Carri Chandler Lane v. State of Tennessee - Dissenting ( 2007 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
August 1, 2006 Session
CARRI CHANDLER LANE v. STATE OF TENNESSEE
Appeal from the Criminal Court for Shelby County
No. 02-02581 W. Fred Axley, Judge
No. W2005-01998-CCA-R3-CD - Filed June 18, 2007
Wedemeyer, Robert W., Judge, dissenting.
I am, respectfully, unable to join in the majority’s reversal of the trial court’s denial of the
Appellant’s motion to modify court-ordered restitution. The majority notes, and I completely agree,
that there is no proper avenue of appeal to this Court via Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 3(b).
However, in my view, this case is not a proper application of the Court’s power to grant a writ of
certiorari.
The majority very carefully and concisely lays out its view of the law with respect to the
granting of a writ of certiorari, and comes to the ultimate conclusion that “the writ would properly lie
[ ] when ‘the action of the trial judge constituted a plain and palpable abuse of discretion.’” Hayes, J.,
supra, at 5 (quoting State v. Johnson, 569 S.W.2d 808, 815 (Tenn. 1978)). The majority determines
that the trial court abused its discretion when it failed to “consider the financial resources and future
ability of the defendant to pay or perform . . . .” See T.C.A. § 40-35-304(d).
I am unable to agree with the majority on this issue for two reasons. First, I believe the statute
and the most recent case law applying the writ of certiorari are clear and unambiguous in describing
when and how the writ may be used. “[T]he writ of certiorari is limited in application and may not
ordinarily be used ‘to inquire into the correctness of a judgment issued by a court with jurisdiction.’”
Moody v. State, 160 S.W.3d 512, 515 (Tenn. 2005) (quoting State v. Adler, 92 S.W.3d 397, 401 (Tenn.
2002)); accord T.C.A. § 27-8-101. Further, “The writ properly applies, however, when the action of
the trial court is without legal authority and where no other ‘plain speedy or adequate remedy’ is
available.” Id. The Appellant has not alleged the trial court lacked legal authority to deny her petition
to modify probation.
I am also unable to agree with the majority’s conclusion because, in my view, the trial court did
not abuse its discretion. The majority’s belief that the trial court failed to consider Appellant’s financial
resources and future ability to pay, I believe, is in error. The entire hearing conducted on June 20, 2005,
addressed the Appellant’s financial resources and her future ability to pay. The trial court considered
testimony and evidence presented by the Appellant and victims, and the trial court ruled against the
Appellant, finding it would not be “unjust to require payment . . . as imposed.” T.C.A. § 40-35-304(f).
This appeal is simply a challenge on the merits to the trial court’s findings of fact and conclusions of
law.
I do not believe the Court should consider this case under the writ of certiorari. I would
therefore dismiss this appeal. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent.
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ROBERT W. WEDEMEYER, JUDGE
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