People v. Doyle ( 2018 )

Filed 11/10/16 (review dismissed 1/31/18; reposted with Supreme Court order and statement)
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent, E064557
v. (Super.Ct.No. INF1401895)
DAVID BUCKLEY DOYLE, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. Richard A. Erwood,
Judge. Affirmed.
John L. Staley, 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, Theodore M. Cropley and Daniel
J. Hilton, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
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While driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, defendant and appellant
David Buckley Doyle swerved into oncoming traffic and hit Mark Joseph Norton (the
victim) who was riding a motor scooter. The victim died immediately. Defendant drove
away from the scene with the scooter lodged under his vehicle. He was apprehended one
mile from the scene of the accident. Defendant was found guilty after a court trial of
vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs causing great
bodily injury, and fleeing the scene of an accident involving great bodily injury or death.
Defendant makes one claim on appeal that he was not fully advised of his
constitutional rights to a trial by 12 jurors prior to waiving his right to a jury trial and
proceeding to a court trial.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
A. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Defendant was charged in count 1 of an information filed by the Riverside County
District Attorney’s Office with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated within the
meaning of Penal Code section 191.4, subdivision (a) and the allegation that he fled the
scene of the accident within the meaning of Vehicle Code section 20001, subdivision (c).
In count 2, defendant was charged with driving under the combined influence of alcohol
and drugs causing death or great bodily injury within the meaning of Vehicle Code
section 23153, subdivision (f) and the allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily
injury or death within the meaning of Penal Code section 12022.7, subdivision (a). In
count 3, defendant was charged with leaving the scene of an accident in violation of
Vehicle Code section 20001, subdivision (a). Defendant waived his right to a jury trial.
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The trial court found defendant guilty of all three counts in the information and found all
of the enhancements true.
At the time of sentencing, the trial court dismissed the lesser included offense in
count 2 and amended count 3 to a violation of Vehicle Code section 20001, subdivision
(b)(2). Defendant was sentenced to six years in state prison on count 1, plus a
consecutive sentence of five years for the enhancement on count 1. The sentence on
count 3 was stayed. He received a total state prison sentence of 11 years.
B. FACTUAL HISTORY
Several witnesses testified they were driving on Indian Canyon Drive in Palm
Springs on July 4, 2014, at around 11:30 a.m. when a pickup truck driven by defendant
crossed over the center line and into oncoming traffic. Defendant hit the victim, who was
riding a scooter, head on. The victim was thrown from the scooter and landed partially
on the sidewalk. Defendant drove away from the scene with the scooter lodged under his
truck. Sparks were coming from the scooter hitting the ground. The victim died as a
result of the impact.
Palm Springs Police Officer Cary Carrillo was on duty at approximately 11:40
a.m. on July 4, 2014. He responded to a report of an accident involving a pickup truck
and a motorcycle at the corner of Granvia Valmonte and North Indian Canyon Drive in
Palm Springs. When he arrived, there were several pedestrians on the corner of the
intersection who directed him to where the pickup truck had left the scene.
Officer Carrillo drove north and observed gouge marks in the roadway. He
followed the gouge marks to a parking lot located at 1433 North Indian Canyon.
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Defendant was standing next to his pickup truck. The scooter was attached to the front of
the truck. Officer Carrillo asked defendant if he was aware he had been in a traffic
collision. Defendant took some time to answer but then asked if the victim was okay.
Defendant did not recall hitting the scooter but saw it under his truck after he stopped.
There appeared to be splattered brain matter on the truck’s windshield. The windshield
on the driver’s side was cracked and the side window was missing.
Officer Carrillo noted that defendant appeared intoxicated because his eyelids
were heavy, he appeared to be falling asleep as he stood and spoke with him, he smelled
of alcohol, his speech was slurred, and at one point Officer Carrillo had to grab him to
keep him from falling to the ground. Officer Carrillo determined that he would be unable
to perform any field sobriety tests. Officer Carrillo was of the opinion that defendant was
under the influence and could not safely operate a vehicle.
Defendant was searched. Inside one of his pockets he had a prescription bottle
labeled Hydrocodone with pills. In another pocket he had a pipe, which contained white
residue; it was the kind of pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. Defendant’s blood was
drawn at the hospital—as he was being transported to the jail.
Defendant was interviewed at the police station. Defendant woke up that morning
around 6:00 a.m. and had bacon, eggs and toast for breakfast. He put some alcohol in his
coffee. He took muscle relaxers for a broken femur he had suffered two years prior. He
then headed to the store to buy some snacks. He was driving his pickup truck.
Defendant only recalled that something hit his truck but could not recall how it had
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happened. Defendant admitted he did not get out of his truck to help the victim. He did
not notice the scooter lodged under his truck until he parked in the parking lot.
Officer Guillermo Fernandez was a drug recognition expert. He reviewed the
police report and the toxicology reports for defendant. Officer Fernandez noted that
defendant had appeared sleepy and was nodding off during the time of contact with
Officer Carrillo. This type of behavior was common in those who used heroin and
opiate–based medication such as Hydrocodone.
Defendant’s toxicology reports showed he had a large amount of Diazepam in his
system, which was a central nervous system depressant. He also had alcohol,
Hydrocodone and benzodiazepines in his system. He also had methamphetamine in his
system. Based on Officer Fernandez’s review of the reports, he determined that
defendant was under the influence of several drugs. These drugs would impact
defendant’s ability to respond. It would cause him to be in a “mental fog.” It was unsafe
for defendant to operate a motor vehicle. He would not have been able to maintain his
vehicle in one lane based on being drowsy. The alcohol would have been a depressant.
DISCUSSION
Defendant’s sole contention on appeal is that the trial court failed to properly
advise him of his right to have 12 persons serve on a jury, and that those 12 jurors had to
make a unanimous decision as to his guilt prior to waiving his right to a jury trial. Such
inadequate advisement of his right to a jury trial requires automatic reversal.
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A. ADDITIONAL FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On September 9, 2014, the trial court declared a doubt as to defendant’s
competency and ordered that he be evaluated by a psychiatrist. Dr. William Jones was
appointed to evaluate defendant. Defendant was declared competent on October 23,
2014.
On July 15, 2015, the parties appeared for trial. Defendant’s counsel stated that
defendant had not yet entered a waiver of his right to a jury trial. Defendant’s counsel
was concerned because defendant had not been taking his prescribed antidepressant
medication. Defendant’s counsel stated, “He’s not prepared to make any decisions today
about whether or not he’s willing to waive his right to a jury or if he, you know, basically
wants the jury trial.” Defendant’s counsel requested a continuance so that defendant
could be given his medication before he made the determination to waive a jury trial.
The People agreed to the continuance and also were in agreement with the waiver of a
jury trial, if that was what defendant desired. The trial court ordered that defendant
receive his medication. The matter was continued for defendant to be stabilized on his
medication.
The following exchanged then occurred on the day that the parties returned to
court:
“[Defense Counsel]: I did have an opportunity to speak with [defendant] last night
and this morning, and it’s my understanding that he’s prepared to enter a waiver of his
Constitutional right to a jury trial and, instead, have a bench trial.
The Court: Okay. [¶] [Defendant.]
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Defendant: Yes, sir.
The Court: It’s indicated to the Court that you’re waiving your right to a jury trial
and having, instead, a bench trial. [¶] Is that what you wish to do?
Defendant: Yes, sir.
The Court: You understand that the burden of proof will be the same if you go
before a jury, it’s proof beyond a reasonable doubt; court trial, same burden of proof,
proof beyond a reasonable doubt. [¶] Do you understand that?
Defendant: Yes, sir.
The Court: You understand that your other Constitutional rights will be the same;
that is, you have the right to subpoena witnesses, to testify on your behalf at no cost to
yourself. You have the right to take the stand and testify, or refuse to take the stand and
testify, no matter what your wishes are. You have the right to have your lawyer present
and cross-examine the witnesses against you. [¶] Do you understand all those rights?
Defendant: Yes, sir, I do.”
Defendant’s counsel and the People joined in the waiver. The trial court
proceeded with a court trial.
B. ANALYSIS
“A defendant in a criminal prosecution has a right to a trial by jury under both the
federal Constitution [citation] and our state Constitution.” (People v. Ernst (1994) 8
Cal. 4th 441, 444-445.) Under the state Constitution, “‘Trial by jury is an inviolate right
and shall be secured to all. . . . A jury may be waived in a criminal cause by the consent
of both parties expressed in open court by the defendant and the defendant’s counsel. . . .
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[¶] In criminal actions in which a felony is charged, the jury shall consist of 12 persons.
In criminal actions in which a misdemeanor is charged, the jury shall consist of 12
persons or a lesser number agreed on by the parties in open court.’ Our state Supreme
Court has ‘recognized that this state constitutional right is fundamental.’” (People v.
Traugott (2010) 184 Cal. App. 4th 492, 499-500.)
“To be valid, a defendant’s waiver of the right to a jury must also be ‘knowing and
intelligent, that is, “‘“made with a full awareness both of the nature of the right being
abandoned and the consequences of the decision to abandon it,”’” as well as voluntary
“‘“in the sense that it was the product of a free and deliberate choice rather than
intimidation, coercion, or deception.”’”’” (People v. Weaver (2012) 53 Cal. 4th 1056,
1071-1072.) “No particular language is necessary to waive a jury trial so long as the
words employed disclose in their ordinary, common sense, fair meaning and context an
intention to be tried by the court sitting without a jury.” (People v. Martin (1980) 111
Cal. App. 3d 973, 982.)
“[T]he denial of a defendant’s constitutional right to jury trial on a charged offense
constitutes structural error that requires reversal without consideration of the strength of
the evidence.” (People v. French (2008) 43 Cal. 4th 36, 52, fn. 8.)
Here, the trial court was advised by defendant’s counsel that she had discussed the
issue of waiving a jury with defendant, after he was stabilized on his medication, and that
he was prepared to waive that right. The trial court then informed defendant that the
burden of proof—beyond a reasonable doubt—would be the same if he chose a jury trial
or a court trial. The trial court also explained that his other rights, such as his right to
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subpoena witnesses, his right to take the stand and testify, and his right to have his lawyer
present and cross-examine the witnesses against him would all remain the same.
Defendant acknowledged that he understood all of these rights.
It is true that defendant was never advised that he was entitled to a unanimous
verdict by 12 jurors. However, as stated, there is no requirement that the trial court
explain to a defendant every aspect that he is giving up in entering a waiver to a jury trial.
(People v. Martin, supra, 111 Cal.App.3d at p. 982; see also People v. Wrest (1992) 3
Cal. 4th 1088, 1103 [rejecting that there is a specific admonition that must be recited to a
defendant in order for a valid waiver of a jury trial].) Defendant was made aware of his
right to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by either a jury or the court, and that
he would still have the same rights of cross-examination and to testify at a court trial.
Defendant waived his right to a jury trial without hesitation.
Moreover, as stated by the People, defendant was represented by counsel at the
time that he entered his waiver. In People v. Acosta (1971) 18 Cal. App. 3d 895, the
defendant argued he did not knowingly and intelligently waive his right to a jury trial.
He insisted he was only advised that he had a right to have the case heard by a jury and
no other rights were explained to him. On appeal, he argued that “he did not know what
a jury is or what it meant to waive trial by jury and to be tried by a judge.” (Id. at pp.
900-902.) The appellate court found “We are not aware of any rule of law that entitles a
defendant who is represented by counsel and who has discussed waiver of a jury trial
with his counsel, as here, to have the court advise him of the merits or the disadvantages
9
of a trial by jury, as against a court trial. . . . It is enough that the court determine that the
defendant understands that he is to be tried by the court and not a jury.” (Id. at p. 902.)
Here, defendant’s counsel advised the trial court she had discussed defendant’s
waiver of a jury trial with him on two occasions. There is nothing in the record to
support that defendant was confused as to the right to a jury trial or that he did not
knowingly waive that right.
Defendant has cited to several intermediate federal cases, e.g. United States v.
Gonzalez-Flores (9th Cir.2005) 418 F.3d 1093, 1102-1103; United States v. Duarte-
Higareda (9th Cir. 1997) 113 F.3d 1000, 1002; Marone v. United States (2d.Cir. 1993)
10 F.3d 65, 68; and U.S. v. Delgado (1981) 635 F.2d 889, 890 to support his claim that
the waiver was inadequate in this case. These cases establish that a waiver is voluntary,
knowing and intelligent if the defendant is informed that 12 members of the community
compose a jury, the defendant can take part in jury selection, that the jury verdict must be
unanimous and that the trial court will solely decide guilt or innocence if the defendant
waives a jury trial. (Duarte-Higareda, at p. 1002; see also Gonzalez-Flores, at pp. 1102-
1103.) However, even the federal court has stated, “[t]hough we have declined ‘to
impose an absolute requirement of such a colloquy in every case,’ [citation], in its
absence we will find a valid waiver of the jury trial right only where there are strong
indicia that the waiver was voluntary, knowing, and intelligent.” (Gonzalez-Flores, at p.
1103.) Moreover, the California Supreme Court has refused to adopt these specific
admonitions to find a waiver of a jury trial is knowingly and intelligently made. (People
v. Weaver, supra, 53 Cal.4th at pp. 1072-1074.) We have found no case, and defendant
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has provided no controlling authority, that the failure to advise defendant that the jury
would be comprised of 12 jurors who must unanimously find his guilt renders the waiver
of jury trial inadequate.
We find that defendant’s waiver of jury trial in this case was voluntary, knowing
and intelligent.
DISPOSITION
We affirm the judgment.
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
MILLER
J.
We concur:
HOLLENHORST
Acting P. J.
CODRINGTON
J.
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Filed 1/31/18
Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two - No. E064557
S238666
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA
En Banc
________________________________________________________________________
THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
DAVID BUCKLEY DOYLE, Defendant and Appellant.
________________________________________________________________________
Review in the above-captioned matter, which was granted and held for People v.
Sivongxxay (2017) 3 Cal.5th 151, is dismissed. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.528(b)(1).)
Liu, J., is of the opinion briefing should be ordered and the matter retained for
decision by this court.
Cantil-Sakauye
Chief Justice
Chin
Associate Justice
Corrigan
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Cuéllar
Associate Justice
Kruger
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
DISSENTING STATEMENT BY LIU, J.
Petitioner David Buckley Doyle was convicted of vehicular manslaughter,
driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs causing great bodily injury, and
fleeing the scene of an accident involving great bodily injury or death. He was
sentenced to 11 years in prison. His sole claim on appeal is that he was not fully
advised of his constitutional right to a jury trial before waiving that right and
proceeding to a bench trial.
Before accepting his waiver, the trial court conducted a brief colloquy with
Doyle. The colloquy did not inform him of any differences between a jury trial
and a bench trial. Nor did the trial court ask Doyle whether he had had adequate
opportunity to discuss the waiver decision with counsel or whether he understood
the nature of the right he was purporting to waive. The Court of Appeal upheld
the waiver, relying on the rule we first stated in People v. Langdon (1959) 52
Cal. 2d 425 (Langdon) that a trial court’s failure to “explain[] to [a] defendant the
nature and possible consequence of his action in waiving a jury trial” is not
grounds for finding the waiver invalid where the defendant “was represented by
counsel, and he fails to indicate anything in the record to show that either he or his
counsel was misled as to the result which might occur from his waiving a jury
trial.” (Id. at p. 432.)
As explained below, we have not relied on the Langdon rule to uphold a
jury trial waiver in nearly 50 years. Instead of requiring a defendant who was
represented by counsel to affirmatively demonstrate that his waiver was not
knowing and intelligent, our case law has upheld the waiver of a jury trial “only
when the record affirmatively demonstrates it was knowing and intelligent.”
(People v. Daniels (2017) 3 Cal.5th 961, 991 (Daniels) (lead opn. of Cuéllar, J.).)
This approach reflects our recognition that the constitutional right to a jury trial is
1
“fundamental” and cannot be validly waived unless the defendant has “ ‘ “ ‘a full
awareness both of the nature of the right being abandoned and the consequences of
the decision to abandon it.’ ” ’ ” (People v. Collins (2001) 26 Cal. 4th 297, 305
(Collins); see Duncan v. Louisiana (1968) 391 U.S. 145, 149 [“trial by jury in
criminal cases is fundamental to the American scheme of justice”].) Because there
is serious reason to question the continuing vitality of the Langdon rule, I would
order briefing and decide the merits of this case instead of dismissing review.
This case is the third time in recent months that we have been confronted
with a troublingly spare colloquy in evaluating the validity of a criminal
defendant’s jury trial waiver. (See Daniels, supra, 3 Cal.5th 961; People v.
Sivongxxay (2017) 3 Cal.5th 151 (Sivongxxay).) This court has offered “general
guidance” for ensuring that a waiver decision is knowing and intelligent, but it has
decided against prescribing specific rules or procedures for constitutional
compliance. (Sivongxxay, at p. 169.) Although the court today declines to revisit
this issue, consideration of appropriate safeguards “need not await judicial action.”
(In re Joseph H. (Cal. 2015) 367 P.3d 1, 5 (statement by Liu, J., dissenting from
denial of review).) The importance and recurring nature of the issue suggest it
may be worthy of examination by the Judicial Council or the Legislature.
I.
Facing serious felony charges arising from his role as the driver in a hit-
and-run collision that killed one victim, Doyle waived his right to a jury trial after
the following colloquy:
“[Defense Counsel]: I did have an opportunity to speak with Mr. Doyle last
night and this morning, and it’s my understanding that he’s prepared to enter a
waiver of his Constitutional right to a jury trial and, instead, have a bench trial.
“THE COURT: Okay. [¶] Mr. Doyle.
“DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
2
“THE COURT: It’s indicated to the Court that you’re waiving your right to
a jury trial and having, instead, a bench trial. [¶] Is that what you wish to do?
“DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
“THE COURT: You understand that the burden of proof will be the same
if you go before a jury, it’s proof beyond a reasonable doubt; court trial, same
burden of proof, proof beyond a reasonable doubt. [¶] Do you understand that?
“DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
“THE COURT: You understand that your other Constitutional rights will
be the same; that is, you have the right to subpoena witnesses, to testify on your
behalf at no cost to yourself. You have the right to take the stand and testify, or
refuse to take the stand and testify, no matter what your wishes are. You have the
right to have your lawyer present and cross-examine the witnesses against you. [¶]
Do you understand all those rights?
“DEFENDANT: Yes, sir, I do.”
As the transcript indicates, the colloquy mentioned similarities between a
jury trial and a bench trial, but did not explain any of the distinctive features of a
jury trial. The trial court did not inform Doyle that a jury consists of 12 persons
selected from the community, that all 12 jurors must be unanimous in order to
render a verdict, or that he and his attorney may participate in selecting the jurors.
Although the trial court asked Doyle whether he understood other constitutional
rights that would remain the same in a bench trial, the court never asked whether
he understood the nature of the right to a jury trial. Doyle’s counsel noted that she
“did have an opportunity to speak with Mr. Doyle last night and this morning,” but
there is no indication of what was discussed or whether Doyle’s opportunity to
discuss the waiver with counsel had been adequate.
The Court of Appeal upheld Doyle’s waiver as knowing and intelligent,
reasoning that “defendant’s counsel advised the trial court she had discussed
3
defendant’s waiver of a jury trial with him on two occasions” and that “[t]here is
nothing in the record to support that defendant was confused as to the right to a
jury trial or that he did not knowingly waive that right.” (People v. Doyle (2016) 5
Cal.App.5th 440, 447 (Doyle).) The court relied on People v. Acosta (1971) 18
Cal. App. 3d 895, which said there is no “rule of law that entitles a defendant who
is represented by counsel and who has discussed waiver of a jury trial with his
counsel, as here, to have the court advise him of the merits or the disadvantages of
a trial by jury, as against a court trial. . . . It is enough that the court determine that
the defendant understands that he is to be tried by the court and not a jury.” (Id. at
p. 902.) Acosta, in turn, cited our decision in People v. Lookadoo (1967) 66
Cal. 2d 307 (Lookadoo), which restated our holding in Langdon that “the trial court
in a criminal case is not required to explain to a defendant the nature and
consequences of his action in waiving a jury trial where he is . . . represented by
counsel and fails to show that either he or his counsel has been misled as to the
result which might occur from his waiving a jury trial.” (Lookadoo, at p. 311,
citing Langdon, supra, 52 Cal.2d at p. 432.)
In light of the barebones nature of the colloquy in this case, it is not
surprising that the Court of Appeal placed heavy reliance on the rule stated almost
60 years ago in Langdon. But there is strong reason to question the continuing
vitality of Langdon’s rule that a jury trial waiver by a defendant with counsel is
presumed to be knowing and intelligent in the absence of any affirmative
indication that the defendant did not understand the nature of the jury trial right.
Although we have never expressly disapproved this rule, our case law over the
past 50 years shows that it has fallen into desuetude.
We have cited Langdon with approval in only three decisions upholding
jury trial waivers. (See People v. Tijerina (1969) 1 Cal. 3d 41, 46 (Tijerina);
Lookadoo, supra, 66 Cal.2d at p. 311; People v. Golston (1962) 58 Cal. 2d 535,
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537–539, abrogated on another ground by People v. Green (1980) 27 Cal. 3d 1,
33.) But in Lookadoo and Golston, we did not merely rely on the fact that the
defendant had counsel; we also noted that the trial court had explained the basic
contours of the jury right in a colloquy with the defendant and had ensured the
defendant understood that right. (Lookadoo, at pp. 311–312 [trial court “went to
great lengths to explain the nature and consequences of such a waiver,” defense
counsel “paraphrased the court’s statement to present the matter in even simpler
language,” and “[t]he judge asked defendant numerous times if he understood the
explanations given to him . . . .”]; Golston, at p. 539 [trial court told defendant he
had the right to a unanimous verdict by all 12 jurors, and defendant answered,
“when queried by the trial judge, that he understood what such a waiver meant”].)
In Tijerina, the defendant “stated that he knew what a jury trial was, and he was
also told [by the trial court] that ‘[T]hat is when twelve people sit over here in the
box and hear all the evidence.’ ” (Tijerina, at pp. 45–46; see id. at p. 45, fn. 2.)
“Under these circumstances,” we said, “the court was not required to explain
further to defendant the significance of his waiver of a jury trial.” (Id. at p. 46.)
Tijerina, decided in 1969, was the last time we placed any reliance on the
Langdon rule. Since then, instead of placing the burden on a defendant who was
represented by counsel to show his or her waiver was not knowing and intelligent,
our decisions have carefully examined the record for affirmative indications that
the defendant was aware of the nature of the jury trial right and the consequences
of waiving it. In so doing, we have not presumed that an express waiver is
knowing and intelligent from the mere fact that a defendant was represented by
counsel.
People v. Miller (1972) 7 Cal. 3d 562 (Miller) marks the beginning of this
shift. In Miller, we noted the “remarkable care exercised by the trial judge in
satisfying himself that defendant fully understood the nature and consequences of
5
his proposed course of action, and that any waiver he might make would be both
knowing and intelligent. By a detailed series of questions and explanations, the
judge established that defendant had discussed the matter at length with his two
attorneys; that he knew he had the right to have the case tried by 12 jurors; that he
understood the charges against him and the pleas he had entered; that he realized
the same judge would determine the issues of guilt, sanity, and penalty; that he
was aware of the punishments which could be imposed in this case, including the
possibility of a death penalty; and that no promise of special treatment or leniency
had been made to him in exchange for his waiver of a jury.” (Id. at pp. 566–567.)
In upholding the validity of the waiver, Miller cited several cases, including
Lookadoo, as “controll[ing]” precedent. (Miller, supra, 7 Cal.3d at p. 567.) “In
each of those cases,” we explained, “the defendant had a limited education and a
borderline intelligence, but was represented by counsel and benefited from a
detailed examination by the trial court into the nature and consequences of a
waiver of jury trial; in each, we held that the defendant was capable of making a
knowing and intelligent waiver of that right, and had done so on the record before
us.” (Ibid.) Miller did not rely on the portion of Lookadoo that affirmed
Langdon’s rule that an express waiver by a counseled defendant is presumed to be
knowing and voluntary unless the record shows otherwise. (See Lookadoo, supra,
66 Cal.2d at p. 311.) Instead, what Miller deemed “controll[ing]” was Lookadoo’s
reliance on affirmative indications in the record that the defendant not only had
counsel but also had “benefited from a detailed examination by the trial court into
the nature and consequences of a waiver of jury trial.” (Miller, at p. 567; see
Lookadoo, at pp. 311–312.) In describing the controlling feature of Lookadoo this
way, Miller signaled a departure from the Langdon rule.
After Miller, in every case where we have examined whether a defendant
represented by counsel acted knowingly and intelligently in waiving a jury trial in
6
favor of a bench trial on guilt or capital sentencing, we have focused our analysis
on whether the record affirmatively indicated that the defendant was informed of
the nature of a jury trial and the consequences of waiver. (See Sivongxxay, supra,
3 Cal.5th at pp. 167–168, 174, 189–190; People v. Cunningham (2015) 61 Cal. 4th
609, 636–637 (Cunningham); People v. Weaver (2012) 53 Cal. 4th 1056, 1070–
1071 (Weaver); Collins, supra, 26 Cal.4th at pp. 307–309; People v. Scott (1997)
15 Cal. 4th 1188, 1208–1210 (Scott); People v. Diaz (1992) 3 Cal. 4th 495, 570–
571 (Diaz); People v. Robertson (1989) 48 Cal. 3d 18, 37–38 (Robertson); People
v. Deere (1985) 41 Cal. 3d 354, 359–360 (Deere).)
In Deere, the defendant and his counsel waived a jury trial at the penalty
phase of a capital trial. We observed that defense counsel informed the court that
the “defendant ‘knows what would happen if the case went to jury trial, and he
feels that the expense of a circus or charade of a trial is not right for him or for the
community.’ ” (Deere, supra, 41 Cal.3d at p. 359.) Further, “[d]efense counsel
explained at length to the court why he permitted his client . . . to waive a penalty
jury,” and there was no indication that these statements by defense counsel were
made outside of the defendant’s presence. (Id. at p. 357.) Under these
circumstances, the defendant’s only complaint as to whether his waiver was
knowing and intelligent was that “he was never told his waiver of a penalty jury
would necessarily preclude an independent reevaluation of the verdict by the
judge.” (Id. at p. 359.) We said this claim was “frivolous” because the “defendant
is deemed to have known that by waiving a jury trial he would lose his statutory
right to a penalty decision by both the jury and the judge.” (Ibid.)
In Robertson, we upheld the defendant’s penalty phase waiver on the basis
of ample indications in the record that the waiver was knowing and intelligent.
(Robertson, supra, 48 Cal.3d at pp. 35–38.) We specifically held that “[a]lthough
the court would have done better to explain to defendant the effect of a jury
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deadlock, its omission does not invalidate defendant’s waiver” (id. at pp. 37–38)
given the fact that he “was represented by two apparently competent counsel who
over the course of several days discussed with him ‘at length’ the consequences
and nature of his proposed waiver. Absent an assertion or evidence to the
contrary, we presume that competent counsel would have informed defendant of
the effect of a jury deadlock” (id. at p. 36). We went on to observe: “Counsel in
defendant’s presence expressed on the record their sound tactical reasons for
advising defendant to waive a jury and consenting to the waiver. The court, before
accepting defendant’s waiver, engaged him in an extensive and thorough voir dire
expressly directed to determining his waiver was knowing, intelligent and
voluntary.” (Id. at p. 37, fn. omitted; see id. at p. 37, fn. 5 [reprinting the waiver
colloquy].) Among several advisements given during the lengthy colloquy, the
trial court said to the defendant: “ ‘You understand . . . that if you do waive jury
and submit it to the Court, the Court will act solely. If you have a jury trial, before
a verdict can be returned either way, it requires unanimous agreement of all 12
jurors; do you understand that?’ ” (Ibid.) The defendant answered, “ ‘Yes, Your
Honor.’ ” (Ibid.) As to the defendant’s claim that the trial court “failed to conduct
the hearing on his jury waiver with the ‘special attention and care’ that he asserts
his allegedly ‘borderline intelligence’ merited,” we said “[t]he record is
otherwise.” (Id. at p. 38.)
In Diaz, we upheld a penalty phase jury trial waiver where the trial court
had advised the defendant that the jury’s “ ‘first function is to decide the question
of your guilt or innocence. Then the second function, similarly, assuming there
are 12 of them and they would unanimously agree that you were guilty, then you
would have 12 jurors who must unanimously agree as to the punishment. [¶] They
have a choice, life without possibility of parole or death. . . . And you’ll be giving
up that right.’ ” (Diaz, supra, 3 Cal.4th at p. 564.) “Defendant answered, ‘I’m
8
giving it up.’ ” (Ibid.) “Defendant also told the court that he had discussed the
matter ‘quite thoroughly’ with his counsel.” (Id. at p. 565.) We concluded that
the waiver was knowing and intelligent, noting that “defendant acknowledged that
he had thoroughly discussed the jury waiver with his attorney” and that “when the
court asked whether he had any questions regarding the waiver, or wished to
discuss it further with counsel, defendant answered in the negative.” (Id. at
p. 571.) As in Robertson, we rejected a claim that the trial court’s advisement was
inadequate because it did not explain what would happen if the jury could not
agree on the penalty. (Diaz, at p. 570.)
In Scott, before the trial court accepted the defendant’s jury trial waiver,
“[t]he prosecutor explained what a jury trial was and that the jury would have to
agree unanimously on guilt, special circumstances, and penalty. He explained the
charges, including the special circumstance allegations, and their significance, and
that, if defendant waived a jury trial, the judge alone could find defendant guilty,
find the special circumstances true, and impose the death penalty, with no need for
anyone else to agree. He also explained the nature of a penalty trial. Defendant
repeatedly said he understood.” (Scott, supra, 15 Cal.4th at p. 1208.) Further, the
“defendant requested and was given an opportunity to consult with his attorney.”
(Ibid.) “Defense counsel stated that he and defendant had discussed the matter,
and both agreed that the waiver was in defendant’s best interests ‘in terms of trial
tactics.’ Defendant personally stated he agreed. When the court noted that
defendant had hesitated slightly at one point, defendant reiterated his desire to
waive a jury. He said he had had enough time to talk to his attorney and felt
comfortable with his decision.” (Ibid.) On this record, we said the trial court
properly accepted the waiver. (Id. at p. 1210.)
In Collins, the trial court observed that “defense counsel had spoken with
defendant about giving up his right to a jury trial and having the trial take place
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solely before a judge.” (Collins, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 301.) In addition, the trial
court extensively advised the defendant on the nature of a jury trial, including the
fact that “in order to return a verdict of guilty, all 12 jurors would have to agree to
the verdict” (id. at p. 301) and the fact that “defendant would relinquish solely his
right to trial by jury [by waiving] and would retain all his other rights” (id. at
p. 302). The trial court also “questioned defendant to determine whether
defendant had sufficient knowledge of the right being waived, and obtained
defendant’s repeated affirmations that he understood the difference between trying
his case to a jury and trying it to the court.” (Id. at p. 311.) We said the trial court
gave “appropriate explanations and advisements concerning the right to jury trial”
“in order to determine whether defendant’s decision to waive that right was
knowing and intelligent.” (Ibid.)
In Weaver, the defendant “executed a two-page written waiver of his right
to a jury trial” in which he affirmed “that defense counsel ‘has fully explained’ to
defendant the terms ‘jury trial’ and ‘court trial’ and the ‘difference between a “jury
trial” and a “court trial.” ’ ” (Weaver, supra, 53 Cal.4th at p. 1070.) The trial
court then “explained to defendant a number of differences between a court trial
and a jury trial,” including the jury unanimity requirement and the fact that a jury
is composed of 12 members of the community. (Ibid.) The defendant confirmed
that he understood those concepts and reiterated that defense counsel had
explained to him the differences between a jury trial and a bench trial. One of the
defendant’s attorneys then “stated that he, the other defense attorney, defendant,
and defendant’s father had discussed the matter together the day before for about
two hours, and that the attorney believed waiving a jury was in defendant’s best
interest. Defendant said he agreed with what his attorney had just said.” (Id. at
pp. 1070–1071.) We concluded: “The court was exceptionally careful in taking
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defendant’s jury waiver. That waiver was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary in
all respects.” (Id. at p. 1076.)
In Cunningham, we noted that “[i]n response to questioning by the court,
defendant indicated he understood (1) he had an absolute right to a jury trial in
both the guilt and penalty phases of his trial, (2) in a jury trial, if one of the 12
jurors was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant was guilty, the
jury could not return a guilty verdict, (3) if he waived his right to a jury trial,
instead of 12 people deciding the issue of his guilt or innocence, the judge alone
would make that decision, and (4) it could be easier for the prosecution to
convince only one person, as opposed to 12, that defendant was guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.” (Cunningham, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 636.) In addition, the
defendant “confirm[ed] he had discussed the issue with his counsel, who
concurred in the waiver.” (Ibid.) On this record, we held: “The conclusion
defendant’s waiver of a guilt phase jury was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary is
supported by his clear express waiver, made in open court, with counsel’s consent
and agreement, and after a full explanation from the court of the right and the
consequences of the waiver.” (Id. at p. 637.)
In the cases above, we did not purport to establish minimum requirements
for a knowing and intelligent jury trial waiver, nor did we presume the validity of
a waiver based on the fact that a defendant was represented by counsel. Instead,
we examined the totality of the circumstances in each case to decide whether the
waiver was knowing and intelligent. In every case beginning with Miller, we have
relied on affirmative indications in the record — through questioning by the court
(Cunningham, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 636; Weaver, supra, 53 Cal.4th at pp. 1070–
1071; Collins, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 311; Diaz, supra, 3 Cal.4th at p. 571;
Robertson, supra, 48 Cal.3d at p. 37, fn. 5; Miller, supra, 7 Cal.3d at pp. 566–567)
or by the prosecutor (Scott, supra, 15 Cal.4th at p. 1208), or through
11
representations by defense counsel (Deere, supra, 41 Cal.3d at p. 359) — that the
defendant understood the nature of the right he or she was waiving. Even in
Sivongxxay, which involved a less-than-ideal waiver colloquy, we upheld the jury
trial waiver after a searching review of the record for indications that it was
knowing and intelligent. (Sivongxxay, supra, 3 Cal.5th at pp. 167–168, 174, 189–
190.) Like the other cases above, Sivongxxay did not rely on Langdon’s rule that a
jury trial waiver made by a defendant with counsel is presumed to be knowing and
intelligent.
Moreover, in addressing the significance of counsel, many of our cases
have relied on affirmative indications in the record that counsel had discussed the
jury trial right “fully,” “thoroughly,” or “ ‘at length’ ” with the defendant (Weaver,
supra, 53 Cal.4th at p. 1071; Diaz, supra, 3 Cal.4th at p. 571; Robertson, supra,
48 Cal.3d at p. 36) or that the defendant “had had enough time to talk to his
attorney” (Scott, supra, 15 Cal.4th at p. 1208) or had expressly “confirm[ed] he
had discussed the issue with his counsel” (Cunningham, supra, 61 Cal.4th at
p. 636). None of our cases in the past 50 years has relied on the mere fact of
representation by counsel as the basis for presuming a valid waiver. If Langdon’s
rule had been controlling this whole time, then much of the analysis that appears
in our case law would have been unnecessary.
It is true that we have “eschewed any rigid formula or particular form of
words that a trial court must use in taking a jury waiver.” (Sivongxxay, supra, 3
Cal.5th at p. 169.) But in the case before us, the trial court did not inform Doyle
of any differences between a jury trial and a bench trial, not even the fact that a
jury trial involves 12 people deciding his guilt whereas a bench trial involves only
one. Although defense counsel said she had an opportunity to speak with Doyle,
the record does not indicate what was discussed or whether the discussion was
adequate to enable Doyle to make a knowing and intelligent waiver decision. The
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Court of Appeal observed that Doyle “waived his right to a jury trial without
hesitation” and that he was informed of the similarities between a jury trial and a
bench trial. (Doyle, supra, 5 Cal.App.5th at p. 447.) But those facts are not
probative of whether Doyle understood the distinctive features of a jury trial.
Without that understanding, it is unclear how he could have intelligently decided
to waive a jury trial in favor of a bench trial.
The Court of Appeal ultimately relied on the fact that Doyle was
represented by counsel and that nothing in the record shows he was misled or
confused as to the nature of the right he purportedly waived. (Doyle, supra, 5
Cal.App.5th at p. 447.) By shifting the burden to Doyle to affirmatively show that
his waiver decision was not knowing and intelligent, the Court of Appeal departed
from our decades-long approach of asking whether the record affirmatively shows
that the waiver decision was knowing and intelligent. The Court of Appeal relied
on authority that we have not expressly disavowed. (See Lookadoo, supra, 66
Cal.2d at p. 311, citing Langdon, supra, 52 Cal.2d at p. 432.) But we have not
relied on that authority in nearly five decades, despite ample opportunity to do so.
Instead of dismissing review in this case, we should order briefing and decide the
continuing vitality of the Langdon rule.
II.
The matter before us is the third case this year in which a thin colloquy has
left us scouring the record for clues as to whether a defendant’s jury trial waiver
was knowing and intelligent. Although a waiver colloquy is not the only factor
bearing on the constitutional validity of a jury trial waiver, our opinion in
Sivongxxay “emphasize[d] the value of a robust oral colloquy in evincing a
knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of a jury trial.” (Sivongxxay, supra, 3
Cal.5th at p. 169.) Specifically, we recommended that “trial courts advise a
defendant of the basic mechanics of a jury trial in a waiver colloquy, including but
13
not necessarily limited to the facts that (1) a jury is made up of 12 members of the
community; (2) a defendant through his or her counsel may participate in jury
selection; (3) all 12 jurors must unanimously agree in order to render a verdict;
and (4) if a defendant waives the right to a jury trial, a judge alone will decide his
or her guilt or innocence.” (Ibid.) Further, we advised that “the trial judge take
additional steps as appropriate to ensure, on the record, that the defendant
comprehends what the jury trial right entails. A trial judge may do so in any
number of ways — among them, by asking whether the defendant had an adequate
opportunity to discuss the decision with his or her attorney, by asking whether
counsel explained to the defendant the fundamental differences between a jury
trial and a bench trial, or by asking the defendant directly if he or she understands
or has any questions about the right being waived.” (Id. at pp. 169–170.) We said
this guidance is “advisory” and “is not intended to limit trial courts to a narrow or
rigid colloquy.” (Id. at p. 170.)
The waiver colloquy in Sivongxxay, a capital case, mentioned that a jury is
made up of 12 members of the community, that the defendant and his counsel
would participate in jury selection, and that the judge alone would decide the
question of guilt if a jury trial was waived. (Sivongxxay, supra, 3 Cal.5th at
pp. 165–166.) But the Sivongxxay colloquy did not mention that all 12 jurors must
be unanimous in order to render a verdict, nor did the trial court inquire whether
the defendant understood what a jury trial is, whether the defendant had discussed
the decision with counsel, or whether the defendant had any questions about the
jury trial right. Based on the totality of circumstances, including the colloquy and
the defendant’s prior experience with the criminal justice system, the court
concluded that his waiver of a jury trial as to the guilt phase was knowing and
intelligent. (Id. at p. 167.) The court also found the waiver to be constitutionally
adequate as to the special circumstance and penalty phases (id. at pp. 171–176,
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188–190) over the dissents of two justices (id. at pp. 202–206, 212–214 (conc. &
dis. opn. of Liu, J.); id. at pp. 216–224 (conc. & dis. opn. of Cuéllar, J.)).
In Daniels, another capital case, the trial court advised the defendant (who
elected to waive counsel) that if he waived a jury trial, the court alone would
decide the question of guilt, but the waiver colloquy did not mention any of the
other advisements we recommended in Sivongxxay. (Daniels, supra, 3 Cal.5th at
pp. 986–989 (lead opn. of Cuéllar, J.).) “The court never asked defendant whether
he understood . . . the nature of the jury right he was waiving. The court itself
supplied no information on the subject, nor did it confirm that defendant had
received such information elsewhere — for example, from a written advisement
(which defendant did not receive) or from counsel (which defendant, who was
then self-represented, did not have).” (Id. at p. 1029 (conc. opn. of Kruger, J.,
conc. in the judgment).) Based on the totality of circumstances, including
“indications in the record that defendant’s overarching aim throughout the
proceedings was simply to accept responsibility for the charged crimes” (ibid.), a
four-to-three majority upheld the jury trial waiver as to the guilt phase, while a
different four-to-three majority found the waiver constitutionally invalid as to the
penalty phase. (See id. at pp. 1029–1030 (conc. opn. of Kruger, J.); id. at p. 1002
(lead opn. of Cuéllar, J.); id. at p. 1028 (conc. & dis. opn. of Corrigan, J.).)
In Doyle’s case, the waiver colloquy is even more devoid of content than
the one we narrowly upheld in Daniels. It did not include any of the four
advisements we recommended in Sivongxxay nor any of the questions we urged
trial courts to ask in order to assess whether a defendant’s waiver decision has
been “ ‘ “ ‘made with a full awareness both of the nature of the right being
abandoned and the consequences of the decision to abandon it.’ ” ’ ”
(Cunningham, supra, 61 Cal.4th at p. 636.)
15
In Sivongxxay, we declined to hold, as a constitutional rule, that before
accepting a jury trial waiver, a trial court must engage the defendant in a colloquy
with specific advisements. (Sivongxxay, supra, 3 Cal.5th at p. 170.) However, as
this case and others demonstrate, the absence of an informative colloquy often
leaves reviewing courts with the conundrum of resolving the validity of a jury trial
waiver on the basis of faint signals and debatable inferences from the record. An
inquiry as fundamental as whether a criminal defendant has knowingly and
intelligently waived a jury trial should not turn on such guesswork.
Other jurisdictions have eliminated the guesswork by taking a more
prescriptive approach. The New Jersey Supreme Court, like our court, has not
constitutionalized any requirements, but it has exercised its supervisory powers to
require a jury waiver form as well as a colloquy, each of which must include the
four advisements we recommended in Sivongxxay. (State v. Blann (N.J. 2014) 90
A.3d 1253, 1253.) The Wisconsin Supreme Court has held that a valid jury trial
waiver requires a colloquy “designed to ensure that the defendant [among other
things] was aware of the nature of a jury trial, such that it consists of a panel of 12
people that must agree on all elements of the crime charged” and “had enough
time to discuss this decision with his or her attorney.” (State v. Anderson (Wis.
2002) 638 N.W.2d 301, 310.) In Colorado, a state rule of criminal procedure
provides that a court may not accept a jury trial waiver “without first determining
[among other things] [¶] . . . [¶] [t]hat the defendant understands that: [¶] (i) The
waiver would apply to all issues that might otherwise need to be determined by a
jury including those issues requiring factual findings at sentencing; [¶] (ii) The
jury would be composed of a certain number of people; [¶] (iii) A jury verdict
must be unanimous; [¶] (iv) In a trial to the court, the judge alone would decide
the verdict; [¶] (v) The choice to waive a jury trial is the defendant’s alone and
may be made contrary to counsel’s advice.” (Colo. Rules Crim. Proc., rule
16
23(a)(5)(II)(b).) In Vermont, a state rule of criminal procedure provides that
“[t]he court shall not accept the defendant's waiver of the right to trial by jury
without first, by addressing the defendant personally in open court, informing that
person of, and determining that the person understands, the following: [¶] (1) That
the jury consists of 12 members of the community, and that the defendant may
participate in their selection; [¶] (2) That before the defendant can be convicted, all
12 members of the jury must agree on the defendant's guilt; [¶] (3) That where a
jury is waived, the court alone decides guilt or innocence in accordance with the
facts and the law.” (Vt. Rules Crim. Proc., rule 23(a).)
Our precedent does not foreclose us, in a future case, from exercising “our
supervisory power over California criminal procedure” to establish specific
procedures to eliminate uncertainty as to whether a criminal defendant has
knowingly and intelligently waived a jury trial. (People v. Burgener (2003) 29
Cal. 4th 833, 861; see People v. Engelman (2002) 28 Cal. 4th 436, 449.) In the
meantime, given the importance and recurring nature of this issue, the alternative
approaches cited above appear worthy of consideration by the Judicial Council
pursuant to its rulemaking authority. (Cal. Rules of Court, rules 10.13, 10.20,
10.21, 10.22.)
The Legislature may also wish to consider whether it makes sense to
require a written waiver or oral colloquy (or both) and, if so, what content such
procedures must include to ensure that a criminal defendant fully understands the
nature of a jury trial and the consequences of waiving it. (Cf. Pen. Code, §§ 977,
subd. (b)(2) [prescribing language for written waiver of defendant’s right to be
personally present in criminal proceedings], 1192.5 [prescribing specific
advisements that trial courts must give before accepting a guilty plea].) “For the
average reader (or writer) of judicial opinions, it is perhaps elementary what a jury
is and how it functions in a criminal trial. But we cannot assume such knowledge
17
among the general populace . . . .” (Daniels, supra, 3 Cal.5th at p. 1007 (conc. &
dis. opn. of Liu, J.).) Safeguarding the right to trial by jury — what Justice Scalia
called “the spinal column of American democracy” (Neder v. United States (1999)
527 U.S. 1, 30) — is properly a task not only for the judiciary but also for the
people’s representatives.
LIU, J.
18