Sherry A. Fairchild v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before any Jan 29 2016, 8:57 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Donald E.C. Leicht Gregory F. Zoeller
Kokomo, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
J.T. Whitehead
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Sherry A. Fairchild, January 29, 2016
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
34A02-1507-CR-798
v. Appeal from the Howard Superior
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable William C.
Appellee-Plaintiff. Menges, Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
34D01-1312-FD-957
Pyle, Judge.
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Statement of the Case
[1] Sherry A. Fairchild (“Fairchild”) appeals her sentence, following a guilty plea,
to Class D felony theft.1 Fairchild argues that her sentence was inappropriate,
and she argues that the trial court erred by ordering her to submit to a urine
drug screen. Concluding that Fairchild has waived appellate review of any
argument regarding the drug screen by failing to raise a contemporaneous
objection and that she has failed to show that her sentence is inappropriate, we
affirm her sentence.
[2] We affirm.
Issues
1. Whether Fairchild has waived review of her challenge to the
trial court’s order for her to submit to a urine drug screen by failing
to object.
2. Whether Fairchild’s sentence was inappropriate pursuant to
Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B).
Facts
[3] On November 29, 2013, Fairchild and her friend went into a Walmart store in
Howard County. Fairchild purchased a box of syringes and then placed
1
IND. CODE § 35-43-4-2(a). We note that, effective July 1, 2014, a new version of the theft statute was
enacted and that the offense of theft, for the total value of items that Fairchild was alleged to have taken, is
now a Class A misdemeanor. Because Fairchild committed this crime in 2013, we will refer to the statute in
effect at that time.
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additional items,2 for which she had not paid, into her bag and exited the store.
Fairchild was stopped by Walmart security personnel who then notified the
Kokomo Police Department. After Fairchild consented to a search of her car,
the police found a used syringe.
[4] On December 4, 2013, the State charged Fairchild with Count 1, Class D felony
unlawful possession of a syringe, and Count 2, Class D felony theft. On
January 3, 2014, Fairfield was released on bond.
[5] The following week, on January 10, 2014, Fairfield was arrested in Wabash
County on a charge of Class D felony possession of methamphetamine
(“Wabash County drug cause”).3 Fairfield pled guilty to the possession of
methamphetamine charge in the Wabash County drug cause. On April 22,
2014, the Wabash Superior Court held a sentencing hearing, and Fairfield’s
sentence in that case was “taken under advisement pending [her] completion of
the Wabash County Drug Court Program.” (App. 53).4
2
These items, which included socks, a bracelet, suntan lotion, and packages of underwear, had a total value
of $29.43.
3
This drug charge was filed under cause number 85D01-1312-FD-103.
4
The information regarding Fairchild’s Wabash County drug cause is derived from the presentence
investigative report (“PSI”) contained in a confidential volume of Fairchild’s Appendix. Pursuant to Indiana
Administrative Rule 9(G)(2)(b) and INDIANA CODE § 35-38-1-13, the PSI Report must be excluded from
public access. However, in this case, the information contained in the PSI is “essential to the resolution” of
Fairchild’s claim. See Admin. Rule 9(G)(7)(a)(ii)(c). Accordingly, we have included confidential
information in this decision only to the extent necessary to resolve the appeal.
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[6] The following day, on April 23, 2014, Fairchild entered into a written plea
agreement in this Howard County case. In the plea agreement, she agreed to
plead guilty to the Class D felony theft charge in Count 2 in exchange for the
dismissal of Count 1. The plea agreement also provided as follows:
The sentence shall be left to the discretion of the Court after
evidence and argument. [Fairchild’s] sentence shall include
restitution, as determined by the Court at the time of sentencing.
Said sentencing shall be deferred during [Fairchild’s]
participation in the Wabash County Drug Court Program.
*****
Should [Fairchild] successfully complete the Wabash County
Drug Court Program, this [Howard County] cause shall be
dismissed.
Should [Fairchild] fail the Wabash County Drug Court Program,
this matter shall be set for sentencing with the terms and
conditions of that sentence decided by the Court after evidence
and arguments presented by the parties.
(App. 28) (emphasis in original).
[7] On April 30, 2014, the trial court held a guilty plea hearing.5 Fairchild pled
guilty to the Class D felony theft charge, and the trial court accepted her guilty
5
In its Statement of Facts, the State indicated that Fairchild “stipulated to the facts contained in the affidavit
of probable cause.” (State’s Br. 6). The transcript from the guilty plea hearing, however, indicates that
Fairchild stipulated to the probable cause affidavit only “as it relate[d] to the count to which she [wa]s
pleading” guilty. (Tr. 5).
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plea.6 Per the plea agreement, the trial court deferred sentencing in the case and
referred Fairchild to the Wabash County Drug Court Program with a directive
for it to “inform the Court of [Fairchild’s] completion or termination of their
[sic] program.” (App. 2, 31).
[8] Thereafter, the State filed—in Fairchild’s Wabash County drug cause—
numerous petitions to revoke her participation in the Wabash County Drug
Court Program. Specifically, it filed revocation petitions on: May 13, 2014;
August 22, 2014; November 3, 2014; and March 6, 2015. Each time, Fairchild
“admitted to violating the terms of Drug Court[.]” (App. 53). Upon Fairchild’s
first two violations, the Wabash Superior Court ordered her to serve ninety days
in jail. For her third violation, the Wabash Superior Court ordered her to serve
180 days in jail. However, on April 21, 2015, upon Fairchild’s fourth violation,
the Wabash Superior Court terminated her from the drug court program and
ordered her to serve the balance of her suspended sentence, which was two
years.
[9] That same day, on April 21, 2015, the State filed—in this Howard County
cause—a request for the trial court to set a sentencing date on Fairchild’s Class
D felony theft conviction because she had violated the terms of the Wabash
6
Fairchild asserts that there was “confusion” in this case, suggesting that the trial court accepted Fairchild’s
guilty plea before she pled guilty. (Fairchild’s Br. 3). At the beginning of the guilty plea hearing, the trial
court stated that it would “accept the recommendation[,]” (Tr. 5), but the chronological case summary
indicates that Fairchild “enter[ed] a plea of guilty to Count 2, Theft, a Class D Felony[,] and [t]he Court
accept[ed] [her] plea of guilty.” (App. 3-4).
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County Drug Court Program and had been terminated from the program. The
trial court set a sentencing hearing for May 20, 2015, and it referred Fairchild to
the Howard County Probation Department for a PSI to be compiled.
[10] The probation department met with Fairchild on May 15, 2015. During her
interview with the probation officer, Fairchild admitted that she “was under the
influence of drugs when [she] took a few items from WalMart.” (App. 53). She
stated that she had undergone previous substance abuse programs. She also
admitted that she had used “speed, meth, heroin, and Suboxone while in Drug
Court.” (App. 56). Additionally, she admitted that her violations while in the
Wabash County Drug Court Program had involved positive urine drug screens.
[11] On May 20, 2015, the parties appeared for a sentencing hearing, and Fairchild
requested a continuance of the hearing. The trial court granted the continuance
and reset sentencing for June 10, 2015. When the parties appeared in court that
day, the trial court had the following conversation with Fairchild:
JUDGE MENGES: . . . Show that the defendant appears in
person with counsel . . . the State of Indiana appears . . . Ms.
Fairchild, I want you to report immediately to the adult
probation department and give them an instant urine drug screen
and as soon as you have done so, I want you to report back here.
Do you need assistance finding your way to the probation
department?
THE DEFENDANT: I have no idea where that’s at.
JUDGE MENGES: Would you please see that she makes it
down and take her down the elevator, I don’t trust her ability to
navigate the stairs.
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THE DEFENDANT: Your Honor, this situation with my
revoke [sic] the bond, I did not, I just wanted, would like to
explain to you I’m not trying to disrespect the court by having
them on. I was in an accident --
JUDGE MENGES: I don’t have a problem with that --
THE DEFENDANT: -- and I burnt my eyes, so that’s why.
JUDGE MENGES: I want you to give a urine drug screen and
we’ll go from there.
THE DEFENDANT: OK, that’s fine.
[12] (Tr. 8). The hearing was then suspended until the results of Fairchild’s
urinalysis were returned. When the trial court came back on the record, it
stated that Fairchild had “tested positive for methamphetamine, opiates, and
amphetamines[.]” (Tr. 9). The trial court then ordered her bond revoked,
stated that it was “reject[ing] the plea agreement[,]” and set the matter for trial.
(Tr. 9).
[13] Thereafter, the trial court “note[d] that this matter was erroneously set for Jury
Trial” because Fairchild had “previously entered a plea of guilty,” which was
accepted by the trial court. (App. 5). The trial court then set Fairchild’s
sentencing hearing for June 24, 2015.
[14] At the sentencing hearing, Fairchild’s counsel acknowledged that Fairchild had
“an addiction issue” and argued that the trial court should not sentence her to
the Department of Correction because the cost of her placement there was more
expensive than the value of the items that she had stolen from Walmart. (Tr.
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14). Her counsel asked that Fairchild be allowed to serve her executed time on
home detention. The prosecutor, on the other hand, argued that the trial court
should follow the probation department’s recommendation 7 that Fairchild be
placed in a therapeutic community within the Department of Correction due to
her substance abuse issues, especially because she had tested positive for
methamphetamines, amphetamines and opiates when last in court.
[15] The trial court, when sentencing Fairchild, stated:
I agree that the amount taken in connection with the charge in
Count II was [of] relatively minor value and I would agree that
the cost of housing the defendant is substantially higher than the
value of those items. The cost to society of her continuing her
addiction, however, is even higher than that. The court notes
that she was referred to the Wabash County Drug Court Program
but she did not successfully complete that. The idea that she
could successfully complete home detention falls under the
category of less supervision, therefore more chance that she will
not get caught violating the terms and conditions of probation
and in-home detention. And I probably should note that while
she was in court two weeks ago, that while she tested positive,
not only did she test positive for the substances as indicated by
[the prosecutor], but she appeared to be visibly under the
7
In the PSI, the probation department’s recommendation was as follows:
The Defendant is at a moderate risk to reoffend with her overall score being one point
away from being high risk. It is suggested that moderate risk offenders receive a sentence
which includes regular supervision. It is clear that because of her substance abuse issues
regular supervision is not appropriate. Additionally, the Defendant did not successfully
complete the most stringent form of community supervision due to those same issues. It is
evident that in order to reduce the Defendant’s risk of reoffending, the Defendant is in need
of the most intensive program available for substance abuse treatment which at this time is
Therapeutic Community.
(App. 56).
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influence of one or more of them, so I’m very limited on what
our options are. I agree with the probation department that the
best chance of recovery is therapeutic community.
(Tr. 15-16). The trial court then imposed a three (3) year executed sentence in
the Department of Correction with the recommendation that she be placed in a
therapeutic community. The trial court further indicated that it would “reserve
the right to modify her sentence upon successful completion of the therapeutic
community.” (Tr. 16). Fairchild now appeals.
Decision
[16] Fairchild argues that: (1) the trial court erred by ordering her to submit to a
urine drug screen; and (2) her sentence was inappropriate. We will review each
argument in turn.
1. Drug Screen
[17] Fairchild argues that the trial court erred by ordering her to submit to a urine
drug screen during the June 10, 2015 hearing, which was originally scheduled
to be her sentencing hearing. She contends that the trial court’s order was
“illegal” and violated her right against self-incrimination under the Fifth
Amendment and her right against unreasonable search and seizure under the
Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. (Fairchild’s Br. 7).
Additionally, she makes a passing reference to Article 1, Section 11 of the
Indiana Constitution, suggesting that she was subjected to a warrantless search
in violation thereof.
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[18] Fairchild, however, has waived appellate review of any challenge to the trial
court’s order because she failed to raise a contemporaneous objection at the
time the trial court ordered her to submit to the drug screen. As a general rule,
the failure to object at the trial level results in waiver of an issue on appeal.
Bruno v. State, 774 N.E.2d 880, 883 (Ind. 2002), reh’g denied. “The rule of
waiver in part protects the integrity of the trial court in that the trial court
cannot be found to have erred as to an issue or argument that it never had an
opportunity to consider.” T.S. v. Logansport State Hosp., 959 N.E.2d 855, 857
(Ind. Ct. App. 2011), trans. denied.
[19] Here, Fairchild never objected to the trial court’s directive that she submit to a
urine drug screen, and she never argued to the trial court that its order to do so
would violate the United States or Indiana Constitutions. Thus, she has waived
her constitutional claims for appellate review. See State v. Friedel, 714 N.E.2d
1231, 1236 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999) (hold that the State waived challenge to the
defendant’s standing by failing to present claim to the trial court).
2. Sentence
[20] Fairchild argues that her three-year executed sentence for Class D felony theft is
inappropriate, suggesting that the trial court sentenced her for her drug
addiction rather than for her theft conviction.
[21] We may revise a sentence if it is inappropriate in light of the nature of the
offense and the character of the offender. Ind. Appellate Rule 7(B). The
defendant has the burden of persuading us that her sentence is inappropriate.
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Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d 1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006). The principal role of a
Rule 7(B) review “should be to attempt to leaven the outliers, and identify some
guiding principles for trial courts and those charged with improvement of the
sentencing statutes, but not to achieve a perceived ‘correct’ result in each case.”
Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1225 (Ind. 2008).
[22] Whether a sentence is inappropriate ultimately turns on “the culpability of the
defendant, the severity of the crime, the damage done to others, and a myriad
of other factors that come to light in a given case.” Id. at 1224. Additionally,
“[u]nder Indiana law, several tools are available to the trial court to use in
fashioning an appropriate sentence for a convicted offender.” Sharp v. State, 970
N.E.2d 647, 650 (Ind. 2012). These “penal tools”—which include suspension
of all or a portion of the sentence, probation, executed time in a Department of
Correction facility, and placement in a community corrections program—“form
an integral part of the actual aggregate penalty faced by a defendant and are
thus properly considered as part of the sentence subject to appellate review and
revision.” Id. (citing Davidson v. State, 926 N.E.2d 1023, 1025 (Ind. 2010)).
[23] When determining whether a sentence is inappropriate, we acknowledge that
the advisory sentence “is the starting point the Legislature has selected as an
appropriate sentence for the crime committed.” Childress, 848 N.E.2d at 1081.
Here, Fairchild pled guilty to Class D felony theft in exchange for the dismissal
of a Class D felony unlawful possession of a syringe charge. At the time of
Fairchild’s offense, a Class D felony conviction carried a sentencing range of six
months to three years. I.C. § 35-50-2-7(a). After deferring Fairchild’s sentence,
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referring her to a drug program, and allowing her the opportunity to have her
conviction dismissed upon successful completion of the drug program, the trial
court imposed the maximum term of three years for Fairchild’s Class D felony
conviction after she failed to successfully complete the drug program. The trial
court also recommended that Fairchild receive substance abuse treatment while
in the Department of Correction, and it advised her that it would later consider
a modification of her sentence upon successful completion of the Department of
Correction’s therapeutic program. Thus, the trial court utilized some of the
available “penal tools” to fashion a sentence for Fairchild. See Sharp, 970
N.E.2d at 650.
[24] The nature of Fairchild’s offense reveals that she bought a box of syringes and
then stole various personal items by secreting them in her bag. Fairchild
attempts to minimize the nature of her crime by pointing out that the value of
the items she stole was not extravagant. However, Fairchild was admittedly
under the influence of drugs when she stole the items from Walmart. The trial
court acknowledged that “the cost of housing the defendant is substantially
higher than the value of th[e] items” stolen but noted that the “cost to society of
her continuing her addiction . . . [was] even higher than that” and that home
detention was not an option given Fairchild’s failed attempts while in the drug
court program. (Tr. 15).
[25] Turning to Fairchild’s character, we see from the record that Fairchild—who
was thirty-five years old at the time of her offense—had two felony convictions
at the time of sentencing. In 2003, Fairchild was convicted of Class B felony
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aiding in robbery. She was placed on probation for this crime and admitted to
twice violating probation, which resulted in continued probation upon the first
violation and termination of probation upon the second violation. Fairchild
was also convicted of Class D felony possession of methamphetamine in 2014.
It was this conviction from her Wabash County drug cause for which she was
originally placed in the Wabash County Drug Court Program. This drug court
program was the same program that Fairchild was required to complete in this
case if she wanted to have her theft conviction dismissed. Fairchild, however,
violated the drug court program four times by using drugs. Indeed, Fairchild
admitted that she had used “speed, meth, heroin, and Suboxone while in Drug
Court.” (App. 56). Furthermore, Fairchild showed up to court while under the
influence of drugs and tested positive for methamphetamine, opiates, and
amphetamines. Fairchild’s actions show a lack of respect for the legal system
and a lack of commitment to opportunities provided by the trial court.
[26] Fairchild has not persuaded us that that her three-year executed sentence, with
the recommendation to a therapeutic program and the opportunity for a
sentence modification upon successful completion of the therapeutic program,
for her Class D felony conviction is inappropriate. Therefore, we affirm the
trial court’s sentence.
[27] Affirmed.
Baker, J., and Bradford, J., concur.
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