In re M.F. ( 2017 )

Filed 1/12/17
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In re M.F., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
D068971
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super. Ct. No. J237131)
v.
M.F., a Minor,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Aaron H.
Katz, Judge. Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Lindsey M. Ball, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Peter Quon Jr., Randall D.
Einhorn and Susan Miller, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
* Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.1110, this opinion is certified for
publication with the exception of parts I, II, IV and V.
Defendant M.F. appeals from the juvenile court's disposition order declaring him a
ward of the court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code1 section 602, committing
him to a residential program, and setting probation conditions. He contends that the court
erred by: (1) admitting cumulative and prejudicial testimony and exhibits at the
disposition hearing; (2) committing him to a 480-day residential program;
(3) imposing an unconstitutionally overbroad probation condition restricting his
possession of electronic devices; (4) designating one of his offenses as a felony without a
proper section 702 finding; and (5) failing to deduct his predisposition custody credits
when calculating his maximum term of confinement.
We conclude that the juvenile court erred in imposing an overly broad probation
condition regarding electronic devices and in failing to deduct predisposition custody
credits when determining M.F.'s maximum time of confinement.2 We therefore reverse
the disposition order in part, and remand for the juvenile court to modify its order to
include: (1) a more narrowly tailored probation condition, and (2) a deduction of M.F.'s
1 Unless otherwise specified, all subsequent statutory references are to the Welfare
and Institutions Code.
2 M.F. recently filed a notice of abandonment of appeal and request for
dismissal. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.316(b)(2), we retain jurisdiction
to deny a request for dismissal when it occurs after the appellate record has been filed,
particularly if the appeal "poses an issue of broad public interest that is likely to recur."
(People v. Scarbrough (2015) 240 Cal. App. 4th 916, 920, fn. 2; see also Lucchesi v. City
of San Jose (1980) 104 Cal. App. 3d 323, 326, fn. 2.) In this case, we denied the dismissal
request to address the constitutionality of the electronic device probation condition.
2
predisposition custody credits in its determination of his maximum period of
confinement. In all other respects, we affirm the order.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. Factual background
In May 2015, police detained M.F. at his high school after he gave one of his
teachers a letter stating that she "should be worried about getting shot," and that she "did
not know what her students were capable of or what they may have at home." When
detained, he was wearing an empty holster. The police searched M.F.'s backpack and
found journals that described a plan to kill individuals associated with schools that he had
attended.3 The journals also contained a list of supplies that he would need to carry out
his plan and "hit lists" of potential victims, with various types of "punishments" (such as
wound, torture, death, rape, or a combination thereof) next to each name. In addition,
one journal entry indicated that M.F. had been "faking it" while participating in anger
management and counseling following his 2013 expulsion.
The police searched M.F.'s bedroom and found 20 rounds of live ammunition,
several replica firearms, gun magazines, gun cleaning equipment and gun holsters,
including one for a Glock firearm, a handgun case, a folding knife, black ski masks and a
balaclava (a knit cap that covers the head and shoulders). The police also found tactical
3 In 2013, M.F. was expelled from another school for dressing in tactical gear on
Halloween and carrying a binder that contained materials referencing Columbine High
School. He then attended a Juvenile Court and Community School before enrolling in
the school where he was ultimately detained.
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gear, including a ballistic helmet, vest and armor plates. Several items found in M.F.'s
bedroom had been checked off on his supply list.
M.F. told police that he had been involved in a militia for several years and said
that he had shot approximately 1,500 rounds of ammunition during firearms training. He
also admitted having borrowed a Glock and a rifle from militia members, which he had
kept hidden, but claimed that he had returned the guns. M.F. made similar statements in
an interview with a probation officer. In addition, he indicated that the militia had given
him body armor, which he said he used "mostly" for his job as a paintball referee. He
claimed that his journal entries were intended to be cathartic and he had no intention of
physically harming anyone. Regarding his participation in anger management and
decision-making counseling in 2014, he admitted that the programs had been ineffective
in helping him appropriately channel his anger.
B. Procedural background
The San Diego County District Attorney filed a juvenile wardship petition (§ 602)
against M.F., alleging that he had made criminal threats (Pen. Code, § 422), threatened a
public employee (Pen. Code, § 71), and possessed ammunition (Pen. Code, § 29650). In
June 2015, he admitted the allegations in the petition.
In August 2015, following a contested disposition hearing, the court declared M.F.
a ward of the court, removed him from his parents' custody and committed him to the
Youthful Offender Unit (YOU) for up to 480 days.
M.F. filed a timely notice of appeal.
4
DISCUSSION
I. Admission of Evidence at the Disposition Hearing
A. Additional Facts
At the disposition hearing, the prosecution called Officer Garrett, a detective with
firearms experience who was assigned to the case, to testify. M.F.'s counsel objected,
arguing that Officer Garrett's testimony would be irrelevant and more prejudicial than
probative.4 The court overruled the objection, indicating that it wanted to fully
understand the case, including the materials recently discovered following a forensic
investigation of M.F.'s computer, to ensure a proper disposition.
Officer Garrett testified that M.F.'s bedroom contained ammunition that would
work only in real firearms, cleaning equipment for real firearms and a Glock handgun
case. He also testified about notes found in the Glock case, which indicated that the
weapon was hidden elsewhere. He described M.F.'s journal entries in which he referred
to hiding weapons in his mattress and the discovery by police of a slit in his mattress with
a hollowed out space inside. In addition, Officer Garrett testified that M.F.'s tactical gear
appeared to be real, and that one of the firearms shown in a video taken in his bedroom
appeared to be real and was never found by the police. He further testified that the police
had been unable to verify the existence of the militia groups referenced in M.F.'s journals.
4 M.F.'s counsel objected two additional times during the testimony, objecting to
testimony regarding materials found on M.F.'s computer as cumulative and to the exhibits
entered in evidence as cumulative and as more prejudicial than probative.
5
Officer Garrett also testified regarding his examination of M.F.'s cell phone, which
contained a video of M.F. loading a gun and aiming it at a target in his bedroom. The
phone also contained an album entitled "militia," which included videos of M.F.
conducting target practice, standing at a window and aiming a realistic looking gun at the
head of a bicyclist riding by, and practicing tactical maneuvers, and photographs
depicting violence toward police officers. In addition, the cell phone contained
photographs of school manuals describing procedures for dealing with an armed intruder,
a hostage or barricade situation, and a bomb threat. The cell phone further contained a
text message to M.F.s' girlfriend, sent the day before his arrest, stating that he was
carrying his Glock "concealed."
Officer Garrett also testified regarding information found on M.F.'s computer.
Investigation of the computer revealed a history of Google searches relating to dead
children and school shootings, thousands of photographs of weapons, photographs of one
of his schools, and information regarding how to hide guns or gun magazines. The
computer also contained a pornographic video filmed in M.F.'s bedroom, manuals
referencing violence against women and a Skype video in which he threatened potential
harm to his girlfriend.
Officer Garrett further provided the foundation for the prosecution's exhibits,
which the court accepted into evidence. The exhibits included copies of pages from
M.F.'s journal (including the list of potential victims, the supply list and plans), four
examples of photographs advocating or depicting violence against police officers, a
photograph of his tactical gear, a photograph of M.F. dressed in tactical gear holding a
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threatening message addressed to his school district. The exhibits also included
photographs of ammunition found in his bedroom and of the notes found in the Glock
case. One of these notes said "Too Late!!! My 2nd Amendment will NOT be
infringed!!" and the other, dated 2014, indicated that the Glock had been moved and that
the airsoft training pistol was a decoy.
B. Argument
M.F. contends that the juvenile court erred in allowing Officer Garrett to testify,
and in admitting exhibits pertaining to evidence contained on his cell phone and
computer, over his counsel's objection, because the evidence was cumulative and
prejudicial.
C. Governing law
In making its disposition ruling, the juvenile court is required to consider public
safety, victim redress and the best interests of the minor. (§ 202, subd. (d).) The court
must also take into account: (1) the minor's age, (2) the circumstances and gravity of the
minor's offense, and (3) any prior history of delinquency. (§ 725.5.) In addition,
pursuant to section 706, "[t]he court shall receive in evidence the social study of the
minor made by the probation officer and any other relevant and material evidence that
may be offered." (See also Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.785(b) ["The court must receive in
evidence and consider the social study and any relevant evidence offered by the
petitioner, the child, or the parent or guardian."].)
There is therefore a strong public policy of ensuring that a juvenile court judge has
broad access to relevant information about a minor when conducting its disposition
7
analysis. (In re Michael V. (1986) 178 Cal. App. 3d 159, 170 (Michael V.).) There is no
statutory requirement that the Evidence Code be applied at a disposition hearing (§ 706).
Rather, the hearing is governed by "less exacting rules" than the jurisdiction hearing
(§ 701), which requires application of the Evidence Code. (In re Eddie M. (2003) 31
Cal. 4th 480, 487.) At the disposition hearing, the juvenile court is permitted to consider
evidence that would otherwise be inadmissible, if the evidence is relevant and material.
(Michael V., supra, at p. 170 [illegally obtained evidence]; In re Vincent G. (2008) 162
Cal. App. 4th 238, 244 [hearsay evidence].) Although section 706 does not expressly
incorporate the Evidence Code, it has been interpreted as impliedly incorporating
Evidence Code section 352, allowing the court to limit admission of relevant evidence at
disposition hearings when the evidence is cumulative, unduly prejudicial or time
consuming, or likely to confuse the issues, to avoid any possible undesirable
consequences of a literal interpretation of section 706.5 (In re Romeo C. (1995) 33
Cal. App. 4th 1838, 1843 (Romeo C.).) The juvenile court has broad discretion in
determining the admissibility of evidence at the disposition hearing. (In re Jordan R.
(2012) 205 Cal. App. 4th 111, 121.)
5 As used in Evidence Code section 352, the term "prejudice" does not refer to harm
to a party's case stemming from relevant, probative evidence, but instead refers to the
tendency of certain evidence "to evoke an emotional bias against a party because of
extraneous factors unrelated to the issues." (People v. Cortez (2016) 63 Cal. 4th 101, 128
(Cortez).)
8
D. Standard of review
We review the court's ruling regarding the admissibility of evidence for an abuse
of discretion. (People v. Myers (2014) 227 Cal. App. 4th 1219, 1224.) "A court abuses its
discretion when its ruling 'falls outside the bounds of reason.' " (Ibid.)
E. Analysis
M.F. argues that the testimony regarding the contents of his electronic devices did
not add anything to the People's case and that the prosecution had no right to present
potentially prejudicial cumulative evidence. However, the mere fact that evidence is
cumulative does not render it irrelevant. (People v. Smithey (1999) 20 Cal. 4th 936, 974.)
Moreover, as discussed above, the court is to have broad access to relevant information at
a disposition hearing and is to consider any evidence that is relevant and material to the
disposition, qualified only by the court's discretion to exclude evidence under Evidence
Code Section 352. (§ 706; Michael V., supra, 178 Cal.App.3d at p. 170; Romeo C.,
supra, 33 Cal. App. 4th 1838, 1843; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.785(b).) M.F.'s offenses
included threatening to shoot a teacher and possessing live ammunition. Any information
that is probative of whether he harbored the intention and means to carry out such a threat
would be germane to both public safety and his best interests—considerations that are
highly relevant to the court's placement decision. (§ 202, subd. (d).)
Although the juvenile court had considered reports containing general descriptions
of some of the materials that police discovered on M.F.'s electronic devices, Officer
Garrett's testimony provided an overview of the materials that he deemed most
significant and provided information regarding where certain videos had been filmed,
9
including the video of M.F. conducting target practice. Officer Garrett's testimony also
provided the benefit of his experience with firearms, as evidenced by his testimony
regarding the functionality of the firearm depicted in one of the videos.
In his opening brief, M.F. argues that references to pornography and the Skype
video threat were inflammatory and unduly prejudicial. However, Officer Garrett
referred only briefly to one pornographic video (without further description of its
content), focusing instead on his determination that the video had been filmed in M.F.'s
bedroom. This testimony appears probative of the level of parental supervision of M.F.
at home, a fact relevant to the nature of the commitment necessary to serve his best
interests. (§ 202, subd. (d).) Testimony regarding the Skype video threat is relevant to
public safety (§ 202, subd. (d)). To the extent that M.F. contends that this testimony was
"uncorroborated," he had the opportunity to address the lack of corroboration on cross-
examination.
Similarly, the contested exhibits were relevant because they: (1) illustrated,
through four of the photographs found, what the reports meant when referring to
materials advocating violence against police officers; (2) depicted the exact language and
nature of a threat to the school district contained in one of the photographs; and
(3) provided the text of the gun case notes, supplementing other information in the
record. This evidence was not unduly prejudicial because it did not represent extraneous
information tending to evoke emotional bias, but instead supported, supplemented or
illustrated other evidence in the record relating to M.F.'s state of mind, his level of
10
planning and preparation for a violent attack and his potential access to weapons, all of
which are probative to the issue of his proper placement.
The juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in admitting testimonial and
documentary evidence regarding the contents of M.F.'s electronic devices.
II. Propriety of M.F.'s Placement at YOU
A. Additional Facts
M.F. was diagnosed with a serious medical condition following his detention.
Treatment for the condition was expected to continue for several months. The condition
would require around the clock access to medical care, periodic hospitalization, and
isolation from other juvenile hall residents. The juvenile hall staff set up a private suite
for M.F. near the health clinic.
After M.F. received his medical diagnosis, the court heard testimony regarding
how to best accommodate his condition. His treating physician testified that detaining
M.F. apart from his family and away from the hospital's teenager support group, which
was available at the hospital where he was receiving treatment, would be "cruel,"
depriving him of beneficial emotional support. In addition, M.F.'s physician opined that
M.F. would receive greater therapeutic benefit from being surrounded by family than
from visitation and telephone calls with them.
The juvenile hall medical clinic's supervisor testified that she had concerns
regarding the clinic's ability to address M.F.'s psychosocial issues. She worried that he
might become angry and act out, explaining that children in isolation often become sad
and depressed and tend to act out. In addition, the facility would have to expend
11
extensive efforts to prepare for M.F.'s care. The supervisor did not believe that returning
M.F. to juvenile hall upon his release from the hospital would be in his best medical
interest.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the juvenile court stated that it was concerned
about the community, but also concerned about M.F., and commented that the court
would have to design a solution that would accommodate the interests of both. Over the
course of the proceedings, the court followed the situation closely, obtaining numerous
updates on M.F.'s condition and circumstances. The court expressed concern about the
psychological and emotional impact of M.F.'s detention, and indicated that the court
wanted him to "be kept busy" and to have as much visitation as possible. The detention
facility restructured its visiting hours to allow M.F.'s mother to spend most of the day
with him, and he was also allowed visits from other family members.
Prior to the disposition hearing, the court also received and considered several
reports from the probation department. The initial report described M.F. as being "at
high level of risk" for continued delinquency and recommended placement in the
Breaking Cycles program for up to 240 days, followed by participation in the Reflections
program, in which he would be searched daily when arriving at school and have access to
onsite mental health services. The department also recommended the use of cognitive
behavior therapy to address his "dark and malicious thoughts," as reflected in his
journals.
12
In a subsequent report, the probation department changed its recommendation to
placement in the YOU program for 480 days. The YOU program would provide
evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy and close monitoring upon M.F.'s release.
The department modified its placement recommendation based on its review of new
evidence suggesting that M.F. had access to hidden weapons and that he had discussed
concealing weapons, referred to violence toward police, and used a targeting scope on
random people through his bedroom window.
In addition, the probation department relied on a report from Dr. B., a
psychologist, who evaluated M.F. and believed that his psychological needs would be
best met through residential treatment. Dr. B. indicated that treatment for cases like
M.F.'s is complicated and often takes "long periods of time." She concluded that he
might benefit from "more intensive interventions" to address his anger. Dr. B. was
concerned about the fact that M.F. was not deterred by his first school expulsion, which
instead appeared to have fueled his rage. She also noted that between his 2013 expulsion
and his May 2015 detention, he had twice been caught carrying a weapon to school (first
a small knife and then pepper spray). Dr. B. believed that the descriptions in M.F.'s
journals were too detailed to be consistent with him merely venting his frustrations, as he
claimed, and opined that given the materials found among his belongings, he presented a
high risk for acting out violently. In addition, Dr. B. expressed concern about the content
of certain online chats that M.F. engaged in regarding violence and planning an attack,
which M.F. claimed were chats with himself. The department found implausible M.F.'s
statement that the online chats were with himself, and viewed it as an attempt to deceive
13
Dr. B. and as evidence of his unwillingness to take accountability for his actions or to
change his mindset. The probation department recommended that M.F. be detained until
he had participated in therapy and rehabilitation sufficient to address his risks and needs.
In a subsequent supplemental report, the probation department addressed three
different placement options: YOU, Breaking Cycles and in-home placement. The report
indicated that, due to M.F.'s medical condition, his current plan for housing, education,
visitation, recreation and free time would remain unchanged irrespective of whether he
was placed in the YOU or Breaking Cycles program. In addition, either placement would
allow him to continue to receive weekly individual therapy from a psychologist during
his detention. In YOU, his medical isolation would preclude him from participating in
much of the programming (designed for group participation), but he could potentially
meet with his counselor more frequently and obtain videos and worksheets from some of
the group programs. The program involves up to 480 days in custody (or a minimum of
nine months, depending on the minor's progress). Although designed to meet the needs
of severe and chronic juvenile offenders, YOU was described as appropriate for M.F.
because of his severe and disturbing behavior, which was seen as posing a threat to both
himself and the community. Under YOU, he would retain the same counselor throughout
the program, with weekly counseling sessions continuing after his release and throughout
his probation. Upon his release, he would also be supervised by the probation department
and would have access to a job developer and to appropriate programs in the community.
The Breaking Cycles program supervisor reviewed M.F.'s case and indicated that
it would not be an appropriate placement for him. However, if he were to be placed in
14
the program, Breaking Cycles could make accommodations by providing individualized
counseling at juvenile hall. In addition, upon his release, he could participate in a
community program with therapeutic services and supervision by the probation
department and a community family monitor, but his health condition would prevent him
from participating in the usual transition programs, Reflections and the Youth Day
Center. The supplemental report also addressed supervised home placement, which
would require periodic probation monitoring and extensive outpatient psychological and
psychiatric counseling.
At the disposition hearing, M.F. presented the testimony of a probation officer
assigned to the Breaking Cycles program. The officer testified that group therapy
comprised the bulk of the custodial programming, but due to M.F.'s situation, the staff
would have to meet with him individually at juvenile hall. Minors without substance
abuse issues would typically be in custody for only three weeks, but could stay for up to
56 additional days if necessary. Upon release, minors with mental health issues would
usually participate in the Reflections program. However, M.F. would age out of that
program upon turning 18, in approximately eight months.
M.F. also presented testimony from Dr. S., the psychologist who had conducted
his initial psychological evaluation. Dr. S. testified that the tests he administered, and
Dr. B.'s test results did not show that M.F. would be at high risk for violence, disagreeing
with Dr. B.'s conclusion. However, he admitted that the test results were based on M.F.'s
truthfulness, and he had noted in his report that in evaluating M.F., he had been "unable
15
to determine the absence or presence of antisocial personality traits or disturbances with
confidence" because M.F. was highly defensive. In addition,
Dr. S. had previously opined that M.F. might be a challenge to treat and that he was
ambivalent about returning to individual therapy. Unlike Dr. B., Dr. S. had not reviewed
the most recent police reports, including those describing the materials found on M.F.'s
computer. When presented with this information, he testified that none of the new
information would have impacted his opinion, because such materials are just
background facts and he relied more heavily on the psychological test findings. He
admitted, however, that a person's journals containing consistent themes of violence and
guns over a five-year period would be a fairly good indicator of the individual's thought
processes.
At the conclusion of the disposition hearing, the juvenile court concluded that
YOU was the appropriate program for M.F., finding that M.F. required "intensive
substantial and significant rehabilitative services" in order to return to the community,
and that YOU could provide such services. The court noted that it had reached its
conclusion after having carefully considered M.F.'s medical needs and spending weeks
developing a plan to accommodate them. The court found M.F.'s behavior concerning, in
that M.F. appeared to have gone beyond journaling fantasies to acting on the fantasies by
collecting ammunition, attempting to contact militia and possibly obtaining a gun. The
court found Dr. S.'s testimony not to be "very credible" in light of his insistence that his
opinion would not be altered by any of the recently obtained information. The court
relied instead on Dr. B.'s opinion because she had reviewed all of the additional materials
16
and examined M.F. after his medical diagnosis. The court determined that it would take
"months and months and months" of rehabilitation to ensure that M.F., his family
members and the community would be safe upon his release. In addition, the court found
that Breaking Cycles would be an inappropriate placement for M.F. because he would
age out of necessary rehabilitative programs after eight months.
B. Argument
M.F. contends that the juvenile court erred in failing to consider the emotional
impact of his prolonged medical isolation while in custody. He further contends that the
probation department's recommendation for the 480-day YOU placement is not supported
by substantial evidence. He characterizes the probation department's recommendation as
"erroneously based on speculation about a gun that was never found and [Dr. B.'s]
inconclusive findings," and argues that the recommendation "lacked a credible basis" for
its conclusion that he was unwilling to take responsibility for his actions. He also
contends that the court's implicit determination that the 240-day Breaking Cycles
program would be ineffective or inappropriate is not supported by substantial evidence
because the record does not show that he would not respond to a less restrictive treatment
with less custody time.
C. Governing law
The purpose of juvenile court law is to protect both the public and the minor "and
to preserve and strengthen the minor's family ties whenever possible." (§ 202, subd. (a).)
A minor must receive "care, treatment and guidance" consistent with the best interest of
the minor and the public and, if the minor has committed crimes, the disposition must
17
hold the minor accountable, be appropriate for the circumstances and conform with the
interest of public safety and protection. (§ 202, subd. (b).) Therefore, in engaging in its
deliberations, the court must consider public safety, victim redress and the best interests
of the minor. (§ 202, subd. (d).)
Juvenile law contemplates a progressively more restrictive placement scheme,
beginning with home placement under supervision and culminating in placement at the
California Division of Juvenile Justice. (In re Nicole H. (2016) 244 Cal. App. 4th 1150,
1159 (Nicole H.).) However, the court may consider a more restrictive commitment
without prior recourse to other less restrictive placements. (Ibid.) The juvenile court is
not required to expressly state on the record its reasons for rejecting less restrictive
placements, but the record must contain some evidence that the court appropriately
considered and rejected reasonable alternative placements. (Ibid.)
D. Standard of review
We review a juvenile court's placement decision for abuse of discretion. (Nicole
H., supra, 244 Cal.App.4th at p. 1154.) In doing so, we will affirm if there is substantial
evidence to support the juvenile court's findings, indulging all reasonable inferences in
support of its decision. (In re Jose T. (2010) 191 Cal. App. 4th 1142, 1147 (Jose T.).) In
order to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the court's placement
decision, we examine the disposition hearing record in light of the purposes of the
juvenile court law (§ 200 et seq.). (In re Khalid B. (2015) 233 Cal. App. 4th 1285, 1288.)
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E. Application
First, despite M.F.'s argument to the contrary, it is apparent from the record that
the juvenile court considered the impact of detention on M.F.'s psychological well-being.
Prior to the disposition hearing, the court heard testimony regarding the psychological
effects of isolation on someone with his medical condition. The court addressed the issue
by ordering substantial and liberal family visitation, which balanced M.F.'s need for
emotional support with concerns regarding public safety. This balance would be
maintained upon disposition because the YOU supervisor reported that M.F.'s current
visitation plan would remain unchanged. In addition, the court relied on the opinion of a
psychologist, Dr. B., who evaluated M.F. with knowledge of his medical diagnosis and
opined that his needs "would be best met in a residential treatment facility."
Second, although M.F. is a first time offender, the evidence established an
escalating pattern of concerning non-adjudicated behavior leading up to his offense,
beginning in 2013 when he was caught with disturbing materials and expelled from
school, followed by his documenting a detailed plan to harm specific individuals, his
assembly of various items on a checklist associated with the plan and his taking weapons
to school (a knife and pepper spray). In addition, M.F.'s pronounced preoccupation with
gun violence was evidenced in videos showing him aiming a gun at a person outside his
home, images advocating police killings and evidence of an additional threat he made to
a school district. There was also ample evidence that M.F. would likely have access to
firearms if released to the community, creating a public safety concern. For example,
M.F. implied in his threatening note to his teacher that he had access to a gun. In
19
addition, Officer Garrett testified that one of the videos taken in M.F.'s bedroom showed
him holding a real firearm that was never recovered. M.F. was caught wearing an empty
Glock holster and had recently sent a text to his girlfriend saying that he had carried the
weapon the day before. The police found an empty Glock case in his bedroom that
contained notes stating that the gun was hidden where police would not find it. Further,
his journal referenced his hiding weapons.6 In addition, M.F. admitted to having access
to guns through his contact with friends in a militia group.
Dr. B. opined that M.F. presented a high risk of acting out violently, based in part
on the inconsistency between his responses to her questions, and the detailed planning
evidenced in his journals and in other materials in his possession. She indicated that
residential treatment would be the best option and opined that treatment for his condition
is complicated, and was likely to require psychotherapy and behavioral therapy "for long
periods of time." Dr. S. also opined that M.F.'s treatment might be "challenging,"
because he required individual therapy, but was ambivalent about participating in it and
might be defensive in sessions. Additionally, M.F. admitted to "faking" his way through
two months of required counseling and anger management sessions following his 2013
expulsion.
6 M.F. also contends that the juvenile court improperly speculated at the disposition
hearing that M.F. put the notes in the gun case and abused its discretion by considering
such speculation in rendering its decision. However, because there is substantial
evidence that M.F. may have access to guns upon his release, irrespective of who drafted
or placed those notes in the gun case, we conclude that any purported error resulting from
the court's "speculation" would not have been prejudicial.
20
Dr. B. and the probation department were also concerned about M.F.'s explanation
that his online chats about planning a violent attack were communications that he had
with himself. M.F. argues that the department lacked a credible basis for viewing the
statement as evidence that he was unwilling to take responsibility for his actions.
However, even if M.F. is now willing to attempt to change his patterns of behavior, the
facts summarized above represent substantial evidence supporting the juvenile court's
finding that M.F. will require intensive therapy for a prolonged time period before he
may be safely released into the community.
In issuing its disposition order, the court expressed its concern that M.F. receive
psychological treatment of sufficient duration to allow for his safe release, as well as
appropriate services upon reentry into the community. Both the Breaking Cycles and
YOU program would provide M.F. with the benefit of the recommended individual
therapy during the course of his confinement. However, a Breaking Cycles commitment
for 240 days would typically provide for only a few months of custodial treatment. If the
custodial treatment were to be extended to the full 240 days, M.F. would be too old to
participate in the recommended Reflections reentry program upon his release. In
contrast, the YOU program would allow M.F. to undergo custodial psychotherapy for
several months, followed by a prolonged reentry program involving the same counselor
assigned to him at the outset of the program.
Substantial evidence indicates that M.F. requires prolonged residential therapy to
support his safe release into the community. The YOU program can provide M.F. with a
longer term of confined therapy and appropriate reentry services, in contrast to the shorter
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duration and reentry limitations associated with the Breaking Cycles program, amply
supporting the juvenile court's findings that the YOU program would be a more
appropriate placement.
III. Constitutionality of Electronic Device Probation Condition
A. Argument
Condition number 49 of the probation conditions that the juvenile court imposed
provides as follows: "The minor shall not knowingly possess an electronic device, such
as a computer, electronic notepad, paging device, or cell phone, except in the course of
lawful employment or for a school-authorized project."7 M.F. argues that the condition
should either be stricken or modified. M.F. contends that this condition is
unconstitutionally overbroad because it implicates his freedom to communicate and
gather information.
B. Governing Law
The juvenile court has broad discretion to impose reasonable probation conditions.
(§ 730, subd. (b); (In re Sheena K. (2007) 40 Cal. 4th 875, 889 (Sheena K.)). Because
juveniles require more guidance than adults do, and their constitutional rights are more
limited, it may be appropriate for the juvenile court to impose a probation condition on a
minor that would be improper or unconstitutional if imposed on an adult. (In re Victor L.
(2010) 182 Cal. App. 4th 902, 910 (Victor L.).) However, the juvenile court's discretion is
not unlimited; the court may not order probation conditions that are unconstitutionally
7 M.F.'s counsel objected to imposition of the condition at the disposition hearing.
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overbroad. (Sheena K., supra, at p. 890.) A probation condition is unconstitutionally
overbroad if it imposes limitations on the probationer's constitutional rights and is not
narrowly tailored and reasonably related to the compelling state interest in reformation
and rehabilitation. (Ibid.)
The right to free speech is a fundamental constitutionally protected right.
(Balboa Island Village Inn, Inc. v. Lemen (2007) 40 Cal. 4th 1141, 1147.) Laws that
attempt to regulate expression are carefully scrutinized because they pose a particular
danger of state abuse. (In re Stevens (2004) 119 Cal. App. 4th 1228, 1237 (Stevens).) In
today's society, wireless devices, such as cell phones, are considered an "important media
for communication." (Victor L., supra, 182 Cal.App.4th at p. 919.) In addition, courts
have recognized the increasing importance of computer and Internet access (People v.
Pirali (2013) 217 Cal. App. 4th 1341, 1348 (Pirali), and have held that restricting such
access impacts First Amendment rights (Stevens, supra, at p. 1236, citing Ashcroft v.
American Civil Liberties Union (2004) 542 U.S. 656; Clement v. California Dept. of
Corrections (9th Cir.2004) 364 F.3d 1148).
California appellate courts have generally upheld the constitutionality of probation
conditions prohibiting the use of electronic devices as narrowly tailored when they are
closely related to the circumstances of an adult offender's crime. (See Pirali, supra, 217
Cal.App.4th at p. 1343 [upholding prohibition on Internet use without probation officer
preapproval when crime involved possession of child pornography on the appellant's
computer]; People v. Harrisson (2005) 134 Cal. App. 4th 637, 641, 647 [upholding
prohibition on Internet access when crime involved Internet use in an attempt to solicit
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sex with a minor]; but see Stevens, supra, 119 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1238-1239 [reversing
prohibition on computer and Internet access when the appellant's molestation conviction
was unrelated to his computer or Internet use].)
In Victor L., an appellate court considered the constitutionality of probation
conditions prohibiting a juvenile offender from possessing mobile communications
equipment or a computer with Internet access. (Victor L., supra, 182 Cal.App.4th at
pp. 919-927.) The police discovered Victor sitting in a parked car in which weapons
were found, surrounded by fellow gang members, and Victor admitted to possessing a
weapon. (Id. at p. 908.) In upholding the mobile communications devices restriction, the
appellate court noted that such devices are "tools of the trade for gang members," and
concluded that the restriction was narrowly tailored to prevent future crimes because (1)
it did not prohibit use of all communications devices; and (2) it had a legitimate
probationary purpose since the use of a mobile device is more difficult to supervise, and
the court may reasonably have concluded that Victor would not be able to resist using the
device to contact other gang members. Thus, the probation condition at issue would
increase the likelihood that he would comply with other probation conditions. (Id. at pp.
921-922.) The court also noted that the restriction was not an absolute ban on the
possession or use of mobile communications devices because it contained an exception
for use or possession authorized by the probation officer. (Id. at p. 922.) The court
further concluded that the restriction on possessing an Internet-enabled computer was
proper because it served the same purpose as the prohibition of mobile communications
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devices by preventing use for improper purposes and promoting the enforceability of
other probation conditions. (Id. at p. 926.)
C. Standard of Review
We review constitutional challenges to probation conditions de novo. (In re
Shaun R. (2010) 188 Cal. App. 4th 1129, 1143.)
D. Analysis
The probation condition prohibiting M.F. from knowingly possessing an electronic
device, except for purposes of employment or school projects, constitutes a restriction on
his freedom of speech, because it interferes with his ability to communicate through the
Internet and via cell phone. (See, Stevens, supra, 119 Cal.App.4th at p. 1236; Victor L.,
supra, 182 Cal.App.4th at p. 919.) We must therefore determine whether the restriction
is narrowly tailored and reasonably related to the compelling state interest in M.F.'s
rehabilitation. (Sheena K., supra, 40 Cal.4th at p. 890.) M.F.'s offenses are threatening
gun violence and possessing ammunition. Evidence established that he routinely used the
Internet to obtain information about guns and how to hide them, as well as other
information that could assist him in planning and carrying out his threat. Thus, to the
extent that the condition prohibits M.F.'s unsupervised use of an electronic device with
Internet access, the restriction appears to be related to the circumstances of his crime and
appropriately tailored to his rehabilitation under the reasoning applied in Victor L.
(Victor L., supra, 182 Cal.App.4th at pp. 921-922.)
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However, the condition also appears to prohibit M.F. from using a wireless
telephone handset in his home or a cell phone (irrespective of Internet access or text
messaging capability), to communicate with anyone for any purpose other than education
or employment. Such a prohibition on M.F.'s use of a telephone does not appear to be
closely connected to the circumstances of his crime. His criminal threat was made on a
piece of paper, and to the extent that there was evidence of other threats on his electronic
devices, or of contacts with purported militia members, none is alleged to have occurred
through oral telephonic communication. Unlike the circumstance in Victor L., in which a
cell phone was characterized as a tool of the trade for a juvenile gang member, the record
in this case does not suggest that M.F. would be likely to use an electronic device limited
to oral communications in a way that would hinder his rehabilitation.
We therefore conclude that the probation condition barring M.F.'s knowing
possession or use of all electronic devices, except for the limited purpose of employment
or school projects, imposes a restriction on his freedom of speech that is not narrowly
tailored to the circumstances of his crimes and his rehabilitation. For example, M.F.
should be permitted to use and possess a telephone (without Internet or text messaging
capability), such as a basic cell phone or wireless telephone handset. Accordingly, we
direct the juvenile court to modify the condition to identify more precisely the nature of
the electronic devices that the court seeks to prohibit. In doing so, the court should
consider the purpose that this condition is intended to serve, in the context of his other
probation conditions, and how it may be tailored to best help M.F. avoid repeating his
offense or generally aid in his rehabilitation.
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IV. Compliance with Section 702 (Designation of Felony or Misdemeanor)
M.F. contends that the trial court erred in failing to declare on the record whether
his violation of Penal Code section 422 (criminal threat) was a felony or a misdemeanor,
as required by section 702. He requests that we remand his case and order the juvenile
court to make the required pronouncement. We conclude that remand for this purpose is
unnecessary because the record is clear that the court determined that the offense was a
felony.
A violation of Penal Code section 422 may be punishable as a misdemeanor or as
a felony. (Pen. Code, §§ 422, subd. (a) & 17, subd. (b).) Under section 702, when a
minor has committed this type of offense, the court is required to designate the offense as
a misdemeanor or felony. The court's express declaration is mandatory. (In re Manzy W.
(1997) 14 Cal. 4th 1199, 1204 (Manzy W.); see Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.778(f)(9) ["the
court must consider which description applies and expressly declare on the record that it
has made such consideration"].) One purpose of the mandatory designation requirement
is to ensure that the court is aware of, and actually exercises, its discretion under section
702. (Manzy W., supra, at p. 1207.) However, the juvenile court's failure to make an
express declaration does not compel an automatic remand; rather, the court's awareness
of its discretion to treat an offense as a misdemeanor may be established from a review of
the record as a whole. (Id. at p. 1209.)
The June 2015 hearing transcript establishes that the juvenile court declared the
criminal threat to be a "violation of Penal Code section 422, a felony," in connection with
M.F.'s admission of the offense. The hearing minutes similarly reflect the court's
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declaration. In addition, prior to the disposition hearing, M.F.'s counsel indicated that
M.F. had admitted to offenses "that are wobblers," alerting the court to its discretion. At
the disposition hearing, the court referenced the "concerning" nature of M.F.'s conduct
and committed him to custody for up to 480 days in a program appropriate for minors
who have committed "serious felony offenses and or have lengthy criminal histories."
Accordingly, the record as a whole establishes that the juvenile court was aware of its
discretion to treat the criminal threat offense as a misdemeanor and chose not to do so.
(Manzy W., supra, 14 Cal.4th at p. 1209.)
V. Calculation of Predisposition Custody Credits
M.F. contends that the juvenile court erred by not including his predisposition
custody credits when determining his maximum period of confinement. The prosecution
argues that the juvenile court properly made a finding of the maximum term of
confinement, but does not address the issue of predisposition custody credits. The
disposition must specify the minor's maximum term of physical confinement, which must
include credit for time spent in custody prior to the disposition hearing. (§ 726, subd.
(d)(1); see In re A.M. (2014) 225 Cal. App. 4th 1075, 1085; see also Cal. Rules of Court,
rule 5.795(b).) The court determined M.F.'s maximum term of physical confinement
(3 years 2 months) at the June 2015 hearing, but neither the June 2015 order nor the
August 2015 disposition order reflects any deduction from the maximum term of
confinement for the time he spent in predisposition custody. On appeal, M.F. contends
that he spent a total of 105 days in custody prior to his disposition hearing. The record
shows that he was taken into custody on May 8, 2015, and remained in custody (either in
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juvenile hall or under guard at the hospital), until the disposition hearing on August 21,
2015, for a total of 105 days. Thus, M.F. is entitled to 105 days of predisposition custody
credits against his maximum aggregate period of confinement, which must be
documented in the disposition order.
DISPOSITION
The disposition order is reversed as to probation condition number 49 and the
predisposition custody credits to which M.F. is entitled. The matter is remanded to the
juvenile court with directions to modify its order consistent with this opinion. The order
is affirmed in all other respects.
AARON, J.
WE CONCUR:
BENKE, Acting P. J.
HUFFMAN, J.
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