State of Washington v. Scott Michael Williams

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May 10, 2016
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division Ill
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 33158-0-111
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Appellant,. )
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v. ) PUBLISHED OPINION
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l SCOTT M. WILLIAMS, )
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I Respondent. )
PENNELL, J. - CrR 8.3(b) authorizes dismissal of criminal charges based on
arbitrary state action when there has been prejudice to the accused. Criminal charges
against Scott Williams were dismissed under this rule after the superior court determined
the State's decision to switch venues prejudiced Mr. Williams by forcing him to choose
between effective assistance of counsel and the right to a speedy trial. Because we
disagree with the superior court's conclusion that the State's venue decision was arbitrary,
we reverse.
No. 33158-0-111
State v. Williams
FACTS
Mr. Williams was arrested in Adams County after allegedly leading police on an
erratic high-speed chase that began in Spokane County. Mr. Williams originally faced
felony charges in Adams County, but that case was dismissed in favor of similar charges
in Spokane County. The State's change in selected venue disrupted the continuity of Mr.
Williams' s appointed legal counsel. As a result, his Spokane counsel did not have
sufficient time to prepare for trial under the 60-day speedy trial clock.
Mr. Williams filed a motion to dismiss under CrR 8.3(b). The Spokane County
Superior Court granted the motion. Although the court found no misconduct, it dismissed
the charges against Mr. Williams because "[t]he decision of the State to move the
proceedings from Adams County to Spokane County was an arbitrary action that resulted
in unfair circumstances forcing Mr. Williams to make an impossible choice between
exercising his speedy trial right and being competently prepared for trial." Clerk's Papers
(CP) at 81. The State appeals.
ANALYSIS
We are confronted with whether, under the facts of this case, dismissal was
warranted under CrR 8.3(b ). The rule provides:
The court, in the furtherance of justice, after notice and hearing, may
dismiss any criminal prosecution due to arbitrary action or governmental
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No. 33158-0-III
State v. Williams
misconduct when there has been prejudice to the rights of the accused
which materially affect the accused's right to a fair trial. The court shall set
forth its reasons in a written order.
To prevail on a motion to dismiss under this provision, "the defendant must show by a
preponderance of the evidence both ( 1) arbitrary action or governmental misconduct, and
(2) actual prejudice affecting the defendant's right to a fair trial." State v. Martinez, 121
Wn. App. 21, 29, 86 P.3d 1210 (2004). No amount of prejudice can sustain a dismissal
order if the defendant is unable to establish arbitrary action or misconduct. State v.
Michielli, 132 Wn.2d 229, 240, 937 P.2d 587 (1997).
This court reviews a trial court's dismissal under CrR 8.3(b) for manifest abuse of
discretion. Martinez, 121 Wn. App. at 30. "Discretion is abused if the trial court's
decision is manifestly unreasonable or is based on untenable grounds." Id. "A decision is
based on untenable grounds 'if it rests on facts unsupported in the record .... "' Id.
(quoting State v. Rohrich, 149 Wn.2d 647, 654, 71 P.3d 638 (2003)).
During the superior court proceedings, the focus was on prejudice. Although the
State did not concede arbitrary action or misconduct, scant attention was paid to those
components of CrR 8.3(b ). While it is true that "simple mismanagement," rather than
"evil or dishonest" conduct can justify dismissal, State v. Garza, 99 Wn. App. 291, 295,
994 P.2d 868 (2000), the rule still requires some sort of wrong-doing. Dismissal "is an
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State v. Williams
extraordinary remedy." State v. Moen, 150 Wn.2d 221, 226, 76 P.3d 721 (2003).
CrR 8.3(b) was not designed to grant courts "the authority to substitute their judgment for
that of the prosecutor." State v. Starrish, 86 Wn.2d 200, 205, 544 P.2d 1 (1975).
In its factual findings, the superior court determined the State had engaged in
arbitrary action, but not misconduct. CP at 81. The term "arbitrary" is not defined in the
rule. Nor do our cases provide much guidance on what is meant by arbitrary action, as
opposed to misconduct, under CrR 8.3(b ). Thus, we are faced with discerning the
intended meaning of "arbitrary action" in the current context.
In due process jurisprudence, the concept of arbitrary governmental action is fairly
common. See, e.g., State v. Watson, 120 Wn. App. 521, 533, 86 P.3d 158 (2004), aff'd in
part, rev'd in part on other grounds, 155 Wn.2d 574, 122 P.3d 903 (2005) (litigant can
state a claim for denial of substantive due process by showing that "the State's action was
arbitrary and unreasonable"). Accordingly, we may look to this context for guidance. See
In re Brazier Forest Prods., Inc., 106 Wn.2d 588, 595, 724 P.2d 970 (1986). When it
comes to a substantive due process claim of arbitrary governmental action, we will
uphold the State's actions so long as they are grounded in a rational basis, unless the
claimant alleges a violation of fundamental rights. Watson, 120 Wn. App. at 533. This
determination accords with the only other Washington case to discuss arbitrary action
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No. 33158-0-III
State v. Williams
under CrR 8.3(b), State v. Worthey, 19 Wn. App. 283, 576 P.2d 896 (1978). In Worthey,
Division Two of this court recognized that when it comes to CrR 8.3(b), an arbitrary
action is one that is discriminatory or done "without reasonable justification." Worthey,
19 Wn. App. at 288.
Interpreting "arbitrary action" in this light, it is apparent CrR 8.3(b) allows the
State considerable leeway. To overcome a charge of arbitrariness, the State need not
show its actions were legally required. In addition, given the prohibition on judicial
second-guessing, the State's choice need not represent the best possible means of
furthering its objectives. Unless the accused's fundamental rights are implicated, a claim
of arbitrary action must fail so long as the prosecutor can articulate a plausible,
nondiscriminatory reason for the government's action.
With this in mind, we tum to Mr. Williams' s case. In its response to his motion to
dismiss, the State explained its charging decision as follows:
Because all of the events underlying the charges began and occurred in
Spokane County before continuing on and into the other two counties, the
respective prosecutors decided that Spokane would be the more appropriate
place to charge and try the defendant.
CP at 41. The superior court did not reject this explanation as disingenuous. Verbatim
Report of Proceedings (Jan. 22, 2015) at 52. Thus, the only question we face is whether
the State's explanation meets the rule's terms. We hold it does. The State's decision to
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State v. Williams
pursue charges in the county where the commencement and bulk of the defendant's
alleged conduct took place is a reasoned one. It is not discriminatory and did not infringe
on any fundamental rights. 1 Consequently, the State's decision to switch venues does not
qualify as arbitrary and cannot justify dismissal under CrR 8.3(b), regardless of prejudice.
We recognize that arbitrariness sets a fairly low bar. It is perhaps for this reason
that most cases under CrR 8.3(b) involve misconduct allegations. Indeed, Mr. Williams's
case might have been quite different had there been a finding of misconduct. For
example, had the State unreasonably delayed its venue decision or sought a strategic
advantage by causing discontinuity of counsel, dismissal under CrR 8.3(b) might have
been warranted. See Michielli, 132 Wn.2d at 244; State v. Su/grove, 19 Wn. App. 860,
863, 578 P.2d 74 (1978). But those are not our facts. While it was unfortunate Mr.
Williams's case was delayed due to the State's decision to switch venues, this
circumstance does not justify dismissal under CrR 8.3(b ).
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Venue choices do not implicate fundamental rights, triggering heightened
scrutiny. See Burlington N. R.R. Co. v. Ford, 504 U.S. 648, 651, 112 S. Ct. 2184, 119 L.
Ed. 2d 432 (1992). The same is true for decisions implicating rule-based (as opposed to
constitutional) speedy trial rights. State v. Smith, 117 Wn.2d 263, 278-79, 814 P.2d 652(1991); State v. White, 94 Wn.2d 498, 501, 617 P.2d 998 (1980). Although Mr. Williams
had the constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel, the State's action did not
directly impinge on this right since counsel was able to ask for a continuance beyond the
normal speedy trial period. State v. Hoffman, 116 Wn.2d 51, 76-77, 804 P.2d 577 (1991).
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No. 33158-0-111
State v. Williams
The superior court's order of dismissal is reversed and this matter is remanded for
further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
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Pennell, J.
WE CONCUR:
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Lawrence-Berrey, A.CJ. ~ Siddoway, J.
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