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