People v. Escapita CA1/2 ( 2021 )

Filed 9/29/21 P. v. Escapita CA1/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or
ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent,
A161303
v.
DAISY ESCAPITA, (Napa County
Super. Ct. No.
Defendant and Appellant.
18CR004040/20CR000150)
Defendant Daisy Escapita appeals from judgments in two cases after
pleading no contest to grand theft of personal property (Pen. Code,1 § 487),
resisting arrest (§ 148, subd. (a)(1)), and failing to appear in court as ordered
(§§ 1320, subd. (b), 1320.5). The trial court granted Escapita three years’
probation, imposed numerous probation conditions, and ordered her to pay
fines and fees. On appeal, Escapita contends (1) the trial court abused its
discretion in imposing probation conditions prohibiting her from possessing
weapons and marijuana; (2) the weapons condition also was
unconstitutionally overbroad; (3) other conditions requiring her to enroll in
and complete substance abuse and mental health assessments or treatment
1 Further undesignated statutory references are to the Penal Code.
1
programs were impermissible delegations of judicial authority to the
probation department; (4) her probation term must be reduced to two years
pursuant to recently enacted Assembly Bill No. 1950; and (5) she is entitled
to remand so that the court may hold a hearing and determine her ability to
pay the fines and fees imposed.
We conclude Escapita’s first and second arguments lack merit but that
her third and fourth arguments are well taken. We therefore reverse the
judgments and remand with directions to strike and reconsider the probation
conditions requiring enrollment in assessments and treatment programs, and
to modify Escapita’s term of probation in accordance with Assembly Bill No.
1950. As for Escapita’s fifth argument, because we are remanding for
resentencing, we also direct the trial court to entertain any inability-to-pay
objection Escapita may have before imposing fines and fees. In all other
regards, we will affirm the judgments.
BACKGROUND
In 2018 and 2020, the Napa County District Attorney filed criminal
complaints against Escapita in two separate cases: No. 18CR004040 and No.
20CR000150.
The probation report summarizes the facts pertaining to the first case
as follows.2 “[O]n December 19, 2018, at approximately 2103 hours, deputies
were dispatched to Walmart in the city of American Canyon for a reported
theft. The responsible female, identified as the defendant, Daisy Escapita,
had walked out of the store with a cart full of merchandise before loading it
2 The probation officer filed a combined pre-sentence report for both
cases. At the plea hearing, the parties stipulated to the police report and
court record as the factual basis for the pleas in both cases. The facts of the
offenses are taken from the police reports issued in each case, as quoted in
the probation report.
2
in the back of her vehicle. Dispatch provided deputies a description of the
defendant and her vehicle.
“Upon arrival, Deputy Goddard contacted the defendant who was
hastily loading merchandise into the back of her vehicle. She was advised
she was being detained. When Deputy Goddard attempted to handcuff the
defendant, she became rigid and started to twist. Deputies Goddard and
Olson secured the defendant [and] merchandise in the back of her vehicle and
handcuffed her.”
“Walmart employees identified and retrieved the items that belonged to
them. A receipt of the stolen items revealed the items were worth
approximately $1,322.17.
“Under Miranda warning, the defendant stated she stole the items
because she has kids and, ‘it is hard times right now.’
“While the employees were gathering their merchandise, the defendant
had slipped her handcuffs from the rear to the front. The deputies had the
defendant stand to reposition the handcuffs where she began to twist and
pull away. Deputy Olson informed her she was going to jail and they
escorted her outside to the patrol vehicle. The defendant was continuously
twisting and pulling away while dragging her feet and yelling obscenities,
some of which were derogatory. During this time, the deputies were unable
to reposition and secure the handcuffs. To gain control, she was secured
against the patrol vehicle where they were able to reposition her handcuffs to
the rear.
“Once she was secured in the back of the patrol vehicle, she began to
kick at the doors and windows. Fearing she would damage the vehicle or
hurt herself, she was removed from the vehicle and placed in a WRAP
restraint.”
3
Escapita later reported to the probation officer “she doesn’t remember
what happened that day and said, ‘I was drunk and blacked out.’ ”
In December 2018, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office filed a
complaint in case No. 18CR004040 charging Escapita with grand theft of
personal property (§ 487, subd. (a)) and resisting arrest (§ 148, subd. (a)(1)).
Subsequently, as summarized in the probation report pertaining to the
second case, Escapita “was released on her own recognizance and failed to
appear for a pre-preliminary hearing on February 21, 2019. A bench warrant
was issued in the amount of $25,000.
“On April 19, 2019, she was admitted to this bail. On May 13, 2019,
the defendant failed to appear for a pre-preliminary hearing; bail was
forfeited and a bench warrant was issued in the amount of $50,000.00.
“On June 6, 2019, bail was reinstated. On June 19, 2019, the
defendant again failed to appear for a pre-preliminary hearing; bail was
again forfeited and a bench warrant was issued in the amount of $50,000.00.
“The defendant failed to appear at all three court hearings, once while
on her own recognizance and twice while on bail.”
When asked by the probation officer “why she did not appear to her
court dates, [Escapita] said she wasn’t able to attend because she did not
have childcare for her two minor children.”
In February 2020, the district attorney filed an amended complaint in
case No. 20CRCR000150 charging Escapita with failing to appear while
released on her own recognizance (§ 1320, subd. (b); counts one and four) and
failing to appear while on bail (§ 1320.5; counts two and three). The amended
complaint also alleged as an enhancement that Escapita committed a felony
while on bail or own recognizance release. (§ 12022.1, subd. (b).)
On August 12, Escapita was arrested on the warrant.
4
On August 17, Escapita signed and initialed plea forms, noting she was
pleading no contest to all charges in both cases. On the forms, Escapita
wrote “PNC All; court indicates 17(b) [at] sentencing.”3 Defense counsel and
the prosecutor signed the forms; the prosecutor, however, indicated he did not
consent to the pleas.
The trial court held a hearing and stated it had received the plea forms,
“with the indicated 17(b) at sentencing.” The prosecutor “object[ed] to the
Court’s indicated,” explaining “[t]his is felony conduct and she should be held
accountable as such.”
Escapita pleaded no contest to all charges in both cases. The trial court
accepted the pleas.
On September 15, Escapita filed a statement of assets, which indicated
she had two children, was unemployed, and was paying $700 in rent. She
wrote “N/A” where asked to list her sources of income.
Also on September 15, the probation officer filed the pre-sentence
report. Escapita stated she was receiving $1,085 per month in public
assistance and $650 per week in unemployment benefits. She worked at a
café from January 2015 to January 2016, but stopped working due to her
pregnancy. Sometime later, Escapita worked at Old Navy but stopped
working after one month due to difficulty paying childcare.
3 Section 17, subdivision (b) provides: “When a crime is punishable, in
the discretion of the court, either by imprisonment in the state prison or
imprisonment in a county jail under the provisions of subdivision (h) of
Section 1170, or by fine or imprisonment in the county jail, it is a
misdemeanor for all purposes under the following circumstances: [¶]
(3) When the court grants probation to a defendant and at the time of
granting probation, or on application of the defendant or probation officer
thereafter, the court declares the offense to be a misdemeanor.”
5
Escapita had a history of juvenile offenses, including an offense in 2011
for drawing a deadly weapon in the presence of another person in a rude,
angry, or threatening manner (§ 417, subd. (a)(1)). Escapita stated she had
been smoking marijuana daily since age 13, ingesting ecstasy since age 15
and opiates since 2017, and drinking alcohol since age 16. She last used
marijuana, ecstasy, and alcohol while in Las Vegas where she was arrested
and held in custody.
Escapita disclosed she had been diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and
anxiety, and was taking medication to treat her depression. Escapita
previously had completed three substance abuse treatment programs, twice
as a juvenile and once as an adult. However, she was not then presently
participating in substance abuse treatment or mental health counseling.
Based on the probation officer’s evaluation, Escapita was at a “very
high risk to reoffend.” The probation officer also determined: “Considering
the defendant’s substance abuse history and mental health diagnoses, it will
be recommended the defendant complete an assessment for substance abuse
and mental health to determine the need for treatment. She said she would
like to enroll in Salvation Army’s residential program.”
The probation officer recommended Escapita be placed on three years’
probation and that the trial court direct her to comply with numerous
conditions, including those at issue here prohibiting her from possessing or
owning “any firearm, ammunition, explosive, dangerous or deadly weapon”;
prohibiting her from possessing or using marijuana or illegal substances, and
requiring her to enroll in and complete “the Community Corrections Service
Center Program,” “a mental health assessment,” “an alcohol and drug
6
problem assessment program,” and “an outpatient treatment program or a
residential treatment program.”4
The probation officer also recommended that Escapita pay a $600
restitution fine (§ 1202.4) [$300 per case]; a $600 probation revocation
restitution fine (§ 1202.44) [$300 per case]; a $180 criminal conviction
assessment (Gov. Code, § 70373) [$30 per count, for six counts]; a $240 court
security fee (§ 1465.8, subd. (a)(1)) [$40 per count, for six counts]; a $182 jail
booking fee (Gov. Code, § 29550, subd. (a)); a $560 presentence report fee
(former § 1203.1b, subd. (a)); and a probation supervision fee in an amount
not to exceed $240 (ibid.)
The trial court held the sentencing hearing on September 15.
Escapita’s counsel requested that the court strike the recommended
probation conditions prohibiting weapons and marijuana, explaining “there
[were] no weapons involved” and “there [was] no marijuana issue in this
matter.”
In response, the prosecutor stated, “The defendant physically struggled
with officers when she was arrested, so that is a violent offense. Not a strike
violent offense, but . . . she used violence to try to evade capture, and so I
think a no weapons term is fully appropriate.”
The prosecutor continued, “I remember reading in the probation report
that the defendant indicated she was in a blackout state at the time. I would
also ask the court to impose all of the substance abuse recommendations
recommended by probation based on her own admission that she was in a
blackout state.”
4The probation officer recommended these conditions in both cases, but
the probation report assigns different numbers to them as to each case.
7
Following the parties’ arguments, the trial court announced its
decision. As to case No. 18CR004040, the trial court on its own motion
reduced the charged felony grand theft to a misdemeanor pursuant to
section 17, subdivision (b).
Similarly, in case No. 20CR000150, the trial court reduced counts one,
two, three, and four to misdemeanors pursuant to section 17, subdivision (b).
It found the special allegation “falls off as a matter of law” and dismissed it
pursuant to section 1385.
The trial court granted Escapita probation for a term of three years for
both cases. It also directed Escapita to comply with numerous conditions
that were recommended in the probation report. As relevant here, the trial
court imposed the condition prohibiting Escapita from owning or possessing
weapons, “based on [the prosecutor’s] recitation.” The court also imposed the
conditions prohibiting her from using alcohol, marijuana, and illegal
substances, explaining “I did read that you said you were blacked out during
this whole thing. That’s concerning. You got a kid now . . . . [¶] You have
two, so come on, you know.” In addition, the court imposed conditions
requiring Escapita to enroll in and complete the Community Correction
Service Center program, a mental health assessment, an alcohol and drug
problem assessment program, and an outpatient treatment program or a
residential treatment program.
The trial court also ordered Escapita to pay a $300 general restitution
fine (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) [$150 per case]; a $300 probation revocation
restitution fine, stayed pending successful completion of probation (§ 1202.44)
[$150 per case]; a $240 criminal court assessment fee (§ 1465.8) [$40 per
conviction]; and a $180 conviction assessment fee (Gov. Code, § 70373) [$30
per conviction]. Escapita did not object to any of the fines and fees imposed.
8
The trial court stated it was “waiving the Pre-sentence Report fee of
$560 and a Supervision Fee of [$]240 based on [Escapita’s] ability to pay.”
Also, as noted in the minute orders, “Indigent Defense Reimbursement Fees
are ordered in the amount of $500.00, following financial hearing, the court
waives $500.00.” The court also waived the $182 booking fee.
Escapita appeals from the judgments in both cases.
DISCUSSION
Probation Conditions
Escapita challenges on various and multiple grounds several probation
conditions that the trial court imposed. She first argues the trial court
abused its discretion in imposing conditions prohibiting the possession or use
of both weapons and marijuana. Additionally, she contends the weapons
condition is unconstitutionally overbroad. Escapita further maintains that
the conditions requiring her to enroll in and complete the Community
Correction Service Center program, a mental health assessment, an alcohol
and drug problem assessment program, and an outpatient treatment
program or a residential treatment program constituted impermissible
delegations of judicial authority to the probation officer. We address each
claim of error in turn, beginning with those pertaining to the weapons
condition.
Weapons Prohibition
Escapita argues the weapons condition5 is invalid under People v. Lent
(1975) 15 Cal.3d 481 (Lent) and unconstitutionally overbroad. We reject the
first argument and conclude the second has been forfeited.
5 The probation report lists the weapons condition as number 14 in both
cases.
9
Trial courts are granted broad discretion under section 1203.1 to
impose a condition of probation. (People v. Penoli (1996) 46 Cal.App.4th 298,
302 (Penoli).) This discretion, however, is not unlimited, and a probation
condition will be considered invalid if it: “ ‘(1) has no relationship to the
crime of which the offender was convicted, (2) relates to conduct which is not
in itself criminal, and (3) requires or forbids conduct which is not reasonably
related to future criminality.’ ” (Lent, supra, 15 Cal.3d at p. 486.) This test is
conjunctive—all three prongs must be satisfied before a reviewing court will
invalidate a probation term. (Id. at p. 486, fn. 1; see People v. Balestra (1999)
76 Cal.App.4th 57, 65, fn. 3 (Balestra).) “As such, even if a condition of
probation has no relationship to the crime of which a defendant was
convicted and involves conduct that is not itself criminal, the condition is
valid as long as the condition is reasonably related to preventing future
criminality.” (People v. Olguin (2008) 45 Cal.4th 375, 379–380.) We review
the validity of a probation condition under Lent for abuse of discretion.
(People v. Moran (2016) 1 Cal.5th 398, 403.)
Escapita asserts the weapons condition is invalid because it had no
relationship to her offenses, relates to conduct that is not in itself criminal,
and is not reasonably related to preventing future criminality. The second
prong is not at issue: the People agree possession or ownership of weapons is
not necessarily unlawful. (In re Martinez (1978) 86 Cal.App.3d 577, 581
(Martinez).) The issues, therefore, are whether the condition has a
relationship to Escapita’s crimes and whether the condition is reasonably
related to future criminality.
With respect to the first prong in Lent, it is true that no weapons were
involved in any of Escapita’s present offenses. Therefore, we determine
10
whether the weapons condition had “ ‘no relationship to the crime[s] of which
the offender was convicted.’ ” (Lent, supra, 15 Cal.3d at p. 486.)
As for the third prong of Lent, while weapons played no role in the
underlying offenses, we disagree with Escapita that the weapons prohibition
is not reasonably related to preventing future criminality. Our Supreme
Court in In re Ricardo P. (2019) 7 Cal.5th 1113 (Ricardo P.) described
application of Lent’s third prong—whether the condition is reasonably related
to future criminality—to an electronic search condition. The high court
explained “Lent’s third prong requires more than just an abstract or
hypothetical relationship between the probation condition and preventing
future criminality.” (Ricardo P., supra, 7 Cal.5th at p. 1121.) That said, the
Supreme Court did not “go that far” to “requir[e] a nexus between the
condition and the underlying offense.” (Id. at p. 1122.) “We have said that
‘conditions of probation aimed at rehabilitating the offender need not be so
strictly tied to the offender’s precise crime’ [citation], so long as they are
‘reasonably directed at curbing [the defendant’s] future criminality’ [citation].
For example, courts may properly base probation conditions upon information
in a probation report that raises concerns about future criminality unrelated
to a prior offense.” (Ibid.) In any case, Lent’s third prong “contemplates a
degree of proportionality between the burden imposed by a probation
condition and the legitimate interests served by the condition.” (Ibid.)
We conclude the weapons condition was appropriate in light of these
principles. In attempting to evade arrest following her theft of retail
merchandise, Escapita, while “drunk and blacked out,” lost self-control and
repeatedly kicked the door and window of the patrol vehicle, despite the
deputies’ commands for her to stop doing so. As a result, Escapita had to be
placed in a physical restraint device to prevent her from injuring herself or
11
the deputies or damaging the vehicle. As the prosecutor described, Escapita
“physically struggled with officers when she was arrested, so that is a violent
offense. Not a strike violent offense, but it was she used violence to try to
evade capture, and so I think a no weapons term is fully appropriate.” Thus,
even if the charged crimes did not involve the use of weapons, the trial court
could reasonably conclude from Escapita’s conduct that she lacked the ability
to control her behavior and was subject to violent outbursts.
Additionally, the record discloses Escapita has a past juvenile offense
for drawing a deadly weapon in the presence of another person “in a rude,
angry, or threatening manner” or “in any fight or quarrel” (§ 417,
subd. (a)(1)).
Given these circumstances, a weapons prohibition could reasonably be
viewed as a means of protecting against the potential for an even more
serious crime in the future. As such, we reject Escapita’s assertion that the
imposition of the weapons condition was “solely based on speculation.”
We are also unpersuaded by Escapita’s attempts to distinguish In re
Frankie J. (1988) 198 Cal.App.3d 1149 (Frankie J.), In re Jimi A. (1989)
209 Cal.App.3d 482 (Jimi A.), and Martinez, supra, 86 Cal.App.3d 577, on the
ground that these cases “have upheld weapons restrictions” that were based
on “felony and/or violent offenses.”
In Frankie J., a weapons restriction was upheld involving two male
assailants who “severely beat, raped, and sodomized” a victim. (Frankie J.,
supra, 198 Cal.App.3d at pp. 1151, 1153–1154.) Frankie J. held that
“[a]lthough no weapon was seen by or used upon the victim, there is
substantial evidence the use of a weapon was contemplated.” (Id. at p. 1153.)
As such, the court found that those facts were “sufficient to warrant the
weapons restriction” because “[it] ‘bears a reasonable relationship to the
12
crime he committed and to preventing future criminality.’ ” (Id. at p. 1154.)
It is undisputed that similar evidence is not presented in this case, but this
factual distinction is not dispositive concerning application of the third prong
in Lent. As noted above, even in the absence of evidence showing weapons
was involved in Escapita’s underlying offenses, Ricardo P. explains that
“ ‘conditions of probation aimed at rehabilitating the offender need not be so
strictly tied to the offender’s precise crime’ [citation], so long as they are
‘reasonably directed at curbing [the defendant’s] future criminality’
[citation].” (Ricardo P., supra, 7 Cal.5th at p. 1122.) Thus, Frankie J. is both
legally and factually distinguishable and unhelpful to analyzing whether the
weapons condition is reasonably related to preventing future criminality
based on this record.
In our view, Jimi A. actually undermines, rather than supports,
Escapita’s position. Jimi A. provides an example where a weapons condition
was upheld as reasonably related to preventing future criminality even
though weapons were not involved in the crime for which the defendant was
convicted. There, the defendant committed battery on an individual on
school property. (Jimi A., supra, 209 Cal.App.3d at p. 485.) The appellate
court found the weapons prohibition appropriate, explaining: “With regard to
the weapons term, we note the violence associated with this matter. While it
is true that the instant matter did not involve a deadly weapon, we note the
impulsive nature of the attack clearly suggests the minor lacks self-control.
We believe under these circumstances it appropriate for the court to limit
defendant’s possession of weapons out of caution for public safety.” (Id. at
p. 488.) Here, although Escapita did not commit a battery, her conduct, like
the minor’s in Jimi A., was impulsive and violent—even in the presence of
authority figures—suggesting a lack of control. Based on these
13
circumstances, we cannot say it was unreasonable for the trial court “to limit
defendant’s possession of weapons out of caution for public safety.” (Ibid.)
Lastly, Escapita’s attempt to distinguish Martinez also misses the
mark. In Martinez, the defendant pleaded guilty to battery on a police officer
after he was arrested for throwing a beer bottle at a police vehicle and was
granted probation on condition that he refrain from possessing deadly or
dangerous weapons and submit to warrantless searches and seizures of his
person or property. (Martinez, supra, 86 Cal.App.3d at pp. 578–579.) The
Martinez court invalidated the warrantless search condition. As cited by
Escapita, the Martinez court held that a condition was valid only if there was
“a factual ‘nexus’ between the crime, defendant’s manifested propensities,
and the probation condition.” (Id. at p. 583.)
However, the reasoning of Martinez is undermined by the court’s
reliance upon a case, People v. Keller (1978) 76 Cal.App.3d 827, that has since
been disapproved by the court that wrote it, finding it went “far beyond the
Lent test” and was inconsistent with subsequent Fourth Amendment
jurisprudence. (Balestra, supra, 76 Cal.App.4th 57, 66–67.) The Martinez
court’s emphasis on the required “factual ‘nexus’ ” to the offense is also
undermined by Ricardo P. As quoted, the Supreme Court rejected the
argument that Lent’s third prong requires “ ‘a nexus between the probation
condition and the defendant’s underlying offense or prior offenses,” because
such a requirement “would essentially fold Lent’s third prong into its first
prong. We have said that ‘conditions of probation aimed at rehabilitating the
offender need not be so strictly tied to the offender’s precise crime’ [citation]
so long as they are ‘reasonably directed at curbing [the defendant’s] future
criminality’ [citation].” (Ricardo P., supra, 7 Cal.5th at p. 1122.) Since
14
Martinez has limited precedential and persuasive value, Escapita’s effort to
distinguish it from this case is unavailing.
For all of these reasons, Escapita has failed to demonstrate the
weapons condition satisfies all three prongs of Lent. We conclude the trial
court did not abuse its discretion in prohibiting Escapita from possessing or
owning weapons as a condition of probation.
We turn now to Escapita’s second argument that the weapons condition
is unconstitutional because “it is not narrowly tailored to promote a
compelling state interest”—an argument of constitutional overbreadth. (See
People v. Olguin, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 384 [“ ‘[A] probation condition that
imposes limitations on a person’s constitutional rights must closely tailor
those limitations to the purpose of the condition to avoid being invalidated as
unconstitutionally overbroad’ ”], quoting In re Sheena K. (2007) 40 Cal.4th
875, 890 (Sheena K.).) The People counter that Escapita did not object to the
weapons condition on constitutional grounds and has thus forfeited such a
challenge on appeal, and we agree.
An overbreadth challenge to a probation condition may be raised on
appeal despite the failure to object at trial where it is claimed to be overbroad
on its face and is “capable of correction without reference to the particular
sentencing record developed at trial.” (Sheena K., supra, 40 Cal.4th at
pp. 887–889; accord, People v. Patton (2019) 41 Cal.App.5th 934, 946.)
Escapita is not asserting a facial overbreadth challenge. Rather, she argues
the weapons condition is overbroad based on the facts of her offenses and her
“particular rehabilitative needs.” Escapita has therefore forfeited her
constitutional challenge on appeal.
Accordingly, we conclude the trial court properly imposed the probation
condition prohibiting the possession or use of weapons.
15
Marijuana Prohibition
Escapita additionally challenges as invalid under Lent the probation
condition prohibiting her from possessing or using marijuana.6 As with the
weapons condition, there is no dispute that the condition satisfies the second
prong of Lent, as the possession and use of marijuana is not itself criminal in
the State of California. We thus address whether the marijuana condition
satisfies the first and third prongs of Lent.
The first Lent prong requires a relationship between the probation
condition and the crime of which the defendant was convicted. (Lent, supra,
15 Cal.3d at p. 486.) Escapita argues “[a]lthough the probation report noted
daily use of marijuana, there was no indication that marijuana was an issue
when Ms. Escapita was arrested in the late evening and admitted to being
drunk.” Escapita unquestionably was under the influence of alcohol at the
time of the grand theft and resisting arrest offenses, but the record does not
indicate that Escapita was also under the influence of marijuana. We
therefore resolve the first Lent prong in Escapita’s favor and determine the
marijuana-related probation condition had no relationship to the crimes of
which Escapita was convicted.
A probation condition satisfies the third Lent prong if it “requires or
forbids conduct which is not reasonably related to future criminality.’ ” (Lent,
supra, 15 Cal.3d at p. 486.) In arguing that the marijuana condition is not
reasonably related to future criminality, Escapita again relies on the fact that
she was under the influence of alcohol, and not marijuana, when she
committed the grand theft and evading arrest offenses. This fact, however,
does not necessarily satisfy the third Lent prong. Escapita disclosed she has
The probation report lists the marijuana prohibition as condition
6
number 20 in case No. 18CR004040 and number 19 in case No. 20CR000150.
16
a history of using marijuana, ecstasy, opiates, and alcohol. In fact, in
addition to the marijuana condition, the trial court also imposed conditions
prohibiting her from drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs, which Escapita
does not challenge on appeal. These circumstances suggest Escapita has
issues with both alcohol and drug abuse.
Appellate courts have recognized an empirical connection between
alcohol and drugs. (See People v. Beal (1997) 60 Cal.App.4th 84, 87 (Beal).)
As stated in Beal, “It is well documented that the use of alcohol lessens self-
control and thus may create a situation where the user has reduced ability to
stay away from drugs. [Citations.] Presumably for this very reason, the vast
majority of drug treatment programs . . . require abstinence from alcohol
use.” (Ibid.) Given this connection, the Beal court concluded that “alcohol
use may lead to future criminality where the defendant has a history of
substance abuse.” (Ibid.; see also People v. Malago (2017) 8 Cal.App.5th
1301, 1308 [upholding alcohol consumption, testing, treatment, and
monitoring conditions as reasonably related to prevent future criminality
where defendant had a history of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use];
Balestra, supra, 76 Cal.App.4th at pp. 68–69 [upholding alcohol and drug
testing conditions to aid in probation compliance where alcohol involved in
elder abuse incident]; People v. Lindsay (1992) 10 Cal.App.4th 1642, 1645
[alcohol-use condition reasonably related to defendant’s sale of cocaine and
future criminality because “[a] person’s exercise of judgment may be impaired
by the consumption of alcohol, and . . . , this could lead to [the defendant]
giving in to the use of drugs”].)
The People cite to People v. Cota (2020) 45 Cal.App.5th 786, which
upheld a no-alcohol condition where the defendant, who had pleaded guilty to
carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, was a “habitual user of
17
methamphetamine and a daily user of marijuana.” (Id. at pp. 788, 792.)
Although alcohol was not involved in the incident, the court observed “alcohol
is a drug—albeit a legal one” and noted the empirical nexus between drugs
and alcohol that was described in Beal. (Id. at p. 792.) The Cota court stated:
“It would make little sense to deprive Cota’s probation officer of the power to
direct Cota away from alcohol as a substitute mind-altering substance when
his substance abuse history is so clearly demonstrated.” (Id. at p. 793.)
Accordingly, Cota determined that the imposition of the alcohol probation
conditions was related to preventing future criminality. (Ibid.)
In so holding, Cota discussed People v. Kiddoo (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d
922 (Kiddoo), upon which Escapita relies to argue that the marijuana
condition is invalid. (See Cota, supra, 45 Cal.App.5th at p. 792.) In Kiddoo,
the appellate court struck a probation condition prohibiting alcohol because it
was not related to the defendant’s offense of possessing methamphetamine,
despite a probation report indicating that the defendant had used illegal
drugs and alcohol since he was 14 and was a current social drinker who
sporadically used methamphetamine. (Kiddoo, at pp. 927–928.) The Cota
court, the same court that decided Beal, stated it had “previously made clear
that ‘we disagree with the fundamental assumptions in Kiddoo that alcohol
and drug abuse are not reasonably related and that alcohol use is unrelated
to future criminality where the defendant has a history of substance abuse.’ ”
(Cota, at p. 792, citing Beal, supra, 60 Cal.App.4th at p. 87; accord, Balestra,
supra, 76 Cal.App.4th at p. 69.)
Escapita’s underlying offenses demonstrated impaired judgment and
loss of self-control, which were undisputedly caused by alcohol use. It is not
unreasonable to view the use of substances that tend to impair judgment and
ability to control behavior—whether alcohol or marijuana—as increasing the
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risk of future commission of offenses of this type. Indeed, the probation
officer ranked Escapita’s alcohol and drug problem as “very high,” a factor
that supported his determination she was at a “very high risk to reoffend.”
Consistent with Beal and Cota, in light of Escapita’s history of drug and
alcohol abuse and the connection between substance abuse and her present
offenses, we conclude the marijuana condition was reasonably related to
preventing future criminality.
People v. Cruz Cruz (2020) 54 Cal.App.5th 707 cited by Escapita is
easily distinguishable. In that case, a marijuana condition was invalidated
under Lent because marijuana did not play a role in the defendant’s decision
to steal a vehicle and the defendant did “ ‘not currently suffer from a
substance abuse problem.’ ” (Id. at pp. 711–712.) The probation report stated
the defendant drank alcohol only on social occasions and had been smoking
marijuana twice a month. (Id. at p. 710.) Since the defendant never had an
alcohol or drug problem, and his underlying offense was not related to drugs
or alcohol, the marijuana-related conditions were not reasonably related to
preventing the defendant’s future criminality. (Id. at p. 713.) As explained
above, the same cannot be said of Escapita, who has a history of substance
abuse and whose crimes were committed while under the influence of alcohol.
In sum and in short, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in imposing the marijuana-related condition.
Requirement to Enroll in and Complete Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Assessments and Treatment Programs
Escapita next challenges the probation conditions requiring her to
enroll in and complete “the Community Correction Service Center program if
required by the Probation Officer”; “a mental health assessment if directed by
the Probation Officer”; “an alcohol and drug problem assessment program, if
directed by the Probation Officer”; and “an outpatient treatment program or a
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residential treatment program if required and as chosen by the Probation
Officer.”7 Escapita contends these conditions effected impermissible
delegations of judicial authority to a probation officer.
Escapita acknowledges she failed to object to any of those conditions.
But to the extent her claim is a facial challenge, it is not forfeited. (Sheena
K., supra, 40 Cal.4th at pp. 887–889; People v. Patton, supra, 41 Cal.App.5th
at p. 946.)
Article III, section 3 of the California Constitution provides, “The
powers of state government are legislative, executive, and judicial. Persons
charged with the exercise of one power may not exercise either of the others
except as permitted by this Constitution.” The broad discretion conferred on
trial courts by section 1203.1 to formulate terms and conditions of probation
“is not boundless; the authority is wholly statutory, and the statute furnishes
and limits the measure of authority which the court may exercise.” (People v.
Cervantes (1984) 154 Cal.App.3d 353, 356.) One such limitation is that “no
statutory provision sanction[s] a delegation of unlimited discretion to a
probation officer” to implement or interpret probationary terms. (Id. at
p. 358.) Instead, “these determinations are essentially judicial functions.”
(Ibid.)
As explained in People v. O’Neil (2008) 165 Cal.App.4th 1351, 1358–
1359: “There are many understandable considerations of efficiency and
practicality that make it reasonable to leave to the probation department the
amplification and refinement of a [probation condition]. The court may leave
to the discretion of the probation officer the specification of the many details
that invariably are necessary to implement the terms of probation. However,
7 The probation report lists these conditions, respectively, as numbers
17, 18, 23, and 24 in the first case, and 16, 17, 22, and 23 in the second case.
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the court’s order cannot be entirely open-ended. It is for the court to
determine the nature of the prohibition placed on a defendant as a condition
of probation.”
Thus, where a trial court unequivocally imposes a requirement on the
defendant, but subjects the defendant to the “approval” or “direction” of a
probation officer, such delegations are permissible. (Penoli, supra,
46 Cal.App.4th at pp. 307–309 [no impermissible delegation authorizing
probation department to select residential drug rehabilitation program and
determine whether successfully completed].)
As noted, the challenged conditions require Escapita to enroll in and
complete various assessments and treatment programs “if required by the
Probation Officer” or “if directed by the Probation Officer.” Escapita asserts
these conditions “grant the probation officer unfettered authority to decide in
the first instance whether Ms. Escapita should be required to participate in
multiple treatment programs and/or mental health and drug and alcohol
assessments, not merely to select a particular program that has been ordered
by the court.” We agree. As written, each of the challenged conditions
appears to give the probation officer unfettered discretion to decide whether
Escapita must enroll in the assessments or treatment programs in the first
instance, not how she will be subjected to the conditions.
For this reason, we are unpersuaded by the People’s citation to In re
David C. (2020) 47 Cal.App.5th 657 (David C.) to justify the delegation. In
David C., the minor challenged conditions requiring that he “ ‘submit to a
psychological/psychiatric evaluation as directed by the probation officer,’ ”
and that he “ ‘submit to any and all programs of psychological assessment at
the direction of a treatment provider, including, but not limited to, ABEL
Screening and post dispositional polygraph examinations.’ ” (Id. at p. 668.)
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The appellate court held the conditions were appropriate, noting that
“determining the precise evaluations and assessments to which minor should
submit in order to proceed with counseling is the type of detailed decision the
trial court is ‘poorly equipped to micromanage . . . .’ ” (Id. at p. 669.)
The challenged conditions in David C. are distinguishable from those
here. In David C., the conditions required the minor to submit to
psychological/psychiatric evaluations and assessments “as directed by” or “at
the direction of” the minor’s probation officer or treatment provider. Such
language indicates the court left to the discretion of the probation officer or
treatment provider management over the details of the evaluations and
assessments—a permissible exercise of delegation in accordance with Penoli,
supra, 46 Cal.App.4th at pp. 307–309. Here, in contrast, the use of the “if
required by the probation officer” language indicates that the trial court gave
open-ended discretion to the probation officer to determine whether Escapita
should be required to enroll in the assessments or programs at all.
Accordingly, we will strike probation conditions 17, 18, 23, and 24
imposed in case No. 18CR004040 (also conditions 16, 17, 22, and 23 in case
No. 20CR000150) and remand for reconsideration. (Cf. People v. Cervantes,
supra, 154 Cal.App.3d at p. 361 [“set[ing] aside” improper probation condition
regarding restitution and remanding to trial court for exercise of discretion];
Ricardo P., supra, 7 Cal.5th at p. 1129 [affirming court of appeal decision
“striking” improper juvenile probation condition].)
One additional note with respect to the condition requiring enrollment
in the Community Corrections Services Center program. The record does not
indicate the nature of this program. Thus, we are unable to discern whether
the condition was appropriately imposed based on the facts of the case and
the purpose for which the condition was imposed. It is also unclear whether
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the condition is duplicative of other conditions requiring Escapita to enroll in
a mental health assessment, an alcohol and drug problem assessment
program, and an outpatient treatment program or a residential treatment
program. On remand, the trial court should reconsider whether this
condition should be imposed, and if so, to modify the condition in light of the
facts of the case and the purpose of the requirement to be imposed.
Term of Probation
When Escapita was sentenced, section 1203.1 provided that a trial
court may grant felony probation “for a period of time not exceeding the
maximum possible term of the sentence[.]” If the “maximum possible term of
the sentence is five years or less, then the period of suspension of imposition
or execution of sentence may, in the discretion of the court, continue for not
over five years.” (Former § 1203.1, subd. (a).) The trial court here granted
probation for three years.
Effective January 1, 2021, Assembly Bill No. 1950 (AB 1950) (2019–
2020 Reg. Sess.) amended section 1203.1, subdivision (a) to limit the
probation term for felony offenses to two years, except in cases of certain
violent felonies. (Stats. 2020, ch. 328, § 2; § 1203.1, subds. (a), (m).)
Escapita argues that she is entitled to the retroactive benefit of this
legislation under In re Estrada (1965) 63 Cal.2d 740 (Estrada). The People
“do[] not contest the application” of the legislation to cases not yet final on
appeal in light of People v. Quinn (2021) 59 Cal.App.5th 874, 879–885 and
People v. Sims (2021) 59 Cal.App.5th 943, 956–958, both of which held that
Estrada’s presumption of retroactivity applies to AB 1950, and therefore
probationers whose cases were not yet final at the time AB 1950 went into
effect are entitled to its ameliorative benefits. We follow those cases and
conclude Escapita is entitled to the benefit of AB 1950.
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The remaining issue is the exact remedy to which Escapita is entitled.
Escapita contends we can and should reduce her probation period from three
years to two on our own. The People argue we should remand the matter to
the trial court, reasoning remand “is beneficial to the probationer and the
public” because the trial court on remand can “adjust, modify, or strike
probation terms, so that they can be complied with before termination of
probation or removed from consideration of whether the probation terminated
successfully.”
We need not determine whether remand is the appropriate remedy in
all cases, since we must remand anyway in connection with the probation
conditions requiring enrollment in assessments and treatment programs.
Because trial courts already have the authority to modify the terms and
conditions of probation any time before the termination of probation
(see §§ 1203.2 and 1203.3), the parties can file whatever motions they deem
appropriate to update the trial court on Escapita’s status on probation. In
considering any such motions, and even in the absence of any such motions,
the trial court is directed to comply with AB 1950 in imposing any period of
probation. (§ 1203.1, subd. (a).)8
8 Citing People v. Stamps (2020) 9 Cal.5th 685 (Stamps), the People
additionally assert remand is required in this case to permit the People to
withdraw from the plea agreement or the trial court to rescind its approval of
the plea, and return the parties to the status quo ante. In Stamps, our
Supreme Court concluded that a defendant was entitled to the benefit of an
ameliorative change in the law—specifically, pursuant to Senate Bill No.
1393 (2017–2018 Reg. Sess.), he was entitled to have the matter remanded
for the trial court to exercise its discretion to strike a serious felony
conviction enhancement in the interests of justice. (Stamps, supra, 9 Cal.5th
at p. 699.) However, because the serious felony conviction enhancement was
imposed as part of a negotiated stipulated sentence, if the trial court
exercised its discretion to strike the enhancement, the People and the trial
court were permitted to withdraw approval of the plea agreement. (Id. at pp.
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Fines and Fees
At sentencing, the trial court imposed a $300 general restitution fine
(§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) [$150 per case]; a $300 probation revocation restitution
fine, stayed pending successful completion of probation (§ 1202.44) [$150 per
case]; a $240 criminal court assessment fee (§ 1465.8) [$40 per conviction];
and a $180 conviction assessment fee (Gov. Code, § 70373) [$30 per
conviction]. Relying on People v. Dueñas (2019) 30 Cal.App.5th 1157(Dueñas), Escapita argues the trial court violated her due process rights by
imposing these fines and fees without holding a hearing to determine
whether she had the ability to pay them.
The facts of Dueñas are now well known. “In a nutshell, Dueñas,
supra, 30 Cal.App.5th at pages 1168–1169, held that a sentencing court
violated the due process rights of a defendant who committed her acts out of
poverty when it imposed certain mandatory fees and fines that lack a
statutory exception without first making a finding the unemployed defendant
(who suffered from cerebral palsy) had the ability to pay while she was on
probation.” (People v. Oliver (2020) 54 Cal.App.5th 1084, 1100.)
Dueñas has spawned a plethora of cases, many of which have
distinguished it on the facts before them, with many others holding that
Dueñas was wrongly decided. And it has generated other issues as well. We
707–708.) The defendant was not permitted “ ‘ “to whittle down the sentence
‘but otherwise leave the plea bargain intact . . . .’ ” ’ ” (Id. at p. 706.) In
contrast, where the defendant enters an open plea, the sentence can be
modified because it is not imposed pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement
and is therefore not inconsistent with a negotiated plea agreement. (See id.
at p. 700.) Here, as Escapita states in her reply brief, she entered an open
plea of no contest to all charged counts. Thus, remand for the purpose of
permitting the People withdraw from the plea and the trial court to rescind
its approval of the plea is unnecessary.
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need not weigh in on any of this here, in light of our remanding the matter
for resentencing, to allow the trial court to modify Escapita’s probation term
in accordance with AB 1950 and reconsider the program enrollment
probation conditions. Accordingly, on remand Escapita may raise, and the
trial court will have the authority to consider, a challenge to any imposed
fines and fees. (See People v. Hill (1986) 185 Cal.App.3d 831, 834 [“When a
case is remanded for resentencing by an appellate court, the trial court is
entitled to consider the entire sentencing scheme”]; People v. Acosta (2018)
29 Cal.App.5th 19, 26 [“on remand the trial court will have ‘ “the jurisdiction
to modify every aspect of [appellant’s] sentence” ’ ”].)
DISPOSITION
The matter is remanded to the trial court to strike from the judgments,
and reconsider, probation conditions 17, 18, 23, and 24 imposed in case
No. 18CR004040, and conditions 16, 17, 22, and 23 imposed in case
No. 20CR000150, requiring enrollment in substance abuse and mental health
assessments or treatment programs. The trial court is further directed on
remand to modify Escapita’s period of probation consistent with AB 1950. On
remand, Escapita may raise an objection to the fines, fees, and assessments
imposed by the court based on her ability to pay. In all other respects, the
judgments and orders of formal probation in both cases are affirmed.
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_________________________
Richman, J.
We concur:
_________________________
Kline, P.J.
_________________________
Stewart, J.
People v. Escapita (A161303)
27