State of West Virginia v. Steward Butler

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
January 2017 Term
FILED
May 9, 2017
No. 16-0543
released at 3:00 p.m.
RORY L. PERRY, II CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Plaintiff Below, Petitioner
v.
STEWARD BUTLER,
Defendant Below, Respondent
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cabell County
Honorable Paul T. Farrell, Judge
Criminal Action No. 15-F-242
AFFIRMED AND REMANDED
Submitted: April 25, 2017
Filed: May 9, 2017
Lauren E. Plymale, Esq. Raymond A. Nolan, Esq.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney The Nolan Law Firm
Cabell County Lavalette, West Virginia
Huntington, West Virginia Counsel for Respondent
Counsel for Petitioner
Gregory R. Nevins, Pro Hac Vice Patrick Morrisey, Esq.
Atlanta, Georgia Attorney General
and Elbert Lin, Esq.
Stephen G. Skinner, Esq. Solicitor General
Skinner Law Firm Julie Marie Blake, Esq.
Charles Town, West Virginia Assistant Attorney General
Counsel for Amicus Curiae - Lambda Charleston, West Virginia
Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. Counsel for Amicus Curiae ­
West Virginia Attorney General
CHIEF JUSTICE LOUGHRY delivered the Opinion of the Court.
JUSTICES DAVIS and WORKMAN dissent and reserve the right to file dissenting opinions.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. “Where the issue on an appeal from the circuit court is clearly a question
of law or involving an interpretation of a statute, we apply a de novo standard of review.”
Syl. Pt. 1, Chrystal R.M. v. Charlie A.L., 194 W.Va. 138, 459 S.E.2d 415 (1995).
2. “The Legislature has power to create and define crimes and fix their
punishment[.]” Syl. Pt. 2, in part, State v. Woodward, 68 W.Va. 66, 69 S.E. 385 (1910).
3. “‘Where the language of a statute is clear and without ambiguity the plain
meaning is to be accepted without resorting to the rules of interpretation.’ Syl. Pt. 2, State v.
Elder, 152 W.Va. 571, 165 S.E.2d 108 (1968).” Syl. Pt. 2, King v. West Virginia’s Choice,
Inc., 234 W.Va. 440, 766 S.E.2d 387 (2014).
4. “Undefined words and terms used in a legislative enactment will be given
their common, ordinary and accepted meaning.” Syl. Pt. 6, in part, State ex rel. Cohen v.
Manchin, 175 W.Va. 525, 336 S.E.2d 171 (1984).
5. “This Court does not sit as a superlegislature, commissioned to pass upon
the political, social, economic or scientific merits of statutes pertaining to proper subjects of
i
legislation.” Syl. Pt. 2, in part, Huffman v. Goals Coal Co., 223 W.Va. 724, 679 S.E.2d 323
(2009).
6. “It is not for this Court arbitrarily to read into a statute that which it does
not say. Just as courts are not to eliminate through judicial interpretation words that were
purposely included, we are obliged not to add to statutes something the Legislature purposely
omitted.” Syl. Pt. 11, in part, Brooke B. v. Ray, 230 W.Va. 355, 738 S.E.2d 21 (2013).
7. “The action of this court, in refusing to docket for review a case certified
under Code, 58-5-2, is not to be construed as a final adjudication of the questions presented
on the certification, or as limiting the court in its decision upon the record presented on final
hearing.” Syl. Pt. 1, Hastings v. Finney, 119 W.Va. 301, 193 S.E. 444 (1937).
8. This Court’s exercise of discretion under Rule 17(a)(6) of the West
Virginia Rules of Appellate Procedure in refusing to docket a certified question presented
to this Court under West Virginia Code § 58-5-2 (2012) is neither an express nor an implicit
ruling on the merits of the legal issue presented therein, and the circuit court may thereafter
take such action and make such rulings in the matter as it deems appropriate.
ii
LOUGHRY, Chief Justice:
The petitioner (plaintiff below), State of West Virginia, appeals the circuit
court’s order entered May 13, 2016, through which it dismissed two counts of a four-count
indictment returned against the respondent (defendant below), Steward Butler. The two
dismissed counts charged the defendant with criminal civil rights violations under West
Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) (2014). The State argues that the circuit court erred when it
dismissed Counts I and III based on its erroneous determination that the word “sex” in West
Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) was plain and unambiguous and could not be expanded to
include “sexual orientation.” Upon our careful review of the parties’ briefs, the arguments
of counsel, the appendix record submitted, and the applicable law, we affirm the circuit
court’s ruling and remand this action to the circuit court for further proceedings consistent
with this opinion.
I. Facts and Procedural Background
The State alleges that during the early morning hours of April 5, 2015, the
defendant was riding in a car with friends in Huntington, West Virginia. While the car was
sitting at a stoplight, the defendant observed two men, Casey Williams and Zackery Johnson,
exchange a kiss on the sidewalk. The defendant allegedly voiced homophobic slurs toward
1
Williams and Johnson, exited the vehicle,1 and struck both Williams and Johnson in the face
with his fist, knocking Williams to the ground.
On May 21, 2015, a Cabell County Grand Jury returned an indictment against
the defendant, charging him in Counts II and IV with battery in violation of West Virginia
Code § 61-2-9(c) (2014) and with violations of an individual’s civil rights under West
Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b)2 in Counts I and III. The defendant states that after the
indictment was returned against him, he expressed his intent to challenge the applicability
of West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) to the acts for which he was indicted.
1
One of the victims began to video the incident using his cell phone. That video
recording, as well as the statements taken from the defendant’s companions, were used to
identify the defendant as the alleged perpetrator.
2
West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) provides, in full, as follows:
If any person does by force or threat of force, willfully
injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure,
intimidate or interfere with, or oppress or threaten any other
person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege
secured to him or her by the Constitution or laws of the State of
West Virginia or by the Constitution or laws of the United
States, because of such other person’s race, color, religion,
ancestry, national origin, political affiliation or sex, he or she
shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be fined
not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than
ten years, or both.
2
The parties represent that during a status conference held on September 29,
2015, the circuit court directed the parties to draft a certified question to address the issue of
whether West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) includes protections based on “sexual orientation.”
The parties did so and, by order entered December 16, 2015, the circuit court submitted the
following certified question to this Court: “Whether the provision of West Virginia Code
§61-6-21 embodies a protection of an individual’s civil rights if the violative act is based
solely upon said individual’s sexual orientation?” By order entered February 9, 2016, this
Court refused to docket the certified question.3
Following a status conference held on February 29, 2016, the circuit court
entered an order on March 4, 2016, directing the parties to submit briefs addressing the
applicability of West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b). Following this briefing, the circuit court
entered an order on May 13, 2016, in which it stated that it could not “reasonably hold that
West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) is ambiguous”[;] that a review of similar laws from other
states demonstrated that “there are two distinct categories of potential discrimination:
discrimination based on sex and discrimination based on sexual orientation”[;] that the “West
Virginia legislature could have included sexual orientation as an area of protection . . . [as]
[n]umerous other states have done”[;] that it was “bound to apply the law as it stands”[;] and
3
Justices Davis and Workman would have accepted the certified question for the
Court’s consideration and decision.
3
that it “cannot expand the word ‘sex’ to include ‘sexual orientation’ within West Virginia
Code § 61-6-21(b).” In this same order, the circuit court ruled that Counts II and IV charging
the defendant with battery “shall remain[,]” and it dismissed Counts I and III charging the
defendant with violating West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b). The State appeals these rulings.
II. Standard of Review
The circuit court dismissed Counts I and III of the indictment after concluding
that the word “sex” in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) was plain and unambiguous and
could not be expanded to include “sexual orientation.” The circuit court ruled that the State
could not properly bring such charges against the defendant under the current law of this
state. These findings meet the criteria under West Virginia Code § 58-5-30 (2012), which
permits the State to appeal the dismissal of an indictment that “is held bad or insufficient by
the judgment of a circuit court.” Id.
Through this appeal, we are asked to examine the meaning of the word “sex”
as used in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b). As we have previously held, “[w]here the issue
on an appeal from the circuit court is clearly a question of law or involving an interpretation
of a statute, we apply a de novo standard of review.” Syl. Pt. 1, Chrystal R.M. v. Charlie
A.L., 194 W.Va. 138, 459 S.E.2d 415 (1995). With this plenary standard in mind, we
proceed to determine whether the circuit court erred in dismissing Counts I and III of the
4
indictment on the basis that the word “sex” in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) is
unambiguous and does not include “sexual orientation.”
III. Discussion
The State asserts that the circuit court erred by ruling that West Virginia Code
§ 61-6-21(b) does not provide protection for an individual’s civil rights where the violative
act is based upon the individual’s sexual orientation and by ordering Counts I and III of the
indictment dismissed. The State also challenges the propriety of the circuit court ruling upon
the legal issue that had been raised in the circuit court’s certified question after this Court
refused to docket the same. We address these issues, in turn, below.4
A. West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b)
The State asserts that the word “sex” in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b)5 is
ambiguous and should be interpreted to include “sexual orientation.” Arguing that the
legislative history for West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 does not reflect whether sexual
4
An amicus brief was submitted by the West Virginia Attorney General that
substantively supports the defendant’s position in this matter. A separate amicus brief was
submitted by the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. that supports the State’s,
i.e., the prosecution’s position.
5
See supra note 2.
5
orientation was intended to be a protected status under the statute,6 the State contends the
word “sex” could nonetheless be reasonably construed to encompass multiple meanings in
the context in which the word is used. The State recites the definitions of the word “sex” in
Black’s Law Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary in support of its argument that
West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 would provide protection based on sexually motivated
phenomena or behavior, including sexual orientation. Asserting that Title VII7 precedent
effectively prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation when the discriminatory
behavior is determined to be “because of sex,”8 the State urges this Court to apply Title VII
precedent here.
6
Chapter 40 of the Acts of the Legislature of West Virginia, Regular Session, 1987,
reflects that the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 301 was an act “to amend article six,
chapter sixty-one of the code of West Virginia . . . by adding thereto a new section . . .
prohibiting violations of an individual’s civil rights by reason of that individual’s race, color
religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation or sex[.]”
7
Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination
based on an individual’s “race, color, religion, sex and national origin.” See 42 U.S.C. §§
2000e-2.
8
The State briefly argues that even if sexual orientation is not covered under West
Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b), it should still be allowed to prosecute on Counts I and III on the
basis that the crimes would not have occurred if one of the victims had been female, i.e., the
State contends that the defendant did commit the crimes because of the victims’ sex.
Although it is unclear from the appendix record whether the State presented this argument
below, we find it to be unavailing as it alters not only the sex of one of the victims–from
male to female–but it also requires the hypothetical female to be heterosexual. In other
words, the argument invokes both the sex and sexual orientation of the alleged victim. To
the extent this argument is tied to the State’s reliance upon the “because of sex” analyses
employed under remedial discrimination statutes such as Title VII, such analysis is
inapplicable. See infra note 11.
6
Contrary to the State’s position, the defendant argues that West Virginia Code
§ 61-6-21(b) clearly and unambiguously includes “sex,” but not “sexual orientation.” Citing
State v. Sulick, 232 W.Va. 717, 753 S.E.2d 875 (2012), wherein this Court held that the West
Virginia Code § 61-6-21 was not unconstitutionally vague,9 the defendant asserts that the
absence of the words “sexual orientation” in § 61-6-21(b) reflects that the Legislature did not
intend for the statute to include sexual orientation. Arguing that words are to be given their
common usage, the defendant argues that this Court’s precedent demonstrates that courts are
not free to read into a statute language that is not there but should apply statutes as they are
written. The defendant also quotes dictionary definitions for the words “sex” and “sexual
orientation” in support of his argument that these terms have very different meanings.
Maintaining these terms are treated as separate and distinct categories, the defendant
highlights the fact some states have hate crime statutes that protect and/or prohibit conduct
based on “sexual orientation,” while other states list both “sex” and “sexual orientation.”
We begin our analysis by recognizing that more than a century ago, this Court
held that “[t]he Legislature has power to create and define crimes and fix their
punishment[.]” Syl. Pt. 2, in part, State v. Woodward, 68 W.Va. 66, 69 S.E. 385 (1910).
Since then,
9
Sulick, 232 W.Va. at 719, 753 S.E.2d at 876, syl. pt. 7.
7
[w]e have consistently held that subject to certain constitutional
limitations there exists in the Legislature the broad right to
define crimes and their punishment. State ex rel. Cogar v. Kidd,
W.Va., 234 S.E.2d 899 (1977); State ex rel. Heck’s v. Gates,
149 W.Va. 421, 141 S.E.2d 369 (1965); State v. Painter, 135
W.Va. 106, 63 S.E.2d 86 (1950).
State ex rel. Winter v. MacQueen, 161 W.Va. 30, 35, 239 S.E.2d 660, 663 (1977).
In 1987, our Legislature exercised its right to define crimes when it enacted
West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) through which it became a felony to violate a person’s civil
rights by threat, intimidation and/or injury to another person or another person’s property
because of specifically enumerated characteristics, including the victim’s “sex.” W.Va. Code
§ 61-6-21(b).10 In determining what is meant by the word “sex,” we are mindful that
“‘[w]here the language of a statute is clear and without ambiguity the plain meaning is to be
accepted without resorting to the rules of interpretation.’ Syl. Pt. 2, State v. Elder, 152
W.Va. 571, 165 S.E.2d 108 (1968).” Syl. Pt. 2, King v. West Virginia’s Choice, Inc., 234
W.Va. 440, 766 S.E.2d 387 (2014); see also Syl. Pt. 2, Crockett v. Andrews, 153 W.Va. 714,
172 S.E.2d 384 (1970) (“Where the language of a statute is free from ambiguity, its plain
meaning is to be accepted and applied without resort to interpretation.”); Syl. Pt. 2, Eggleton
v. State Workmen’s Comp. Comm’r, 158 W.Va. 973, 214 S.E.2d 864 (1975) (“Where a
statute is plain and unambiguous, a court has a duty to apply and not to construe its
10
See supra note 2.
8
provisions.”). Moreover, “[t]hat the parties disagree as to the meaning . . . of [a statutory]
provision does not of itself render [the] provision ambiguous[.]” Estate of Resseger v. Battle,
152 W.Va. 216, 220, 161 S.E.2d 257, 260 (1968).
The word “sex” in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) is undefined. We have
previously addressed other undefined terms in this statute. In Sulick, the defendant asserted
that the undefined words “force or threat of force” contained in West Virginia Code § 61-6­
21(b) rendered the statute unconstitutionally vague. Relying upon our precedent, such as that
discussed above, we ascribed ordinary meaning to the words “force” and “threat” and
concluded that the language was “clear in prohibiting the use of either physical means or a
communicated intent to inflict harm or loss on another or on another person’s property.”
Sulick, 232 W.Va. at 725, 753 S.E.2d at 883.
As we explained in Sulick, our precedent provides that “[u]ndefined words and
terms used in a legislative enactment will be given their common, ordinary and accepted
meaning.” Syl. Pt. 6, in part, State ex rel. Cohen v. Manchin, 175 W.Va. 525, 336 S.E.2d 171
(1984); see also Syl. Pt. 4, in part, State v. General Daniel Morgan Post No. 548, Veterans
of Foreign Wars, 144 W.Va. 137, 107 S.E.2d 353 (1959) (“Generally the words of a statute
are to be given their ordinary and familiar significance and meaning[.]”). Affording the
undefined term “sex” its common and ordinary meaning, and for the reasons set forth below,
9
we find the word to be clear and unambiguous and to have a very different meaning and
import than the term “sexual orientation.”11
In Black’s Law Dictionary, the word “sex” is defined as: “1. The sum of the
peculiarities of structure and function that distinguish a male from a female organism;
gender. 2. Sexual intercourse. 3. Sexual relations[.]” Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed.
2014). Although the State urges this Court to also include “sexual orientation” in that
definition,12 “sexual orientation” has a distinctively different definition, as follows: “A
11
The parties and the amici devote a substantial portion of their respective briefs to
arguments involving a legal analyses employed in West Virginia Human Rights Act [W.Va.
Code § § 5-11-1 to -20] and Title VII cases. Because we have found the word “sex” in West
Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) to be unambiguous, such interpretive analysis is inapplicable;
rather, “its plain meaning is to be accepted and applied without resort to interpretation.”
Crockett, 153 W.Va. at 715, 172 S.E.2d at 385, syl. pt. 2. Further, even if we were to find
the term “sex” is ambiguous, the “rule of lenity” would require us to strictly construe the
statute against the State and in favor of the defendant, thereby commanding a similar
outcome. See Syl. Pt. 5, State ex rel. Morgan v. Trent, 195 W.Va. 257, 465 S.E.2d 257
(1995) (“In construing an ambiguous criminal statute, the rule of lenity applies which
requires that penal statutes must be strictly construed against the State and in favor of the
defendant.”). As we explained in Morgan, the “‘[t]he rule of lenity serves to ensure . . . that
there is fair warning of the boundaries of criminal conduct[.]’” Id. at 262, 465 S.E.2d at 262
(citation omitted).
12
As indicated above, the State contends the word “sex” in West Virginia Code § 61-6­
21(b) could be “construed to encompass multiple meanings,” including sexual orientation.
Such argument fails. First, unambiguous statutes are applied, not construed. Eggleton, 158
W.Va. at 974, 214 S.E.2d at 865, syl. pt. 2 (“Where a statute is plain and unambiguous, a
court has a duty to apply and not to construe its provisions.”). Second, the State’s “multiple
meanings” argument could run afoul of “the fundamental principle that a statute creating a
crime must be so certain and definite that a person committing an act which it forbids can
tell, when he does so, that he has violated the law.” State ex rel. Heck’s Inc. v. Gates, 149
(continued...)
10
person’s predisposition or inclination toward sexual activity or behavior with other males or
females; heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.” Id. The New Oxford American
Dictionary ascribes similar meanings, defining “sex” as “either of the two main categories
(male and female) into which humans and many other living things are divided on the basis
of their reproductive functions]” and “sexual intercourse,” and defining “sexual orientation”
as “a person’s sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted; the fact of
being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.” New Oxford American Dictionary (3d ed.
2010). Likewise, Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines “sex” as either “male
or female,” “intercourse,” and “genitalia,” whereas “sexual orientation” is defined as “a
person’s sexuality . . . with respect to his or her sexual desire; heterosexuality,
homosexuality, bisexuality, etc.” Webster’s New World College Dictionary (5th ed. 2016).
These common definitions manifest that the words “sex” and “sexual orientation” have
clearly distinct meanings and import. This distinction is reflected in their usage in the federal
hate crime law, as well as similar laws enacted in other states.13
12
(...continued)
W.Va. 421, 432, 141 S.E.2d 369, 377-78 (1965).
13
An internet search reveals that various organizations also consider sex and sexual
orientation to be distinct categories in hate crimes laws. For example, the Movement
Advancement Project, a self-described “independent think tank that provides rigorous
research, insight and analysis that help speed equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) people,” lists sixteen states, including West Virginia, as having hate
crime statutes that do not cover sexual orientation or gender identity. See
http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/hate_crime_laws (last visited May 10, 2017).
Similarly, the Anti-Defamation League describes West Virginia as having a hate crime
(continued...)
11
Federal law provides for the prosecution of persons who
willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use
of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or
incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person,
because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin,
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any
person[.]
18 U.S.C. § 249(2) (emphasis added). The vast majority of states have enacted hate crime
laws.14 Some states, like West Virginia, have created distinct crimes; other states provide for
sentencing enhancements; and some states provide for both. Whether a separate crime, a
sentencing enhancement, or both, West Virginia and five other states have statutes that list
either “sex” or “gender”;15 twenty states list either “sex” or “gender” in addition to listing
“sexual orientation”;16 and six states list only “sexual orientation.”17 Certain states list
13
(...continued)
statute that does not include sexual orientation (https://www.adl.org/sites/default/files/doc
uments/assets/pdf/combating-hate/ADL-updated-2016-Excel-State-Hate-Crime-Statutes.pdf
(last visited May 10, 2017)), as does the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
(http://www.thetaskforce.org/static_html/downloads/reports/issue_maps/hate_crimes_06_13_
color.pdf (last visited May 10, 2017)).
14
Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Wyoming do not have hate crimes
laws.
15
See Alaska Stat. § 12.55.155(c)(22) (“sex”); Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.147b(1)
(“gender”); Miss. Code §§ 99-19-301, 305(3), -307(a) (“gender”); N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1­
14-04 (“sex”); Wyo. Stat. §6-9-102 (“sex”).
16
See Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 41-1750(A)(3), 13-701(D)(15); Cal. Penal Code §§ 422.55;
720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-7.1; Iowa Code §§ 729a.1, a.2; La. Rev. Stat. § 14:107.2; Md.
Code, Crim. Law §§ 10-304, -305; Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § l151; Minn. Stat. §609.2231(4);
Mo. Rev. Stat. §557.035; Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-111 to -113; N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:6(1)(f);
(continued...)
12
“sexual orientation” and “gender expression” and/or “gender identity”18 in their hate crime
statutes. Other states do not include any of these terms in their hate crime statutes. This
nationwide review of hate crime laws indisputably demonstrates that “sex” and “sexual
orientation” are being treated as distinct categories. Further, the parties do not cite, nor has
our research revealed, any reported decisions where the term “sex” was found to either
include or exclude “sexual orientation” in those states whose hate crimes law lists “sex”
only.19
Having determined that the word “sex” in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) is
unambiguous and clearly imparts being male or female, and does not include “sexual
orientation,” we further find that our determination is supported by the Legislature’s repeated
rejection of any attempt to add those terms to the statute in the thirty years since it first
16
(...continued)
N.J. Stat. § 2c:16-1; N.M. Stat. §§ 31-18B-2, -3; N.Y. Penal Law § 485-05; R.I. Gen. Laws
§ 12-19-38; Tenn. Code § 40-35-114(17); Tex. Penal Code § 12.47, Tex. Code Crim. Proc.
Art. 42.014; Vt. Stat. tit. 13, § 1455; Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.36.080; see also D.C. Code §§
22-3701, -3702, -3704.
17
See Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-9-121; Fla. Stat. § 775.085; Kan. St. § 21-6815(c)(2)(C);
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 532.031; Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.155; Wis. Stat. § 939.645.
18
See Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-181j; Del. Code tit. 11, § 1304; Haw. Rev. Stat. §§
706-662, 846-51; Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 39; Nev. Rev. Stat. § 4l.690.
19
Our research also failed to reveal any reported decision where a court found the term
“gender” to include “sexual orientation” in those three states with hate crime laws that list
“gender” but not “sexual orientation.” See supra note 15.
13
enacted the statute in 1987. As the defendant asserts, the Legislature’s repeated refusal to
amend § 61-6 -21 to include “sexual orientation” is undoubtedly indicative of its intent not
to include “sexual orientation” therein. In fact, it appears that since 1987, there have been
at least twenty-six attempts to amend the statute to include “sexual orientation,” and each
attempt has failed.20
Certainly, unsuccessful legislative efforts can be attributed to a myriad of
reasons, but regardless of the reasons behind the numerous failed attempts to amend § 61-6­
21 to include “sexual orientation,” the very fact that there have been twenty-six failed
attempts cannot be ignored. Indeed, other courts have found the repeated rejection of
legislation to be clear expressions of intent. See Heckler v. Day, 467 U.S. 104, 118 n.30, 119
20
In the Attorney General’s amicus brief, the following are cited as the failed
legislation: “H.B. 2851 (2008); H.B. 2851 (2007); H.B. 2225 (2006); H.B. 2442 (2006); H.B.
2225 (2005); H.B. 2442 (2005); H.B. 2004 (2003); H.B. 2042 (2003); H.B. 2226 (2003);
H.B. 3147 (2003); H.B. 4464 (2002); S. 23 (2001); H.B. 2354 (2001); H.B. 2415 (2001); S.
422 (2000); H.B. 4392 (2000); H.B. 2114 (1999); H.B. 2481 (1998); S. 495 (1997); H.B.
2481 (1997); S. 457 (1996); H.B. 2775 (1995); S. 478 (1994); H.B. 4385 (1994); S. 319
(1993); H.B. 2426 (1993).” During the recent 2017 regular legislative session, a bi-partisan
group of legislators introduced House Bill 2748 to amend West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 to
include, among other characteristics, “sexual orientation.” The bill was referred to the
House Judiciary Committee, and no further action was taken. The amicus Lambda Legal
Defense and Education Fund, Inc. suggests in its brief that the Legislature has repeatedly
declined to add “sexual orientation” to the statute explicitly because it considers such
coverage to be already be provided by the statute as it was enacted in 1987. It would be
utterly nonsensical, however, for various members of the Legislature to attempt to amend
West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 twenty-six times to add the words “sexual orientation” if the
statute already so provided.
14
(1984) (recognizing repeated congressional rejection of imposing mandatory deadlines on
agency adjudication of disputed disability claims and describing fact that “Congress has
rejected repeated demands for mandatory deadlines” as a “clear . . . expression of
congressional intent”); State v. Gen. Paving Co., 590 F.2d 680, 683 (7th Cir. 1979) (finding
that “[i]f the [p]rima facie evidence standard of Section 5(a) is to be changed, it is for
Congress to do so” and giving weight to “the repeated refusals of Congress to enact the
suggested provision”); Yonga v. State, 130 A.3d 486, 498 (Md. 2016) (“[W]hile intent may
be discerned from legislative inaction, it is considered most appropriate generally only when
a specific bill has been repeatedly brought to the General Assembly and rejected[.]”).
Moreover, these unsuccessful legislative efforts are not only indicative of intent, but they are
germane to the Legislature’s right to define crimes. In this regard, the Legislature has
chosen–repeatedly–not to amend West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) so as to include any
additional characteristics that trigger criminal responsibility under the statute.
As we instructed in King, “courts must presume that a legislature says in a
statute what it means and means in a statute what it says there.” 234 W.Va. at 444, 766
S.E.2d at 391 (internal citations omitted); see also State v. J.E., __ W.Va. __, 796 S.E.2d
880, 886 (2017) (explaining that Court was guided by “the precept that ‘courts must presume
that a legislature says in a statute what it means and means in a statute what it says there’”
and concluding that “[h]ad the Legislature intended to include adult offenders convicted of
15
a criminal offense and adjudicated juvenile delinquents in W.Va. Code § 15-12-2(b), we
presume it would have done so explicitly.”) (internal citation omitted). Through application
of the presumption that the Legislature said in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b) what it
meant and meant what it said, and based upon the common and plain meaning of the word
“sex,” as well as the Legislature’s clear intent, we are left with the ineluctable conclusion that
the word “sex” does not include “sexual orientation.”
Critically, judicial challenge “is not a license for [this Court] to judge the
wisdom, fairness, or logic of legislative choices.” MacDonald v. City Hosp., Inc., 227 W.Va.
707, 722, 715 S.E.2d 405, 420 (2011) (quoting Fed’l Commc’ns Comm’n v. Beach
Commc’ns, Inc., 508 U.S. 307, 313 (1993)). Consequently, although the State argues that
we should disregard the “literal sense of the words” in West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b)
because not doing so leads to “injustice and absurdity[,]”21 we disagree. It is certainly not
absurd for this Court to recognize not only the Legislature’s right to define crimes and their
punishment, but also the Legislature’s indisputable intent not to expand West Virginia Code
§ 61-6-21(b) to include “sexual orientation.”22 Moreover, there is no injustice where the
21
Syl. Pt. 2, in part, Click v. Click, 98 W.Va. 419, 127 S.E. 194 (1925).
22
In addition to “sexual orientation,” there have been multiple unsuccessful attempts
to amend West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 to also include actual or perceived race and gender
identity.
16
defendant remains charged on two counts of battery arising out of his alleged criminal
misconduct.
Our decision herein is guided by the principle that “this Court is not permitted
to engage in an examination of the public policy ramifications potentially resulting from [the
statute’s] application or to comment upon the wisdom of the legislation as unambiguously
expressed.” State ex rel. Biafore v. Tomblin, 236 W.Va. 528, 533, 782 S.E.2d 223, 228
(2016). Accordingly, although we do not comment on whether it would be good or bad
policy for the Legislature to amend West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 to include “sexual
orientation,”23 we observe that our own rules expressly prohibit bias and discrimination in
the courts of this state based on several categories, including both “sex” and “sexual
orientation.” Rule 2.3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct provides, in part:
(B) A judge shall not, in the performance of judicial duties, by
words or conduct manifest bias or prejudice, or engage in
harassment, including but not limited to bias, prejudice, or
harassment based upon race, sex, gender, religion, national
origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital
status, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation, and shall
not permit court staff, court officials, or others subject to the
judge’s direction and control to do so.
23
We observe that in 2014, the Legislature enacted West Virginia Code § 18-2-5h and
chose to provide protections based on an individual’s sexual orientation in subsection (e)(4),
which provides that “[s]chools shall not collect . . . (4) Any data concerning the sexual
orientation or beliefs about sexual orientation of the student or any student’s family
member[.]”
17
(C) A judge shall require lawyers in proceedings before the
court to refrain from manifesting bias or prejudice, or engaging
in harassment, based upon attributes including but not limited to
race, sex, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability,
age, sexual orientation, marital status, socioeconomic status, or
political affiliation, against parties, witnesses, lawyers, or others.
Id. (emphasis added). Similarly, Rule 3.6(A) of these same rules provides that “[a] judge
shall not hold membership in any organization that practices invidious discrimination on the
basis of race, sex, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.” Id.
(emphasis added). Likewise, our Trial Court Rules guard against bias by providing that
[a]s to matters in issue before any court, conduct and statements
toward one another must be without bias with regard to such
factors as gender, race, ethnicity, religion, handicap, age, and
sexual orientation when such conduct or statements bear no
reasonable relationship to a good faith effort to argue or present
a position on the merits.
T.C.R. 4.06, in part.
Unlike criminal statutes that impose penalties, including the potential for
imprisonment, our court rules do not. Thus, although the enumerated characteristics that
trigger criminal responsibility under West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 are not as expansive as
the enumerated characteristics under our court rules, just as the Legislature does not prescribe
our rules, “[t]his Court does not sit as a superlegislature, commissioned to pass upon the
political, social, economic or scientific merits of statutes pertaining to proper subjects of
legislation.” Syl. Pt. 2, in part, Huffman v. Goals Coal Co., 223 W.Va. 724, 679 S.E.2d 323
18
(2009); see also Banker v. Banker, 196 W.Va. 535, 546-47, 474 S.E.2d 465, 476-77 (1996)
(internal citation omitted) (“It is not for this Court arbitrarily to read into [a statute] that
which it does not say.”); State ex rel. Frazier v. Meadows, 193 W.Va. 20, 24, 454 S.E.2d 65,
69 (1994) (“Courts are not free to read into the language what is not there, but rather should
apply the statute as written.”); Tug Valley Pharmacy, LLC v. All Plaintiffs Below In Mingo
Cnty., 235 W.Va. 283, 298, 773 S.E.2d 627, 642 (2015) (Benjamin, J., concurring) (“The
principles of judicial conservatism require us . . . not to bestow upon ourselves the role of
superlegislature simply because we do not believe [the Legislature] went far enough.”);
accord State ex rel. Curry v. Carr, 847 S.W.2d 561, 567 (Tx. Crim. App. 1992) (Miller, J.,
dissenting) (“Today a majority of this Court . . . acts . . . as a superlegislature making laws
which the legislature has repeatedly rejected and effectuating its own intent rather than that
of The Legislature.”).
It is imperative to remember that “[i]t is not for this Court arbitrarily to read
into a statute that which it does not say. Just as courts are not to eliminate through judicial
interpretation words that were purposely included, we are obliged not to add to statutes
something the Legislature purposely omitted.” Syl. Pt. 11, Brooke B. v. Ray, 230 W.Va. 355,
738 S.E.2d 21 (2013). This precept is particularly crucial to our analysis when the State
essentially asks this Court to judicially amend West Virginia Code § 61-6-21 by expanding
it to create a new felony when the Legislature has repeatedly chosen not to do so. As we
19
explained in Morgan v. Trent, the “‘legislatures, not courts, define criminal liability.’” 195
W.Va. at 262, 465 S.E.2d at 262 (citation omitted).
Accordingly, we adhere to our to law that “[w]hen a statute is clear and
unambiguous and the legislative intent is plain, the statute should not be interpreted by the
courts, and in such case it is the duty of the courts not to construe but to apply the statute.”
General Daniel Morgan Post No. 548, 144 W.Va. at 137, 107 S.E.2d at 354, syl. pt. 5.
Applying West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b), as it is currently written, the State cannot
prosecute the defendant for an alleged criminal civil rights violation arising out of the
victims’ sexual orientation.24 Accordingly, we affirm the circuit court’s dismissal of Counts
I and III of the indictment. The State may move forward with its prosecution on Counts II
and IV charging the defendant with battery under West Virginia Code § 61-2-9.
B. Certified Question
The State asserts that the circuit court erred in dismissing Counts I and III of
the indictment subsequent to this Court’s refusal to docket the question certified by the
24
During oral argument, a question was raised as to whether there was an Eighth
Amendment equal protection issue from the perspective of the alleged victims. The parties
neither raised nor briefed an equal protection argument, either below or on appeal.
Consequently, such constitutional challenge is not properly before the Court.
20
circuit court. 25 Arguing that this Court only hears certified questions that are necessary to
reach a decision in the pending case and then speculating that our refusal to docket the
certified question meant the question need not be answered to decide the case, the State
asserts that the circuit court also erred when it proceeded to answer the question, which
resulted in its dismissal of Counts I and III of the indictment.26
Describing the procedural history related to the circuit court’s certified
question, the defendant asserts that the State never objected to the manner by which the lower
court proceeded and, once this Court refused to docket the certified question, the issue of
certification, itself, was moot. Regarding the manner in which the circuit court proceeded
thereafter, the defendant asserts that the parties agreed upon a scheduling order for the
submission of briefs on the issue of the applicability of West Virginia Code § 61-6-21(b),
after which the circuit court ruled that it could not expand § 61-6-21(b) to include sexual
25
The State also asserts that the circuit court erred by certifying the question under the
Uniform Certification of Questions of Law Act, W.Va. Code §§ 51-1A-1 to -13, which is to
be used by federal and foreign jurisdictions. The State correctly argues that the circuit court
should have followed West Virginia Code § 58-5-2, which requires the circuit court to
answer the question in the first instance, which the circuit court did not do in its certification
order. Rule 17(a)(1) of our Rules of Appellate Procedure also requires a circuit court to
answer the certified question presented. Although the circuit court should have followed
West Virginia Code § 58-5-2 and our rule, that issue is now moot.
26
This argument is linked to the State’s assertion that it may prosecute on more than
one legal theory. As previously discussed, the State offers the alternative theory that had one
of the alleged victims been a female, the crime would not have occurred, therefore, the
defendant allegedly committed the crime because of the victims’ sex. We have found this
argument to be unavailing. See supra note 8.
21
orientation. The defendant notes that the circuit court stayed its order dismissing Counts I
and III of the indictment to allow the State to pursue this appeal, which has brought the legal
issue back to this Court for decision.
As provided in West Virginia Code § 58-5-2 (2012),27
[a]ny question of law, including, but not limited to,
questions arising upon the sufficiency of a summons or return of
service, upon a challenge of the sufficiency of a pleading or the
venue of the circuit court, upon the sufficiency of a motion for
summary judgment where such motion is denied, or a motion for
judgment on the pleadings, upon the jurisdiction of the circuit
court of a person or subject matter, or upon failure to join an
indispensable party, may, in the discretion of the circuit court in
which it arises, be certified by it to the Supreme Court of
Appeals for its decision, and further proceedings in the case
stayed until such question shall have been decided and the
decision thereof certified back.
This statute further provides that “[t]he procedure for processing questions certified pursuant
to this section shall be governed by rules of appellate procedure promulgated by the Supreme
27
Interestingly, our research revealed very few reported decisions where this Court has
answered certified questions in criminal proceedings. See, e.g., State v. Bias, 177 W.Va.
302, 352 S.E.2d 52 (1986) (answering certified questions on basis that questions concerned
circuit court’s jurisdiction); State v. Vollmer, 163 W.Va. 711, 711-12, 259 S.E.2d 837, 838
(1970) (answering certified question on basis it raised issue of jurisdiction, as provided under
W.Va. Code § 58-5-2); State v. De Spain,139 W.Va. 854, 81 S.E.2d 914 (1954) (finding
Court did not have jurisdiction to answer certified question addressed to sufficiency of search
warrant which fell outside parameters of W.Va. Code § 58-5-2). In State v. Lewis, 188
W.Va. 85, 422 S.E.2d 807 (1992), however, this Court questioned its jurisdiction to consider
a certified question in a criminal case, holding that “W.Va. Code, 58-5-2 (1967), is designed
for certifying questions in civil cases.” Lewis, 188 W.Va. at 86, 422 S.E.2d at 808, syl. pt.
4, in part. Five years after Lewis was decided, West Virginia Code § 58-5-2 was amended
to provide for “any question of law” without limitation.
22
Court of Appeals.” In turn, this Court’s procedural rules provide that when a certified
question is submitted, this Court “may, in its discretion, schedule the case for argument under
Rule 19 or Rule 20, issue an order declining to accept the certified question, or issue an
otherwise appropriate order.” R.A.P. 17(a)(6), in part (emphasis added).
The State mistakenly assigns legal significance to our exercise of discretion in
refusing to docket the previously certified question. Viewing our refusal as an indication that
the question need not be answered to decide the case, the State argues that the circuit court
erred by subsequently ruling on the legal issue. Although we previously held that “‘this
Court will not consider certified questions not necessary to a decision of the case[,]’”28 such
holding clearly does not preclude us from refusing to docket certified questions for other
reasons.29 Morever, as we also previously held, “[t]he action of this court, in refusing to
docket for review a case certified under Code, 58-5-2, is not to be construed as a final
adjudication of the questions presented on the certification, or as limiting the court in its
28
Syl. Pt. 6, West Va. Water Serv. Co. v. Cunningham, 143 W.Va. 1, 98 S.E.2d 891
(1957); see also Syl. Pt. 5, Anderson v. Moulder, 183 W.Va. 77, 394 S.E.2d 61 (1990)
(same); Syl. Pt. 7, Shell v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 181 W.Va. 16, 380 S.E.2d 183 (1989)
(same).
29
Even in cases where we have docketed a certified question, we have sometimes
declined to answer it for a variety of reasons. See, e.g., Williamson v. Greene, 200 W.Va.
421, 428 n.12, 490 S.E.2d 23, 30 n.12 (1997) (“We decline to answer certified question 3 in
light of plaintiff’s failure to address the issue raised therein.”); Holloman v. Nationwide Mut.
Ins. Co., 217 W.Va. 269, 272, 617 S.E.2d 816, 819 (2005) (“Finding the answer to the first
question to be dispositive, this Court declines to address the second certified question.”).
23
decision upon the record presented on final hearing.” Syl. Pt. 1, Hastings v. Finney, 119
W.Va. 301, 193 S.E. 444 (1937). The holding in Hastings clearly contemplates the circuit
court ruling upon the issue raised in a certified question, following this Court’s refusal to
docket the same, and this Court retaining the ability to address the issue if raised in a
subsequent appeal, as in the case at bar.
In addition, we further observe the general absence of any language in our
administrative orders refusing to docket certified questions that would restrict the manner in
which the circuit court thereafter addresses the issue. Accordingly, we take this opportunity
to make clear, and we now hold, that this Court’s exercise of discretion under Rule 17 of the
West Virginia Rules of Appellate Procedure in refusing to docket a certified question
presented to this Court under West Virginia Code § 58-5-2 (2012) is neither an express nor
an implicit ruling on the merits of the legal issue presented therein, and the circuit court may
thereafter take such action and make such rulings in the matter as it deems appropriate.
Once this Court refused to docket the certified question, the circuit court ruled
upon the legal issue, which led to its dismissal of Counts I and III of the indictment. The
State has appealed that ruling, as provided under West Virginia Code § 58-5-30. As
contemplated in Hastings, the legal issue is now before us for decision. In short, we find no
24
error in the circuit court ruling on the legal question once this Court refused to docket the
certified question.
IV. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the circuit court’s May 13, 2016, order dismissing
Counts I and III of the defendant’s indictment is hereby affirmed. This action is remanded
for additional proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Affirmed and Remanded
25