In re T.C., a Person Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law.
THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
T.C., Defendant and Appellant.
Court of Appeals of California, Third District.
*840 Michele A. Douglass, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant.
Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette and Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorneys General, Michael A. Canzoneri and A. Kay Lauterbach, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
OPINION
SIMS, J.
In this case arising under Welfare and Institutions Code section 602,[1] the parties dispute whether the juvenile court lawfully ordered as a probation condition that appellant, T.C., pay victim restitution on a count of the petition that had been dismissed. Appellant contends the restitution order was invalid because appellant had not entered a waiver pursuant to People v. Harvey (1979)
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On November 22, 2006, the district attorney filed a wardship petition against T.C. in Yolo County.
As pertinent, Count Five alleged that on or about May 16, 2006, in Yolo County, appellant violated section 10851, subdivision (a), of the Vehicle Code in that appellant did willfully and unlawfully drive and take a vehicle, to wit, a Maxima from Fairfield Nissan.
As pertinent, Count Eight alleged that on or about April 17, 2006, to May 9, 2006, in Sacramento and Yolo Counties, appellant violated section 10851, subdivision (a), of the Vehicle Code in that appellant did willfully and unlawfully drive and take a vehicle, to wit, a Dodge Charger.
*841 A probation report indicated the Dodge Charger in Count Eight was stolen from a Swift Dodge dealership.
The probation report said appellant and others were apprehended fleeing the scene of the theft of the Nissan Maxima on May 16, 2006. Appellant admitted to police being involved in the theft of the Nissan Maxima and admitted having possessed a stolen Dodge Charger that was recently recovered by Sacramento police.
The probation report also recited that appellant was already a ward of the court for prior offenses of receiving stolen property, related to vehicle theft and driving without a license. He was the subject of five prior juvenile wardship petitions for automobile theft and related offenses, filed between March 2004 and July 2006. The probation report said, "It is obvious the subject does not abide by the conditions of probation ...." The report recommended that appellant be continued a ward of the court, committed to Juvenile Hall for 60 days, and that previous conditions of probation remain in effect.
On August 13, 2007, pursuant to a plea agreement, appellant admitted Count Five (theft of the Nissan Maxima). Before accepting appellant's admission to Count Five, the Yolo County court stated: "There may be restitution. If you enter this admission, you would be obligated to pay restitution, any damages or loss that the victim incurred. You would have to pay what loss they incurred, if there was an agreement, and if there isn't, whether or not that is the right number, [there would be] an evidentiary hearing [and] [t]he amount would have to be determined." Appellant said he understood. Appellant then admitted the Count Five offense. The court said, "Then I would dismiss all other counts outright, although they may be considered for purposes of disposition."
Because appellant lives in Sacramento and had other matters pending there, the case was transferred to Sacramento County for final disposition.
On September 13, 2007, the Sacramento County Juvenile Court vacated all previous dispositional orders, continued appellant as a ward of the Juvenile Court of Sacramento County, and set forth conditions of probation, including payment of restitution in an amount to be determined by the court.
At a contested hearing to determine the amount of restitution, appellant's counsel argued that "there being no Harvey waiver, the restitution on Count 5 should not be ordered."
*842 At the restitution hearing, much was made of People v. Harvey, supra,
At the contested restitution hearing, the parties agreed (and the Sacramento County Juvenile Court found) no Harvey waivers had been entered.
The court considered whether to order the minor to pay restitution to two claimantsthe Nissan dealer that was the victim in Count Five (the admitted offense) and Swift Dodge, the alleged victim in Count Eight, which was dismissed. Appellant objected to restitution on the dismissed count, on the ground there had been no admission or adjudication, hence no victim. The deputy district attorney, representing the Department of Health and Human Services, argued appellant had a "pattern of behavior" of prior vehicle theft violations and should be held accountable for that pattern of behavior.
On March 19, 2008, the court issued an order on contested restitution, ordering appellant (and his parents by joint and several liability) to pay restitution to Fairfield Nissan in the amount of $8,819.83 relating to the theft of the Nissan Maxima (Count Five), and $6,890 to Swift Dodge relating to the theft of the Dodge Charger in the dismissed Count Eight (which was recovered but was damaged). The restitutionary orders were conditions of probation. The order acknowledged Count Eight was "dismissed outright, i.e., without a so-called `Harvey waiver.'" The order said, "The issue presented for resolution here is whether the court, in the absence of a Harvey waiver, can lawfully order the minor to pay restitution to the alleged victim named in one of the dismissed auto theft counts, specifically Swift Dodge, the owner of a stolen Dodge Charger. The court concludes that it can make such a restitution order, even in the absence of a so-called Harvey waiver. That is because the rule announced by the court in People v. Harvey is inapplicable in juvenile court. In re Jimmy P. (1996)
*843 "In addition to the foregoing, and after a full review of relevant documents contained in the court file, including documentary evidence contained in the Yolo County file, the court finds that the theft of the Charger is transactionally related to the admitted offense herein so as to justify a restitution order with regard to the taking of that vehicle, notwithstanding the fact that, as noted, the charge relating to the theft of the Charger was dismissed. In re Gary B. (1998)
DISCUSSION
I. Standard of Review
"Generally, an order of restitution will not be overturned in the absence of an abuse of discretion. [Citation.] The court abuses its discretion when it acts contrary to law [citation] or fails to `use a rational method that could reasonably be said to make the victim whole, and may not make an order which is arbitrary or capricious' [citation]." (In re Anthony M. (2007)
II. Analysis
Appellant contends the juvenile court erred in ordering restitution to Swift Dodge on Count Eight, which had been dismissed "outright," in the absence of a Harvey waiver.
We note that the juvenile court said, "I would dismiss all other counts outright although they may be considered for purposes of disposition." (Italics *844 added.) For reasons that follow, we hold that the juvenile court did not err in ordering restitution on the dismissed count.
(1) "In 1982, by initiative measure, the voters passed Proposition 8 giving all crime victims the constitutional right to receive restitution from the offender who was convicted of committing a crime against them. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b).)[4] The Legislature implemented this section by amending the restitution statutes applicable to adult offenders (People v. Birkett (1999)
(2) "Section 730.6, subdivision (a)(1) declares that `[i]t is the intent of the Legislature that a victim of conduct for which a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 who incurs any economic loss as a result of the minor's conduct shall receive restitution directly from that minor.'" (In re Anthony M., supra,
(3) If section 730.6 were the exclusive authority for the restitution order at issue, we would conclude the order was invalid. This is because subdivision (a)(1) of section 730.6 requires restitution for "economic loss as a result of the minor's conduct ...." However, the reference to "the minor's conduct" refers to the precedent phrase defining the conduct: "conduct for which a minor is found to be a person described in Section 602 ...." (Ibid., italics added.) Thus, subdivision (a)(1) of section 730.6 mandates that a minor must pay restitution where conduct for which the minor is declared a ward of the court under section 602 results in economic loss to the victim. Here, the minor was not "found to be a person described in [s]ection 602" with respect to Count Eight. Rather, Count Eight was dismissed.
(4) But we do not think that section 730.6, which was enacted to implement Proposition 8 (Victim's Bill of Rights), displaced the well-recognized authority of a juvenile court to impose "any and all reasonable *845 conditions [of probation] that it may determine fitting and proper to the end that justice may be done and the reformation and rehabilitation of the ward enhanced" pursuant to section 730, subdivision (b). (See fn. 3, ante.) Nothing in the language of section 730.6 compels that conclusion. And, as we shall explain, numerous cases, including those of the California Supreme Court, have held that a court may order restitution, as a condition of probation, even where no conviction has occurred. It would be anomalous to conclude that a statute which was designed to implement the mother of all victims' rights initiatives would be construed to limit victims' rights. So we conclude that section 730.6 specifies when restitution must be imposed. Section 730 states when restitution may be imposed as a condition of probation. In other words, as this court said recently in a different statutory context, section 730.6 "serve[s] as a floor, not a ceiling, for juvenile probation conditions. [Citations.]" (In re Walter P. (2009)
"The juvenile court has wide discretion to select appropriate conditions [of probation] and may impose `"any reasonable condition that is `fitting and proper to the end that justice may be done and the reformation and rehabilitation of the ward enhanced.'"' [Citations.]" (In re Sheena K. (2007)
(5) In People v. Lent (1975)
Despite the acquittal in Lent, supra,
Restitution for dismissed counts was upheld in In re Raymond B. (1981)
(6) Lent was reaffirmed in People v. Carbajal (1995)
Carbajal was applied in a juvenile case in In re I. M. (2005)
We agree with I. M. that Carbajal applies in juvenile cases. Additionally, we cited Lent in In re Vincent G. (2008)
(7) Here, the probation condition (restitution order) was reasonably related to future criminality. Thus, although appellant did not admit theft of the Dodge, he did admit to police that he possessed the stolen Dodge, as stated in *848 the probation report relating the police report. Appellant objected on hearsay grounds, but the juvenile court observed the rules are relaxed in the context of restitution. Hearsay evidence is admissible at the dispositional phase of a juvenile delinquency case. (Vincent G., supra,
Additionally, appellant was charged with both possession of the stolen Dodge and stealing the Dodge. He admitted to the court the theft of the Nissan, and the record shows that when he stole the Nissan, he was on probation for receiving stolen property related to vehicle theft. Given that appellant continued to involve himself in vehicle theft while he was on probation for offenses related to vehicle theft, the restitution order was reasonable to deter future criminality.[5]
The restitution order also comports with the policies of juvenile court law. "[R]estitution may serve a rehabilitative function consistent with the purposes of Juvenile Court Law.... [A]lthough restitution serves the obvious function of compensating the victims of crime, it also impresses upon the offender the gravity of the harm he has inflicted upon another, and provides an opportunity to make amends.... `... It offers the individual something within reason that he can do here and now, within the limits of his ability, to demonstrate to himself that he is changing.'" (Charles S. v. Superior Court (1982)
We recognize In re Maxwell C. (1984)
*849 In re Maxwell C., supra,
(8) Because controlling authority (which we have discussed above) does not require a conviction (or adjudication of responsibility in juvenile court) before a court can order restitution to the victim of a crime as a condition of probation, no Harvey waiver was required in this case. Put differently, appellant had no right to keep the juvenile court from considering the theft of the Dodge and from making reasonable orders of probation in light of that information. "In juvenile wardship cases such as this, we conclude the Harvey rule is inapplicable. That rule is based upon the reasonable expectations of a defendant who enters into a negotiated plea whereby charges are dismissed. (People v. Franco (1986)
(9) We note that Penal Code section 1192.3, subdivision (b), requires a Harvey waiver before restitution can be ordered on some counts dismissed pursuant to a plea bargain.[6] However, "[i]t is established that the differing needs and characteristics of adult offenders and juveniles justify the maintenance of a separate and different system of justice for each of the two classes." (In re R. C. (1974)
We have not located a statute applicable to delinquency cases in juvenile court that requires a Harvey waiver before restitution can be ordered on dismissed counts. Nor are we aware of any other legal prohibition on doing so.
(10) The juvenile court did not err in ordering appellant to pay restitution on dismissed Count Eight (to Swift Dodge), as a condition of probation pursuant to section 730, even though appellant had not entered a Harvey waiver.
Appellant petitions for rehearing on the ground that this court failed to address an issue in his opening brief, i.e., that the juvenile court did not honor the plea bargain, which should be specifically enforced to exclude restitution on Count 8. However, this argument is merely a variation on appellant's Harvey argument because, as we stated ante, Harvey itself is based on enforcing implicit promises in plea bargains. Moreover, we reject appellant's view that his plea bargain constituted an agreement for Harvey to govern (and bar restitution on the dismissed count). Appellant notes the juvenile court waiver form mentioned Harvey waivers and circled "Not applicable" which, according to appellant, meant there was no waiver of Harvey, and therefore Harvey governs. We disagree. "Not applicable" followed the words. "Some of the charges against me have been dismissed with a Harvey Waiver. My attorney has explained a Harvey Waiver to me and I understand what it is." That this provision was "Not applicable" does not translate to a promise for Harvey to govern. Nor did the dismissal "outright" constitute a promise not to impose restitution, since the court expressly stated it would consider the dismissed count for disposition purposes.
*851 DISPOSITION
The March 19, 2008, order of restitution is affirmed.
Scotland, P. J., and Raye, J., concurred.
NOTES
Notes
[1] Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Section 602, subdivision (a), states, "any person who is under the age of 18 years when he or she violates any law of this state ... is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge such person to be a ward of the court."
[2] In re Jimmy P., supra,
[3] Section 730, subdivision (b), states, "When a ward described in subdivision (a) [a minor adjudged a ward under section 602] is placed under the supervision of the probation officer or committed to the care, custody, and control of the probation officer, the court may make any and all reasonable orders for the conduct of the ward including the requirement that the ward go to work and earn money for the support of his or her dependents or to effect reparation and in either case that the ward keep an account of his or her earnings and report the same to the probation officer and apply these earnings as directed by the court. The court may impose and require any and all reasonable conditions that it may determine fitting and proper to the end that justice may be done and the reformation and rehabilitation of the ward enhanced."
[4] "The constitutional provision states, `[i]t is the unequivocal intention of the People of the State of California that all persons who suffer losses as a result of criminal activity shall have the right to restitution from the persons convicted of the crimes for losses they suffer. [¶] Restitution shall be ordered from the convicted persons in every case, regardless of the sentence or disposition imposed, in which a crime victim suffers a loss, unless compelling and extraordinary reasons exist to the contrary. The Legislature shall adopt provisions to implement this section during the calendar year following adoption of this section.' (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b).)"
[5] Given this conclusion, we have no need to determine whether the theft of the Dodge was transactionally related to the theft of the Nissan, as the juvenile court found.
[6] Penal Code section 1192.3 provides: "(a) A plea of guilty or nolo contendere to an accusatory pleading charging a public offense, other than a felony specified in Section 1192.5 or 1192.7, which public offense did not result in damage for which restitution may be ordered, made on the condition that charges be dismissed for one or more public offenses arising from the same or related course of conduct by the defendant which did result in damage for which restitution may be ordered, may specify the payment of restitution by the defendant as a condition of the plea or any probation granted pursuant thereto, so long as the plea is freely and voluntarily made, there is factual basis for the plea, and the plea and all conditions are approved by the court. [¶] (b) If restitution is imposed which is attributable to a count dismissed pursuant to a plea bargain, as described in this section, the court shall obtain a waiver pursuant to People v. Harvey (1979)
