People v. Vo Nghia Sy , 166 Cal. Rptr. 3d 778 ( 2014 )

Filed 1/21/14
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D061858
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. SCD228655)
VO NGHIA SY,
Defendant and Appellant.
THE PEOPLE, D062163
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. SCD228655)
JACQUELINE DUENAS SY,
Defendant and Appellant.
CONSOLIDATED APPEALS from judgments of the Superior Court of San Diego
County, Edward P. Allard III and Leo Valentine, Jr., Judges. Affirmed.
John L. Staley, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Vo Nghia Sy.
Jill M. Klein, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant Jacqueline Duenas Sy.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Eric Swenson, Melissa Mandel
and Charles C. Ragland, Deputy Attorneys General for Plaintiff and Respondent.
INTRODUCTION
Separate juries convicted Jacqueline Duenas Sy and Vo Nghia Sy1 of selling or
possessing counterfeit marks and found true allegations they sold or possessed 1,000 or
more articles, or articles valued at more than $400, displaying or containing a counterfeit
mark (Pen. Code,2 § 350, subd. (a)(2)).3 The court placed Jacqueline and Vo on
summary probation for three years. The court granted Vo's motion to reduce his
conviction to a misdemeanor (§ 17, subd. (b)). However, the court (a different judge)
denied Jacqueline's motion to reduce her conviction to a misdemeanor, indicating it
1 When referring to the Sys individually, we use their first names for clarity.
2 Further statutory references are also to the Penal Code unless otherwise stated.
3 The Sys were initially tried together. The first jury convicted Jacqueline, but was
unable to reach a verdict on the charge against Vo and the court declared a mistrial as to
him.
2
would reconsider the motion at a later time after ensuring Jacqueline complied with the
terms of her probation and did not continue selling counterfeit goods. The court later
ordered Jacqueline and Vo to pay almost $43,000 in victim restitution.
On appeal, Jacqueline and Vo both contend there was insufficient evidence to
support their convictions, the court committed instructional error, section 350 is
unconstitutionally vague, and the court's victim restitution order was infirm in multiple
respects. Vo separately contends the court erred by refusing to consider the merits of his
motion to disqualify the prosecution, or alternatively, by refusing to continue the motion
so it could be heard on the merits. Jacqueline separately contends the court erred by
denying her motion to reduce her conviction to a misdemeanor. We conclude there is no
merit to any of these contentions and affirm the judgment.
BACKGROUND4
Prosecution Evidence–Both Trials
The Sys had a business selling handbags, clothing, and jewelry. The merchandise
bore the names and logos of such designer brands as Chanel, Coach, Gucci, Louis
Vuitton, Rock & Republic, Tiffany & Co. (Tiffany), and True Religion. These brands are
registered trademarks. The Sys' merchandise was not authentic and they were not
authorized retailers of the brands.
4 The Sys each filed motions requesting we take judicial notice of documents in the
record of the other's appeal. As we have consolidated the appeals for decision, the
motions are moot.
3
An investigator for a private investigative company specializing in trademark,
copyright, and patent infringement investigations went to a trade show in March 2010.
Vo manned a booth there and the investigator saw two customers looking at purses
underneath a table in the booth. The investigator inquired about purchasing some of the
items. Vo gave him Jacqueline's business card and cell phone number. Vo told the
investigator to call the number to arrange to purchase merchandise out of the Sys' hotel
room. The investigator called the phone number and left a message, but never received a
call back.
In April 2010 the investigator went to the Sys' store in San Diego. Jacqueline sold
the investigator eight counterfeit items: one Coach handbag for $10, another Coach
handbag for $15, a pair of True Religion jeans for $25, a pair of Rock & Republic jeans
for $25, a Louis Vuitton wallet for $35, a Coach wallet for $10, and two Ed Hardy belts
for $5 each.
Vo walked into the store as the investigator was leaving with his purchases. They
discussed watches Vo had for sale. Vo had a case with watches bearing the brand names
Chanel, TAG Heuer, Rolex, and Hublot. Vo opened the case and took out one of the
watches. As he held it, he talked to the investigator about the quality and prices of the
watches, which ranged from $150 to $200. He said he had better quality watches than
Santee Alley, an area in Los Angeles where vendors and merchants are known to sell
knockoff merchandise. He also said he did not have much merchandise at the time
because "it was hard to get stuff from China," and customs had confiscated 35 cases of
4
True Religion jeans. Two weeks later, the investigator returned to the store and bought
another pair of counterfeit True Religion jeans for $25.
Law enforcement officers subsequently searched the store. With assistance from
the investigative company's employees, the officers seized over 13,000 counterfeit items.
Additional Prosecution Evidence–Vo's Trial
At the Las Vegas trade show, Vo kept certain purses under a table covered by a
tablecloth. He pulled up the tablecloth to show the purses to customers and invited them
to his hotel room for an "after-hours sale," where they could buy knockoff purses,
clothes, and jewelry.
A customer saw a Chanel branded watch displayed at Vo's booth. The Chanel
word mark5 appeared on both the face and back of the watch, which to the customer
meant the watch "reflects the brand of Chanel." The customer ordered one of the watches
and picked it up at the Sys' store in San Diego. She paid $175 for it. A genuine Chanel
watch of the same design would range in price from $5,250 to over $19,000, depending
on the number of diamonds on it. No one told the customer the watch was genuine and
she did not believe it was genuine because its back had a sticker rather than an engraved
insignia. Instead, she thought she was buying "[s]omething that looked like a Chanel
watch but was not actually a Chanel watch." The customer also purchased other items
from the Sys. She associated all of the items with the brands they represented because of
5 A word mark is a registered trademark consisting of a name or a word.
5
their look and feel and because they had very similar logos, but she did not believe the
items were genuine.
Jacqueline told the investigator one of the purses he bought was a Coach purse.
However, she did not say it was authentic and the investigator did not believe it was
authentic.
Another customer bought a Chanel branded purse, a Coach branded purse, and a
Tiffany branded necklace from Jacqueline. The customer paid $45 for the Coach purse.
She knew it was not real because of the price and quality. She knew the Chanel purse
and the Tiffany necklace were not real for similar reasons. She acknowledged, however,
the logo on the Tiffany necklace was consistent with the logo Tiffany uses. The customer
also arranged for the Sys to sell branded items at school fundraisers. She knew these
items were fake as well.
Jacqueline was convicted of possessing or selling counterfeit goods. The Sys paid
Coach $8,000 for using Coach's trademark without authorization.
Defense EvidenceJacqueline's Trial
A family friend testified Jacqueline had a very good reputation in the community
for being honest and she was a person whom he trusted. In addition, he testified he had
purchased merchandise from Jacqueline and knew from the price and appearance the
items were not real "except for the logos," which "looked like they were the real thing."
Jacqueline also told him the merchandise was not real.
The family friend's wife testified she had purchased purses from Jacqueline on at
least four occasions. Although the purses had brand names on them, she was never
6
confused about their authenticity.
A third customer of the Sys testified she purchased items from Jacqueline at a
farmer's market and at the Sys' store. Although the items looked like branded
merchandise, the customer was never confused about their authenticity because of their
prices and "they looked a little cheaper." Jacqueline never told the customer the
merchandise was real. She also never told the customer the merchandise was counterfeit.
Regardless, the customer never believed the merchandise was real.
A fellow vendor at one of the farmer's markets where Jacqueline sold her
merchandise testified she never saw Jacqueline sell branded items. When shown one of
Jacqueline's counterfeit Louis Vuitton wallets, the vendor said she was not familiar with
the brand and did not know what kind of wallet it was. When shown one of Jacqueline's
counterfeit Tiffany items, the vendor stated she would not know off-hand whether it was
actually a Tiffany item. However, she also stated, "I'm pretty sure, if it says 'Tiffany'
engraved in it, I believe it's a Tiffany item." The vendor later explained, "I don't
recognize brand name items just off the cuff. But once I saw the names and how they're
written on them, I know those are brand items."
The manager of the farmer's market testified Jacqueline sold purses, clothes,
jewelry and makeup at the market. Some of the purses had the Coach brand name on
them. The manager was never confused about the authenticity of the purses because they
did not look like genuine Coach purses and Jacqueline sold them for far less than what a
genuine purse would cost.
7
Defense EvidenceVo's Trial
Several people who dealt with the Sys testified Jacqueline never represented her
items were genuine and they never believed her items were genuine.
DISCUSSION
I
Insufficient Evidence Claims
A
The Sys contend there was insufficient evidence to support their convictions
because Jacqueline's customers were not confused about the authenticity of her
merchandise. " 'On appeal we review the whole record in the light most favorable to the
judgment to determine whether it discloses substantial evidence—that is, evidence that is
reasonable, credible, and of solid value—from which a reasonable trier of fact could find
the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. [Citation.] The standard of review is the
same in cases in which the People rely mainly on circumstantial evidence. [Citation.]
"Although it is the duty of the jury to acquit a defendant if it finds that circumstantial
evidence is susceptible of two interpretations, one of which suggests guilt and the other
innocence [citations], it is the jury, not the appellate court which must be convinced of
the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. ' "If the circumstances reasonably
justify the trier of fact's findings, the opinion of the reviewing court that the
circumstances might also reasonably be reconciled with a contrary finding does not
warrant a reversal of the judgment." ' [Citations.]" [Citation.]' [Citations.] The
conviction shall stand 'unless it appears "that upon no hypothesis whatever is there
8
sufficient substantial evidence to support [the conviction]." ' " (People v. Cravens (2012)
53 Cal. 4th 500, 507-508.)
Section 350, subdivision (a), prohibits a person from willfully manufacturing,
intentionally selling counterfeit marks, or knowingly possessing counterfeit marks for
sale. A "counterfeit mark" is "a spurious mark that is identical with, or confusingly
similar to, a registered mark and is used, or intended to be used, on or in connection with
the same type of goods or services for which the genuine mark is registered." (§ 350,
subd. (e)(3).) The mark does not have to be displayed on the outside of an article. (Ibid.)
A " 'spurious mark' includes genuine marks used on or in connection with spurious
articles and includes identical articles containing identical marks, where the goods or
marks were reproduced without authorization of, or in excess of any authorization
granted by, the registrant." (Ibid.) " 'Knowingly possess' means that the person
possessing an article knew or had reason to believe that it was spurious, or that it was
used on or in connection with spurious articles, or that it was reproduced without
authorization of, or in excess of any authorization granted by, the registrant."
(Id., subd. (e)(4).)
Here, the evidence shows Jacqueline, as a principal, and Vo, as an aider and
abettor, sold counterfeit items to numerous people at various venues. The items bore the
word marks of such companies as Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. The evidence also
shows law enforcement officers seized over 13,000 of these items from the Sys' San
Diego store. Accordingly, there is ample evidence the Sys both intentionally sold and
knowingly possessed counterfeit marks.
9
The fact the Sys' customers may not have been confused about the authenticity of
the Sys' merchandise does not alter our conclusion. The statute proscribes the sale or
possession for sale of either identical or confusingly similar marks. (§ 350, subds. (a) &
(e)(3).) In this case, the evidence, including a comparison of certified copies of
registered trademarks with the marks on the Sys' merchandise, shows the Sys' were
selling and possessing for sale identical marks. The prosecutor, therefore, did not have to
establish the marks were confusingly similar.6
The federal authorities relied upon by the Sys do not persuade us to the contrary.
Federal law expressly requires a counterfeit mark to be likely to cause confusion or
mistake, or to deceive. (15 U.S.C., § 1114, subd. (1) [civil]; 18 U.S.C., § 2320, subd.
(f)(1)(A)(iv) [criminal].) Although California civil law contains the same requirement
(Bus. & Prof. Code, § 14245, subd. (a)), section 350 does not. The Sys have not provided
us with any authority indicating this distinction was other than purposeful. Thus, the
federal authorities relied upon by the Sys offer us with no guidance in this matter.
B
The Sys also contend there is insufficient evidence to support their convictions
because there was no evidence they ever intended to defraud or deceive anyone.
Section 350, subdivision (a), proscribes the willful manufacturing, intentional selling, or
knowing possession of counterfeit marks. While these mental states may suggest or
6 Although we do not rest our decision on this point, we note in Jacqueline's case
there was some evidence the marks were confusingly similar as a fellow farmer's market
vendor testified she believed one of the Sys' fake Tiffany items was actually from Tiffany
because it had the Tiffany brand name on it.
10
encompass intent to defraud, intent to defraud is not an element of the offense. (See
People v. Dieguez (2001) 89 Cal. App. 4th 266, 279-280 [finding intent to defraud was
" 'built into' " statutory language of Ins. Code § 1871.4, subd. (a)(1) because the specified
mental states necessarily involved intent to defraud, making a separate element or
instruction for intent to defraud unnecessary].)
Rodriguez-Valencia v. Holder (9th Cir. 2011) 652 F.3d 1157 and Tall v. Mukasey
(9th Cir. 2008) 517 F.3d 1115 do not hold to the contrary. Rather, these cases hold that,
for federal immigration law purposes, a violation of section 350, subdivision (a)(2), is an
inherently fraudulent crime because the conduct of willfully manufacturing, intentionally
selling, or knowingly possessing a counterfeit mark results in either an innocent
purchaser being tricked into buying a fake item or the owner of the mark being deprived
of its value. (Rodriguez-Valencia v. Holder, supra, 652 F.3d at p. 1160; Tall v. Mukasey,
supra, 517 F.3d at pp. 1119-1120.) These cases do not discuss and, therefore, have no
bearing on whether the prosecution must prove intent to defraud as an element of section
350.
C
Jacqueline separately contends there was insufficient evidence to support her
conviction because the prosecutor did not prove she knew the marks on her items were
counterfeit or, more particularly, that she knew the marks on her items were identical to
or confusingly similar to registered marks. However, as Jacqueline repeatedly points out,
all of her customers knew she was selling knockoffs. In addition, a family friend and
customer of Jacqueline's testified the logos on Jacqueline's items "looked like they were
11
the real thing." Further, among the items law enforcement officers seized from the Sys'
store were bins of metal plates engraved with designer logos that could be affixed to
generic purses or wallets. A jury could reasonably infer from this evidence Jacqueline
knew full well her items were identical to or confusingly similar to registered marks.
D
Jacqueline also separately contends there was insufficient evidence to support her
conviction because the jury did not have any genuine marks to compare with the marks
on her merchandise. Specifically, she contends the prosecution was not permitted to use
certified copies of registered trademarks to prove its case and instead had to provide the
jury with authentic merchandise bearing the registered trademarks for comparison.
However, section 350 contains no such requirement and United States v. Chong Lam (4th
Cir. 2012) 677 F.3d 190 (Lam), which Jacqueline cites to support her point, does not
persuade us we must imply such a requirement.
In Lam, the prosecution sought to prove defendants were trafficking in counterfeit
Burberry goods. (Lam, supra, 677 F.3d at p. 194.) The prosecution introduced evidence
Burberry had registered its signature plaid pattern as a mark. The prosecution also
introduced into evidence authentic handbags displaying this mark as well as samples of
the allegedly counterfeit items, which displayed a similar, but not identical, plaid pattern.
Consequently, before reaching its guilty verdict, the jury was able to make a side-by-side
comparison of the authentic and allegedly counterfeit items. (Id. at pp. 195-197.) In
concluding there was sufficient evidence to uphold defendants' convictions on appeal, the
court pointed to and approved of the jury's side-by-side comparison, but the court never
12
considered whether a side-by-side comparison was required in that or any other case.
(Id. at p. 200.) An opinion is not authority for a proposition not considered in it. (Ginns
v. Savage (1964) 61 Cal. 2d 520, 524, fn. 2.)
Moreover, the Lam case is not factually analogous to this case because the jury in
Lam was tasked with determining whether two different plaid patterns were substantially
indistinguishable from one another. (Lam, supra, 677 F.3d at pp. 195-196.) It is not
difficult to fathom why the jury may have needed to compare the actual plaid patterns to
make this determination. In contrast, the jury in this case was tasked with determining
whether the Sys' merchandise bore word marks identical to registered word marks.
Jacqueline has not persuaded us the jury was unable to effectively accomplish this task by
comparing the word marks on the Sys' merchandise to certified copies of the registered
word marks.
II
Instructional Error Claims
A
There is no pattern jury instruction for a section 350 violation and the courts
overseeing the Sys' trials crafted somewhat different instructions. In both cases, the
courts instructed the juries that to establish a section 350 violation, the People had to
prove the defendant intentionally sold or knowingly possessed a counterfeit mark. The
courts also instructed the juries on the definitions of "knowingly possess," "counterfeit
mark," and other terms not directly at issue in this appeal.
13
The court in Jacqueline's case further instructed the jury, "In order for a counterfeit
mark to be identical to, or confusingly similar to, a registered mark, it does not matter
that the specific persons who purchased the goods may not have been confused or
deceived. The test is whether the defendant's use of the mark was likely to cause
confusion, mistake, or deception to the public in general. In this regard, you should
determine whether an average consumer would be deceived into believing that the
product was made by the genuine trademark owner." The court in Vo's case instructed
the jury, " 'Confusingly similar' is to be measured by the standard of a reasonable
consumer."
Vo's defense counsel crafted his own substantially different instruction, which he
requested the court give. Among its differences, the requested instruction included the
factors used by the Ninth Circuit to aid a jury in determining whether a defendant's use of
a trademark was likely to cause confusion about the source of the goods. The court
declined to give the instruction, finding it did not accurately state the applicable law and
the court's own instruction was adequate.
B
1
Vo contends the court erred in failing to give his requested instruction because it
pinpointed his theory of defense. " ' "[T]he trial court normally must, even in the absence
of a request, instruct on general principles of law that are closely and openly connected to
the facts and that are necessary for the jury's understanding of the case." [Citation.] In
addition, "a defendant has a right to an instruction that pinpoints the theory of the
14
defense . . . ." ' [Citation.] The court, however, 'may properly refuse an instruction
offered by the defendant if it incorrectly states the law, is argumentative, duplicative, or
potentially confusing [citation], or if it is not supported by substantial evidence
[citation].' " (People v. Bivert (2011) 52 Cal. 4th 96, 120.) As we previously explained,
while federal law and California civil law specifically require a counterfeit mark to be
likely to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive, California criminal law does not.
(Compare 15 U.S.C., § 1114, subd. (1); 18 U.S.C., § 2320, subd. (f)(1)(A)(iv); & Bus. &
Prof. Code, § 14245, subd. (a) with § 350.) Therefore, the court properly declined to give
Vo's instruction as it misstated the law and would have potentially confused the jury.
2
a
The Sys both contend the courts' instructions were deficient in multiple respects. "
'[A] claim that a court failed to properly instruct on the applicable principles of law is
reviewed de novo. [Citation.] In conducting this review, we first ascertain the relevant
law and then "determine the meaning of the instructions in this regard." [Citation.] [¶]
The proper test for judging the adequacy of instructions is to decide whether the trial
court "fully and fairly instructed on the applicable law . . . ." [Citation.] " 'In determining
whether error has been committed in giving or not giving jury instructions, we must
consider the instructions as a whole . . . [and] assume that the jurors are intelligent
persons and capable of understanding and correlating all jury instructions which are
given. [Citation.]' " [Citation.] "Instructions should be interpreted, if possible, so as to
15
support the judgment rather than defeat it if they are reasonably susceptible to such
interpretation." ' " (People v. Mathson (2012) 210 Cal. App. 4th 1297, 1311-1312.)
Jacqueline contends the court's instruction in her case was prejudicially deficient
because it failed to inform the jury the prosecution had to prove Jacqueline's use of
counterfeit marks was likely to cause confusion. Several of Vo's claimed instructional
deficiencies are similarly premised on the assertion the likelihood of confusion, mistake,
or deception is an implied element of a section 350 violation. As we have rejected this
assertion, we must necessarily reject any claims premised on it.
b
Vo also contends the court erred by failing to instruct the jury the prosecutor had
to prove Vo possessed or sold a counterfeit mark with the intent to defraud the mark
holder or an innocent purchaser. Jacqueline raises substantially the same claim. As we
have rejected the contention that intent to defraud is an element of a section 350
violation, we must necessarily reject any contention the court was required to instruct the
jury on this element.
c
Vo further contends the court prejudicially erred by instructing the jury Vo was
charged with the "sale or possession for sale of counterfeit goods in violation of [section
350, subdivision (a)(2)]," (italics added) instead of the sale or possession of counterfeit
marks. We disagree.
While the court may have misdescribed the charge against Vo, it accurately
informed the jury the charge required the People to prove Vo intentionally sold a
16
counterfeit mark or knowingly possessed a counterfeit mark for sale and Vo knew the
mark was counterfeit. The court also defined the term "counterfeit mark" for the jury.
Consequently, Vo has not established there was a reasonable likelihood the jury
misconstrued or misapplied the instruction in the manner claimed. (People v. Mathson,
supra, 210 Cal.App.4th at p. 1312.)
III
Vagueness Claim
The Sys contend section 350 is unconstitutionally vague because it does not
require an intent to defraud or a likelihood the use of the mark created confusion,
mistake, or deception about the origin of the product. We conclude otherwise.
"A penal statute must define the offense with sufficient precision that 'ordinary
people can understand what conduct is prohibited and in a manner that does not
encourage arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.' [Citations.] 'The constitutional
interest implicated in questions of statutory vagueness is that no person be deprived of
"life, liberty, or property without due process of law," as assured by both the federal
Constitution (U.S. Const., Amends. V, XIV) and the California Constitution (Cal. Const.,
art. I, § 7).' [Citation.]
"To satisfy the constitutional command, a statute must meet two basic
requirements: (1) the statute must be sufficiently definite to provide adequate notice of
the conduct proscribed; and (2) the statute must provide sufficiently definite guidelines
for the police in order to prevent arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. [Citations.]
Only a reasonable degree of certainty is required, however. [Citation.] The analysis
17
begins with 'the strong presumption that legislative enactments "must be upheld unless
their unconstitutionality clearly, positively, and unmistakably appears. [Citations.] A
statute should be sufficiently certain so that a person may know what is prohibited
thereby and what may be done without violating its provisions, but it cannot be held void
for uncertainty if any reasonable and practical construction can be given to its
language." ' " (Tobe v. City of Santa Ana (1995) 9 Cal. 4th 1069, 1106-1107.)
Section 350's application is limited to the willful manufacturing, knowing
possession, or intentional selling of a counterfeit mark. (§ 350, subd. (a).) "Counterfeit
mark" is limited to a mark that is identical with or confusingly similar to a registered
mark and is used or is intended to be used on or in connection with the same type of
goods or services as the registered mark. (§ 350, subd. (e)(3).) Section 350's limited
reach and explicit scienter requirements provide both adequate notice of the proscribed
conduct and protection against arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. (People v.
Superior Court (Caswell) (1988) 46 Cal. 3d 381, 390-392 [presence of scienter
requirement generally precludes vagueness problems]; People v. Maxwell (1994) 30
Cal. App. 4th 783, 800 [same].) Thus, we conclude section 350 is sufficiently definite to
satisfy the constitutional requirements.
As with many of their other contentions, the Sys premise their vagueness claim on
their assertion the statute should include intent to defraud and likelihood of consumer
confusion requirements. However, they have not demonstrated the Legislature intended
to include these requirements in the statute or that the Legislature was obliged to make
California criminal law coextensive with federal law or California civil law in this area.
18
More to the point for this claim, they have not demonstrated inclusion of these
requirements is necessary to clarify existing language as opposed to adding new language
favorable to their positions. It is the state legislature's province to define the elements of
and determine the appropriate penalties for state crimes. (People v. Malfavon (2002) 102
Cal. App. 4th 727, 737.) " 'The judiciary ordinarily has no power to insert in a statute an
element the Legislature has omitted [citation]' [citation]; where, as here, the statute has an
appropriate mens rea requirement, 'no reason appears . . . to warrant departure from this
rule.' " (People v. Hagedorn (2005) 127 Cal. App. 4th 734, 744.) As the California
Supreme Court has repeatedly observed, " ' " 'the power to define crimes and fix penalties
is vested exclusively in the legislative branch.' [Citations.]" ' [Citation.] The courts may
not expand the Legislature's definition of a crime [citation], nor may they narrow a clear
and specific definition." (People v. Farley (2009) 46 Cal. 4th 1053, 1119.)
IV
Restitution Claim
A
As a condition of probation, the court ordered the Sys to pay victim restitution in
amounts to be determined. After subsequent restitution hearings, the court ordered the
Sys to pay trademark holders $19,126 for loss of sales as follows: Breitling Lane, $350;
Jimmy Choo, $65; TAG Heuer, $182; Burberry, $533; Chanel, $5,762; Dolce &
Gabbana, $234; Ed Hardy, $658; Gucci, $204; Juicy Couture, $517; Louis Vuitton,
$9,416; Prada, $625; Rolex, $500; and Tiffany, $80. The amounts were based on
documents evidencing actual sales by the Sys to their customers. The amounts were not
19
based on the Sys' inventory. The court also ordered the Sys to reimburse trademark
holders over $23,000 for investigation costs.
B
1
The Sys challenge the restitution award on numerous grounds. Before addressing
their challenges, we summarize the law applicable to our review.
The California constitution gives crime victims a right to restitution and,
consequently, requires a court to order a convicted wrongdoer to pay restitution in every
case in which a crime victim suffers a loss. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b)(13)(B).)
To implement this requirement, section 1202.4, subdivision (f), generally provides that
"in every case in which a victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendant's
conduct, the court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or
victims in an amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by
the victim or victims or any other showing to the court."
A victim includes "[a] corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership,
association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity when that entity is a direct victim
of a crime." (§ 1202.4, subd. (k)(2).) A direct victim is a victim against whom a
defendant has committed a crime. (People v. Anderson (2010) 50 Cal. 4th 19, 28.)
The restitution amount "shall be of a dollar amount that is sufficient to fully
reimburse the victim or victims for every determined economic loss incurred as the result
of the defendant's criminal conduct." (§1202.4, subd. (f)(3).) "The defendant has the
20
right to a hearing before a judge to dispute the determination of the amount of
restitution." (§ 1202.4, subd. (f)(1).)
"At a victim restitution hearing, a prima facie case for restitution is made by the
People based in part on a victim's testimony on, or other claim or statement of, the
amount of his or her economic loss. [Citations.] 'Once the victim has [i.e., the People
have] made a prima facie showing of his or her loss, the burden shifts to the defendant to
demonstrate that the amount of the loss is other than that claimed by the victim.
[Citations.]' [Citation.]
" 'The standard of review of a restitution order is abuse of discretion. "A victim's
restitution right is to be broadly and liberally construed." [Citation.] " 'Where there is a
factual and rational basis for the amount of restitution ordered by the trial court, no abuse
of discretion will be found by the reviewing court.' " [Citations.]' [Citation.] However, a
restitution order 'resting upon a " 'demonstrable error of law' " constitutes an abuse of the
court's discretion. [Citation.]' [Citation.] 'In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence
[to support a factual finding], the " 'power of the appellate court begins and ends with a
determination as to whether there is any substantial evidence, contradicted or
uncontradicted,' to support the trial court's findings." [Citations.] Further, the standard of
proof at a restitution hearing is by a preponderance of the evidence, not proof beyond a
reasonable doubt. [Citation.] "If the circumstances reasonably justify the [trial court's]
findings," the judgment may not be overturned when the circumstances might also
reasonably support a contrary finding. [Citation.] We do not reweigh or reinterpret the
21
evidence; rather, we determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the
inference drawn by the trier of fact. [Citation.]' [Citation.]
" '[T]he court's discretion in setting the amount of restitution is broad, and it may
use any rational method of fixing the amount of restitution as long as it is reasonably
calculated to make the victim whole. [Citations.]' [Citations.] 'There is no requirement
the restitution order be limited to the exact amount of the loss in which the defendant is
actually found culpable, nor is there any requirement the order reflect the amount of
damages that might be recoverable in a civil action.' " (People v. Millard (2009) 175
Cal. App. 4th 7, 26-27.)
2
First, the Sys contend the court abused its discretion by ordering them to pay
victim restitution to the trademark holders because the trademark holders were not direct
victims within the meaning of section 1202.4, subdivision (k)(2). We need not decide
whether the trademark holders were direct victims in this case because section 350,
subdivision (i), expressly provides: "When a person is convicted of an offense under this
section, the court shall order the person to pay restitution to the trademark owner and
any other victim of the offense pursuant to Section 1202.4." (Italics added.) Thus, the
court was obliged to order the Sys to pay victim restitution to the trademark holders
regardless of whether the trademark holders were direct victims.
3
The Sys next contend the court should not have awarded the trademark holders
investigative costs because these costs were unrecoverable law enforcement costs. We
22
disagree. Although a public agency generally may not recover law enforcement costs
under section 1202.4 (People v. Ozkan (2004) 124 Cal. App. 4th 1072, 1076-1077), a
victim may recover out-of-pocket expenses for assisting with the investigation and
prosecution of the victim's case as these "expenses clearly constitute 'economic loss
incurred as the result of the defendant's criminal conduct.' " (People v. Ortiz (1997) 53
Cal. App. 4th 791, 797-798; see also People v. Chappelone (2010) 183 Cal. App. 4th 1159,
1182-1183 & fn. 9; People v. Maheshwari (2003) 107 Cal. App. 4th 1406, 1409, 1411.)
4
The Sys additionally contend the amount awarded for investigative costs was
excessive because most of the costs were incurred after the preliminary hearing, when the
bulk of the investigative company's work should have been completed. They further
contend the investigative company's work did not warrant the hourly rate the agency
charged the trademark holders. These are matters upon which the Sys had the burden of
proof below. (People v. Millard, supra, 175 Cal.App.4th at p. 26 [defendant has the
burden of proving the amount of loss is other than the victim claims].) The record shows
the investigation company submitted invoices and other documents detailing the basis for
their fees. Conversely, the record does not show the Sys presented any evidence the
investigative company billed for work it did not actually perform or charged above-
market rates for its services. Accordingly, the Sys have not established the amount of
restitution ordered for investigative costs was an abuse of discretion.
23
5
The Sys further contend the court erred in awarding restitution to some of the
trademark holders, such as Breitling, because the prosecutor did not present any trial
evidence showing these companies had registered marks or that the Sys used the marks
without authorization. According to the Sys, awarding restitution to these trademark
holders violated their constitutional rights to notice and a jury's determination of the
facts.
Generally, restitution under section 1202.4 is limited to losses arising from the
criminal conduct that formed the basis for the defendant's conviction. (People v. Woods
(2008) 161 Cal. App. 4th 1045, 1049.) However, "[t]his limitation does not apply in the
context of grants of probation. 'California courts have long interpreted the trial courts'
discretion to encompass the ordering of restitution as a condition of probation even when
the loss was not necessarily caused by the criminal conduct underlying the conviction.
Under certain circumstances, restitution has been found proper where the loss was caused
by related conduct not resulting in a conviction [citation], by conduct underlying
dismissed and uncharged counts [citation], and by conduct resulting in an acquittal
[citation].' " (Id. at p. 1050, citing People v. Carbajal (1995) 10 Cal. 4th 1114, 1121;
accord People v. Anderson (2010) 50 Cal. 4th 19, 27.) We review an award of restitution
imposed as a condition of probation to determine whether it is arbitrary, capricious or
otherwise exceeds the bounds of reason under the circumstances. (People v. Anderson,
supra, at p. 32.)
24
Here, the court stated in its orders granting probation that the Sys would be
required to make restitution for the actual damages they caused all of their victims in an
amount to be determined at a restitution hearing. The Sys had notice of their potential
victims' identities from the merchandise law enforcement officers seized from their store.
They also had notice from the People's restitution memo, which identified the trademark
holder victims and their claimed losses and was supported by the Sys' sales receipts. The
record does not show the Sys presented any evidence challenging any company's status as
a victim, whether because the company did not hold a registered mark or because the
company had authorized the Sys to use its mark. We, therefore, cannot conclude the
court's restitution award was arbitrary, capricious, or exceeded the bounds of reason
under the circumstances. (People v. Anderson, supra, 50 Cal.4th at p. 32.)
Moreover, the fact the court awarded restitution without a jury trial poses no
constitutional concerns. As we have previously held, the court's determination of a
restitution amount does not implicate a defendant's jury trial rights. (People v. Millard,
supra, 175 Cal. App. 4th 7, 36; see also, People v. Chappelone, supra, 183 Cal.App.4th at
pp. 1183-1184.)
V
Reduction of Offense Claim
A
Jacqueline moved under section 17, subdivision (b), to reduce her conviction to a
misdemeanor, arguing the nature and circumstances of the offense, her remorse for it, and
her character supported the reduction. The court denied the motion, indicating it would
25
reconsider the motion at a later time after ensuring Jacqueline complied with the terms of
her probation and did not continue selling counterfeit marks. Jacqueline contends the
court abused its discretion by denying her motion.
B
A violation of section 350, subdivision (a)(2) is a "wobbler" offense in that a court
has the discretion to sentence the crime as either a felony or a misdemeanor. (People v.
Superior Court (Alvarez) (1997) 14 Cal. 4th 968, 974.) A court had broad discretion
under section 17, subdivision (b) in deciding whether to reduce a wobbler offense to a
misdemeanor. (People v. Superior Court (Alvarez), supra, at p. 977.) We will not
disturb the court's decision on appeal unless the party attacking the decision clearly
shows the decision was irrational or arbitrary. (Ibid.) Absent such a showing, we
presume the court acted to achieve legitimate sentencing objectives. (Id. at pp. 977-978.)
Here, the court considered Jacqueline's motion and determined it was too soon to
reduce her conviction. The court indicated it wanted an opportunity to consider her
performance on probation before granting her request to ensure she did not resume
selling counterfeit marks. Nothing about the court's stated reasons for denying her
motion indicate its decision was irrational or arbitrary, and Jacqueline has not clearly
shown to the contrary.
Although the court (different judge) granted Vo's motion to reduce his conviction
to a misdemeanor, this does not show the court acted irrationally or arbitrarily in
Jacqueline's case. We will not reverse the court's decision " 'merely because reasonable
people might disagree. "An appellate tribunal is neither authorized nor warranted in
26
substituting its judgment for the judgment of the trial judge." ' " (People v. Superior
Court (Alvarez), supra, 14 Cal.4th at p. 978.)
Further, the record shows Jacqueline played more of an active role in selling and
possessing the counterfeit marks than Vo. In fact, she testified at his trial he had no
substantive involvement in the ownership or operation of her business. Under such
circumstances, we cannot conclude the court acted irrationally or arbitrarily in waiting to
grant her motion to reduce her conviction until after it ensured she complied with her
probation and did not resume her unlawful business operations.
VI
Denial of Recusal Motion
A
Before the restitution hearing, Vo moved to retroactively disqualify the district
attorney's office from the case, arguing the office had a disabling conflict of interest
because the victims, through the investigative company, financed many expenses,
including investigative expenses and witness fees, normally borne by the prosecution.
The court denied the motion without prejudice because the attorney general had not been
served with a copy of it and it was not supported by a declaration.
B
Vo contends the court erred by refusing to consider the merits of the motion
because the submission of an affidavit would have been futile as the court already had
competent evidence before it and the attorney general appeared at the hearing, indicating
27
the attorney general had actual notice of the motion. Alternatively, Vo contends the court
should have continued the hearing to allow the attorney general to file an opposition.
1
A court may not grant a motion to disqualify a district attorney unless "the
evidence shows that a conflict of interest exists that would render it unlikely that the
defendant would receive a fair trial." (§ 1424, subd. (a)(1).) "[S]ection 1424 sets out a
two-part test for determining whether recusal is appropriate. Under the first part, a court
must determine whether a conflict exists, that is, whether 'the circumstances of a case
evidence a reasonable possibility that the DA's office may not exercise its discretionary
function in an evenhanded manner.' [Citations.] If such a conflict exists, the court must
further determine whether the conflict is ' " 'so grave as to render it unlikely that
defendant will receive fair treatment during all portions of the criminal proceedings.' " '
[Citation.] Thus, the first half of the inquiry asks only whether a 'reasonable possibility'
of less than impartial treatment exists, while the second half of the inquiry asks whether
any such possibility is so great that it is more likely than not the defendant will be treated
unfairly during some portion of the criminal proceedings." (Haraguchi v. Superior Court
(2008) 43 Cal. 4th 706, 713-714.) "Section 1424 'does not allow disqualification merely
because the district attorney's further participation in the prosecution would be unseemly,
would appear improper, or would tend to reduce public confidence in the impartiality and
integrity of the criminal justice system.' [Citations.] Only an actual likelihood of unfair
treatment, not a subjective perception of impropriety, can warrant a court's taking the
28
significant step of recusing an individual prosecutor or prosecutor's office." (Haraguchi,
at p. 719.)
We review trial court rulings on recusal motions for abuse of discretion.
(Hollywood v. Superior Court (2008) 43 Cal. 4th 721, 728.) "Accordingly, we ask
whether the trial court's findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence, whether its
rulings of law are correct, and whether its application of the law to the facts was neither
arbitrary nor capricious. [Citation.]" (People v. Superior Court (Humberto S.) (2008) 43
Cal. 4th 737, 746 (Humberto S.).)
2
Section 1424 requires the defendant serve a motion to disqualify on the district
attorney and the attorney general at least 10 court days before the motion is heard.
(§ 1424, subd. (a)(1).) The motion must include a statement of the facts setting forth the
grounds for the disqualification and the legal authorities relied upon. In addition, the
motion must be supported by the affidavits of competent witnesses. (Ibid.) The district
attorney and the attorney general may file affidavits opposing the motion, may appear at
the hearing on the motion, and may file a written opinion on the disqualification issue.
(Ibid.) The court must review the affidavits and determine whether or not an evidentiary
hearing is necessary. (Ibid.)
In this case, there is no question Vo's motion was procedurally infirm. Vo did not
serve his motion on the attorney general and he did not support it with affidavits or other
competent evidence as required by section 1424, subdivision (a)(1). The attorney
general's appearance at the motion hearing did not obviate these infirmities. The district
29
attorney apprised the attorney general of the motion hearing and the attorney general
appeared at it solely to assert a procedural objection. The attorney general did not file an
opposition to the motion and there is no basis in the record for us to reasonably infer the
attorney general had an adequate opportunity to prepare one. Unlike the district attorney,
the attorney general had no familiarity with the case or with the evidence Vo referenced
in, but did not supply with, his motion. Moreover, we are not aware of any authority
obliging a party to expend resources responding to an improperly noticed motion.
Accordingly, we are unable to conclude it was futile for the court to require compliance
with section 1424's procedural requirements or that it abused its discretion by doing so.
For similar reasons, we cannot fault the court for failing to continue the matter to
allow the attorney general to respond. The attorney general did not specifically request a
continuance. Rather, the attorney general expressly declined to waive its procedural
objection and requested an opportunity to respond only if the court decided to hear the
motion on the merits. As the attorney general's objection was well taken and curing the
procedural defects required both service on the attorney general and the submission of
supporting evidence, we conclude the court did not abuse its discretion by opting to deny
the motion without prejudice instead of continuing the matter.
3
Even if the court had erred by failing to consider the merits of or to continue the
hearing on the disqualification motion, the error was harmless. As explained in
Hambarian v. Superior Court (2002) 27 Cal. 4th 826 (Hambarian), the California
Supreme Court determined in People v. Eubanks (1996) 14 Cal. 4th 580 (Eubanks) that a
30
trial court may properly order the recusal of a district attorney's office "which, when
faced with a ' "substantial" ' debt for consultants in comparison to its resources, had asked
the victim to pay the debt as well as 'other significant costs of the investigation.'
[Citation.] Focusing on 'the possible sense of obligation the district attorney would feel
for [the victim's] payment of a debt owed by the district attorney's office,' [the Supreme
Court] held that '[t]he trial court did not err in concluding these circumstances evidenced
a "reasonable possibility" the prosecutor might not exercise his discretionary functions in
an evenhanded manner' and would not have abused its discretion 'in finding the conflict
so grave as to render fair treatment of the defendants in all stages of the criminal
proceedings unlikely.' " (Hambarian v. Superior Court (2002) 27 Cal. 4th 826, 829.)
However, the Supreme Court subsequently clarified a district attorney is not
subject to recusal whenever a defendant shows a victim financially assisted the district
attorney with the investigation of the victim's case. (Hambarian, supra, 27 Cal.4th at
pp. 834, 836.) Instead, the defendant must "show that the financial assistance is of 'a
nature and magnitude likely to put the prosecutor's discretionary decisionmaking within
the influence or control of an interested party.' " (Id. at p. 835.) The likelihood existed in
Eubanks because the district attorney's office was experiencing serious budgetary
constraints and had asked the victim to discharge a sizable debt the office had previously
incurred. Such circumstances raised the concern the office would have had difficulty
informing the victim if it decided not to prosecute the victim's case. (Hambarian, at
pp. 835-836.)
31
Vo did not provide any evidence the trademark holders' financial assistance in this
case was of a nature and magnitude to create any comparable sense of obligation on the
district attorney's office's part. Specifically, he did not provide any evidence the office
asked the trademark holders to discharge a preexisting debt or for any other specific
financial assistance. In addition, he did not provide any evidence the trademark holders
used or attempted to use their financial assistance to influence the office's discretionary
decisionmaking. He also did not provide any evidence the trademark holders' financial
assistance, relative to the office's own financial resources, caused the office to make or
feel obliged to make discretionary decisions it otherwise would not have made.
Vo's assertion the financial assistance prompted the office to pursue an otherwise
weak case is wholly unpersuasive. There is no doubt from the evidence Jacqueline was
actively engaged in selling goods with counterfeit marks. The only question as to Vo was
the degree of his involvement in the enterprise and the additional documentary and
testimonial evidence presented at his second trial amply supported the jury's finding he
aided and abetted Jacqueline. Although the Sys did not, and may still not, view their
conduct as criminal, it fell squarely within the ambit of section 350 and a prosecutor may
not be disqualified simply for zealously pursuing convictions. " 'Zealous advocacy in
pursuit of convictions forms an essential part of the prosecutor's proper duties and does
not show the prosecutor's participation was improper.' [Citation] ' "In an adversary
system, [prosecutors] are necessarily permitted to be zealous in their enforcement of the
law." [Citation.] So long as their zeal remains within legal limits . . . the lawful
execution of their duty does not establish as a matter of law that they have surrendered
32
their independence and impartiality.' " (People v. Superior Court (Humberto S.), supra,
43 Cal.4th at p. 747.) Accordingly, Vo has not established he would have received a
more favorable result absent the claimed error. (People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal. 2d 818,
836; People v. Vasquez (2006) 39 Cal. 4th 47, 66-71 [holding Watson standard applies to
an erroneous denial of a section 1424 motion].)
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
MCCONNELL, P. J.
WE CONCUR:
NARES, J.
MCINTYRE, J.
33