People v. Irving CA4/3 ( 2021 )


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  • Filed 9/22/21 P. v. Irving CA4/3
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
    FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    DIVISION THREE
    THE PEOPLE,
    Plaintiff and Respondent,                                          G060195
    v.                                                            (Super. Ct. No. C1651027)
    DANIEL IRVING,                                                          OPINION
    Defendant and Appellant.
    Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court of Santa Clara, Jacqueline
    M. Arroyo, Judge. Affirmed.
    Jason Szydlik, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
    and Appellant.
    Rob Bonta and Xavier Becerra, Attorneys General, Lance E. Winters, Chief
    Assistant Attorney General, Jeffrey M. Laurence, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Eric
    D. Share and Ashley Harlan, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
    Daniel Irving appeals from a judgment after a jury convicted him of two
    counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing bodily injury to another
    person. Irving argues insufficient evidence supports his convictions, the trial court erred
    by denying his right to cross-examination, and the court erred by denying probation based
    on the mistaken belief he was ineligible. None of his contentions have merit, and we
    affirm the judgment.
    FACTS
    Just before midnight, Antonio Maldonado was walking with his brother-in-
    law, Edgar Cantoran, on Market Street in downtown San Jose near the convention center.
    Cantoran was on his cell phone but ended the call when they approached the intersection.
    The intersection was well lit and visibility was excellent.
    They pressed the pedestrian crosswalk button and began crossing the street.
    Cantoran initially said they entered the intersection when the red hand signaling do not
    walk was flashing (too early) and then said they were in the crosswalk when the red hand
    signaling do not walk started flashing (too late).
    They were in the middle of the crosswalk when Maldonado heard Irving’s
    car approaching “really fast.” Maldonado, who was a couple of steps behind Cantoran,
    retreated toward the sidewalk, but Cantoran ran toward the opposite side of the street.
    Irving’s Jetta hit Cantoran. Maldonado ran to Irving and punched him. Maldonado tried
    to talk to Cantoran, but he was unconscious and seizing.
    Emergency response personnel arrived and took Cantoran to the hospital.
    Inside Irving’s vehicle, police officers located an open container of alcohol, cannabis
    substances, and cannabis paraphernalia.
    Officer Zachary Preuss arrived at the scene and determined the applicable
    speed limit was 35 miles per hour. Irving told Preuss that he was “120 [percent]
    positive” Cantoran was “in the crosswalk on a green light.” Irving claimed he was
    2
    driving about 35 miles per hour. Irving initially denied drinking any alcohol or ingesting
    any cannabis. Irving ultimately admitted he drank two or three beers and smoked
    cannabis between two and four hours before the collision. Preuss conducted field
    sobriety and breathalyzer tests. The breathalyzer test measured Irving’s blood alcohol
    content at 0.14 and 0.13 percent. At the police station a few hours later, Irving submitted
    to a blood draw.
    Cantoran remained in a coma for two weeks—he suffered a brain injury,
    including brain bleeding, and acute respiratory failure. After waking from his coma,
    Cantoran was unable to speak. As a result of his injuries, Cantoran developed seizures
    and experienced changes to his personality. He was unable to recognize his partner and
    their child.
    A third amended information charged Irving with the following: driving
    under the influence of alcohol and causing bodily injury to another person (Veh. Code,
    § 23153, subd. (a)) (count 1); driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol
    level of 0.08 percent and causing bodily injury to another person (Veh. Code, § 23153,
    subd. (b)) (count 2); and driving under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage
    1
    and drug and causing injury to another person (Veh. Code, § 23153, subd. (g)) (count 3).
    The information charged him with concurrently committing the following acts forbidden
    by law or neglecting to perform a legal duty on each count: basic speed law (Veh. Code,
    § 22350); prima facie speed law (Veh. Code, §§ 22351-22352); unsafe lane change (Veh.
    Code, § 22107); and failure to yield the right of way at a crosswalk (Veh. Code,
    § 21950). It also alleged he personally inflicted great bodily injury as to each count.
    (Pen. Code, §§ 12022.7, subd. (b), 1203, subd. (e)(3).) Finally, it alleged he suffered a
    prior driving under the influence conviction. (Veh. Code, § 23152.)
    1
    The information erroneously cited to subdivision (f).
    3
    At trial, Husband and Wife testified they were driving in downtown San
    Jose about 20 to 30 miles per hour. Husband did not recall seeing any pedestrians as he
    drove. They testified a green Volkswagen Jetta passed them, swerved into their lane, and
    swerved around the car in front of them. They estimated the Jetta was traveling 40 to 60
    miles per hour. They both testified the light was green as the Jetta entered the
    intersection. Neither Husband nor Wife saw anyone in the crosswalk. Husband heard a
    loud sound no more than 10 seconds later. As they drove through the intersection, they
    saw a man lying underneath a car. Husband said, “[A]ll of a sudden I [saw] people on the
    sidewalk just stop . . . .” Husband estimated there were more than 10 people standing
    nearby. Wife estimated there were more than five or six people. Husband stopped the
    car, and Wife called 911. They walked to the intersection and saw a bunch of
    pedestrians.
    Preuss testified concerning his patrol area. When the prosecutor asked
    Preuss what was “the foot traffic like[]” on a Friday night on the street in question, he
    answered the following: “It varies. If it’s a nice night it can be pretty busy with traffic.”
    Detective Troy Sirmons testified as an expert in accident reconstruction,
    i.e., speed and measurements. Sirmons analyzed the data supplied to him by the
    investigating officers and conducted his own measurements. Sirmons determined Irving
    was travelling between 38.19 to 46.61 miles per hour. He added that depending on
    Cantoran’s location within the crosswalk, Irving could have been travelling between
    37.49 and 48.43 miles per hour. He also stated the calculation could vary depending on
    whether Cantoran’s body stopped naturally or was stopped by the parked car. Sirmons
    opined Irving’s minimum speed could have been 45.49 miles per hour.
    Mark Burry, a supervising criminalist, testified as an expert in the effects of
    alcohol and cannabis on the human body as related to driving a motor vehicle. Burry
    testified Irving’s blood was analyzed at 3:11 a.m. and he had 0.097 blood alcohol content
    4
    and 9.050 nanograms per milliliter of THC and 120.356 nanograms per milliliter of THC-
    2
    COOH. Burry opined that at 11:45 p.m., that individual’s blood alcohol content would
    be between 0.13 and 0.16 percent. Burry explained a person driving a vehicle in this
    condition would be experiencing cognitive function impairments, including increased
    impulsiveness, overconfidence, and risk-taking behavior and decreased sensory function,
    including visual acuity, fine motor control, balance, and depth perception. Burry
    admitted THC’s effects were less studied than alcohol and there was not a legal limit for
    THC. He stated though a combination of alcohol and THC, both central nervous system
    depressants, would increase effects and impairment. Based on a hypothetical mirroring
    the facts of the case, Burry opined that based on the alcohol alone, the individual was too
    impaired to safely operate a vehicle.
    Irving offered the testimony of Brad Wong, an expert in speed and
    automobile/pedestrian collisions and human factors of drivers. Wong determined Irving
    was travelling between 35.25 and 36.6 miles per hour. Based on his analysis, Wong
    could not say within reasonable engineering certainty that the vehicle was travelling
    faster than 35 or 36 miles per hour. On cross-examination, Wong clarified the 35 to 36
    miles per hour was a minimum speed calculation. He also calculated Irving was
    travelling at a maximum speed of 51 miles per hour, but he did not include that
    calculation in his report. He admitted it was “possibl[e]” Irving was travelling 51 miles
    per hour but did not find that rate to be “within reasonable engineering certainty.”
    The jury convicted Irving of counts 1 and 2 and found true he personally
    inflicted great bodily injury. The jury acquitted him of count 3. At a bifurcated bench
    trial, the trial court found true Irving suffered the prior conviction. The trial court
    sentenced Irving to prison for six years and four months.
    2
    The parties stipulated Irving’s blood alcohol content was .097 percent and
    contained 9.050 nanograms per milliliter of THC and 120.356 nanograms per millileter of
    THC-COOH.
    5
    DISCUSSION
    I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
    Citing to and disputing the prosecutor’s statement during closing argument
    that it “‘was a foot trafficked area[,]’” Irving argues insufficient evidence supports his
    3
    convictions because he did not proximately cause Cantoran’s injuries. We disagree.
    “‘[W]e “examine the whole record in the light most favorable to the
    judgment to determine whether it discloses substantial evidence—evidence that is
    reasonable, credible and of solid value—such that a reasonable trier of fact could find the
    defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” [Citations.] We presume in support of the
    judgment the existence of every fact the trier could reasonably deduce from the evidence.
    [Citation.] [¶] . . . [Citation.] “[I]f the circumstances reasonably justify the jury’s
    findings, the judgment may not be reversed simply because the circumstances might also
    reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding.” [Citation.] We do not reweigh
    evidence or reevaluate a witness’s credibility.’ [Citations.] ‘Resolution of conflicts and
    inconsistencies in the testimony is the exclusive province of the trier of fact. [Citation.]”
    (People v. Brown (2014) 
    59 Cal.4th 86
    , 105-106.)
    “‘The criminal law . . . is clear that for liability to be found, the cause of the
    harm not only must be direct, but also not so remote as to fail to constitute the natural and
    probable consequence of the defendant’s act.’ (People v. Roberts (1992) 
    2 Cal.4th 271
    ,
    319 . . . .) In determining whether a defendant’s acts were the proximate cause of the
    death of a human being, we ask whether the evidence sufficed to permit the jury to
    conclude that the death was the natural and probable consequence of defendant’s act.
    [Citation.]” (People v. Taylor (2004) 
    119 Cal.App.4th 628
    , 639-640.)
    3
    Irving does not contend there was insufficient evidence supporting any
    other elements of the offenses. He only challenges the causation element. We limit our
    discussion accordingly.
    6
    “[A]n ‘independent’ intervening cause will absolve a defendant of criminal
    liability. [Citation.] However, in order to be ‘independent’ the intervening cause must be
    ‘unforeseeable . . . an extraordinary and abnormal occurrence, which rises to the level of
    an exonerating, superseding cause.’ [Citation.] On the other hand, a ‘dependent’
    intervening cause will not relieve the defendant of criminal liability. ‘A defendant may
    be criminally liable for a result directly caused by his act even if there is another
    contributing cause. If an intervening cause is a normal and reasonably foreseeable result
    of defendant’s original act the intervening act is “dependent” and not a superseding
    cause, and will not relieve defendant of liability. [Citation.] “[] The consequence need
    not have been a strong probability; a possible consequence which might reasonably have
    been contemplated is enough. [] The precise consequence need not have been foreseen; it
    is enough that the defendant should have foreseen the possibility of some harm of the
    kind which might result from his act.” [Citation.]’ [Citation.]” (People v. Funes (1994)
    
    23 Cal.App.4th 1506
    , 1523.)
    Here, in asserting there was no evidence of pedestrian foot traffic in the
    area, we discern Irving’s argument to be there was an independent intervening cause
    relieving him of criminal liability: it was unforeseeable there would be pedestrians
    walking in the crosswalk against the do not walk signal. Irving suggests the bystanders
    were motorists who, like Husband and Wife, parked and walked to the scene instead of
    pedestrians. His claims are belied by the record.
    The evidence demonstrated the incident took place in downtown San Jose
    near the convention center. Preuss testified the street in question could be pretty busy
    with foot traffic. Both Husband and Wife testified that as they drove past Cantoran, there
    were already people gathering around the scene. Husband estimated this was no more
    than 10 seconds after Irving hit Cantoran. From this evidence the jury could reasonably
    conclude it was foreseeable there was pedestrian foot traffic in the area. This evidence
    7
    supported the conclusion Irving should have foreseen the possibility of pedestrians
    walking in the crosswalk, even against the do not walk signal. (See Veh. Code, § 21950,
    subd. (d) [vehicle driver “duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian
    within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection”].)
    Cantoran and Maldonado walking in the crosswalk against the do not walk signal was a
    reasonably foreseeable intervening dependent cause that did not relieve Irving of criminal
    liability for his speeding while under the influence of alcohol. There was sufficient
    evidence Irving proximately caused Cantoran’s injuries, and, thus, substantial evidence
    supported his convictions.
    II. Denial of Cross-Examination
    Irving contends the trial court erred by denying his right to cross-examine
    Sirmons concerning his two reports detailing the primary and associated collision factors.
    Not so.
    A. Background
    Before the prosecutor offered Sirmons’s testimony, the prosecutor moved
    to exclude any cross-examination of Sirmons as to who was at fault. During a hearing on
    the motion, the prosecutor stated Sirmons prepared a report that estimated Irving’s speed.
    The prosecutor explained Sirmons’s calculations were incorrect and his revised estimates
    showed Irving’s speeds were lower. The prosecutor added Sirmons reviewed the police
    reports and offered his opinion as to the collision’s primary factors of the collision. The
    prosecutor intended to question him only as an expert in accident reconstruction
    concerning speed and measurements. He did not intend to question Sirmons regarding
    the collision’s cause because that was for the jury to decide.
    Irving’s trial counsel stated he agreed with much of the prosecutor’s legal
    authority and he did not intend to question Sirmons about fault. Counsel explained
    though Sirmons prepared two reports. Counsel said that in his first report, Sirmons
    8
    miscalculated Irving’s speed and opined the primary collision factor was his speeding,
    and the associated collision factors were his failure to yield to a pedestrian and driving
    under the influence. Counsel stated that in his second report, Sirmons calculated his
    speed to be lower and opined the primary collision factor was Cantoran violating the
    pedestrian walk/don’t walk statute and the associated factors were Cantoran entering the
    intersection against the light and Irving driving under the influence. Counsel asserted he
    should be allowed to question him about those factors “without using the word ‘fault’ or
    ‘substantial factor.’”
    The trial court ruled it would permit the prosecutor to examine Sirmons
    about Irving’s speed and measurements. The court ruled Irving’s trial counsel could not
    question him about the primary or associated factors. The court concluded trial counsel
    could question him “very carefully” about his initial calculations and his revised
    calculations and the errors he made.
    B. Law
    “‘California law allows expert testimony that is related “to a subject that is
    sufficiently beyond common experience that the opinion of an expert would assist the
    trier of fact.”’ [Citations.] Evidence Code section 805 permits such testimony to
    embrace an ultimate issue in the case, but experts may not offer their legal conclusions to
    the jury. [Citation.]” (People v. Spence (2012) 
    212 Cal.App.4th 478
    , 507.) “‘There is no
    hard and fast rule that the expert cannot be asked a question that coincides with the
    ultimate issue in the case. . . . ‘[T]he true rule is that admissibility depends on the nature
    of the issue and the circumstances of the case, there being a large element of judicial
    discretion involved. . . . Oftentimes an opinion may be received on a simple ultimate
    issue, even when it is the sole one, as for example where the issue is the value of an
    article, or the sanity of a person; because it cannot be further simplified and cannot be
    9
    fully tried without hearing opinions from those in better position to form them than the
    jury can be placed in.” [Citations.]’ [Citations.]” (Id. at p. 509.) We review a trial
    court’s ruling on the admissibility of expert testimony for an abuse of discretion. (Ibid.)
    C. Analysis
    Here, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by precluding Irving’s trial
    counsel from cross-examining Sirmons about the primary and associated factors. The
    sole issue in this case was causation. The jury heard evidence Irving was speeding, under
    the influence of alcohol and marijuana, and driving erratically, and drove through a
    crosswalk. The jury also heard evidence Cantoran was in the crosswalk while the do not
    walk signal was illuminated. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the jury had to
    determine whether Irving’s conduct was a substantial factor in causing Cantoran’s
    injuries. (People v. Sanchez (2001) 
    26 Cal.4th 834
    , 848-849; CALCRIM No. 240.)
    Sirmons’s opinions concerning the collision’s primary and associated
    factors were an impermissible legal conclusion that coincided with the ultimate issue in
    the case. (Carlton v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1988) 
    203 Cal.App.3d 1428
    , 1432
    [police officer’s opinion driver was “‘most responsible’” for accident was a legal
    conclusion and not proper subject for expert opinion].) Although Irving’s trial counsel
    assured the trial court it would not use the words fault or substantial factor, that is
    precisely what counsel sought to elicit from Sirmons. In his second report, Sirmons
    opined the primary factor of the collision was Cantoran violating the pedestrian
    walk/don’t walk statute. The jury could rely on that expert opinion testimony to conclude
    Irving’s conduct was not a substantial factor in causing Cantoran’s injuries. That was an
    ultimate issue in the case, and thus Sirmons’s testimony was impermissibly too helpful to
    the jury in performing its duty. (Summers v. A. L. Gilbert Co. (1999) 
    69 Cal.App.4th 1155
    , 1183 [trial court excludes expert opinions that invade jury’s province because in
    some cases they are “too helpful”].)
    10
    Additionally, Sirmons’s opinion testimony concerning the collision’s
    primary and associated factors were impermissible because they could be further
    simplified. The parties presented expert testimony about Irving’s speed and intoxication.
    The jury also heard evidence Cantoran was on his cell phone as he approached the
    intersection, and he walked in the crosswalk in violation of the pedestrian do no walk
    signal. It was from this further simplified evidence that the jury could determine who
    caused the collision. The jury was as competent as Sirmons to weigh all the evidence and
    draw a conclusion on the issue of Irving’s guilt. (People v. Coffman and Marlow (2004)
    
    34 Cal.4th 1
    , 77.)
    4
    Irving cites to People v. Glass (1968) 
    266 Cal.App.2d 222
     (Glass). In that
    case, defendant, who was intoxicated, was driving between 60 and 65 miles per hour on a
    road with a posted speed limit of 45 miles an hour. (Id. at pp. 223-224.) Repair crews
    worked at an intersection and the road was significantly narrowed. (Id. at p. 224.)
    Defendant collided with a repair truck and killed two workmen. (Ibid.) There was
    evidence there was no flagman present to warn motorists of the repair crews, no speed
    reduction signs, and no barricades nearby to direct traffic out of the danger zone. (Ibid.)
    The trial court excluded a traffic engineer’s expert witness testimony concerning the
    safety measures because it concerned the ultimate issue at trial. (Id. at pp. 224-225.) The
    Court of Appeal concluded this was error because the evidence could have shown that the
    unsafe condition of the road was the accident’s sole cause. (Id. at p. 227.)
    Unlike Glass, here Irving’s trial counsel sought to question Sirmons about
    the primary and associated factors of the collision. In other words, counsel wanted to
    elicit testimony Cantoran caused the collision by violating the pedestrian do not walk
    signal and walking in the crosswalk against a red flashing hand. What the Glass court
    4
    Disapproved on other grounds in People v. Superior Court (1972) 
    6 Cal.3d 757
    , 765-766, footnote 7.
    11
    held was that the trial court erred by excluding evidence of the underlying conditions of
    the collision. The trial court here admitted evidence of the underlying conditions of the
    collision—Irving’s intoxication, speeding, reckless driving, and Cantoran’s violating the
    pedestrian do not walk signal—and left it to the jury to decide the ultimate issue of who
    caused the collision. Glass does not hold an expert can offer an opinion on the ultimate
    issue of guilt. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Irving the right
    to cross-examine Sirmons concerning the collision’s primary and associated factors.
    Because the court did not err, Irving suffered no prejudice.
    III. Probation Ineligibility
    Irving asserts the trial court erred by denying him probation based on the
    mistaken belief he was presumptively ineligible. Alternatively, Irving asserts he received
    ineffective assistance of counsel. We discuss these contentions below.
    A. Background
    In the probation report, the probation officer stated Irving had “[l]imited
    eligibility pursuant to” Penal Code section 1203, subdivision (e)(3)—a trial court must
    not grant probation to any person who “willfully inflicted great bodily injury” except in
    unusual cases in which it serves the interests of justice. She indicated that although he
    had suffered no felony convictions, he had suffered two alcohol related misdemeanor
    convictions, one of which was for driving under the influence of alcohol, and he was on
    probation when he committed the current offense. The probation officer stated there
    were no mitigating circumstances and four aggravating circumstances, which were the
    following: the manner in which Irving conducted the crime indicates planning; the crime
    involved the actual taking of great monetary value; Irving’s convictions were of
    increasing seriousness; and Irving’s probation performance was poor. The probation
    officer stated she considered the mitigated term but Cantoran’s severe injuries
    12
    outweighed such a sentence. She recommended the trial court impose the middle term of
    two years on count 1 plus five years for the great bodily injury enhancement for a total of
    seven years in prison.
    Irving’s trial counsel submitted a sentencing brief that requested the trial
    court impose probation on 26-year-old Irving. Counsel explained Irving was exposed to
    alcohol and methamphetamine in utero and he has suffered from developmental,
    psychological, and behavioral problems his entire life. However, counsel did not address
    whether Irving was eligible for probation.
    At the sentencing hearing, the trial court indicated it had read the written
    submissions. The prosecutor requested the trial court not impose a sentence less than six
    years and four months. The prosecutor added probation was inappropriate based on the
    fact Irving was on probation for driving under the influence of alcohol when he drove
    intoxicated and hit Cantoran leaving him with “the brain capacity of a five-year-old.”
    Irving’s counsel requested the trial court sentence Irving to probation.
    Counsel stated Irving “disagree[d] with the probation officer’s report in many respects,
    and recommendation.” Counsel disagreed Irving’s prior convictions establish a pattern or
    that he lacked remorse. However, counsel did not dispute Irving was presumptively
    ineligible for probation.
    The trial court explained it was very familiar with the facts and spent
    considerable time reflecting on the case. The court said, “it is very difficult because I
    understand how young . . . Irving is and how he didn’t have fly [sic] malicious intent to
    hurt anyone.” The court added though it had to consider Cantoran’s and his family’s
    damage, trauma, and loss. After stating it had to consider the facts, law, and aggravating
    and mitigating factors, the court said, “With respect to sentencing, probation is denied.”
    The court sentenced Irving to the low term of 16 months on count 1 and a consecutive
    term of five years on the great bodily injury enhancement for a total of six years and four
    months in prison.
    13
    B. Law
    “The decision whether to grant or deny probation is reviewed under the
    abuse of discretion standard. [Citations.] ‘An order denying probation will not be
    reversed in the absence of a clear abuse of discretion. [Citation.] In reviewing the matter
    on appeal, a trial court is presumed to have acted to achieve legitimate sentencing
    objectives in the absence of a clear showing the sentencing decision was irrational or
    arbitrary. [Citations.]’ [Citation.]” (People v. Ferguson (2011) 
    194 Cal.App.4th 1070
    ,
    1091.)
    “‘Defendants are entitled to sentencing decisions made in the exercise of
    the “informed discretion” of the sentencing court. [Citations.] A court which is unaware
    of the scope of its discretionary powers can no more exercise that “informed discretion”
    than one whose sentence is or may have been based on misinformation regarding a
    material aspect of a defendant’s record.’ [Citation.] In such circumstances, . . . the
    appropriate remedy is to remand for resentencing unless the record ‘clearly indicate[s]’
    that the trial court would have reached the same conclusion ‘even if it had been aware
    that it had such discretion.’ [Citations.]” (People v. Gutierrez (2014) 
    58 Cal.4th 1354
    ,
    1391 (Gutierrez).) “Where . . . a sentence choice is based on an erroneous understanding
    of the law, the matter must be remanded for an informed determination. [Citations.]”
    (People v. Downey (2000) 
    82 Cal.App.4th 899
    , 912.)
    “Remand for resentencing is not required, however, if the record
    demonstrates the trial court was aware of its sentencing discretion. [Citations.] Further,
    remand is unnecessary if the record is silent concerning whether the trial court
    misunderstood its sentencing discretion. Error may not be presumed from a silent record.
    [Citation.] ‘“[A] trial court is presumed to have been aware of and followed the
    applicable law.” [Citations.]’ [Citation.]” (People v. Brown (2007) 
    147 Cal.App.4th 1213
    , 1228-1229; Gutierrez, supra, 58 Cal.4th at p. 1390.)
    14
    C. Analysis
    Irving asserts the trial court mistakenly believed he was presumptively
    ineligible for probation and he forfeited appellate review of this issue because his trial
    counsel failed to dispute that proposition in his sentencing brief or at the hearing. As a
    result of counsel’s failure, Irving argues he received effective assistance of counsel.
    It is true the probation officer stated Irving was presumptively ineligible for
    probation because he willfully inflicted great bodily injury. It is also true his trial counsel
    did not dispute the probation officer’s conclusion.
    But we cannot conclude the trial court mistakenly believed Irving was
    presumptively ineligible for probation based on the record before us. During the
    sentencing hearing, the trial court stated, “[Irving] didn’t have [any] malicious intent to
    hurt anyone.” Based on the court’s statement, we can reasonably conclude it did not
    proceed based on the conclusion Irving “willfully inflicted great bodily injury.” Because
    we presume the trial court was aware of and followed the applicable law, we cannot
    conclude the court denied Irving probation based on the mistaken belief he was
    presumptively ineligible for probation. Moreover, the fact the court weighed the
    circumstances for and against probation indicates it was aware it had a choice.
    Additionally, we cannot presume from a silent record the court erred. This
    was not a situation where the court made any comments demonstrating it believed Irving
    was presumptively ineligible for probation. In fact, the court made a factual finding that
    removed him from presumptive ineligibility. Based on this record, we conclude the trial
    court did not deny Irving probation under the mistaken belief he was presumptively
    ineligible.
    15
    DISPOSITION
    The judgment is affirmed.
    O’LEARY, P. J.
    WE CONCUR:
    BEDSWORTH, J.
    MOORE, J.
    16
    

Document Info

Docket Number: G060195

Filed Date: 9/22/2021

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 9/23/2021