State of Tennessee v. Aaron T. Binkley

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
Assigned on Briefs October 27, 2004
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. AARON T. BINKLEY
Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Knox County
No. 78096 Mary Beth Leibowitz, Judge
No. E2004-00739-CCA-R3-CD - Filed January 27, 2005
The defendant, Aaron T. Binkley, pled guilty to forgery, a Class D felony, and was sentenced as a
Range One standard offender to two years in the Department of Correction. On appeal, the
defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying him alternative sentencing. Upon review, we
affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed
J.C. MCLIN , J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JERRY L. SMITH and ALAN E. GLENN ,
JJ., joined.
J. Liddell Kirk, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Aaron T. Binkley.
Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter; Seth P. Kestner, Assistant Attorney General;
Randall E. Nichols, District Attorney General; and Patti Cristil, Assistant District Attorney General,
for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
FACTS
The defendant pled guilty to the criminal offense of forgery, a Class D felony, in exchange
for an agreed two-year sentence in the Department of Correction as a Range One standard offender.
As part of the plea agreement, the defendant was allowed to apply for judicial diversion. At the
sentencing hearing, however, the defense counsel withdrew the defendant’s application for judicial
diversion stating that “Mr. Binkley [was] not eligible for diversion due to the [criminal] charges in
McMinn County.” As a substitute for judicial diversion, defense counsel requested probation or
enhanced probation, arguing that the defendant was an appropriate candidate for such alternative
sentencing. However, during the course of the discussion, the court inquired as to the disparity
between the defendant’s denial of certain prior criminal convictions and the defendant’s convictions
listed in the presentence report. Attempting to clear up the confusion, the trial court asked the
defendant if certain convictions which occurred in 1990, 1994, and 1995 were his. The defendant
responded, “[T]hat’s not me, ma’am. I hadn’t even had a speeding [ticket] in 13 years.” Upon
further inquiry, the defendant acknowledged the felony convictions reported in Sumner and McMinn
Counties, but denied four convictions reported in Rhea County. Although the court was unable to
verify the defendant’s veracity regarding his denial of the Rhea County convictions, it was
established that the defendant had a criminal history including a prior conviction for the sale of
cocaine.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court found that the defendant had not been truthful
about his past criminal history, when reporting to his probation officer, while applying for judicial
diversion, and when discussing his criminal history with the court. In addition, the court found that
the defendant failed to report to court on two separate occasions, which resulted in the defendant
being arrested and taken into custody. Consequently, the court concluded “that with [the
defendant’s] history and the charges he has . . . he is not eligible for probation or for enhanced
probation,” denied his request for alternative sentencing, and ordered the defendant to begin serving
his two-year sentence in confinement.
ANALYSIS
The defendant argues that the trial court erroneously determined that he was not entitled to
alternative sentencing and contends that the court should have found otherwise. This Court’s review
of a challenged sentence is a de novo review of the record with a presumption that the trial court's
determinations are correct. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d) (2003). This presumption of
correctness is conditioned upon the affirmative showing in the record that the trial court considered
the sentencing guidelines and all relevant facts and circumstances. State v. Pettus, 986 S.W.2d 540,
543-44 (Tenn. 1999). If the trial court fails to consider the statutory sentencing guidelines, there is
no presumption of correctness and review is de novo. State v. Poole, 945 S.W.2d 93, 96 (Tenn.
1997). In contrast, if the trial court follows the statutory sentencing procedure and properly
considers the factors and principles set forth in the sentencing guidelines, then this Court may not
disturb the sentence, even if a different outcome is preferable. State v. Fletcher, 805 S.W.2d 785,
789 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991).
In order to conduct a proper de novo review of the sentence, this Court must consider (a) any
evidence received at the trial and/or sentencing hearing, (b) the presentence report, (c) the principles
of sentencing, (d) the arguments of counsel relative to sentencing alternative, (e) the nature and
characteristics of the offense, (f) any mitigating or enhancement factors, (g) any statements made by
the accused in his own behalf, and (h) the accused’s potential or lack of potential for rehabilitation
or treatment. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-103, -210; State v. Taylor, 63 S.W.3d 400, 411 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 2001). However, it is important to note that it is the defendant’s burden to show that the
sentence imposed by the trial court is improper. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401, Sentencing
Commission Comments; State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991).
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An especially mitigated or standard offender convicted of a Class C, D, or E felony is
presumed to be a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing in the absence of evidence to the
contrary. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102(6). However, this presumption is unavailable to a defendant
who commits the most severe offenses, has a criminal history showing clear disregard for the laws
and morals of society, and has failed past efforts at rehabilitation. Id. § 40-35-102(5); State v.
Fields, 40 S.W.3d 435, 440 (Tenn. 2001). Sentencing issues must be determined according to the
relevant facts and circumstances of each case. State v. Taylor, 744 S.W.2d 919, 922 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1987).
A defendant is eligible for probation if the actual sentence imposed is eight years or less and
the offense for which the defendant is sentenced is not excluded by statute. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-
35-303(a). Although probation is automatically considered for eligible candidates, it is the
defendant’s burden to establish his or her suitability for probation. Id. § 40-35-303(b). When
determining the defendant’s candidacy for probation, the court must consider the nature and
characteristics of the offense, the defendant’s criminal history, present circumstances including the
defendant’s mental and physical condition, the deterrence effect on the defendant, and the likelihood
that probation will serve the best interest of the defendant and the public. Stiller v. State, 516
S.W.2d 617, 620 (Tenn. 1974); State v. Kendrick, 10 S.W.3d 650, 656 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999).
A lack of candor and truthfulness may also militate against a grant of probation. Kendrick, 10
S.W.3d at 656; State v. Bunch, 646 S.W.2d 158 (Tenn. 1983).
In this case, the presentence report was not made a part of the record on appeal. When the
appellate record is inadequate, the appellate court is precluded from considering the issue, and the
trial court's ruling is presumed correct. State v. Oody, 823 S.W.2d 554, 559 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1991); State v. Roberts, 755 S.W.2d 833, 836 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). In determining a
defendant's sentence, the trial court is required to consider the presentence report. Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 40-35-210(b)(2). From the transcript of the sentencing hearing, it appears that the trial court
considered and relied upon the presentence report in making its findings. However, since the record
does not include a presentence report, we are unable to review all evidence considered by the trial
court in denying defendant’s application for alternative sentencing and must conclusively presume
that “the determinations made by the court from which the appeal is taken are correct.” Tenn. Code
Ann. § 40-35-401(d); State v. Matthews, 805 S.W.2d 776, 784 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990).
We conclude that the trial court did not err in denying the defendant’s request for alternative
sentencing. The sentencing hearing transcript reflects that the trial court took into account the
defendant’s criminal history, other outstanding charges unrelated to the defendant’s present offense,
the defendant’s failure to appear before the court on two occasions, and the defendant’s
untruthfulness when applying for alternative sentencing. These determinations presented by the
available record strongly support the findings of the trial court. Accordingly, we conclude that the
trial court was correct in denying the defendant alternative sentencing and affirm its judgment.
CONCLUSION
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The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
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J.C. McLIN, JUDGE
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