State v. Wilson ( 2024 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 50802
STATE OF IDAHO, )
) Filed: June 25, 2024
Plaintiff-Respondent, )
) Melanie Gagnepain, Clerk
v. )
)
RORY DOUGLAS WILSON, )
)
Defendant-Appellant. )
)
Appeal from the District Court of the Second Judicial District, State of Idaho, Latah
County. Hon. John Judge, District Judge. Hon. Megan E. Marshall, Magistrate.
Decision of the district court, on intermediate appeal from the magistrate court,
affirming a withheld judgment for posting on fences or buildings or poles on public
property or private property without consent, affirmed.
Nevin, Benjamin & McKay, LLP; Dennis A. Benjamin, Boise, for appellant.
Dennis A. Benjamin argued.
Hon. Raúl R. Labrador, Attorney General; Kenneth K. Jorgensen, Deputy Attorney
General, Boise, for respondent. Kenneth K. Jorgensen argued.
________________________________________________
LORELLO, Judge
Rory Douglas Wilson appeals from a decision of the district court, on intermediate appeal
from the magistrate court, affirming a withheld judgment for posting on fences or buildings or
poles on public property or private property without consent. We affirm.
I.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On October 6, 2020, at approximately 3:18 a.m., officers received a report of two males
placing stickers on property in the city of Moscow downtown area. Officers observed two
individuals wearing full-face coverings and saw one of them place a sticker on a city directory
sign. Officers identified Wilson as one of the individuals and found in his possession stickers with
1
the words “Soviet Moscow” and “Enforced Because We Care.” Officers conducted a search and
discovered eighty-nine of the same stickers had been placed throughout the city on both public and
private property.
Wilson was charged with the misdemeanor crime of no posting on fences or buildings or
poles under Moscow City Code (M.C.C.) § 10-1-22(A). Wilson filed a motion to dismiss arguing
that: (1) the conduct at issue was not prohibited under the ordinance; (2) the ordinance was
unconstitutionally vague; (3) the ordinance and the prosecution under the ordinance violated his
First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution; and (4) the prosecution of the case violated
his right to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The
magistrate court denied the motion. The magistrate court granted the State’s motion in limine
which prohibited Wilson from arguing at trial that the stickers were outside the reach of the
ordinance because they were not advertising matter. The magistrate court also denied Wilson’s
mistake-of-fact jury instruction and excluded several of his proposed exhibits.
Following a jury trial, Wilson was found guilty and appealed. On intermediate appeal
before the district court, Wilson argued: (1) the magistrate court erred in denying his motion to
dismiss based upon an incorrect interpretation of the ordinance; (2) if the magistrate court’s
interpretation of the ordinance was correct, it was void for vagueness; (3) the magistrate court
erred in denying his motion to suppress statements he made to officers; (4) the magistrate court
violated his constitutional right to present a defense by prohibiting him from arguing the stickers
were outside the purview of the ordinance because they were not advertising matter; (5) the
magistrate court abused its discretion when it excluded his exhibits; (6) the magistrate court erred
in refusing to give his mistake-of-fact jury instruction; and (7) there was insufficient evidence for
the jury to find him guilty because, based on his interpretation of the ordinance, the State was
required to prove the stickers he posted were advertising matter. The district court affirmed the
magistrate court’s decisions and concluded there was sufficient evidence to support Wilson’s
conviction. Wilson appeals.
II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
For an appeal from the district court, sitting in its appellate capacity over a case from the
magistrate court, we review the record to determine whether there is substantial and competent
2
evidence to support the magistrate court’s findings of fact and whether the magistrate court’s
conclusions of law follow from those findings. State v. Korn, 148 Idaho 413, 415, 224 P.3d 480,
482 (2009). However, as a matter of appellate procedure, our disposition of the appeal will affirm
or reverse the decision of the district court. State v. Trusdall, 155 Idaho 965, 968, 318 P.3d 955,
958 (Ct. App. 2014). Thus, we review the magistrate court’s findings and conclusions, whether
the district court affirmed or reversed the magistrate court and the basis therefor, and either affirm
or reverse the district court.
III.
ANALYSIS
A. Motion to Dismiss
Wilson contends the magistrate court erred in denying his motion to dismiss. First, Wilson
argues that the magistrate court erred because the plain language of the ordinance provides that it
only prohibits the attachment of advertising matter and the stickers he attached were not
advertising matter. Alternatively, Wilson argues the ordinance is ambiguous, the rule of lenity
applies, and this Court should construe the ordinance in his favor. Wilson further argues that, even
if the ordinance includes his conduct, the ordinance is unconstitutionally vague. The State
responds that the lower courts correctly rejected Wilson’s interpretation of the ordinance as only
encompassing advertising matter. Wilson has failed to show error in the district court’s decision
affirming the magistrate court’s rulings rejecting his challenges to the ordinance.
1. Plain Language Challenge
Wilson argues that M.C.C. § 10-1-22(A) only prohibits the attachment of advertising
material. We disagree. Moscow City Code Section 10-1-22(A) provides:
No person shall post, paint, tack, tape or otherwise attach or cause to be
attached, any notice, sign, announcement, or other advertising matter to any fence,
wall, building, tree, bridge, awning, post, apparatus or other property not belonging
to said person without first obtaining the consent of the owner or lessee of such
property or their agent(s) or representative(s). No person shall post, paint, tack,
tape or otherwise attach or cause to be attached any notice, sign, announcement, or
other advertising matter to any telephone or electric pole within the City.
Rules for the construction of ordinances are the same as those applied to the construction
of statutes. State v. Freitas, 157 Idaho 257, 261, 335 P.3d 597, 601 (Ct. App. 2014). This Court
exercises free review over the application and construction of statutes. State v. Reyes, 139 Idaho
3
502, 505, 80 P.3d 1103, 1106 (Ct. App. 2003). Where the constitutionality of a statute is
challenged, we review the trial court’s decision de novo. State v. Cobb, 132 Idaho 195, 197, 969
P.2d 244, 246 (1998); State v. Martin, 148 Idaho 31, 34, 218 P.3d 10, 13 (Ct. App. 2009). Where
the language of a statute is plain and unambiguous, this Court must give effect to the statute as
written, without engaging in statutory construction. State v. Burnight, 132 Idaho 654, 659, 978
P.2d 214, 219 (1999); State v. Escobar, 134 Idaho 387, 389, 3 P.3d 65, 67 (Ct. App. 2000). The
language of the statute is to be given its plain, obvious, and rational meaning. Burnight, 132 Idaho
at 659, 978 P.2d at 219. If the language is clear and unambiguous, there is no occasion for the
court to resort to legislative history or rules of statutory interpretation. Escobar, 134 Idaho at 389,
3 P.3d at 67. For undefined terms in a statute, we look to dictionary definitions to provide ordinary
meaning. State v. Damiani, 169 Idaho 348, 351, 496 P.3d 521, 524 (Ct. App. 2021). Provisions
should not be read in isolation, but rather within the context of the entire statute to give effect to
all words so that none will be void or superfluous. State v. Smalley, 164 Idaho 780, 784, 435 P.3d
1100, 1104 (2019).
The plain language of M.C.C. § 10-1-22(A) prohibits the attachment of “any notice” or
“sign” or “announcement” or “other advertising matter.” The use of the word “other” in the phrase
reflects that while some “advertising matter” may be prohibited within the definition of “notice,”
“sign” or “announcement,” the ordinance also prohibits “advertising matter” not otherwise
expressly prohibited. Thus, the stickers Wilson placed throughout the city did not need to
constitute “advertising matter” to be subject to the prohibition in the ordinance. Because we reject
Wilson’s argument that the ordinance only prohibits advertising matter, we need not address his
alternative argument that the ordinance is ambiguous and the ambiguity requires application of the
rule of lenity.1
1
Even if the phrase “other advertising matter” modifies “notice,” “sign” and
“announcement,” such a modification would not exclude Wilson’s stickers from the purview of
the ordinance. We disagree with Wilson’s argument that “advertising” only applies to something
commercial in nature. As noted by the district court, advertising includes matters “outside
commercial sales.” For example, an advertisement may be “designed to persuade or educate the
public” or “call the public’s attention to community events.” Wilson’s narrow view of
“advertising” is inconsistent with the plain meaning and was properly rejected by both the
magistrate court and district court.
4
2. As-applied vagueness challenge
Wilson has failed to show M.C.C. § 10-1-22(A) is unconstitutionally vague. Appellate
courts are obligated to seek an interpretation of a statute or ordinance that upholds its
constitutionality. Freitas, 157 Idaho at 261, 335 P.3d at 601; Martin, 148 Idaho at 34, 218 P.3d at
13. The party attacking an ordinance on constitutional grounds bears the burden of proof and must
overcome a strong presumption of validity. See Freitas, 157 Idaho at 261, 335 P.3d at 601. An
ordinance may be challenged as unconstitutionally vague on its face or as applied to a defendant’s
conduct. See Martin, 148 Idaho at 35, 218 P.3d at 14. A vagueness challenge is predicated on the
due process requirement that the statute or ordinance plainly and unmistakably provide fair notice
of what is prohibited and what is allowed in language persons of ordinary intelligence will
understand. State v. Kavajecz, 139 Idaho 482, 486, 80 P.3d 1083, 1087 (2003). Moreover, an
ordinance may be void for vagueness if it invites arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. See
Freitas, 157 Idaho at 261, 335 P.3d at 601. An ordinance is not void for vagueness if it can be
given any practical interpretation. See id. at 261-62, 335 P.3d at 601-02.
Wilson argues that if M.C.C. § 10-1-22(A) was read correctly by the magistrate and district
courts, the “ordinance is vague for voidness as applied.”2 To succeed on an as-applied vagueness
challenge, Wilson must show that the ordinance failed to provide fair notice that his conduct was
prohibited or failed to provide sufficient guidelines such that police had unbridled discretion in
determining whether to arrest him. See State v. Pentico, 151 Idaho 906, 915, 265 P.3d 519, 528
(Ct. App. 2011).
Because we conclude that the ordinance is plain and unambiguous, it clearly sets forth the
prohibited conduct and does not allow unbridled discretion in enforcement, Wilson’s claim that it
is void for vagueness necessarily fails. See Martin, 148 Idaho at 36, 218 P.3d at 15 (concluding
statute was not unconstitutionally vague because it clearly set forth prohibited conduct and did not
2
Wilson’s brief contains language that suggests he is also raising a facial vagueness
challenge to the ordinance based on First Amendment principles. To the extent Wilson is raising
such a claim, it fails. See Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project, 561 U.S. 1, 20 (2010)
(distinguishing between an overbreadth claim under the First Amendment and a Fifth Amendment
vagueness challenge and noting that the Court’s “precedents make clear that a Fifth Amendment
vagueness challenge does not turn on whether a law applies to a substantial amount of protected
expression”).
5
allow arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement). As noted, M.C.C. § 10-1-22(A) makes clear that
one cannot “post, paint, tack, tape or otherwise attach or cause to be attached, any notice, sign,
announcement, or other advertising matter” in specified places without consent. That Wilson
chose to place the stickers during the early morning hours while wearing a full-face covering belies
his after-the-fact assertion that he was not on notice that his conduct was prohibited. Wilson’s
as-applied vagueness challenge fails and he has failed to show error in the denial of his motion to
dismiss.
B. Right to Present a Defense
Wilson argues that the magistrate court denied him his constitutional right to present a
defense when it prohibited him from arguing that he was not guilty because the stickers he placed
were not advertising matter and were thereby outside the scope of the ordinance. The State
responds that, because the magistrate court correctly interpreted the ordinance as applicable to
Wilson’s conduct, he was not denied his right to present a defense by making an argument contrary
to that interpretation. We agree with the State.
The right to present a defense is protected by the Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution and made applicable to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment. State v. Ogden, 171 Idaho 258, 272, 519 P.3d 1198, 1212 (2022); see also
Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 19 (1967). In a jury trial, it is for the jury to determine
adjudicative facts. State v. Adkins, 171 Idaho 254, 256, 519 P.3d 1194, 1196 (2022). The
determination of legal fact, i.e., what the law is, is unquestionably the role of the courts. Id. at
256-57, 519 P.3d at 1196-97.
Wilson sought to argue the definition and interpretation of the ordinance before the jury in
a manner contrary to the magistrate court’s interpretation of the ordinance in denying Wilson’s
motion to dismiss. Wilson was not entitled to circumvent the magistrate court’s pretrial ruling
under the guise of his right to present a defense. Wilson has failed to show his right to present a
defense was violated.
C. Mistake-of-Fact Jury Instruction
Wilson contends that the magistrate court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on a mistake
of fact based upon his implied-consent defense. Wilson’s requested jury instruction was based on
his argument that observing other materials posted in various locations around the city led him to
6
believe that the property owners had impliedly consented to him attaching materials. According
to Wilson, this belief was a mistake of fact entitling him to a jury instruction and not a mistake of
law as found by the magistrate court. The State responds that the magistrate court correctly
rejected Wilson’s requested jury instruction because it was not pertinent since the alleged mistake
of fact did not disprove Wilson’s criminal intent. We hold that Wilson was not entitled to a
mistake-of-fact jury instruction in this case.
Whether the jury has been properly instructed is a question of law over which we exercise
free review. State v. Severson, 147 Idaho 694, 710, 215 P.3d 414, 430 (2009). When reviewing
jury instructions, we ask whether the instructions as a whole, and not individually, fairly and
accurately reflect applicable law. State v. Bowman, 124 Idaho 936, 942, 866 P.2d 193, 199 (Ct.
App. 1993). A trial court presiding over a criminal case must instruct the jury on all matters of
law necessary for the jury’s information. I.C. § 19-2132; Severson, 147 Idaho at 710, 215 P.3d at
430. In other words, a trial court must deliver instructions on the rules of law that are material to
the determination of the defendant’s guilt or innocence. State v. Mack, 132 Idaho 480, 483, 974
P.2d 1109, 1112 (Ct. App. 1999). Each party is entitled to request the delivery of specific
instructions. State v. Weeks, 160 Idaho 195, 198, 370 P.3d 398, 401 (Ct. App. 2016). However,
such instructions will only be given if they are “correct and pertinent.” I.C. § 19-2132. A proposed
instruction is not correct and pertinent if it is: (1) an erroneous statement of the law; (2) adequately
covered by the other instructions; or (3) not supported by the facts of the case. Severson, 147
Idaho at 710-11, 215 P.3d at 430-31; Weeks, 160 Idaho at 198, 370 P.3d at 401.
Wilson requested a mistake-of-fact jury instruction because he contends that M.C.C.
§ 10-1-22(A) includes an implied knowledge element. Wilson thus contends that the State had to
prove he had knowledge that he did not have consent to attach the material. Idaho Code Section
18-114 provides that, “in every crime or public offense there must exist a union, or joint operation,
of act and intent, or criminal negligence.” The intent required by I.C. § 18-114 is not the intent to
commit a crime but, rather, the intent to knowingly perform the prohibited act. State v. Fox, 124
Idaho 924, 926, 866 P.2d 181, 183 (1993). Moscow City Code Section 10-1-22(A) does not
expressly require any mental element; and thus, the offense only requires a general intent as
provided by I.C. § 18-114.
7
The record reveals that Wilson placed approximately eighty-nine stickers on both public
and private property and that at least some of the stickers placed by Wilson were on property
containing no other posted material. Wilson’s argument that he believed he had implied consent
to post the materials is not supported by the facts of the case; as such, a mistake-of-fact jury
instruction was not pertinent. The jury instructions that were provided fairly and accurately
reflected the applicable law. Accordingly, Wilson has failed to show error in the refusal to give
his proposed mistake-of-fact jury instruction.
D. Excluded Exhibits
Wilson asserts the magistrate court abused its discretion by excluding his proposed exhibits
showing other material attached to property around the city. Specifically, Wilson argues the
magistrate court failed to “recognize the complete relevance” that the exhibits had “to the implied
consent defense” and did not find the probative value was substantially outweighed by a danger of
misleading the jury. The State responds that the magistrate court did not abuse its discretion in
excluding the exhibits because the exhibits were not relevant. We hold that Wilson’s proffered
exhibits depicting other postings were properly excluded.
When a trial court’s discretionary decision is reviewed on appeal, the appellate court
conducts a multi-tiered inquiry to determine whether the trial court: (1) correctly perceived the
issue as one of discretion; (2) acted within the boundaries of such discretion; (3) acted consistently
with any legal standards applicable to the specific choices before it; and (4) reached its decision
by an exercise of reason. State v. Herrera, 164 Idaho 261, 270, 429 P.3d 149, 158 (2018).
The magistrate court correctly perceived the decision whether to admit the proposed
exhibits as one of discretion and acted within the boundaries of such discretion. The magistrate
court found that none of the photos offered as exhibits showed locations the same or similar to
where Wilson posted his stickers. The magistrate court further found that the exhibits were only
offered to show that, in surrounding areas of the city, there were other stickers posted. The
magistrate court also concluded the probative value of the proffered exhibits was outweighed by
the danger of misleading and confusing the issues before the jury as to whether Wilson posted the
stickers without first obtaining the consent of the owner of the property. This was not an abuse of
discretion. Wilson has failed to show that the magistrate court abused its discretion by refusing to
admit the exhibits.
8
E. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Finally, Wilson argues that, under his interpretation of the ordinance, the State failed to
prove all of the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt because the State failed to prove
that Wilson attached some type of “advertising matter.” Because we have rejected Wilson’s
interpretation of the statute, his sufficiency of the evidence argument necessarily fails.
IV.
CONCLUSION
Wilson has failed to show error in the decision to deny his motion to dismiss because the
plain language of the ordinance prohibited Wilson’s conduct and the ordinance is not
unconstitutionally vague. Wilson has also failed to show his constitutional right to present a
defense was violated when he was prevented from arguing his own interpretation of the ordinance
at trial in a manner contrary to the magistrate court’s pretrial ruling regarding the proper
interpretation and application of the ordinance. Wilson has also failed to show error in the refusal
to give a mistake-of-fact jury instruction, which was predicated on an implied-consent claim not
supported by the evidence, or error in the exclusion of exhibits that were irrelevant. Finally,
Wilson has failed to show error in the determination that there was sufficient evidence to find the
State established every element of the offense. Accordingly, the decision of the district court, on
intermediate appeal from the magistrate court, affirming Wilson’s withheld judgment for posting
on fences or buildings or poles on public property or private property without consent, is affirmed.
Chief Judge GRATTON and Judge TRIBE, CONCUR.
9