or
with his penis, as she recalled at trial. Defendant is the victim’s uncle and, prior to the
crimes, she described their relationship as close and viewed him as a brother. Defendant
also resided in the same household with the victim and he assaulted her during the night
as she slept in her bed. Under these circumstances, the trial court acted well within its
discretion in concluding that “[t]he defendant took advantage of a position of trust or
confidence to commit the offense.” (Rule 4.421(a)(11).) The court’s selection of this
aggravating factor is, on its own, sufficient to justify imposition of the upper term.
With respect to the second aggravating factor, the victim testified that the second
rape (count 2) occurred in the same manner as the first rape (count 1). She also testified
she was afraid of defendant, he was strong, and she felt like she could not breathe when
he was on top of her. To the extent the jury relied on the digital penetration the victim
described to law enforcement, the victim stated at the time that it was painful.
Under section 288, “any touching of an underage child is ‘lewd or lascivious’
within the meaning of section 288 where it is committed for the purpose of sexual
arousal.” (People v. Martinez (1995) 11 Cal.4th 434, 444–445; accord, People v.
5.
Morales (2018) 29 Cal.App.5th 471, 478.) Thus, touching in violation of the statute “can
occur through the victim’s clothing and can involve ‘any part’ of the victim’s body.”
(People v. Martinez, supra, at p. 444; accord, People v. Morales, supra, at p. 478.)
As such, we are not persuaded that defendant’s act of removing the victim’s shorts
as she slept and penetrating her vagina with either his penis or his finger while she laid
there, afraid and feeling as if she could not breathe due to his body weight, fails to
“make[] the offense ‘distinctively worse than the ordinary.’” (People v. Black, supra, 41Cal.4th at p. 817.) Furthermore, even if we assumed for the sake of argument that the
trial court erred in finding “defendant engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious
danger to society” (Rule 4.421(b)(1)), his claim of prejudicial error is foreclosed by the
court’s proper reliance on the first aggravating factor (People v. Hicks (2017) 17
Cal.App.5th 496, 512–513).
II. Presentence Custody Credit
When defendant was sentenced on January 9, 2020, the trial court awarded him
1,156 days of actual presentence custody credit plus an additional 173 days of conduct
credit, for a total of 1,329 days of credit. Defendant claims he is entitled to an additional
two days of actual presentence custody credit and the People concede the error.
“Presentence and postsentence credit are distinct from one another and governed
by ‘independent … schemes.’” (People v. Brown (2020) 52 Cal.App.5th 899, 902,
quoting People v. Buckhalter (2001) 26 Cal.4th 20, 30.) Relevant here, “[a] defendant
may ‘accrue both actual presentence custody credits under … section 2900.5 and conduct
credits under … section 4019 for the period of incarceration prior to sentencing.’
[Citation.] The calculation of actual credits is performed by simply adding together ‘all
days of custody’ the defendant has served. (§ 2900.5, subd. (a).)” (People v. Arevalo
(2018) 20 Cal.App.5th 821, 827.) “A defendant is entitled to actual custody credit for ‘all
days of custody’ in county jail and residential treatment facilities, including partial days.
[Citations.] Calculation of custody credit begins on the day of arrest and continues
6.
through the day of sentencing.” (People v. Rajanayagam (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 42,
48.)4
We concur with the parties that because defendant was arrested on November 8,
2016, and sentenced on January 9, 2020, he is entitled to 1,158 days of actual presentence
custody credit rather than the 1,156 days awarded. (§ 2900.5.) A sentence that fails to
award legally mandated credits is unauthorized and may be corrected whenever
discovered. (People v. Taylor (2004) 119 Cal.App.4th 628, 647.) Therefore, we shall
modify the judgment to award defendant an additional two days of actual presentence
custody credit.
III. Dueñas Claim
Finally, defendant was sentenced in 2020, one year after the Court of Appeal
issued its decision in Dueñas, and he also had a statutory right to object to the $6,300
restitution fine when it was imposed, based on inability to pay. (§ 1202.4, subds. (c),
(d).) The People contend defendant forfeited his claim by failing to object. Defendant
disagrees.
During sentencing, defense counsel asked the trial court to suspend the fines based
on the length of defendant’s incarceration. Assuming without deciding that this request
was sufficient to preserve the issue now raised on appeal, we reject the claim on the
merits.
4 “[T]he calculation of conduct credits depends on the purpose for which they are being
calculated. Under section 4019, a defendant can earn two conduct credits for every two actual
credits. (§ 4019, subds. (b), (c), (f); People v. Whitaker (2015) 238 Cal.App.4th 1354, 1358.)
But under section 2933.1[, subdivision ](c), a defendant convicted of a violent felony[, as in this
case,] ‘cannot earn good behavior credits under section 4019 exceeding 15 percent of the actual
time of confinement in a local facility “prior to placement in the custody of the Director [of
Corrections and Rehabilitation].”’ (People v. Buckhalter[, supra,] 26 Cal.4th [at pp.] 31–32,
quoting § 2933.1[, subd. ](c).)” (People v. Arevalo, supra, 20 Cal.App.5th at p. 827, fn.
omitted.) As defendant recognizes, the error in calculating his actual custody credits did not
result in any error to the calculation of his conduct credits.
7.
Dueñas held that “due process of law requires the trial court to conduct an ability
to pay hearing and ascertain a defendant’s present ability to pay” before it imposes any
fines or fees. (Dueñas, supra, 30 Cal.App.5th at p. 1164, see p. 1167.) We disagree with
the holding in Dueñas and find the matter need not be remanded for further findings. As
explained in People v. Aviles (2019) 39 Cal.App.5th 1055 (Aviles), we believe Dueñas
was wrongly decided and an Eighth Amendment analysis is more appropriate to
determine whether restitution fines, fees, and assessments in a particular case are grossly
disproportionate and thus excessive. (Aviles, supra, at pp. 1068–1072.) Under that
standard, the $6,300 restitution fine imposed in this case is not grossly disproportionate to
defendant’s level of culpability and the harm he inflicted, and thus not excessive under
the Eighth Amendment. (Id. at p. 1072; accord, People v. Lowery (2020) 43 Cal.App.5th
1046, 1057–1058 (Lowery).)
Even assuming arguendo that we agreed with Dueñas, we would still reject
defendant’s constitutional claim and find that because defendant has the ability to pay the
fine imposed in this case, any error “was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.”
(Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24; accord, Lowery, supra, 43 Cal.App.5th
at pp. 1060–1061; Aviles, supra, 39 Cal.App.5th at pp. 1075–1077; People v. Jones
(2019) 36 Cal.App.5th 1028, 1035.) “‘“Ability to pay does not necessarily require
existing employment or cash on hand.” [Citation.] “[I]n determining whether a
defendant has the ability to pay a restitution fine, the court is not limited to considering a
defendant’s present ability but may consider a defendant’s ability to pay in the future.”
[Citation.] This include[s] the defendant’s ability to obtain prison wages and to earn
money after his release from custody. [Citation.]’” (Aviles, supra, at p. 1076.)
We can infer from the instant record that defendant, who was 27 years old at the
time of sentencing and had some employment history, has the ability to pay the
restitution fine from probable future wages, including prison wages. (Lowery, supra, 43Cal.App.5th at p. 1060–1061; Aviles, supra, 39 Cal.App.5th at p. 1076; People v. Ellis
8.
(2019) 31 Cal.App.5th 1090, 1094; People v. Douglas (1995) 39 Cal.App.4th 1385,
1397.) There is nothing in the record to show that defendant would be unable to satisfy
the fine imposed by the court while serving his prison term, even if he fails to obtain a
prison job. While it may take defendant some time to pay the amount imposed in this
case, that circumstance does not support his inability to make payments on the amount
from either prison wages or monetary gifts from family and friends during his prison
sentence. (See, e.g., People v. Potts (2019) 6 Cal.5th 1012, 1055–1057; People v. Lewis
(2009) 46 Cal.4th 1255, 1321; People v. DeFrance (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 486, 505.)
Notably, defendant had the opportunity to make a contrary record pursuant to both
Dueñas and the statute, but did not do so. (People v. Montes (2021) 59 Cal.App.5th
1107, 1122 [“‘[T]he evaluation of ability to pay must include future ability to pay,’ and
‘defendant bears the burden of proof on that issue.’”].)
DISPOSITION
The judgment is modified to reflect an award of 1,158 days of actual presentence
custody credit rather than 1,156 days. The trial court shall issue an amended abstract of
judgment reflecting this modification and reflecting that the indeterminate term on
count 1 was imposed pursuant to section 269, subdivision (b), rather than section 667.61.
Except as modified, the judgment is affirmed.
9.