State Of Washington v. Coba Palmer, Jr., & Prp Of Coba Palmer, Jr. ( 2017 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
February 28, 2017
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 48323-8-II
Respondent,
v.
COBA PALMER, JR.,
Consolidated With
Appellant.
In the Matter of the Personal Restraint No. 48286-0-II
Petition of
COBA PALMER, JR.,
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Peititioner.
WORSWICK, P.J. — In this consolidated case, we consider Coba Palmer, Jr.’s direct
appeal and personal restraint petition (PRP) wherein he challenges his credit for the amount of
presentence time he served. Palmer pleaded guilty to one count of residential burglary under
cause number 14-1-03795-5 (the original charge) and three counts of residential burglary and
one count of first degree theft under cause number 14-1-04764-1 (the additional charges). In his
direct appeal, filed under cause number 14-1-04764-1, he argues the trial court erred (1) by
failing to award him concurrent credit for presentence time served because (a) the court did not
exercise its discretion under RCW 9.94A.505(6) and (b) the court’s failure violated his rights to
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due process and equal protection and (2) in denying his CrR 7.8 motion without transferring the
motion to us or holding a show cause hearing.
In his statement of additional grounds (SAG), Palmer contends that (1) the superior court
clerk did not file his CrR 7.8 motion and did not have the authority to deny his motion and (2)
the State breached its plea agreement because he did not receive credit for presentence time
served.
In his PRP, filed under both cause numbers, Palmer asserts that his due process rights
were violated because he was not given the proper amount of credit for presentence time served
on both cause numbers. We cannot consider Palmer’s credit for presentence time served
arguments on direct appeal, but we grant his petition and remand his sentence on the original
charge (cause number 14-1-03795-5) for DOC to recalculate his credit for presentence time
served consistent with this opinion. We also exercise our discretion to waive appellate costs.
FACTS
Palmer was originally charged with one count of residential burglary (cause number 14-
1-03795-5). He was booked in the Pierce County Jail on that charge on September 23, 2014.
Palmer was confined in jail for a total of seven days but was released after obtaining bail.1
Palmer was later charged with three unrelated counts of residential burglary and one
count of first degree theft (cause number 14-1-04764-1) and booked on November 24, 2014.
Palmer was unable to obtain bail on the additional charges, and he remained in confinement
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Palmer was in confinement only on the original charge from September 23, 2014, to September
25, 2014, and from October 24, 2014, to October 28, 2014.
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awaiting sentencing. Palmer represents, and the State does not deny, that his bail on the original
charge was revoked, and he was again booked on that charge on November 24, 2014. Court of
Appeals oral argument, State v. Palmer, No. 48323-8-II (January 24, 2017) at 10 min., 32 sec.,
audio recording available at http://www.courts.wa.gov. Thus, Palmer was held in jail on the
original charge and the additional charges beginning on November 24.
On July 15, 2015, Palmer entered guilty pleas on both cause numbers under a plea
agreement with the State. At sentencing, the State recommended that Palmer receive a sentence
of 63 months on both charges, to be served concurrently. The State also recommended that
Palmer receive credit for presentence time served.
On July 27, the trial court sentenced Palmer on both cause numbers. The court sentenced
Palmer to 63 months on the original charge and gave him credit “for time served prior to
sentencing if that confinement was solely under this cause number.” Br. of Resp’t (Dep’t of
Corr.) (Ex. 1 at 6). Palmer’s judgment and sentence for the original charge also stated that the
amount of time served was to be computed by DOC. The trial court sentenced Palmer to 63
months of confinement for the additional charges, to run concurrent with the original charge.
Palmer’s judgment and sentence for the additional charges similarly stated that Palmer was to
receive credit for presentence time served and that the amount of time served was to be
calculated by DOC.
Palmer was confined in jail until he was received in DOC custody on July 30. DOC
credited Palmer with 9 days of credit for time served on the original charge and 248 days of
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credit for time served on the additional charges.2 DOC did not credit Palmer with presentence
time served on the original charge between November 24, 2014, and July 27, 2015.
Following sentencing, Palmer filed a timely CrR 7.8 motion for relief from judgment for
the additional charges, asking the trial court to modify his sentence. In his motion, Palmer
argued that the trial court failed to give him concurrent credit for presentence time served on
both cause numbers. The trial court did not transfer the motion to us for consideration as a PRP
and denied Palmer’s motions without holding a show cause hearing. Palmer later filed his PRP
and timely notice of appeal. We consolidated Palmer’s petition with his direct appeal.
ANALYSIS
I. DIRECT APPEAL
A. Credit for Presentence Time Served
Palmer argues the trial court erred in failing to award him concurrent credit for
presentence time served on both cause numbers because (a) the court failed to exercise its
discretion under RCW 9.94A.505(6) and (b) the court’s failure violated his rights to due process
and equal protection. We cannot consider these arguments because they rely on matters outside
the record on direct appeal.
Both of Palmer’s claims rely on matters outside the record on direct appeal. After an
independent review of the record, we have been unable to find evidence regarding the amount of
2
DOC’s calculation of Palmer’s credit for time served included an award of three days of credit
for time served under each cause number while Palmer awaited transfer to DOC custody after
sentencing between July 27, 2015, and July 30, 2015.
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credit for presentence time served Palmer is entitled to or the amount of credit he received. As a
result, there is insufficient evidence of Palmer’s claims in the record to review it on direct appeal.
See State v. McFarland, 127 Wash. 2d 322, 335, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995). Further, we will not
consider matters outside the trial record identified on appeal. 127 Wash. 2d at 335. Accordingly,
Palmer cannot show on this record that he did not receive the proper amount of credit for
presentence time served, and we do not consider his arguments.
B. CrR 7.8 Motion
Palmer next argues the trial court erred in denying his CrR 7.8 motion by failing to either
transfer the motion to us for consideration as a PRP or conduct a show cause hearing. The State
concedes that the trial court erred, but it argues that the error was harmless. We agree with the
State.
1. The Trial Court’s Ruling on the CrR 7.8 Motion
We review a trial court’s decision to grant or deny a defendant’s CrR 7.8 motion for
abuse of discretion. State v. Robinson, 193 Wash. App. 215, 217, 374 P.3d 175 (2016). A trial
court abuses its discretion when it bases its decision on unreasonable or untenable grounds. State
v. Partee, 141 Wash. App. 355, 361, 170 P.3d 60 (2007).
CrR 7.8(c)(2) provides that the trial court must transfer a defendant’s CrR 7.8 motion
to the Court of Appeals for consideration as a personal restraint petition unless the
court determines the motion is not barred by RCW 10.73.090 and either (i) the
defendant has made a substantial showing that he or she is entitled to relief or (ii)
resolution of the motion will require a factual hearing.
If the trial court does not transfer the CrR 7.8 motion to us, it must hold a show cause hearing.
CrR 7.8(c)(3); Robinson, 193 Wash. App. at 218.
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Here, Palmer filed a timely CrR 7.8 motion for relief from judgment, asking the trial
court to modify his sentence and give him concurrent credit for presentence time served on both
cause numbers. The trial court did not transfer the motion to us for consideration as a PRP.
Instead, the trial court denied Palmer’s motion without holding a show cause hearing, violating
CrR 7.8(c). Because the trial court failed to comply with CrR 7.8(c), the trial court abused its
discretion. However, this error was harmless.
2. Harmless Error
We review a trial court’s violation of a court rule for harmless error. State v. Robinson,
153 Wash. 2d 689, 697, 107 P.3d 90 (2005). Reversal is appropriate only when the trial court’s
violation is prejudicial. 153 Wash. 2d at 697. We determine whether the trial court’s error was
prejudicial in that “‘within reasonable probabilities, [if] the error [had] not occurred, the outcome
of the [motion] would have been materially affected.’” 153 Wash. 2d at 697 (alterations in
original) (quoting State v. Templeton, 148 Wash. 2d 193, 220, 59 P.3d 632 (2002)).
Here, Palmer filed his PRP, raising the same claims as his CrR 7.8 motion, soon after he
filed his CrR 7.8 motion in the trial court. The merits of Palmer’s CrR 7.8 motion are now
properly before us in his PRP, and it is subject to the same remedy as it would have been if the
trial court had not violated CrR 7.8(c). Accordingly, the outcome of Palmer’s CrR 7.8 motion is
not materially affected by the trial court’s violation of CrR 7.8(c). Therefore, the trial court’s
error is not prejudicial, and the error is harmless.
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C. Appellate Costs
Palmer asks that we refrain from awarding appellate costs against him. We have the
discretion to waive appellate costs. RAP 14.2; State v. Sinclair, 192 Wash. App. 380, 389-90, 367
P.3d 612, review denied, 185 Wash. 2d 1034 (2016).
The trial court found that Palmer was indigent. We must presume under RAP 15.2(f) that
he remains indigent “throughout the review” unless the trial court finds that his financial
condition has improved. Therefore, we exercise our discretion to waive appellate costs.
II. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS
In his SAG, Palmer claims that (1) the superior court clerk did not file his CrR 7.8 motion
and did not have the authority to deny his motion and (2) the State breached its plea agreement
because he did not receive credit for presentence time served. Both of Palmer’s claims lack
merit.
A. Court Clerk
Palmer contends that the superior court clerk’s failure to file his CrR 7.8 motion violated
his due process rights and that the clerk did not have the authority to deny his motion.
Here, the superior court clerk filed Palmer’s CrR 7.8 motion, and the trial court denied it.
Accordingly, Palmer’s claim lacks merit.
B. Plea Agreement
Palmer also contends that the State breached its plea agreement because he did not
receive credit for presentence time served, as agreed upon. We disagree.
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We review issues concerning the interpretation of a plea agreement de novo. State v.
Bisson, 156 Wash. 2d 507, 517, 130 P.3d 820 (2006). A plea agreement is a contract between the
defendant and the State that does not bind a trial court. State v. Sledge, 133 Wash. 2d 828, 839 n. 6,
947 P.2d 1199 (1997). Due process requires a prosecutor to adhere to the terms of the plea
agreement and to recommend the agreed upon sentence. 133 Wash. 2d at 839.
The Statement of Defendant on Plea of Guilty on the additional charges included a
notation that the prosecutor would recommend that Palmer receive credit for time served and that
his sentence for the additional charges run concurrent to his sentence on the original charge. The
notation did not specify the amount of credit for time served Palmer was entitled to receive.
At sentencing, the prosecutor recommended that Palmer’s sentence for the additional
charges run concurrent to his sentence for the original charge. In addition, the State noted that
Palmer was entitled to receive credit for presentence time served. Palmer did not object and
stated that “[t]his [was] a joint recommendation.” Verbatim Transcript of Proceedings (VTP)
(July 27, 2015) at 4.
“‘[C]redit for time served’ in a standard plea bargain has a fixed legal meaning which is
time served ‘solely in regard to the offense for which the offender is being sentenced.’” State v.
Watson, 63 Wash. App. 854, 860, 822 P.2d 327 (1992) (discussing RCW 9.94A.120(13), which
was renumbered as RCW 9.94A.505(6)). Accordingly, the prosecutor abided by the terms of
Palmer’s plea agreement by recommending the agreed upon sentence and noting that Palmer was
entitled to credit for time served. Therefore, Palmer’s claim lacks merit.
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III. PERSONAL RESTRAINT PETITION
In his petition, Palmer argues his due process rights were violated because he was not
given the proper amount of credit for presentence time served on both cause numbers.3 We
agree that Palmer was not given the proper amount of credit for all presentence time served on
the original charge, and we grant his petition.
A. PRP Principles
When considering constitutional arguments raised in a PRP, we determine whether the
petitioner demonstrates that the constitutional error caused actual and substantial prejudice. In re
Pers. Restraint of Coggin, 182 Wash. 2d 115, 119, 340 P.3d 810 (2014). “Actual and substantial
prejudice, which ‘must be determined in light of the totality of circumstances,’ exists if the error
‘so infected petitioner’s entire trial that the resulting conviction violates due process.’” In re
Pers. Restraint of Crow, 187 Wash. App. 414, 421, 349 P.3d 902 (2015) (quoting In re Pers.
Restraint of Music, 104 Wash. 2d 189, 191, 704 P.2d 144 (1985)). If we are convinced that the
petitioner has proven actual and substantial prejudice, we grant the petition. In re Pers. Restraint
of Yates, 177 Wash. 2d 1, 18, 296 P.3d 872 (2013).
3
In its response to the PRP, the State raises the issue of Palmer’s unrelated misdemeanor
sentence and argues Palmer’s sentence on the misdemeanor was ordered to run concurrent with
his sentence for the original and additional charges. But Palmer’s misdemeanor conviction and
sentence is not part of his petition, and evaluating the misdemeanor sentence does not resolve
Palmer’s due process argument. We decline to grant the State affirmative relief on Palmer’s
PRP.
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B. Credit for Presentence Time Served
A petitioner sentenced to a term of confinement has a constitutional right to receive credit
for all presentence time served in confinement. State v. Speaks, 119 Wash. 2d 204, 206, 829 P.2d
1096 (1992). The failure to credit a petitioner with all presentence time served violates due
process and equal protection. In re Pers. Restraint of Costello, 131 Wash. App. 828, 832, 129 P.3d
827 (2006). We review constitutional issues de novo. State v. Vance, 168 Wash. 2d 754, 759, 230
P.3d 1055 (2010).
The legislature codified the procedure for calculating credit for presentence time served
in RCW 9.94A.505(6). That statute provides that the trial court must “give the offender credit
for all confinement time served before the sentencing if that confinement was solely in regard to
the offense for which the offender is being sentenced.” RCW 9.94A.505(6). Both RCW
9.94A.505(6) and the constitutional principles of due process and equal protection entitle a
petitioner serving pretrial confinement on multiple charges to credit for any presentence time
served, so long as he does not receive double credit. State v. Lewis, 185 Wash. App. 338, 345, 344
P.3d 1220 (2014), aff’d in part, rev’d in part on other grounds, 184 Wash. 2d 201, 355 P.3d 1148
(2015).
Here, the State argues that RCW 9.94.505(6) entitles Palmer to be credited for
presentence time he served from November 24, 2014, to July 27, 2015, for only one offense. But
this is the exact argument we rejected in State v. Lewis, 185 Wash. App. 338, 344 P.3d 1220
(2014), and our Supreme Court rejected in State v. Lewis, 184 Wash. 2d 201, 355 P.3d 1148 (2015),
on due process grounds.
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When Palmer was charged with the additional charges, he was unable to obtain bail and
was booked in jail on November 24, 2014. Palmer argues, and the State appears to concede, that
his bail on the original charge was revoked, and he was again booked on the original charge on
November 24, 2014. Court of Appeals oral argument, State v. Palmer, No. 48323-8-II (January
24, 2017) at 10 min., 32 sec., audio recording available at http://www.courts.wa.gov. Thus,
Palmer was being held on all of the charges during this time.
On July 27, 2015, the trial court sentenced Palmer to 63 months of confinement on both
the original and the additional charges. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Palmer’s judgment and sentence for both the original and additional charges stated that the
amount of credit for time served was to be computed by DOC. DOC credited Palmer with 9
days of credit for time served on the original charge and 248 days of credit for time served on the
additional charges. DOC did not credit Palmer with presentence time served on the original
charge between November 24, 2014, and July 27, 2015.
Palmer was in pretrial confinement on both the original and the additional charges from
November 24, 2014, until July 27, 2015. State’s Response to PRP at 3; Court of Appeals oral
argument, State v. Palmer, No. 48323-8-II (January 24, 2017) at 15 min., 54 sec., audio
recording available at http://www.courts.wa.gov. The constitution and RCW 9.94A.505(6)
require that Palmer receive credit for all presentence time served on his multiple charges. Lewis,
355 P.3d at 1150; Lewis, 185 Wash. App. at 345. However, DOC did not credit Palmer with time
served between November 24, 2014, and July 27, 2015 on the original charge. Accordingly, we
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remand Palmer’s sentence on the original charge for DOC to properly calculate his credit for all
presentence time served under cause number 14-1-03795-5.
Because Palmer was not given credit for all presentence time served, his sentence violates
due process and equal protection. Therefore, Palmer shows his sentence on the original charge
resulted in actual and substantial justice, and we grant his petition.
CONCLUSION
We do not consider Palmer’s credit for presentence time served arguments on direct
appeal because his arguments rely on matters outside the record on appeal. We conclude that the
trial court’s error in denying Palmer’s CrR 7.8 motion was harmless, and we waive appellate
costs. We, however, grant Palmer’s petition and remand his sentence for DOC to properly
recalculate his credit for all presentence time served on the original charge (cause number 14-1-
03795-5).
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2.06.040, it is so ordered.
Worswick, P.J.
We concur:
Johanson, J.
Sutton, J.
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