People v. Land CA4/1 ( 2014 )

Filed 12/17/14 P. v. Land CA4/1
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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
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COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D065369
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. No. SCE335570)
RYAN KENNETH LAND,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Evan P.
Kirvin, Judge. Affirmed as modified and with directions.
Jason L. Jones, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General,
Charles C. Ragland and Teresa Torreblanca, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
Appellant Ryan Kenneth Land pled guilty to first degree burglary and admitted
another person, not an accomplice, was present during the commission of the burglary.
(Pen. Code, §§ 459, 460, 667.5, subd. (c)(21).)1 Pursuant to a plea bargain, the court
placed Land on probation with standard terms and conditions and ordered 365 days of
local custody. On appeal, Land argues three gang-related probation conditions should be
stricken or modified to avoid unconstitutional overbreadth and/or vagueness. We agree
that the condition prohibiting Land from being in any locale where weapons exist should
be modified to refer to illegal weapons. We modify this probation condition accordingly,
and as so modified, we affirm the judgment.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
In November 2013, Land broke into Lisa Sutton's home. When she arrived home,
she found appellant hiding in the basement with approximately $4,570 of her cash and
property on his person. Sutton, her boyfriend, and two friends detained appellant until
sheriff's deputies arrived. While they were holding him, Land (whose behavior was
captured on video) said he was "Spring Valley Locos" and that he was called "Vago."
Land told the residents he would shoot them "if [he] had a gun." When arrested, deputies
found a folding knife with a three-inch blade locked in the open position in the front
pocket of his sweatshirt.2
In December 2013, Land entered the guilty plea set forth above. At sentencing in
January 2014, Land's attorney argued the probation officer's recommendation that the
court impose standard "gang conditions" as part of Land's probation was unwarranted as
1 Subsequent unspecified references are to the Penal Code.
2 Because appellant pled guilty the facts are taken from the probation report.
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there were no gang allegations connected with the case; there was no gang documentation
produced in discovery; Land's prior juvenile and adult prior offenses did not include any
indication of gang involvement; and Land's reference to a gang moniker and association
with Spring Valley Locos at the victim's house was the result of "18-year-old bravado."
Defense counsel also urged that if the court imposed the gang conditions, it should delete
the condition which prohibited Land from appearing in a courthouse unless he was a
party or a witness. The prosecutor argued the gang conditions were appropriate, stating
Land's statements of gang affiliation the night of the incident, his defiant conduct at the
scene, and the presence of a gang tattoo on his wrist amply supported the probation
officer's recommendation and corroborated the probation officer's opinion that Land was
more involved with gangs than he would admit.
As part of the probation grant, the court imposed seven standard gang conditions
and deleted the specific condition Land's counsel challenged at sentencing. In response
to the court's inquiry, Land affirmatively told the court he understood the conditions of
probation and agreed to be bound by them. Except as noted, Land's counsel did not make
any other objection to the gang conditions.
On appeal, defendant does not argue the court erred in generally imposing gang
conditions, but challenges three of the conditions on constitutional grounds. His
assertions are as follows:
(1) Condition 12. f.: "Do not knowingly own, transport, sell, or possess any
weapon, firearm, replica firearm or weapon, ammunition, or any instrument used as a
weapon." Defendant argues this condition is (a) vague because of the use of the word
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"replica" and the phrase "any instrument used as a weapon," and (b) overbroad because
the phrase "any instrument used as a weapon" does not contain an exception for the
temporary possession of a weapon in lawful self-defense.
(2) Condition 12. g.: "Do not remain in any building, vehicle or in the presence of
any person where you know a firearm, deadly weapon, or ammunition exists." Defendant
contends this condition is overbroad as it prohibits entry into numerous buildings where
security personnel are lawfully armed.
(3) Condition 12. i: "Do not knowingly wear, display, use, or possess any
insignias, photographs, emblems, badges, buttons, caps, hats, jackets, shoes, flags,
scarves, bandanas, shirts, or other articles of clothing evidencing affiliation
with/membership in Spring Valley Locos or any gang." Defendant maintains this
contention is vague as it does not contain a scienter requirement that appellant know the
item worn evidences affiliation with gangs or a requirement that he wear those items with
the intent to claim affiliation with a gang, and (b) overbroad in scope as it includes "any
gang."
The Attorney General disagrees, arguing each condition is sufficiently precise to
inform appellant of the actions and items prohibited and is narrowly tailored to the state's
interest in reformation and rehabilitation.
DISCUSSION
A trial court has broad discretion to select probation conditions. (People v. Olguin
(2008) 45 Cal.4th 375, 379.) Generally, a probation condition that regulates noncriminal
conduct is not an abuse of discretion if it is reasonably related to (1) the crime of which
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the defendant was convicted, or (2) the goal of preventing future criminality. (Id. at pp.
379-380; People v. Balestra (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 57, 65.) Probation conditions are
subject to a general requirement of reasonableness and constitutional validity. (See
People v. Welch (1993) 5 Cal.4th 228, 233.) A defendant who has not objected to a
probation condition at sentencing may do so on appeal where the appellate claim amounts
to a " 'facial challenge,' " based on a constitutional defect that does not require scrutiny of
individual facts and circumstances. (In re Sheena K. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 875, 885-886.)
To avoid unconstitutional overbreadth, a" 'probation condition that imposes
limitations on a person's constitutional rights must closely tailor those limitations to the
purpose of the condition . . . .' " (People v . Olguin, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 384.) To
avoid a claim of constitutional vagueness the condition should be sufficiently precise for
the probationer to know what is required and for the court to know whether the condition
has been violated. For notice purposes, the condition should be specific enough so that
ordinary people can understand what conduct is prohibited, and the condition should be
evaluated in the context of the facts and circumstances of the case. (In re Byron B.
(2004) 119 Cal.App.4th 1013, 1018; In re Shaun R. (2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 1129, 1144;
People v. Lopez (1998) 66 Cal.App.4th 615, 630.) We review constitutional challenges
to a probation condition de novo. (In re Shaun R., supra, at p. 1143.) Where we find
error, we have the power to modify a probation condition to bring it into compliance with
the law. (In re Sheena K., supra, 40 Cal.4th at p. 888.)
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ANALYSIS
Condition 12. f.
Appellant argues condition 12. f. is unconstitutional on three distinct grounds.
First, he claims the word "replica" is vague, relying primarily on the fact two
internationally recognized "authorities on the English language" provide definitions of
the word that are not identical. Land maintains the Collins English Dictionary defines
replica as " 'an exact copy or model of something, especially one on a smaller scale,' "
and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word as " 'an exact or very close copy of
something' " and based on these differences, the word lacks sufficient precision to place
Land on notice of what conduct is prohibited. We are not persuaded.
The fact one definition requires an exact copy of an item and references smaller
scale reproductions, and the other permits slightly less precision without reference to size,
does not render the word unconstitutionally vague. Taken in context, the word is
reasonably specific. The purpose of the condition is to protect the public from violence
or threats of violence and to prevent future criminality. To effectuate this, Land is on fair
notice he is prohibited from using or possessing actual firearms or weapons and is also
prohibited from confronting others with devices those individuals could reasonably
perceive to be a weapon or firearm. The term "replica" adequately conveys this
prohibition. (See § 417.4 [preventing drawing or exhibiting an imitation firearm in a
manner that causes a reasonable person apprehension or fear of bodily harm]; see also
§ 16700 [defining an imitation firearm to include a replica of a firearm that is "so
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substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance . . . to lead a reasonable person
to perceive that the device is a firearm"].)
Second, Land claims the phrase "any instrument used as a weapon" is vague as it
is unclear whether the phrase prohibits (1) the possession of any instrument where
appellant intends to use the instrument as a weapon, or whether it prohibits (2) the
possession of any instrument which is sometimes capable of being used as a weapon.
The Attorney General acknowledges, and we agree, only the first definition Land posits
is covered by the condition. However, because condition 12. f., as written, is limited to
Land "knowingly" owning, transporting, selling or possessing "any instrument used as a
weapon" only the first definition is applicable and the vagueness argument fails.
In Land's third challenge to condition 12. f., he argues the condition is overly
broad as it does not contain an exception for the temporary possession of a weapon in
lawful self-defense, and he proposes the condition be modified to permit this. We reject
this contention. Appellant committed a crime involving residential burglary with gang
claims and threats of weapon use. Because his crime carried a high potential for
violence, a probation condition precluding him from possessing all weapons is extremely
important to public safety. Given the importance of clearly communicating to defendant
that he not possess any weapons, the trial court could reasonably elect not to include a
reference to self-defense to ensure that defendant will not think he can carry a weapon in
some circumstances in anticipation of the possible need for self-defense. We are satisfied
that no reasonable law enforcement official or court will interpret the proscription on
weapon possession to extend to a fleeting possession of a weapon in the event, for
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example, that Land is assaulted and he temporarily seizes his assailant's weapon in
legitimate self-defense. The omission of a reference to self-defense in the
straightforward proscription against weapon possession does not rise to the level of
constitutional overbreadth.
Condition 12. g.
Probation condition 12. g. prohibits Land from remaining "in a building, vehicle or
in the presence of any person where [he] know[s] a firearm, deadly weapon, or
ammunition exists." He asserts this condition is overbroad and unjustifiably chills
important constitutional rights by forbidding him from being in any number of places
where he is otherwise entitled to be, such as a bank, courthouse, state office building, or
political rally where armed guards are present. The People disagree, arguing a reasonable
person would not read condition 12. g. to require avoidance of law enforcement
personnel and courthouses and the condition properly relates to the state's compelling
interest in rehabilitation and public safety.
Given the widespread presence of armed security personnel in numerous buildings
and other locales, we agree the condition is unconstitutionally overbroad because it
improperly impedes Land's freedom of travel and association and is not narrowly tailored
to safeguard these rights while simultaneously limiting conduct designed to promote
Land's rehabilitation and to safeguard the public. Accordingly, we modify condition 12.
g. to provide as follows: "Land is prohibited from being in the presence of those he
knows illegally possess firearms, deadly weapons or ammunition."
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Condition 12. i.
Appellant argues condition 12. i., which relates to gang-affiliated clothing, is
unconstitutionally vague on two grounds: (1) it does not contain a scienter requirement
that Land knows an item of clothing he is wearing is affiliated with gangs, and (2) it does
not require that when wearing such an item, he is doing so with the specific intent to
claim affiliation with a gang. He also maintains the condition is overbroad as it applies to
affiliation with membership in "any" gang and is not limited to Spring Valley Locos. We
disagree.
This condition is directed to both rehabilitative and protective objectives—namely,
to stop Land's participation with gangs (and the attendant lifestyle), and to break the cycle
of violence, intimidation, and criminal activity frequently associated with gang affiliation
and intergang rivalry. To facilitate these compelling state interests, there is no
constitutional violation in applying the condition to all gangs, just as the court did in
People v. Leon (2010 181 Cal.App.4th 943, 950-951, when it rejected a similar
overbreadth challenge.
Concerning Land's vagueness challenge, we are satisfied it need not be modified
as appellant suggests. As Land recognizes, the condition already includes a scienter
requirement. This requirement need not be repeated to emphasize that the condition only
prohibits appellant from wearing, displaying, using or possessing, clothing and other
items he knows evidence gang affiliation. Likewise, because the mere wearing of gang-
affiliated clothing can spark violence resulting from intergang rivalry, the condition
properly prohibits Land from wearing gang-affiliated clothing, even if he does not have
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the intent to claim affiliation with a particular gang. Land's claim this is required would
improperly interfere with legitimate probation objectives.
DISPOSITION
We modify probation condition 12. g. as set forth above, and we direct the trial
court to forward a copy of the corrected condition to the probation authorities. As so
modified, the judgment is affirmed.
HALLER, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:
O'ROURKE, J.
AARON, J.
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