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State v. Robertson
440 P.3d 401
Ariz. Ct. App.
2019
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Background

  • In 2002 Robertson was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse; counts were reduced under a plea agreement to manslaughter (prison) and reckless child abuse (probation).
  • Plea agreement stipulated to a consecutive structure: a prison term for manslaughter and a consecutive lifetime probation term for child abuse; agreement warned that violating probation could lead to sentencing "without limitation."
  • Robertson served her prison term and was released in 2010; she had multiple probation violations (2014, 2016, March 2017) and was repeatedly reinstated.
  • In May 2017 the State filed a petition alleging an intensive-probation violation; at the revocation hearing Robertson for the first time argued the consecutive sentence violated A.R.S. § 13-116 (prohibition on double punishment for the same act/victim).
  • The superior court revoked probation in July 2017 and imposed a presumptive 3.5-year prison term; Robertson appealed, challenging the legality of the sentence under § 13-116.

Issues

Issue Plaintiff's Argument Defendant's Argument Held
Whether consecutive sentencing after probation revocation violated A.R.S. § 13-116 (double punishment for same act/victim) Robertson: consecutive sentence illegal because she previously served prison time for the same act and victim State: plea agreement and stipulation authorized consecutive probation and potential imprisonment on violation; invited error/waiver bars challenge Court: Invited-error doctrine bars Robertson's § 13-116 challenge because she knowingly stipulated to consecutive probation and the possibility of unlimited sentencing on violation; appeal affirmed

Key Cases Cited

  • State v. Johnson, 210 Ariz. 438 (de novo review of sentence legality)
  • State v. Todd, 244 Ariz. 374 (de novo review of consecutive sentences under § 13-116)
  • State v. Martinez, 226 Ariz. 221 (illegal sentence is fundamental error)
  • State v. Regenold, 226 Ariz. 378 (appealability of sentence after contested probation-violation hearing)
  • State v. Logan, 200 Ariz. 564 (invited-error doctrine discussion)
  • State v. Rushing, 243 Ariz. 212 (invited error prevents profiting from injected record error)
  • State v. Parker, 231 Ariz. 391 (invited error from stipulations to evidence admission)
  • State v. Pandeli, 215 Ariz. 514 (invited error where defendant explicitly declined objection)
  • State v. Morse, 127 Ariz. 25 (plea agreement stipulations are agreements among defendant, counsel, and prosecutor)
  • State v. Escalante, 245 Ariz. 135 (invited-error doctrine precludes relief even when error is fundamental and prejudicial)
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Case Details

Case Name: State v. Robertson
Court Name: Court of Appeals of Arizona
Date Published: Apr 18, 2019
Citation: 440 P.3d 401
Docket Number: 1 CA-CR 17-0491
Court Abbreviation: Ariz. Ct. App.