People v. Brown ( 2014 )

Filed 9/30/14; pub. order 10/30/14 (see end of opn.)
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent, E059809
v. (Super.Ct.No. RIF078113)
WILLIE LEE BROWN, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. James S. Hawkins, Judge.
Affirmed.
John L. Dodd, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General,
Anthony Da Silva and Peter Quon, Jr., Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
1
This is an appeal by defendant and appellant Willie Lee Brown, a “Three Strikes”
prisoner who was serving an indeterminate life sentence, following the trial court’s order
denying defendant’s petition to recall his sentence under the Three Strikes Reform Act of
2012, added by Proposition 36 (the Reform Act). (Pen. Code, § 1170.126.)1 On appeal,
defendant argues (1) a trial court has the authority to strike a disqualifying prior
conviction allegation under section 1385 and People v. Superior Court (Romero) (1996)
13 Cal. 4th 497 (Romero) at a sentencing recall hearing brought under section 1170.126;
and (2) because the trial court believed it did not have such authority, the matter must be
remanded. For the reasons explained below, we reject defendant’s contention.
I
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2
On September 22, 1997, a store manager at a Moreno Valley Payless/Rite Aid
store saw defendant place two cameras into his briefcase before walking into the store’s
restroom. When the manager entered the restroom, he heard defendant behind a closed
stall door tearing boxes. The manager found empty camera boxes in the stall after
defendant exited the restroom. Defendant was apprehended by the store manager and a
security guard as he was about to exit the store. The two cameras, valued at a total of
$169.98, were recovered from defendant.
1 All future statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise stated.
2 The factual background is taken from the probation officer’s report.
2
After police were contacted and defendant waived his constitutional rights, a
sheriff’s deputy interviewed defendant. Defendant, who was not carrying any
identification, told the deputy that his name was “Willie James Lewis” and his birth date
was January 1, 1965. After the deputy established defendant’s identity using his
fingerprints, the deputy issued defendant a citation and released him. The deputy later
received information that defendant was wanted on a no-bail felony warrant for violating
parole on a robbery case. Defendant was apprehended on March 26, 1998, during a
traffic stop in Moreno Valley.
On October 2, 1998, a jury convicted defendant of petty theft with a prior theft
conviction (§ 666). In a bifurcated proceeding, the trial court found true that defendant
had suffered two prior prison terms (§ 667.5) and three prior serious and violent felony
strike convictions (§§ 667, subds. (c) & (e)(2), 1170.12, subd. (c)), to wit, a 1978 robbery
(§ 211); a 1991 robbery (§ 211); and a 1991 oral copulation by force (§ 288a, subd. (c)).
On November 17, 1998, defendant was sentenced to a total term of 27 years to life in
state prison with credit for time served.
On November 6, 2012, the electorate passed Proposition 36, also known as the
Reform Act. Among other things, this ballot measure enacted section 1170.126, which
permits persons currently serving an indeterminate life term under the “Three Strikes”
law to file a petition in the sentencing court seeking to be resentenced to a determinate
term as a second striker. (§ 1170.126, subd. (f).) If the trial court determines, in its
3
discretion, that the defendant meets the criteria of section 1170.126, subdivision (e), the
court may resentence the defendant. (§ 1170.126, subds. (f), (g).)
On March 20, 2013, defendant filed a petition to request resentencing under
section 1170.126. The People opposed the petition on the grounds that defendant was
statutorily ineligible under the Reform Act because he was convicted of robbery and oral
copulation by force and because he posed an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.
The trial court heard the petition on September 20, 2013. At that time, the trial
court noted that defendant was not eligible and there was “nothing” the court could “do.”
While acknowledging he had found no cases on the subject, defense counsel replied that
the court had “an inherent power” to strike priors in the interest of justice as was decided
by the Romero decision, and that power applied to a petition to recall a sentence and be
resentenced as a second striker. The prosecutor responded that section 1385 and Romero
did not apply to Proposition 36 resentencing. Following further discussions between
defense counsel and the court, the trial court denied the petition based on section
1170.126, but not on the grounds of dangerousness.
On October 11, 2013, defendant filed a notice of appeal.3
3 The appealability of the denial of a section 1170.126 petition is currently being
considered by the Supreme Court. (See, e.g., Teal v. Superior Court (2013) 217
Cal. App. 4th 308, review granted July 31, 2013, S211708 [court held it was not
appealable]; People v. Hurtado (2013) 216 Cal. App. 4th 941, review granted July 31,
2013, S212017 [court held it was appealable].) Even if we were to conclude it was a
nonappealable order, we could, in the interest of judicial economy and because of
uncertainty in the law, treat defendant’s appeal as a petition for writ of habeas corpus or
petition for writ of mandate. (See People v. Segura (2008) 44 Cal. 4th 921, 928, fn. 4
[treating appeal from nonappealable order as petition for writ of habeas corpus]; Drum v.
[footnote continued on next page]
4
II
DISCUSSION
The issue presented in this case is whether a trial court’s discretion to strike a
prior felony conviction in the furtherance of justice extends to determinations of a
petitioner’s eligibility for resentencing under the Reform Act. Relying on the principles
of statutory interpretation, defendant argues trial courts have the discretionary power to
strike a prior felony conviction when determining eligibility under the Reform Act. He,
therefore, believes the matter should be remanded to allow the trial court to exercise its
discretion as to whether the disqualifying prior strike conviction should be stricken under
section 1385 and Romero and to reconsider the petition.
The People preliminarily respond that the trial court’s order denying defendant’s
petition is not appealable. The People further assert that the plain language of the Reform
Act unambiguously sets out three criteria an inmate must satisfy in order to be eligible for
resentencing under the Reform Act, and that nothing in the statute authorizes the trial
court to exercise its discretion to disregard the application of a criteria, or to weigh one
criteria different from others.
[footnote continued from previous page]
Superior Court (2006) 139 Cal. App. 4th 845, 852-853 [Fourth Dist., Div. Two] [treating
appeal as petition for writ of mandate due to uncertainty in the law].) In any event, we
will review defendant’s appeal.
5
A. Principles of Statutory Interpretation
“In interpreting a voter initiative like [the Reform Act], we apply the same
principles that govern statutory construction. [Citation.]” (People v. Rizo (2000) 22
Cal. 4th 681, 685.) “ ‘The fundamental purpose of statutory construction is to ascertain
the intent of the lawmakers so as to effectuate the purpose of the law. [Citations.]’ ”
(Horwich v. Superior Court (1999) 21 Cal. 4th 272, 276.) “In determining intent, we look
first to the words themselves. [Citations.] When the language is clear and unambiguous,
there is no need for construction. [Citations.] When the language is susceptible of more
than one reasonable interpretation, however, we look to a variety of extrinsic aids,
including the ostensible objects to be achieved, the evils to be remedied, the legislative
history, public policy, contemporaneous administrative construction, and the statutory
scheme of which the statute is a part. [Citations.]” (People v. Woodhead (1987) 43
Cal. 3d 1002, 1007-1008; see People v. Verduzco (2012) 210 Cal. App. 4th 1406, 1414.)
We also “ ‘refer to other indicia of the voters’ intent, particularly the analyses and
arguments contained in the official ballot pamphlet.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Rizo, supra,
22 Cal.4th at p. 685.) “Using these extrinsic aids, we ‘select the construction that
comports most closely with the apparent intent of the [electorate], with a view to
promoting rather than defeating the general purpose of the statute, and avoid an
interpretation that would lead to absurd consequences.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Sinohui
(2002) 28 Cal. 4th 205, 212.) “ ‘ “The meaning of a statute may not be determined from a
single word or sentence; the words must be construed in context, and provisions relating
6
to the same subject matter must be harmonized to the extent possible. [Citation.]” ’ ”
(People v. Mohammed (2008) 162 Cal. App. 4th 920, 928.) “ ‘[W]e do not construe
statutes in isolation, but rather read every statute “with reference to the entire scheme of
law of which it is part so that the whole may be harmonized and retain effectiveness.”
[Citation.]’ [Citation.]” (Horwich v. Superior Court, supra, 21 Cal.4th at p. 276.)
B. The Reform Act
In approving the Reform Act, the voters found and declared that its purpose was to
prevent the early release of dangerous criminals and relieve prison overcrowding by
allowing low-risk, nonviolent inmates serving life sentences for petty crimes, such as
shoplifting and simple drug possession, to receive twice the normal sentence instead of a
life sentence. (Voter Information Guide, Gen. Elec. (Nov. 6, 2012) text of Prop. 36, § 1,
subds. (3), (4) & (5), p. 105; see Historical and Statutory Notes, 49 West’s Ann. Pen.
Code (2014 supp.) foll. § 667, pp. 40-41.) 4 The electorate also approved a mandate that
the Reform Act be liberally construed to effectuate the protection of the health, safety,
and welfare of the People of California. (Voter Information Guide, supra, text of
Prop. 36, § 7, p. 110.) Accordingly, we liberally construe the provisions of the Reform
Act in order to effectuate its foregoing purposes.
4Defendant requests that we take judicial notice of the Official Voter Information
Guide for the California General Election of November 6, 2012, pages 48-53 and pages
105-110, relating to the Reform Act. We will grant that request pursuant to Evidence
Code sections 452 and 459.
7
The Reform Act amended the three strikes statutes (§§ 667, 1170.12) to require
that before a defendant may be sentenced to an indeterminate life term in prison under the
Three Strikes law, the new felony (the commitment offense) must generally qualify as a
serious or violent felony. (§§ 667, subd. (e)(2)(A), (C), 1170.12, subd. (c)(2)(A), (C).)
The Reform Act also created section 1170.126, which provides a procedure for
resentencing “persons presently serving an indeterminate term of imprisonment” under
the Three Strikes law, “whose sentence under this act would not have been an
indeterminate life sentence.” (§ 1170.126, subd. (a).) Such a person may file a petition
to recall his or her sentence and be sentenced as a second strike offender. (§ 1170.126,
subd. (b).) An inmate is eligible for such resentencing if none of his or her current
commitment offenses constitutes serious or violent felonies and none of the enumerated
factors disqualifying an inmate for resentencing under the Reform Act applies.
(§ 1170.126, subd. (e).) Resentencing of eligible inmates may, nonetheless, be refused if
the trial court, “ ‘in its discretion, determines that resentencing the petitioner would pose
an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.’ ” (§ 1170.126, subd. (f); see (People v.
Yearwood (2013) 213 Cal. App. 4th 161, 170.) In determining whether the inmate poses
such a risk, the court may consider the inmate’s criminal conviction history, disciplinary
record and rehabilitation records while incarcerated, and “[a]ny other evidence the court,
within its discretion, determines to be relevant . . . .” (§ 1170.126, subd. (g).)
Defendant’s current commitment felony offense of petty theft is not a serious or
violent felony under section 667.5, subdivision (c), or section 1192.7, subdivision (c).
8
However, the inquiry does not end with whether or not the current conviction is a serious
or violent felony. As previously noted, an inmate is eligible for such resentencing if none
of his or her current commitment offenses constitute serious or violent felonies and none
of the enumerated factors disqualifying a defendant for resentencing under the Reform
Act are present. (§ 1170.126, subd. (e).)
Subdivision (e)(3) of section 1170.126 provides that an inmate who is otherwise
qualified for resentencing is only eligible if “[t]he inmate has no prior convictions for any
of the offenses appearing in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of
subdivision (e) of Section 667 or clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of
subdivision (c) of Section 1170.12.” Both section 667, subdivision (e)(2)(C)(iv), and
section 1170.12, subdivision (c)(2)(C)(iv), in pertinent part, list the following offenses:
“(I) A ‘sexually violent offense’ as defined by subdivision (b) of Section 6600 of
the Welfare and Institutions Code.
“(II) Oral copulation with a child who is under 14 years of age, and who is more
than 10 years younger than he or she as defined by Section 288a, sodomy with another
person who is under 14 years of age and more than 10 years younger than he or she as
defined by Section 286, or sexual penetration with another person who is under 14 years
of age, and who is more than 10 years younger than he or she, as defined by Section
289.”
Welfare and Institutions Code section 6600, subdivision (b), defines “sexually
violent offense” as any one of several enumerated offenses, including Penal Code
9
section 288a, “when committed by force, violence, duress, menace, fear of immediate
and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person, or threatening to retaliate in
the future against the victim or any other person . . . .”
Here, it is undisputed that defendant’s underlying 1991 forced oral copulation
offense in violation of section 288a, subdivision (c), is a “sexually violent offense” listed
in Welfare and Institutions Code section 6600, subdivision (b), thereby precluding
defendant from being eligible to petition for recall of his sentence and resentencing under
section 1170.126, subdivision (e). Defendant, however, maintains that a trial court has
the authority under section 1385 to strike the prior disqualifying offense based on the
plain language of section 1170.126 and the intent of the Legislature. We find defendant’s
arguments unpersuasive.
Initially, we note that defendant’s contention is not an arguable issue on appeal. A
trial court does not have general jurisdiction to resentence a criminal defendant after
execution of sentence has begun. (See People v. Howard (1997) 16 Cal. 4th 1081, 1089.)
Section 1385 does not grant the court such jurisdiction. Defendant’s sentence is not
clearly unauthorized, so as to be subject to correction at any time. (See People v. Turrin
(2009) 176 Cal. App. 4th 1200, 1205.)
Furthermore, the Romero decision was limited to whether the Legislature had
withdrawn the court’s section 1385 statutory power to strike prior felony conviction
allegations under the Three Strikes law as set out in sections 667, subdivisions (b)
through (i), and section 1170.12 in the furtherance of justice. The Romero court
10
explained: “The Three Strikes law, itself, expressly approves the striking of prior felony
conviction allegations (§ 667[, subd.] (f)(2)), presumably for the purpose of affecting
sentencing, since the striking of such allegations has no other purpose. Moreover, it is
well established that a court may exercise its power to strike under section 1385 ‘before,
during or after trial,’ up to the time judgment is pronounced. [Citations.]” (Romero,
supra, 13 Cal.4th at p. 524, fn. 11.)
Moreover, defendant’s interpretation of section 1170.126 is flawed.
Section 1170.126 grants a trial court the power to determine an inmate’s eligibility to be
resentenced under the Reform Act only if the inmate satisfies the three criteria set out in
subdivision (e) of the statute, as previously noted, and contains no provision authorizing a
trial court to disregard the required criteria. (§ 1170.126, subd. (e).) Rather, the plain
language of subdivision (e) clearly provides that an inmate must first satisfy each criteria
set out in subdivision (e) of section 1170.126 before he or she can be resentenced under
the Reform Act, and gives the trial court no discretion to depart from the three-step
requirement. In other words, if the inmate does not satisfy one or more of the criteria,
section 1170.126 grants the trial court no power to do anything but deny the petition for
recall of sentence.
Defendant points to subdivision (f) of section 1170.126, which states in part:
“Upon receiving a petition for recall of sentence under this section, the court shall
determine whether the petitioner satisfies the criteria in subdivision (e). If the petitioner
satisfies the criteria in subdivision (e), the petitioner shall be resentenced . . . unless the
11
court, in its discretion, determines that resentencing the petitioner would pose an
unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.” (Italics added.) Defendant suggests this
language gives the trial court specific authority to decide whether an inmate is eligible to
be resentenced under the Act. We do not read the language as giving the trial court
authority to decide an inmate is qualified when that inmate does not meet all the
eligibility criteria specified in subdivision (e) of section 1170.126. Rather, subdivision
(f) of the statute plainly sets out the procedure a trial court is to follow upon receipt of a
petition under section 1170.126. The plain language of subdivision (f) of the statute
gives trial courts discretion only after an inmate satisfies the criteria set out in subdivision
(e), and only in determining whether granting that relief would pose an unreasonable risk
of danger even if the petitioner satisfies the criteria in subdivision (e). Indeed, the
Legislature explicitly provided the sources of information a trial court may consider in
exercising the discretion in determining whether the petitioner would pose an
unreasonable risk to public safety. (§ 1170.126, subd. (g).) Subdivision (g) of the
statute sets out the documentary evidence the trial court may review in exercising that
discretion including “[a]ny other evidence the court, within its discretion, determines to
be relevant . . . .” (Ibid.)
As the People note, the absence of discretionary authority in subdivision (e) of the
statute shows the Legislature intended to withhold statutory power of a trial court to
exercise its discretion in the furtherance of justice under section 1385 in determining a
defendant’s eligibility to be resentenced under the Reform Act. Clearly, the Legislature
12
expressly authorized a trial court to exercise its discretion when determining whether
granting relief would pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety as noted in
section 1170.126, subdivisions (f) and (g). However, the plain language of subdivision
(e) of the statute authorizes no such discretionary power to a trial court in deciding an
inmate’s eligibility under the Reform Act.
Defendant also points to section 1170.126, subdivision (k), of the statute, which
expressly states, “Nothing in this section is intended to diminish or abrogate any rights or
remedies otherwise available to the defendant.” (§ 1170.126, subd. (k).) That is correct,
but it does not mean the Legislature intended to give a trial court the authority to exercise
its discretion under section 1385 in determining whether a defendant is eligible to be
resentenced under the Reform Act.
Contrary to defendant’s argument, the plain and commonsense meaning of
section 1170.126, subdivision (e), precludes a trial court from exercising its discretion in
the furtherance of justice under section 1385 when determining whether an inmate has
satisfied the three criteria set out in that subdivision.
We also take into account the rule of lenity. “ ‘That rule generally requires
that “ambiguity in a criminal statute should be resolved in favor of lenity, giving
the defendant the benefit of every reasonable doubt on questions of interpretation.
But . . . ‘that rule applies “only if two reasonable interpretations of the statute stand in
relative equipoise.” [Citation.]’ [Citations.]” [Citations.]’ [Citation.] ‘The rule of
lenity does not apply every time there are two or more reasonable interpretations of a
13
penal statute. [Citation.] Rather, the rule applies “ ‘only if the court can do no more than
guess what the legislative body intended; there must be an egregious ambiguity and
uncertainty to justify invoking the rule.’ ” [Citation.]’ [Citation.]” (People v. Nuckles
(2013) 56 Cal. 4th 601, 611.) “Further, ambiguities are not interpreted in the defendant’s
favor if such an interpretation would provide an absurd result, or a result inconsistent
with apparent legislative intent. [Citation.]” (People v. Cruz (1996) 13 Cal. 4th 764,
783.)
An examination of the statutory scheme as a whole supports the conclusion that a
trial court does not have the authority, in the furtherance of justice under section 1385, to
determine eligibility for resentencing under the Reform Act. That our conclusion
comports with the voters’ intent is supported by the ballot materials related to the Reform
Act. We recognize the “OFFICIAL TITLE AND SUMMARY” stated in part that the
initiative “[m]aintains life sentence penalty for felons with nonserious, non-violent third
strike if prior convictions were rape, murder, or child molestation.” (Voter Information
Guide, Gen. Elec. (Nov. 6, 2012) official title and summary, p. 48.) In summarizing
then-existing law, the legislative analysis of the Reform Act listed, as examples of violent
felonies, murder, robbery, and rape; as felonies that were serious but not violent, assault
with intent to commit robbery; and as felonies not classified as violent or serious, grand
theft (not involving a firearm) and possession of a controlled substance. (Voter
Information Guide, Gen. Elec., supra, analysis of Prop. 36 by Legis. Analyst, p. 48.) In
summarizing how the initiative measure would shorten sentences for some third strikers,
14
the Legislative Analyst explained there would be some exceptions to the shorter sentence:
“Specifically, the measure requires that if the offender has committed certain new or
prior offenses, including some drug-, sex-, and gun-related felonies, he or she would still
be subject to a life sentence under the three strikes law.” (Id. at p. 49, italics added.) The
legislative analysis further described how certain current third strikers would be
resentenced, but explained that the Reform Act “limits eligibility for resentencing to third
strikers whose current offense is nonserious, non-violent, and who have not committed
specified current and prior offenses, such as certain drug-, sex-, and gun-related
felonies.” (Id. at p. 50, italics added.) The legislative analysis also explains that trial
courts “conducting these resentencing hearings would first determine whether the
offender’s criminal history makes them eligible for resentencing.” (Ibid., italics added.)
Nowhere in the legislative analysis does it state that a trial court has discretion to
determine eligibility notwithstanding the three-part criteria in subdivision (e) of
section 1170.126.
Quoting from the legislative analysis of the background section of “Three Strikes
Sentencing,” defendant asserts “[t]he pamphlet does acknowledge a court’s discretionary
power.” That section under the “Third Strike Offense,” provides, “While the law requires
the sentences described above, in some instances the court may choose not to consider
prior felonies during sentencing. When this occurs, an offender who would otherwise be
sentenced as a second or third striker would be sentenced to a lesser term than required
under the three strikes law.” (Voter Information Guide, Gen. Elec., supra, analysis of
15
Prop. 36 by Legis. Analyst, p. 49.) However, this portion of the legislative analysis
relates to when a trial court first sentences a defendant as a second striker, third striker, or
a lesser sentence “in some instances” when a court chooses to do so. This language does
not relate to whether an inmate is eligible for resentencing under section 1170.126.
Although the literal language of a statute does not prevail if it conflicts with lawmakers’
intent (Lungren v. Deukmejian (1988) 45 Cal. 3d 727, 735), it is nevertheless the most
reliable indicator of that intent (City of Santa Monica v. Gonzalez (2008) 43 Cal. 4th 905,
919).
It is clear the electorate’s intent was not to allow a trial court to retain its section
1385 discretionary authority when determining whether an inmate is eligible for
resentencing under the Reform Act. Moreover, defendant fails to recognize that by
allowing such authority in the context of a section 1170.126 petition to recall a sentence,
an inmate would be given another bite at the apple to bring forth a Romero motion and
argue his or her prior strike convictions should be stricken in the interest of justice.
Presumably, a defendant had brought forth such a motion at his or her initial sentencing
hearing.
16
III
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
RAMIREZ
P. J.
We concur:
KING
J.
CODRINGTON
J.
17
Filed 10/30/14
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent, E059809
v. (Super.Ct.No. RIF078113)
WILLIE LEE BROWN, The County of Riverside
Defendant and Appellant.
THE COURT
A request having been made to this court pursuant to California Rules of Court,
rule 8.1120, for publication of a nonpublished opinion filed in the above entitled matter
on September 30, 2014, and it appearing that the opinion meets the standard for
publication as specified in California Rules of court, rule 8.1105(c),
IT IS ORDERED that said opinion be certified for publication pursuant to
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1105(b).
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
RAMIREZ
P. J.
We concur:
KING
J.
CODRINGTON
J.
1
MAILING LIST FOR CASE: E059809
The People v. Willie Brown
Superior Court Clerk
Riverside County
P.O. Box 431 - Appeals
Riverside, CA 92502
Peter Quon, Jr.
Office of the State Attorney General
P.O. Box 85266
San Diego, CA 92186-5266
John L. Dodd
17621 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 200
Tustin, CA 92780
Appellate Defenders, Inc.
555 West Beech Street, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92101-2396
District Attorney
County of Riverside
3960 Orange Street, #100
Riverside, CA 92501
Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 942883
Sacramento, CA 94283 0001
2