In the Int. of: C.J.S., a Minor ( 2022 )

J-A19035-22
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
IN THE INT. OF: C.J.S., A MINOR : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
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APPEAL OF: C.J.S., A MINOR :
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: No. 866 MDA 2021
Appeal from the Order Entered June 23, 2021
In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Juvenile Division at
No(s): CP-40-JV-0000190-2018
IN THE INT. OF: C.J.S., A MINOR : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
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APPEAL OF: C.J.S., A MINOR :
:
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: No. 867 MDA 2021
Appeal from the Order Entered June 30, 2021
In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Juvenile Division at
No(s): CP-40-JV-0000190-2018
BEFORE: BOWES, J., KING, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.: FILED: OCTOBER 11, 2022
C.J.S., A Minor, appeals from the Dispositional Order entered in the
Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County on June 23, 2021, upholding the
restitution award of $35,150.00 imposed on July 1, 2019, and providing him
a credit in the amount of $1,000.00, and from the Dispositional Review Order
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* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
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entered on June 30, 2021, denying C.J.S.’s motion to waive or strike
restitution and to terminate his probation. Following our review, we quash
Appellant’s appeal from the June 23, 2021, Order and affirm the trial court’s
June 30, 2021, Order.1
In its Memorandum Issued Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), the juvenile
court, the Honorable Jennifer L. Rogers, set forth the relevant facts and
procedural history herein as follows:
On July 2, 2018, the juvenile, C.J.S. was charged with
homicide by motor vehicle, a felony of the third degree and other
offenses due to a motor vehicle collision occurring on June 13,
2017 in Butler Township, Luzerne [C]ounty, Pennsylvania. At the
time of the accident, the juvenile, age 17 at the time, was the
driver of the vehicle accompanied by two other passengers. One
of the passengers, J.M.P., age 17, died due to sustaining multiple
traumatic injuries from the collision. The other passenger, G.D.C.
was ejected from the vehicle, sustained severe injuries and was
air flighted by helicopter to a hospital. (See Order and Opinion
dated July 1, 2019).
On September 12, 2018, the juvenile, C.J.S. was
adjudicated delinquent on one count of homicide by motor vehicle,
75 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3732(a), F-3 and was placed on probation
with the Luzerne County Juvenile Probation Department for a
period of six months with the issue of restitution remaining open.
The Juvenile completed his six months of probation successfully
and was transferred to administrative probation pending the
outcome of the restitution hearing. (See Stipulation for Restitution
Hearing dated May 29, 2019)
On May 29, 2019, at the restitution hearing, the Juvenile
and the Commonwealth entered into a stipulation. With respect to
the deceased juvenile, J.M.P., the Commonwealth indicated that
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1 In a Per Curiam Order entered on August 12, 2021, upon noting a review of
these matters indicated that these appeals involve the same Appellant and
similar issues, this Court consolidated the appeals at Nos. 866 and 867 MDA
2021 pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 513 and Pa.R.A.P. 2138 sua sponte.
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his family has been made whole and that the Commonwealth was
no longer seeking any further restitution for the decedent. N.T.
5/29/19 at 6.
The parents of the minor child, G.D.C., who was severely
injured in the motor vehicle accident, were seeking restitution for
a Blue Cross Subrogation Lien in the amount of $33,682.00;
Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) subrogation
lien in the amount of $6,458.00 and miscellaneous expenses
(food, tolls, mileage, and hotel fees) in the amount of $2,148.00.
As part of the stipulation, the Commonwealth and the Juvenile
agreed that the miscellaneous expense of $2,148.00 was not
recoverable as restitution in juvenile court.
On July 1, 2019, the Honorable Fred A. Pierantoni entered
an order of restitution to G.D.C. awarding the minor the sum of
$40,140.00 through an installment plan in accordance with title
42 Pa. C. S. Section 6352(a)(5) and section 9728(a). The sum of
$40,140.00 covered the expense from the Blue Cross Subrogation
Lien in the amount of $33,682.00 and the expense of the VCAP
Subrogation Lien in the amount of $ 6,458.00.
Judge Pierantoni, in his Order, relied mainly on the Superior
Court case of Commonwealth v. B.D.G. 959 A. 2d 362 (Pa. Super.
2008) and Pennsylvania statutes, 42 Pa. C.S.A. section 6352
(a)(8) and section 9728. In addition, Judge Pierantoni also
considered the stipulated facts entered between the juvenile
C.J.S. and the Commonwealth on May 29, 2019. (See Opinion and
Order of July 1, 2019). More specifically, the Commonwealth and
the Juvenile agreed in a written stipulation, that the court shall
rely upon the controlling case and statute in making a
determination regarding restitution. Paragraph 16 of the
stipulated facts states as follows: “The issue of Ordered restitution
in a Juvenile proceeding is controlled by the Juvenile Act, 42
Pa.C.S.A. Section 6352, and by the analysis set forth in
Commonwealth v. B.D.G., 959 A.2d 362 (Pa. Super. 2008).”
On June 14, 2021, the juvenile, C.J.S., filed a motion to
terminate probation pursuant to Pa. R.J.C.P. 632, waive
outstanding restitution and continue the dispositional hearing
scheduled for June 15, 2021. The juvenile alleged that he
successfully completed all the terms and conditions of his
probation, except for the outstanding payment of restitution in the
amount of $36,250.00. Therefore, the juvenile requested that the
remaining and outstanding balance of restitution be stricken and
waived by the court.
On June 22, 2021, following a juvenile review hearing, the
court entered an Order filed on June 23, 2021 finding that the
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restitution Order of $35,150.00 was to stand and that the juvenile
[was] to be credited for his $1,000.00 of community service. On
June 29, 2021, the [c]ourt entered a Dispositional Review Order
denying the juvenile’s request to waive restitution and terminate
his probation and finding that the restitution previously ordered
shall stand with the juvenile remaining on administrative
probation until his twenty-first (21st ) birthday at which time his
probation would be terminated and a judgment would be filed
relating to the remaining balance.
On July 1, 2021, the juvenile, C.J.S., filed a Notice of Appeal
to the court’s orders dated June 22, 2021 and June 29, 2021. On
July 7, 2021, the court entered an order directing the appellant to
file of record and serve on the trial judge a Concise Statement of
Matters Complained of on Appeal within twenty-one (21) days
from the date of the order’s entry on the docket. On the 28th day
of July 2021, the Appellant filed a Concise Statement of Matters
Complained of on Appeal[.]
Memorandum Issued Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), filed 8/27/21, at 1-3.
In his brief, C.J.S. presents the following Statement of the Questions
Involved:
1. Did the Juvenile Court err and/or abuse its discretion in
determining that it did not have the authority to waive or reduce
restitution at C.J.S.’s final dispositional review hearing, depriving
him of a meaningful opportunity to be heard on this issue in
violation of statute, court rules, and constitutional due process?
2. Did the Juvenile Court exceed its jurisdiction and/or abuse its
discretion under the Juvenile Act by denying C.J.S.’s request for
relief and ordering adult criminal collections, where the record
shows the restitution exceeded C.J.S.’s earning capacity while
under juvenile court jurisdiction, and where C.J.S. made
consistent good-faith efforts to pay?
3. Did the Juvenile Court err by punishing C.J.S. more harshly for
being poor when it imposed lasting negative consequences
including debt, exposure to adult criminal collections, and the
inability to seek expungement, punishment more severe than a
child from a more financially stable family would face, solely
because he was unable to pay the restitution balance in full, in
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violation of the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the
United States Constitution (U.S. Const., amend. XIV) and
Pennsylvania Constitution (Pa.9 Const. art. 1, §§ 1, 26)?
4. Did the Juvenile Court err in failing to relieve C.J.S. from his
obligation to pay restitution because the restitution order is
grossly disproportionate to the child’s ability to pay, will impede
his future ability to maintain a livelihood, and serves as extended
punishment, in violation of the Excessive Fines Clause of the
Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution and article 1,
section 13 of the Pennsylvania Constitution?
Brief for C.L.S. at 8-9. As these issues are interrelated, we will consider them
together.
This Court’s standard of review of dispositional orders in juvenile
proceedings is well-settled:
“The Juvenile Act grants broad discretion to the court when
determining an appropriate disposition. We will not disturb a
disposition absent a manifest abuse of discretion.” “In re
R.D.R., 876 A.2d 1009, 1013 (Pa.Super.2005) (internal citation
omitted). Moreover, “[a] petition alleging that a child is delinquent
must be disposed of in accordance with the Juvenile Act.
Dispositions which are not set forth in the Act are beyond the
power of the juvenile court.” In re J.J., 848 A.2d 1014, 1016–
1017 (Pa.Super. 2004) (citation omitted).
Further, one of the purposes of the Juvenile Act is to
hold children accountable for their behavior.
Accordingly, the Juvenile Act authorizes the court to
“order[ ] payment by the child of reasonable amounts of
money as fines, costs or restitution as deemed
appropriate as part of the plan of rehabilitation
concerning the nature of the acts committed and the
earning capacity of the child.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6352,
Disposition of delinquent child, (a) General rule.-(5).
Consistent with the protection of the public interest and
the community, the rehabilitative purpose of
the Juvenile Act is attained through accountability and
the development of personal qualities that will enable
the juvenile offender to become a responsible and
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productive member of the community. Thus, the policies
underlying the Juvenile Act and its restitution provision,
as well as the plain language of Section 6352, serve to
invest the juvenile court with a broad measure of
discretion to apportion responsibility for damages based
upon the nature of the delinquent act and the earning
capacity of the juvenile. In re M.W., 555 Pa. 505, 512–
513, 725 A.2d 729, 732–733 (1999).
Appeal of B.T.C., 868 A.2d 1203, 1204–1205 (Pa.Super.2005).
In reviewing an order of restitution, discretion is abused where
the order is speculative or excessive or lacks support in the
record. In Interest of Dublinski, 695 A.2d 827, 829
(Pa.Super.1997). . . .
Commonwealth v. B.D.G., 959 A.2d 362, 366–67 (Pa.Super. 2008) (en
banc).
Unlike restitution imposed in connection with probation, under Section
6352(a)(5) and the underlying policies of the Juvenile Act, the juvenile court
is invested “with a broad measure of discretion to apportion responsibility for
damages based upon the nature of the delinquent act and the earning capacity
of the juvenile.” Appeal of B.T.C., 868 A.2d at 1205 (citation omitted).
Moreover,
[I]n fashioning a restitution award the juvenile court must
consider the following four factors: “(1) [t]he amount of loss
suffered by the victim; (2) [t]he fact that defendant's action
caused the injury; (3) [t]he amount awarded does not exceed
defendant's ability to pay; [and] (4) [t]he type of payment that
will best serve the needs of the victim and the capabilities of the
defendant.”
B.D.G., 959 A.2d at 367 (“Dublinksi factors”) (quoting In Interest of
Dublinski, 695 A.2d 827, 829 (Pa.Super. 1997)). In considering the second
factor, the juvenile court may engage in a “but for” analysis, i.e., “[the
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juvenile] will be liable for restitution for all damages which would not have
occurred but for [the juvenile's] criminal conduct.” B.D.G., 959 A.2d at 367(quoting Dublinski, 695 A.2d at 830).
Initially, we must determine whether C.J.S. is entitled to relief from the
Order entered on June 23, 2021, which upheld the restitution award previously
issued by Judge Pierantoni in the Order of July 1, 2019. The juvenile court
found that review of all claims presented herein is from that original
Dispositional Order. In doing so, the court reasons that in filing the instant
appeal, C.J.S. “is attempting to have a ‘second bite of the apple’ because he
is attempting to relitigate the same issues before this [c]ourt which were
previously addressed by a prior [c]ourt.” Memorandum Issued Pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), filed 8/27/21 at 6. The juvenile court further states:
A previous Court Order, entered on July 1, 2019, determined the
juvenile’s restitution. No appeal was filed to that Order by the
Juvenile. Two years later, the juvenile attempted to re-litigate the
same issue before this [c]ourt. There were no new rulings
imposed upon the juvenile by the [c]ourt between July 1, 2019
and the date of the review hearing. In In the matter of R.B., 765
A.2d 396 (Pa. Super. 2000), R.B. was adjudicated delinquent and
placed at the Alternative Rehabilitation Communities, Inc.
(ARC)[.] Following a review hearing, the trial court ordered
continued placement for the juvenile at ARC and ordered the
juvenile to submit to a medical evaluation at Johns Hopkins. The
Superior Court in In the matter of R.B., held that the review order
was appealable due to the additional requirement of a medical
evaluation ordered by the trial court which modified the original
dispositional Order. Id. at 400.
In the case at bar, the original dispositional order was
entered on July 1, 2019. The Review Order entered by the [c]ourt
on June 29, 2021 did not impose any additional requirement upon
the Juvenile which was not already entered by the original
dispositional Order. The original dispositional order directed the
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juvenile, C.J.S., to make restitution in the sum of $40,140.00
through an installment plan in accordance with title 42 Pa. C.S.A.
§6352(a)(5) and §9728(a). Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.A. §6352
(a)(5), the court has authority to maintain jurisdiction over the
child until the restitution is paid in full or the child turns twenty-
one (21) years old. In the event the child turns 21 prior to
satisfying the restitution debt, any unpaid amount may be
collected by the court under section §9728(a). The Juvenile was
aware at the time that the original dispositional Order was entered
that in the event the amount of restitution entered by the [c]ourt
was not yet paid in full when he turns twenty-one (21) years of
age, then the remaining unpaid amount would be collected by the
[c]ourt. In fact, the juvenile entered into a written stipulation with
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 29, 2019 stating in
paragraph 16 of the stipulation as follows: “The issue of Ordered
restitution in a Juvenile proceeding is controlled by the Juvenile
Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A.§6362....”
Furthermore, at the time the juvenile signed a Stipulation
for Restitution on May 29, 2019, the juvenile maintained that upon
completing his undergraduate degree in May of 2022, he believed
that he will have a student loan in the amount of $80,000.00 and
an additional $10,000.00 student loan for his post graduate
degree. (see Stipulation for Restitution hearing, May 29, 2019,
paragraph 19 (M) & (N)). This further confirms that when the
[c]ourt entered its Order on July 1, 2019, the juvenile was fully
aware that he would have outstanding loans upon graduation, yet
he still did not appeal the [c]ourt’s Order of July 1, 2019. The
[c]ourt in its original Order on July 1, 2019 also considered the
juvenile's potential college loans in the amount of $80,000.00; the
cost of the juvenile’s room and board in the amount of $20,000.00
for one year; and the cost of $10,000.00 for the juvenile's post-
graduate academic program. (See page 6-7 of the [c]ourt’s Order
and opinion entered on July 1, 2019).
On June 22, 2021, C.J.S. filed a Motion for Dispositional
Review requesting that the court waive the restitution amount
owed by the juvenile in an amount of $35,150.00. On June 29,
2021, this court denied C.J.S.’s motion to waive restitution and
terminate probation and maintained the original dispositional
order requiring that the juvenile shall remain on probation subject
to administrative supervision until his 21st birthday. This [c]ourt
finds that the dispositional order is not appealable pursuant to the
cases of In the Interest of M.D. and In the Matter of R.B. since no
additional requirements were ordered in the dispositional review
Order separate and apart from the original dispositional order.
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Id. at 6-8. Following our review, we agree in part.
C.J.S. entered an admission and had disposition on September 12,
2018, but a restitution Order was not entered until July 1, 2019.
Notwithstanding Appellant’s allegations, after hearing the testimony of C.J.S.,
his mother, and G.D.C.’s father, Judge Rogers never determined she did not
have the authority to waive or reduce the amount of restitution Judge
Pierantoni had ordered. To the contrary, Judge Rogers held that she was
“definitely going to maintain that ruling” upon noting that “Judge Pierantoni’s
opinion was attached as an exhibit, and I’ve reviewed it. I adopt the
reasonings held in Judge Pierantoni’s opinion.” N.T., 6/22/21, at 41.
“In juvenile proceedings, the final order from which a direct appeal may
be taken is the order of disposition, entered after the juvenile is adjudicated
delinquent.” Commonwealth v. S.F., 912 A.2d 887, 889 (Pa.Super. 2006)
(unnecessary capitalization omitted). In juvenile court, post-
dispositional motions are optional, but if they are filed, they must be filed
within ten days of the dispositional order. Pa.R.J.C.P. 620(A)(1), (B)(1).
If, as is the case herein, a juvenile does not file a timely post-
dispositional motion he or she must file a notice of appeal within thirty days
of the date of entry of the dispositional order.” Pa.R.J.C.P. 620(B)(3). C.J.S.
did not file a notice of appeal within thirty days of the final July 1, 2019, Order,
rendering his attempt to challenge the terms of that Order nearly two years
later untimely.
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In addition, in In re M.D., 839 A.2d at 1121 this Court held that “a
committed juvenile does not have the right to appeal from a review order that
continues his commitment in the same manner and place and that maintains
the status quo.” As the juvenile court states, the June 23, 2021, Order
maintained the status quo and did not impose any additional conditions upon
C.J.S. As was repeatedly stated at the June 22, 2021, hearing, the amount
owed was determined by the Honorable Fred A. J Pierantoni, III. Id. at 28-
31. The June 23, 2021, Order acknowledged that the previously ordered
restitution in the amount of $35,150.00 remained in effect and that a credit
for community service had already been subtracted.
Thus, we find that because C.J.S. did not file a timely appeal following
the July 1, 2019, Order, and the June 23, 2021, Order did not modify the
requirements previously set forth in that final Order of disposition, his appeal
from the June 23, 2021, Order should be quashed.
However, C.J.S.’s appeal from the June 30, 2021, Dispositional Review
Order arose after C.J.S. sought a waiver of the outstanding restitution amount
and the termination of his probation. Thus, we find this is an appeal from a
determination separate from the July 1, 2019, Order, as it required the
juvenile court to make a new determination regarding the ending of his
probation and the need for C.J.S. to make restitution payments going forward.
As such, we next turn to a review of the merits of that appeal.
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C.J.S. argues he is entitled to relief from the “Final Restitution Order”
because the restitution balance does not serve a rehabilitative purpose, is
unreasonable, exceeds his earning capacity and the actual damages sustained
by the victim, and violates his constitutional right to due process and equal
protection of the law. Brief for C.L.S. at 17-19; 21-49.
C.J.S. also maintains he had been deprived of his statutory and
constitutional rights to meaningful review at the dispositional review hearing
because the juvenile court concluded it could not modify the restitution award,
“continually blocked C.J.S.’s trial counsel from developing arguments about
the restitution amount,” and declined to consider the arguments counsel did
present. Id. at 26-32. C.J.S. purports the restitution serves no rehabilitative
goal and, instead, only punishes him going forward because it fails to consider
his earning capacity as the child he had been when he was under the juvenile
court’s jurisdiction. Id. at 32-38.
C.J.S. further contends he is being treated more harshly than a similarly
situated, affluent juvenile due to his inability to pay the full restitution, in
violation of his equal protection and due process rights under both the United
States and Pennsylvania Constitutions. Id. at 39-45. C.J.S. concludes that
the restitution he has been ordered to pay violates the excessive fines clause
under both the federal and state constitutions. Id. at 46-49. In doing so,
C.J.S. reasons that:
Here the $35,150 Final Restitution Order is grossly
disproportional to C.J.S.’s ability to pay. The record shows he is
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an unemployed full-time college student with five figures of
student loan debt, and there is no basis in the record to presume
that he was able to pay any more than the approximately $2,390
in good faith payments he has made over the past two years....
At the same time, the order and resulting collections activity will
make it more difficult for him to continue obtaining an education
and gainful employment, worsening the harm and increasing the
disproportionality. The record is clear that this punitive obligation
exceeded C.J.S.’s ability to pay, and nothing in the record
contradicts C.J.S.’s argument that the Final Restitution Order was
unconstitutionality excessive.
Id. at 49 (citations to the record omitted). We find C.J.S.’s claims are belied
by the record.
It is apparent from a review of the Restitution Hearing testimony, the
juvenile court’s own statements on the record, and the analysis set forth in its
Rule 1925(a) Memorandum that the juvenile court carefully considered all of
the Dublinski factors in ordering C.J.S. to pay the remaining balance of his
restitution.2 Such considerations include, inter alia, the nature of C.J.S’s acts
and his earning capacity. See also 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6352(a)(5). As the juvenile
court explained:
On June 22, 2021, at the Dispositional Review Hearing,
Esperanza Gonzalez, the Luzerne County juvenile probation
officer, testified that the juvenile had successfully completed the
probation conditions to transfer to administrative probation on
January 31, 2019. N.T. 6/22/21, at 3-6. Ms. Gonzalez testified
that the juvenile was twenty (20) years old at the time of the
hearing and would be turning twenty-one (21) on July 8, 2021.
Id. at 5.
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2The juvenile court provided an analysis of the merits of C.J.S.’s issues raised
on appeal in the event that this Court determined the Dispositional Review
Order is appealable. See Memorandum Issued Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)
at 9.
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Ms. Gonzalez testified that the juvenile currently had paid
$3,990.00 towards restitution. He also “paid” an additional
$1,000.00 which is currently pending for credit through
community service. Once the $1,000.00 payment would be
credited, the juvenile’s balance due would be $35,150.00
Ms. Gonzalez testified that once the juvenile turns
twenty-one (21), the balance owed would be forwarded to the
collection department. The collection department would then file
the judgment against the juvenile. Id. at 7-8. Ms. Gonzalez
testified that the juvenile and his mother indicated to her that they
do not have the funds to pay off $36,000.00. Ms. Gonzalez
indicated that the juvenile would be commencing his senior year
at Drexel University in the Fall of 2021. Ms. Gonzalez testified that
a civil judgment may hamper the juvenile's ability to continue to
collect student loans and financial aid. Id. at 12.
Ms. Allison Stemko, the juvenile's mother, testified that
the juvenile would not be able to pay the balance owed of
36,150.00 prior to turning twenty-one (21). Mother indicated that
the juvenile had approximately $40,000.00 in student loans. The
Juvenile’s mother indicated that the juvenile had applied for an
excellent accelerated Master’s program in which he would be able
to graduate in June 2023 with a Master’s degree in psychology.
Id. at 13-14. The juvenile’s mother testified that she helped her
son make some payments toward his college loans between the
amount of one hundred to two hundred dollars ($100.00-$200.00)
per month. Id. at 14. The juvenile’s mother further stated that in
the event her son did not receive the financial aid from Drexel in
light of the judgment against him, he would not be able to finish
his college degree. Id. at 15-16.
The juvenile’s mother testified on cross-examination that
her son is intelligent and that a degree in psychology would be a
very good profession to have. Id. at 18. The juvenile testified he’s
concerned that he would not be able to pay the amount of
$36,150.00. The juvenile confirmed that he applied for a Master’s
program which he would complete in one year. The juvenile
further indicated that his long-term goal is to enter into a
doctorate program. He stated that he may not be able to enter
into a doctorate program in the event he had to continue paying
the amount of money owed through restitution. Id. at 20-21.
Mr. Gerard J. Catina testified that he is the father of the
victim, G.D.C., who incurred serious injuries after being ejected
from the subject vehicle. According to Mr. Catina, his son had to
make “out of pocket” payments for hospital bills and medical bills.
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Id. at 22-23. Mr. Catina testified that both he and his wife had
been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of
their son’s accident. Mr. Catina also stated that he was required
to be on medication in order to address the posttraumatic stress
disorder. Mr. Catina testified that he is not agreeing for the
juvenile’s restitution fees to be waived. Mr. Catina testified that
he is not looking to receive the restitution amount of $36,000.00
“up front”. He stated that he would be agreeable for the payment
plan to operate over a ten-year period. He indicated that he just
wanted his son to be reimbursed for what he paid out of pocket.
Id. 23-24. Mr. Catina testified that his son’s friend also died as a
result of the juvenile’s actions. Mr. Catina indicated that he spent
$30,000.00 on attorney’s fees and he was not asking for
reimbursement for that fee. Id. at 24.
Mr. Catina admitted that he had a civil lawsuit against the
juvenile and that he settled for $124,750.00 which was paid back
to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Mr. Catina indicated that even though
some money was paid from the settlement toward Blue Cross Blue
Shield, in addition to the attorney’s fees, his family still paid out-
of-pocket expenses. Id. at 25-26.
This court finds that a civil lawsuit is separate and apart
from a restitution fee in a criminal case. Judge Pierantoni already
made a ruling on the restitution fee in the original order. This court
indicated at the hearing that any civil action amounts in the case
are not relevant to Judge Pierantoni’s ruling pertaining to the
restitution order.
In Commonwealth v. B.D.G., 959 A.2d 362 (Pa.Super.
2008) the Superior Court held that money the victims receive from
a civil settlement has no bearing on the [c]ourt’s restitution Order.
The Superior Court relied on the case of Commonwealth vs. Kerr,
298 Pa. Super. vs. [sic] 257, 444 A2d 758 (1982), which held as
follows:
An order of restitution is not an award of damages.
While the order aids the victim, its true purpose and the
reason for its imposition, is the rehabilitative goal it
serves by impressing upon the offender the loss he has
caused and his responsibility to repair the loss as far as
it is possible to do so. Id. 444 A.2d at 760.
Furthermore, in Kerr, the Superior court held that the
issue of the insurance company’s right of subrogation does not
have any impact on the validity of the Restitution Order. The court
in Kerr held that the juvenile’s claim that the order of restitution
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was unlawful because it was duplicative of monies already paid to
the victim’s family through a civil settlement did not have any
merit. Id. at 760-61.
As mentioned above, the Juvenile and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania entered into a written stipulation
on May 29, 2019. In the Stipulation, more specifically, paragraph
16, the parties agreed that in addition to the issue of Court
Ordered restitution being controlled by the Juvenile Act, 42
Pa.C.S.A. §6362, the court should apply the analysis of the
Superior Court in Commonwealth v. B.D.G., 959 A.2d 362 (Pa.
Super.2008) in order to determine the amount of restitution.
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. B. D. G., 959
A.2d 362, 366 (Pa.Super. 2008), the Superior Court held that the
Juvenile Act permits the courts to have a broad discretion in
determining an appropriate disposition. Such disposition will not
be disturbed absent a manifest abuse of discretion. Title 42 Pa.
C.S. §6352 states that the purpose of the Juvenile Act is for the
youth to be held accountable for their behavior thereby
authorizing the court to enter an order of restitution as part of the
plan of rehabilitation. Holding the juvenile accountable for his
offenses enables the juvenile to become a responsible and
productive member of the community.
In B.D.G. a seventeen (17) year old was driving a vehicle
when he approached another vehicle traveling ahead of him. The
juvenile attempted to pass the vehicle by crossing over the double
yellow line in a no passing zone when he collided head on with an
oncoming vehicle. The driver from the other vehicle died as a
result of her injuries and her mother and family friend incurred
serious injuries. The appellant entered into a plea agreement and
was adjudicated delinquent after admitting to three counts of
recklessly endangering another person. Appellant was also
ordered to be placed in service agency for twenty-nine (29) days,
completed 100 hours of community service, wrote a note of
apology to the victims, [and] had his license suspended for a
minimum of 18 months. Restitution to the victims was to be
determined at a later date. One of the passengers suffered serious
injuries which required hospitalization after the accident and
resulted in substantial medical bills. The Department of Public
Welfare (DPW) paid for the majority of her bills and placed a lien
upon any civil recovery that she may receive. The passenger
received $100,000.00 in civil settlement and was required to pay
$26,635.00 to DPW, in addition to paying her attorney’s fees and
additional unpaid medical bills in the amount of $2,804.00.
Appellant indicated that he was accepted to the University of
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Scranton and needed to receive student loans. Appellant believed
that he would not be granted the loans in the event he was
ordered to pay restitution by the court. Id. at 365. The trial court
entered an order directing the Appellant to pay restitution to the
injured passenger in the amount of $29439.00 (the amount of
reimbursement to DPW plus the amount of post-settlement
medical expenses).
In B.D.G., the first issue before the Court was whether
the trial court erred in awarding restitution and not taking into
account the juvenile’s earning capacity, the rehabilitative needs,
the nature of the offense, and the victim’s current circumstances.
The second issue in the case was whether the trial court erred in
determining civil liability and/or securing satisfaction of civil
damages in awarding an excess of $29,000.00 against the
juvenile. 959 A.2d 362 (Pa.Super. 2008). The Superior Court, in
relying on In Interest of Dublinski, 695 A.2d 827, 829 (Pa.Super.
1997), held that in determining a restitution award, the Juvenile
Court must consider four factors:
1. The amount of loss suffered by the victim;
2. The fact that defendant’s actions caused the injury;
3. The amount awarded not exceeding defendant's
ability to pay; and
4. The type of payment that would best serve the needs
of the victim and the capabilities of the defendant.
B.D.G., 969 A.2d 362 (Pa.Super. 2008)
In addressing the amount of loss suffered by the victim,
the Superior Court in B.D.G. determined the injured passenger’s
loss and expenses, (Payment of $26,650.00 to the Department of
Public Welfare (DPW) plus $2,804.00 in unpaid bills, all of which
were paid from her $100,000.00 civil settlement.) 959 A.2d 362,
365. Similarly, in the case at bar, the injured passenger’s family
had paid $33,682.00 toward a Blue Cross Subrogation Lien and
$6,458.00 to the Victim’s Compensation Assistance Program
(VCAP) from the settlement proceeds.
In addressing the second factor with respect to the
defendant’s action causing the injury, a “but for” analysis was
applied. But for the juvenile’s criminal action, the passenger would
not have suffered her injuries. Similarly, in the case a bar, “but
for” the juvenile's criminal action, the minor child, G.D.C. would
not have suffered serious injuries.
In addressing the third factor, the amount awarded was
not to exceed the defendant’s ability to pay. The Superior Court
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examined the juvenile’s earning capacity by considering the
juvenile’s mental ability, maturity, education, past employment;
the juvenile’s likelihood of future employment to reasonably
satisfy the restitution obligation; the impact the restitution award
would have on the juvenile’s ability to obtain higher education
thereby increasing the juvenile’s earning capacity; and the
juvenile’s present ability to make the restitution payment. Id. at
367-368.
The appellant in the B.D.G. matter argued that his
earning capacity was only at minimum wage and that he may
never be successfully employed due to his ongoing therapy and
counseling. The appellant further argued that he may be ineligible
to receive student aid in the event there was a restitution
judgment against him and then he would not be able to attend
college. The appellant, therefore, argued that the restitution
amount awarded by the court exceeded his ability to pay. Id. at
368. The Superior Court, however, did not agree with appellant's
contentions. The Court noted that due to the appellant's actions,
he had caused the death of one individual and caused severe
injuries to others. The Superior Court emphasized that the
juvenile must be made to understand his responsibility for these
terrible events. The Superior Court explained that the restitution
award would help the juvenile appreciate his actions under the
rehabilitative approach. Despite the juvenile’s position that he was
not employed at the moment, the court found the juvenile to be
physically able to work. Furthermore, the [C]ourt noted that since
the accident, the juvenile worked as a lifeguard, in addition to
participating in his high school track team. The [C]ourt also noted
that even if the restitution award would decrease the juvenile
offender’s earning capacity by hindering his ability to attend
college, the Court may still enter an order of restitution in these
situations. According to the [C]ourt, even in the event the juvenile
did not have a college degree and pursued a minimum wage job,
he would be able to make restitution in a timely fashion. Id. at
369. The Superior Court in Commonwealth v. Wood, 446 A.2d
948, 949 (Pa.Super. 1982) held that in order for the perpetrator
to serve a true rehabilitative purpose of restitution to the victims,
the perpetrator may have to make significant sacrifices to
accomplish the task.
In the case [at] bar, the juvenile argued that it had been
two years since the entry of the civil settlement. The juvenile
testified that he had paid $3,890.00 from the balance of the
restitution. The juvenile maintained that he was still a college
student at Drexel University and had incurred a substantial
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student loan debt. The juvenile contended that the restitution
award entered by the court in the amount of $35,150.00 had
exceeded the juvenile’s ability to pay and is contrary to the
purpose of the Juvenile Act. This [c]ourt, however, finds that the
juvenile, C.J.S., is in a much better position to pay the restitution
award than the juvenile in the B.D.G. case. In the present case,
C.J.S. is already a full-time student at Drexel University who’s
[sic] grade point average was 3.82 at the end of his second
semester. Further, the juvenile is majoring in psychology and is
expected to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in psychology in
the spring of 2022 followed by a Master’s degree and a doctorate
degree in psychology. The juvenile also participated in a work-
study program at Drexel University in which he earned
approximately $2,000.00 in 2019. The Juvenile also secured a job
as a waiter earning five ($5.00) dollars per hour plus tips.
The [c]ourt finds that with the juvenile earning at least a
Bachelor’s degree and quite possibly a Master’s degree in
psychology would place the juvenile in a position to have a higher
earning capacity in which he would be able to repay the restitution
award ordered by the court. The [c]ourt is cognizant that the
juvenile is still in college; however, the [c]ourt finds that once
C.J.S. is gainfully employed following his graduation from college,
he will be in a better position to make a higher payment toward
the restitution award. The victim's father, Mr. Catina, testified that
he was not expecting C.J.S. to pay the restitution award overnight
and was willing to accept payment overtime [sic]. The Superior
Court, in the B.D.G. case noted as follows:
Appellant makes much of his claim that he has no
present ability to pay; such a circumstance is the norm
when dealing with a juvenile and cannot serve as a
disqualifying factor or else the court’s ability to award
restitution would cease to exist in the vast majority of
the cases.... Id. at 369.
The fourth factor to address is the type of payment that
will best serve the needs of the victim and the capabilities of the
juvenile. The Superior [C]ourt noted in B.D.G. that should the
court determine that the juvenile had no present ability to pay
restitution, then the court may defer the payment until an
appropriate time in the future. Id. at 366. In the case at bar, the
Restitution Order was deferred and the sum of $40,140.00 was
ordered to be paid through an installment plan in accordance with
42 Pa. C.S.A. and section 6352(a)(5) and section 9728(a).
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According to Section 6352(a)(5), probation would terminate on
his 21st birthday and then a judgment would be filed on the
remaining balance. The victim’s father further testified that he was
willing to accept payment from the juvenile over time.
Memorandum Issued Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P., filed 8/27/21, at 9-17.
At the conclusion of testimony at the Restitution Hearing, C.J.S.’s
counsel presented extensive argument in support of waiving the outstanding
restitution amount. N.T., 6/22/21, at 33-41. Following argument from
opposing counsel, the juvenile court addressed C.J.S. personally as it rendered
its decision. The court praised C.J.S. for pursuing his education and indicated
it admired his resolve, perseverance, and his triumph in realizing success in
his life. Id. at 46. The court also reminded C.J.S. of the tragedy the Catina
family has suffered and explained the family was owed a debt that the court
did not find to be unaffordable. Id. at 47. The court observed:
I don’t find there to be an unaffordable debt here. I find
there would be a debt. I find there to be a debt that,
unfortunately, most college students graduate with, and they
must make monthly payments toward and they must carve away
at. And often those debts are not paid off until one reaches their
40’s. But they pay.
We’re not talking about damage to a building or a motor
vehicle here. I think somehow while we certainly acknowledge
that the damage has an impact upon the livelihood or a family’s
lifestyle, it is not a human being, and we’re addressing an act upon
a human being here today.
I have full confidence in the fact that the goal of the Juvenile
Act is going to be achieved through [C.J.S.]. I have full confidence
that he is and will continue to be a responsible and productive
member of society. I have full confidence in his ability to achieve
the goals that he has set out for himself. But in fulfilling the goals
of the Juvenile Act and fulfilling the goals of restitution, I must
acknowledge that restitution is part of the overall goal of
apportionment of responsibility and accountability.
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And I’m going to make a statement that it would be my best
estimation that the Catina family would much prefer to have a
debt for their child relating to education as opposed to injury. And
so I hope I’ve explained myself fully. I hope everyone
understands my motives in rendering this decision and that will
be the disposition today.
Id. at 47-48.
While C.J.S. posits the juvenile court abused its discretion in failing to
waive or reduce his restitution at the final dispositional review hearing, as was
the case in B.D.G., Appellant’s true argument herein is not that the juvenile
court failed to consider the requisite factors but rather that it “failed to accept
his self-serving assessment of his situation and weigh the evidence in his
favor.” B.D.G., 959 A.2d at 368.
C.J.S. urges that his remaining restitution balance should be expunged
in light of his good faith efforts to make payments thus far. However, to do
so would set a dangerous precedent that a juvenile who makes partial
payments toward an ordered restitution amount should be excused from
remitting the balance owed when he or she reaches the age of majority. As
the juvenile court carefully articulated, the apportionment of responsibility is
an integral goal of the Juvenile Act. In requiring C.J.S. to pay his debt in full,
the juvenile court did not punish him, but, rather, it furthered the underlying
policies of the Juvenile Act to apportion responsibility for damages.
As the above block quotations evince, the juvenile court carefully
considered the concerns of C.J.S. and his family, as well as those of G.D.C.’s
family. In balancing those considerations, the court concluded that the
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restitution award ordered on July 1, 2019, was appropriate; finding no abuse
of discretion, this Court will not disturb that disposition. In re R.D.R., 876
A.2d 1009, 1013 (Pa.Super. 1013); see also Commonwealth v. Williams,
241 A.3d 1094, 1101 (Pa.Super. 2020) (stating “[a]buse of discretion
is not merely an error of judgment [but is established only where] the
judgment is manifestly unreasonable or where the law is not applied or where
the record shows that the action is a result of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill
will.”).
With regard to Appellant’s argument that the restitution award imposes
an excessive fine in violation of the Excessive Fines Clauses of the United
States and Pennsylvania Constitutions,3 we begin our analysis with a
consideration of our recent decision in Commonwealth v. May, 271 A.3d
475 (Pa.Super. 2022). Therein, we explained:
Whether a fine is excessive under our Constitution is a
question of law, therefore our standard of review is de novo and
our scope of review is plenary. See Commonwealth v.
Eisenberg, 626 Pa. 512, 98 A.3d 1268, 1279 (2014). The Eighth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that “[e]xcessive
bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.” U.S. CONST., Amend. VIII.
The protections provided by Article I, Section 13 of the
Pennsylvania Constitution are coextensive with those provided by
the Eighth Amendment.2 See Commonwealth v. 5444 Spruce
Street, Philadelphia, 574 Pa. 423, 832 A.2d 396, 399 (2003).
____________________________________________
3The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, § 13
of the Pennsylvania Constitution provide: “Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishments inflicted.”
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In addressing Appellant's argument, we are guided
by Eisenberg, which instructs us to consider whether the fine
imposed was reasonably proportionate to the crime it criminalizes.
In Eisenberg, our Supreme Court determined that a mandatory
minimum fine of $75,000 for a conviction of a first-degree
misdemeanor theft from a casino of $200 was an excessive fine in
violation of Article I, Section 13 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
In conducting its proportionality analysis, the Court was
persuaded by the fact that: (1) the amount owed was 375 times
the amount of the theft; (2) the Crimes Code equivalent of the
appellant's offense – a first degree misdemeanor – would have
been $10,000; (3) the maximum fine imposable under the Crimes
Code was $50,000, which would be for a murder or attempted
murder conviction, and (4) the fine would exhaust five years of
pre-tax income for a minimum wage worker, “effectively
pauperiz[ing] a defendant for a single act.” Id. at 1286.
The Eisenberg court also distinguished its holding from cases
where the fine is “tailored, scaled, and in the strictest sense
calculated to their offenses”, as follows:
In [Commonwealth v.] Church, [513 Pa. 534, 522
A.2d 30 (1987),] overweight vehicles were fined on a
sliding scale per pound over the weight limit.
In Eckhart [v. Department of Agriculture, 8 A.3d
401 (Pa.Cmwlth. 2010)], the appellant kennel operator
had committed numerous infractions incurring a fine
amount in excess of $150,000 based on a $100–
$500 per dog/per day penalty scheme, $15,000 of
which appellant claimed was excessive in light of
perceived triviality of the offense. In
[Commonwealth v.] CSX [Transportation, Inc., 653
A.2d 1327 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1995),] the appellant's train car
leaked enough corn syrup into the Youghiogheny River
to kill approximately 10,000 fish, and thus appellant
incurred a roughly $100,000 fine, based on a $10 per
fish calculation.
Id. at 1287 n.24 (emphasis in original).
Id. at 484–85.
Herein, the June 30, 2021, Order was imposed as part of the disposition
following an adjudication of delinquency, and C.J.S. argues it will expose him
“to an array of punitive adult criminal collections activities when the victim
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has already been fully compensated for economic loss.” Brief for C.J.S. at 47.
However, as both C.J.S. and the Commonwealth acknowledge, neither the
United States Supreme Court nor the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has
explicitly addressed the application of the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth
Amendment to restitution orders. Indeed, this Court has stated:
Pennsylvania specifically authorizes restitution for any crime where
“the victim suffered personal injury directly resulting from the crime
...,” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 1106(a), and provides that “[t]he court shall
order full restitution: (i)[r]egardless of the current financial
resources of the defendant, so as to provide the victim with the
fullest compensation for the loss,” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 1106(c)(1)(i).
Moreover, Pennsylvania law indicates that in determining the
amount of restitution the court “[s]hall consider the extent of injury
suffered by the victim....,” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 1106(c)(2)(i), and defines
“personal injury” as “[a]ctual bodily harm, including pregnancy,
directly resulting from the crime,” 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 1106(h).
Commonwealth v. Oree, 911 A.2d 169, 173–74 (Pa.Super. 2006). In
finding no merit to the appellant’s claim that the trial court’s imposition of
restitution was unconstitutional because it would take him a lifetime to repay
it, the Oree Court reasoned as follows:
Appellant does not cite, nor are we aware of, any authority for his
claim that ordering an amount of restitution which may take him
a lifetime to pay is per se cruel and unusual punishment. While we
do not doubt Appellant's assertion that he may be making
restitution payments for the balance of his lifetime since he
currently earns only $2,500.00 per month as a machine operator,
we will not make the sweeping pronouncement he seeks. We hold
that the trial court’s imposition of restitution does not
constitute per se cruel and unusual punishment simply because it
may take Appellant a lifetime to pay. As indicated supra, we
conclude the trial court properly exercised its authority and did
not impose restitution which was disproportionate to the injuries
caused by Appellant.
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Id. at 174–75.
In light of the foregoing, even if the Eighth Amendment were explicitly
applicable to restitution orders, we would find that the juvenile court herein
engaged in the type of analysis required by Mays, supra. In doing so, the
court carefully applied the Dublinski factors prior to finding the restitution
award to be proper. See supra.
Although C.J.S. argues his constitutional rights were violated when he
was excessively punished due to his inability to pay the balance of his
restitution, the testimony at the Restitution Hearing revealed that he has been
able to make some payments reducing the debt while attending college, and
he intends to work in a professional capacity after receiving a post-graduate
degree. Ms. Stemko’s concerns for her son’s future and C.J.S.’s own worries
are certainly understandable; however, critically, the Catina family is aware
that the full balance may not be paid off for eighteen years and is willing to
wait to receive the entire payment.
Based on the record, the amount of restitution imposed by the juvenile
court fairly holds C.J.S. accountable for his actual conduct. See B.T.C., supra
(citing 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6352). Accordingly, we discern no abuse of discretion
in the amount of restitution imposed.
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Order entered June 30, 2021, affirmed.4
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 10/11/2022
____________________________________________
4 An appellate court may affirm the decision of a trial court when it is correct
on any basis, regardless of the basis upon which the trial court relied.
See Commonwealth v. Priovolos, 746 A.2d 621, 626 n.6 (Pa.Super. 2000)
(citation omitted).
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