Boeta v. State

Cite as 2014 Ark. App. 398ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION III
No. CR-13-946
JAMES ANDREW BOETA Opinion Delivered June 18, 2014
APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM THE CRITTENDEN
V. COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
[NO. CR-2011-1123]
STATE OF ARKANSAS HONORABLE BRENT DAVIS,
APPELLEE JUDGE
AFFIRMED; MOTION GRANTED
DAVID M. GLOVER, Judge
James Boeta pleaded guilty on November 11, 2011, to possession of drug paraphernalia
with purpose to use, a Class D felony. He was sentenced to two years’ probation; fined $500;
ordered to pay a monthly probation fee; and ordered to pay costs and fees at the rate of $50
per month beginning in January 2012. Conditions of his probation included paying all fines,
court costs, restitution, and monthly probation fees, as well as reporting to his probation
officer as directed. On March 8, 2013, the State filed a petition to revoke Boeta’s probation,
alleging that he had failed to pay his fines, costs, and fees as directed; failed to report to
probation as directed; failed to pay probation fees; failed to notify the sheriff and his probation
officer of his current address and employment; and departed from his approved residence
without permission. After a hearing, the trial court revoked Boeta’s probation on the basis
of failure to pay fines, costs, and fees and failure to report to probation as directed. Boeta was
Cite as 2014 Ark. App. 398sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and Rule 4-3(k) of the Rules
of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, Boeta’s counsel has filed a motion to
withdraw on the grounds that the appeal is wholly without merit. Counsel’s motion was
accompanied by a brief referring to everything in the record that might arguably support an
appeal, including a list of all rulings adverse to Boeta made by the trial court on all objections,
motions, and requests made by either party, with an explanation as to why each adverse ruling
is not a meritorious ground for reversal. The clerk of this court furnished Boeta with a copy
of his counsel’s brief and notified him of his right to file pro se points, but Boeta has not filed
any points.
The sole adverse ruling was the revocation of Boeta’s probation. A sentence of
probation may be revoked when a trial court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that
the defendant has inexcusably failed to comply with a condition of probation. Aikens v. State,
2014 Ark. App. 168. The appellate courts will not reverse a revocation unless the decision
is clearly against the preponderance of the evidence, Denson v. State, 2012 Ark. App. 105, and
deference is given to the trial court’s superior position to determine credibility and the weight
to be accorded testimony. Stultz v. State, 92 Ark. App. 204, 212 S.W.3d 42 (2005). The
State need only show that the defendant committed one violation to sustain a revocation.
Maxwell v. State, 2010 Ark. App. 822.
Jennifer Miller, Boeta’s current probation officer, testified that Boeta had failed to
report from November 2012 to March 2013, although she had sent letters directing him to
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Cite as 2014 Ark. App. 398report and had attempted to perform a home visit. She asserted that she had exhausted her
ability to supervise Boeta when she wrote his violation report in March 2013 because she
could not get him to report. In his own testimony, Boeta admitted he had not reported,
giving the excuse that he had “dirty” urine. Clearly, this testimony is sufficient to support the
trial court’s finding that Boeta had inexcusably violated the reporting requirement of the terms
of his probation. Because there is sufficient evidence to revoke Boeta’s probation on this
basis, it is unnecessary to discuss Boeta’s failure to pay his fine, costs, and fees.
From a review of the record and the brief presented to this court, Boeta’s counsel has
complied with the requirements of Rule 4-3(k) of the Rules of the Arkansas Supreme Court
and Court of Appeals. Boeta’s revocation is affirmed, and counsel’s motion to be relieved is
granted.
Affirmed; motion to be relieved granted.
WALMSLEY and VAUGHT, JJ., agree.
C. Brian Williams, for appellant.
No response.
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