State v. Webb , 2014 SD 79 ( 2014 )

#26983-a-LSW
2014 S.D. 79
IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
****
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Plaintiff and Appellee,
v.
FRANKIE LEE WEBB, Defendant and Appellant.
****
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
****
THE HONORABLE JOSEPH NEILES
Judge
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MARTY J. JACKLEY
Attorney General
JOHN M. STROHMAN
Assistant Attorney General
Pierre, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiff
and appellee.
MOLLY C. QUINN
Office of the Minnehaha County
Public Defender
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorneys for defendant
and appellant.
****
CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
ON OCTOBER 6, 2014
OPINION FILED 11/05/14
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WILBUR, Justice
[¶1.] Frankie Webb pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug or
substance. The circuit court sentenced Webb to five years in prison with two years
suspended. One of the conditions of the suspended sentence was that Webb pay a
$10,000 fine. Webb appeals and argues that the $10,000 fine was grossly
disproportionate to the offense in violation of the Eighth Amendment. We affirm.
Background
[¶2.] On September 30, 2013, law enforcement received notification that an
individual by the name of Frankie Webb was selling illegal drugs near The
Banquet 1 in Sioux Falls. Law enforcement located Webb at The Banquet. Webb
consented to a search of his person, his car, and his cell phone. The police found a
pill bottle with Webb’s name on it that contained three bags of marijuana, seven
hydrocodone pills, and ten alprazolam pills. A search of Webb’s cell phone revealed
that he was engaged in buying and selling drugs. Law enforcement subsequently
arrested Webb.
[¶3.] Webb was on parole at the time of his arrest. He indicated that he was
currently living at the Union Gospel Mission—a homeless shelter—and had recently
been approved for Social Security disability benefits. Webb further indicated that
he owned a recently-purchased vehicle. The record, however, is silent as to the
value of the vehicle and whether he owned any other assets.
1. The Banquet is a facility that provides meals to those in need.
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[¶4.] The State filed an indictment charging Webb with two counts of
possession of a controlled drug or substance, possession of two ounces or less of
marijuana, and possession of or use of drug paraphernalia. SDCL 22-42-5; SDCL
22-42-6; SDCL 22-42A-3. Webb had three prior felony convictions at the time of his
arrest—possession of a controlled substance in 2006, aggravated burglary in 2002,
and distribution of crack cocaine in 1999. Because of these prior convictions, the
State filed a Part II habitual offender information.
[¶5.] Webb entered into a plea agreement whereby he agreed to plead guilty
to possession of a controlled drug or substance—to wit Hydrocodone—which is
classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. A violation of this offense is a Class
5 felony and carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine of
$10,000. SDCL 22-42-5; SDCL 22-6-1. The State agreed to cap the sentence at
three years of imprisonment. The State further agreed to dismiss the other three
charges and the Part II information.
[¶6.] The circuit court conducted a plea and sentencing hearing. The court
noted that although the plea agreement contemplated three years imprisonment,
the court had discretion to sentence Webb to five years imprisonment and then
suspend two years; in addition, the court could impose the maximum fine of
$10,000. The court considered Webb’s criminal history and commented that, as an
habitual offender, Webb could have potentially faced up to life imprisonment or up
to fifteen years imprisonment. 2 The court then stated:
2. The parties disputed whether the aggravated burglary in 1999 constituted a
crime of violence. This determination would control whether Webb faced
(continued . . .)
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I find the conduct as described by the reporting party to be
pretty outrageous, and if all of that were true then the [S]tate
would have charged you with distribution, and I would have
sentenced you to the maximum possible sentence that I could
impose. It is not acceptable to the court under any
circumstances that someone distribute controlled substances in
our community. And if you do, then you are going to look at a
pretty substantial sentence. As it is, I have you here only on a
possession charge, which is obviously less serious. . . . [E]ven
though the [S]tate has dismissed the Part Two Information, I
am not going to ignore those prior felony convictions. I am still
entitled to take those into consideration.
The court sentenced Webb to five years of imprisonment with two years suspended
and fined him $10,000. The two suspended years of imprisonment were conditioned
on Webb paying the $10,000 fine. The court did not make a finding and the record
______________________________________
(. . . continued)
fifteen years imprisonment or lifetime imprisonment as an habitual offender.
Under SDCL 22-7-8:
If a defendant has been convicted of three or more felonies in
addition to the principal felony and one or more of the prior
felony convictions was for a crime of violence as defined in
subdivision 22-1-2(9), the sentence for the principal felony shall
be enhanced to the sentence for a Class C felony.
(Emphasis added). Alternatively, under SDCL 22-7-8.1, the statute provides
in pertinent part:
If a defendant has been convicted of three or more felonies in
addition to the principal felony and none of the prior felony
convictions was for a crime of violence . . . the sentence for the
principal felony shall be enhanced by two levels . . . .
Thus, under the Part II information, if Webb’s aggravated burglary was
deemed a crime of violence, then Webb’s principal felony would be enhanced
to a Class C felony. A Class C felony carries a maximum penalty of up to life
imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000. If Webb’s aggravated burglary was
not deemed a crime of violence, then Webb’s principal felony charge would be
enhanced to a Class 3 felony, which carries a maximum sentence of up to
fifteen years imprisonment and a fine of up to $30,000.
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is silent as to whether Webb had the ability to pay the fine. Webb appeals and
raises the following issue for our review:
[¶7.] Whether the $10,000 fine for possession of a controlled drug or
substance is grossly disproportionate in violation of the Eighth
Amendment prohibition on excessive fines.
Standard of Review
[¶8.] An alleged infringement of a constitutional right is an issue of law to
be reviewed under the de novo standard. State v. One 1995 Silver Jeep Grand
Cherokee, 2006 S.D. 29, ¶ 3, 712 N.W.2d 646, 649 (citing State v. Krahwinkel, 2002
S.D. 160, ¶ 13, 656 N.W.2d 451, 458). Under this standard, “no deference is given to
the circuit court’s determination, and the decision is fully reviewable by this Court.”
Id. (citing Thieman v. Bohman, 2002 S.D. 52, ¶ 10, 645 N.W.2d 260, 262).
Analysis
[¶9.] Webb argues that the $10,000 fine imposed by the circuit court
constituted an “excessive fine” in violation of the United States and South Dakota
Constitutions because the fine was grossly disproportionate to the offense
committed. Webb further argues that the circuit court inappropriately failed to
consider his ability to pay the fine. As a result, Webb requests that this Court
remand the case for a new sentencing hearing.
[¶10.] Both the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and
Article VI, § 23, of the South Dakota Constitution prohibit the imposition of
“excessive fines.” The purpose of the Excessive Fines Clause is to limit “the
government’s power to extract payments, whether in cash or in kind, as punishment
for some offense.” Austin v. United States, 509 U.S. 602, 609-10, 113 S. Ct. 2801,
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2805, 125 L. Ed. 2d 488 (1993) (emphasis omitted) (internal quotation marks
omitted). The Excessive Fines Clause “protects against fines that are grossly
disproportionate to the offense.” Krahwinkel, 2002 S.D. 160, ¶ 38, 656 N.W.2d at
464. A criminal fine is not grossly disproportionate if it bears “some relationship to
the gravity of the offense that it is designed to punish.” Id. The gross
disproportionality standard is only applicable in the “exceedingly rare and extreme
case.” Lockyer v. Andrade, 538 U.S. 63, 72, 123 S. Ct. 1166, 1173, 155 L. Ed. 2d 144
(2003) (internal quotation marks omitted).
[¶11.] This is the first instance in which we have addressed the Excessive
Fines Clause as it applies to a criminal fine. We have previously addressed the
Excessive Fines Clause as it applies to civil forfeitures and civil fines. See One 1995
Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2006 S.D. 29, 712 N.W.2d 646 (civil forfeiture);
Krahwinkel, 2002 S.D. 160, 656 N.W.2d 451 (civil fine). In One 1995 Silver Jeep
Grand Cherokee, we applied a two-pronged approach for assessing gross
disproportionality. 2006 S.D. 29, ¶ 5, 712 N.W.2d at 650 (citing United States v.
Dodge Caravan Grand SE, 387 F.3d 758, 763 (8th Cir. 2004)). “First, the claimant
must make a prima facie showing of gross disproportionality; and, second, if the
claimant can make such a showing, the court considers whether the
disproportionality reaches such a level of excessiveness that in justice the
punishment is more criminal than the crime.” Id. (internal quotation marks
omitted).
[¶12.] In order to make a prima facie showing of gross disproportionality, we
have said that, in the context of civil forfeitures and civil fines, particular attention
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must be given to a number of factors. See id. ¶ 8, 712 N.W.2d at 650; Krahwinkel,
2002 S.D. 160, 656 N.W.2d 451. Accordingly, we find it instructive to consider
certain factors in determining whether the $10,000 criminal fine in this case is
grossly disproportionate to the offense. The list of factors is not exhaustive and, “in
weighing these factors, mathematical exactitude in the analysis is not required.”
One 1995 Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2006 S.D. 29, ¶ 8, 712 N.W.2d at 650
(quoting In re Property Seized from Terrell, 639 N.W.2d 18, 21 (Iowa 2002))
(internal quotation marks omitted); see also Lockyer, 538 U.S. at 72, 123 S. Ct. at
1173 (acknowledging that the United States Supreme Court “cases exhibit a lack of
clarity regarding what factors may indicate gross disproportionality”).
[¶13.] One of the primary considerations for assessing gross
disproportionality should necessarily be the Legislature’s judgment about the
appropriate punishment for the offense. See One 1995 Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee,
2006 S.D. 29, ¶ 8, 712 N.W.2d at 651 (stating that “[c]riminal fines . . . reflect
judgments made by the legislature about the appropriate punishment for an
offense”); Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 71, 130 S. Ct. 2011, 2028, 176 L. Ed. 2d
825 (2010) (recognizing that “[c]riminal punishment can have different goals, and
choosing among them is within a legislature’s discretion”); United States v.
Bajakajian, 524 U.S. 321, 336, 118 S. Ct. 2028, 2037, 141 L. Ed. 2d 314 (1998)
(acknowledging that “judgments about the appropriate punishment for an offense
belong in the first instance to the legislature”); Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 290,
103 S. Ct. 3001, 3009, 77 L. Ed. 2d 637 (1983) (stating that “[r]eviewing courts . . .
should grant substantial deference to the broad authority that legislatures
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necessarily possess in determining the types and limits of punishments for crimes”).
This consideration, however, is not dispositive because a fine that falls within the
statutory limits may still violate the Eighth Amendment and South Dakota
Constitution’s prohibition of grossly disproportionate punishment. See One 1995
Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2006 S.D. 29, ¶¶ 8-11, 712 N.W.2d at 650-52.
Nonetheless, a criminal fine that falls within the statutory limits is almost certainly
not excessive. See id. ¶ 8, 712 N.W.2d at 651.
[¶14.] In enacting SDCL 22-42-5, the Legislature determined that the
appropriate punishment for possession of a controlled Schedule II substance is a
Class 5 felony, which carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment and up to a
$10,000 fine, or both. This penalty is consistent with the punishments for similar
controlled substance offenses found within SDCL chapter 22-42. The Legislature
has long recognized the negative impact that drug related offenses have on our
society, and the punishments for these offenses reflect that consideration. Here,
Webb was in possession of illegal drugs, and as the factual basis indicated, he was
also engaged in buying and selling those drugs. SDCL 22-42-5 was enacted to curb
exactly this type of conduct. Consequently, because Webb’s $10,000 fine falls within
the statutory range of SDCL 22-6-1, the criminal fine imposed by the circuit court is
almost certainly not excessive. See One 1995 Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2006 S.D.
29, ¶ 8, 712 N.W.2d at 651.
[¶15.] In assessing gross disproportionality, “a court must consider the entire
circumstances surrounding the offense” that led to the criminal fine. See One 1995
Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2006 S.D. 29, ¶ 11, 712 N.W.2d at 652. The factual
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basis for Webb’s guilty plea established that Webb, while already on parole, was
selling illegal drugs from his car outside of a facility providing meals to the needy.
Webb had hydrocodone, alprazolam, three bags of marijuana, and drug
paraphernalia in his possession.
[¶16.] Webb was charged with three other drug related offenses in addition to
the one to which he pleaded guilty. The circuit court acknowledged that the factual
basis supported charging Webb with distribution as well, which carries a more
severe punishment. In addition, as an habitual offender, Webb could have faced up
to life imprisonment or up to fifteen years imprisonment under an enhanced
sentence. The “entire circumstances” surrounding the offense do not suggest that
the $10,000 fine was grossly disproportionate.
[¶17.] Nonetheless, Webb argues that the fine is grossly disproportionate to
the offense because he was not able to pay the fine. According to Webb, because the
circuit court did not consider Webb’s ability to pay the fine, this case should be
remanded to the circuit court for a new hearing.
[¶18.] Webb cites to two Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals cases in support of
his argument that the circuit court should have considered his ability to pay the
fine. See United States v. Lippert, 148 F.3d 974, 978 (8th Cir. 1998); United States
v. Hines, 88 F.3d 661, 664 (8th Cir. 1996). Both of these cases involved a defendant
who was convicted of a federal offense. Hines involved a criminal fine whereas
Lippert involved a civil fine. The court in Hines noted that the defendant’s ability to
pay the fine is indeed a “critical factor” because the United States Sentencing
Commission Guidelines “mandate that this factor be considered . . . .” According to
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U.S.S.G. § 5E1.2(d)(2), the court shall consider “any evidence presented as to the
defendant’s ability to pay the fine (including the ability to pay over a period of time)
in light of his earning capacity and financial resources.” This sentencing guideline
applies to federal crimes and not to the state crime to which Webb pleaded guilty.
Therefore, this argument is unpersuasive.
[¶19.] Notwithstanding the two Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decisions,
Webb contends that consideration of his ability to pay was necessary given the
unique facts of this case. Webb points out that he was on Social Security disability,
he was living at the Union Gospel Mission at the time of his arrest, and he is
currently incarcerated and therefore unable to work. Furthermore, Webb notes that
there is nothing in the record to determine his net worth. According to Webb, these
facts should have alerted the court to consider his ability to pay the fine.
[¶20.] In support of this argument, Webb cites to State v. Pettis, 333 N.W.2d
717, 721 (S.D. 1983). In Pettis, the defendant pleaded guilty to distribution of
marijuana. The circuit court sentenced Pettis to two years imprisonment and fined
him $2,000, to be paid within 90 days. Pettis did not assert a constitutional
challenge; this Court’s analysis was limited to whether the probation condition was
legal and reasonable. See White Eagle v. State of S.D., 280 N.W.2d 659, 660 (S.D.
1979) (holding that “the only limitation on what conditions may be imposed are that
they be legal and reasonable”). In our analysis, we noted that the circuit court
expressly determined that Pettis had the ability to pay the fine in 90 days. We
further said that “Pettis was in a reprehensible business and should not be heard to
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complain of his conditions of probation. [Pettis’s] probation gave him freedom at a
cost.” Pettis, 333 N.W.2d at 721.
[¶21.] Webb argues that every factor that warranted the fine in Pettis is
absent here. According to Webb, he does not have “freedom at a cost” because he
does not possess the ability to pay the fine. This argument, however, loses sight of
the question at issue—whether the criminal fine is grossly disproportionate to the
offense committed. Here, Webb was charged with three other drug related offenses
in addition to the one to which he pleaded guilty. He had two prior drug related
felony convictions on his record as well as a felony conviction for aggravated
burglary. As an habitual offender, he faced the potential of a much more severe
sentence than the one he received. Moreover, the punishment he did receive falls
within the statutory range prescribed in SDCL 22-6-1. Accordingly, Webb has
failed to make a prima facie showing that the $10,000 fine is grossly
disproportionate to the offense committed.
[¶22.] We affirm.
[¶23.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and KONENKAMP, ZINTER and
SEVERSON, Justices, concur.
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