65 Cal. App. 4th 1511 | Cal. Ct. App. | 1998
Opinion
I. Introduction
Ventura Martinez (defendant) appeals from a judgment of conviction, after a jury trial, of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine,
We appointed counsel to represent defendant on appeal. After examination of the record, counsel filed an “Opening Brief’ in which no issues were raised. On May 27, 1998, we advised defendant he had 30 days within which to personally submit any contentions or issues that he wished us to consider. No response has been received from defendant.
Following our initial examination of the record, we requested briefing on several issues and set this matter for oral argument. We proceed to a discussion of those issues. In the unpublished portion of the opinion, we hold: The trial court erroneously failed to either strike or impose two section 667.5, subdivision (b), prior separate prison term enhancements; excessive presentence custody credits were awarded to defendant; and the trial court had a jurisdictional responsibility to impose a restitution fine pursuant to section 1202.45. In the published portion of the opinion, we hold: that on a silent record there is no jurisdictional error in failing to impose a drug program fee pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11372.7, subdivision (a); it was jurisdictional error to impose a criminal laboratory analysis fee in an amount in excess of that authorized by Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, subdivision (a); the trial court was required to impose penalty assessments pursuant to sections 1202.4, subdivision (a)(2), 1464, and Government Code section 76000 in connection with the criminal laboratory analysis fee; and the amended abstract of judgment must reflect the imposition of restitution fines, the criminal laboratory analysis fee, and penalty assessments. We modify the judgment and remand the matter for further proceedings as discussed below.
A. Unpublished Issues
B. Published Issues
Drug Program Fee
We asked the parties to brief the question whether, on a silent record, the failure to impose a drug program fee pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11372.7, subdivision (a) was a jurisdictional error. We conclude it was not.
Health and Safety Code section 11372.7, subdivision (a), provides in pertinent part, “[Ejach person who is convicted of [certain narcotics offenses, including a violation of Health and Safety Code section 11377] shall pay a drug program fee in an amount not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each separate offense. The court shall increase the total fine, if necessary, to include this increment, which shall be in addition to any other penalty prescribed by law.” The drug program fee is mandatory, provided the trial court determines the defendant has the ability to pay the fee. (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.7, subd. (b); People v. Clark (1992) 7 Cal.App.4th 1041, 1050 [9 Cal.Rptr.2d 726].) Subdivision (b) of section 11372.7 of the Health and Safety Code provides: “The court shall determine whether or not the person who is convicted of a violation of this chapter has the ability to pay a drug program fee. If the court determines that the person has the ability to pay, the court may set the amount to be paid and order the person to pay that sum to the county in a manner that the court believes is reasonable and compatible with the person’s financial ability. In its determination of whether a person has the ability to pay, the court shall take into account the amount of any fine imposed upon that person and any amount that person has been ordered to pay in restitution. If the court determines that the person does not have the ability to pay a drug program fee, the person shall not be required to pay a drug program fee.” (Italics added.) No express finding as to a defendant’s ability or inability to pay is required. (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.7, subd. (b); People v. Staley (1992) 10 Cal.App.4th 782, 785 [12 Cal.Rptr.2d 816].)
We turn to the question whether a judgment which fails to include a drug program fee, and as to which the record is silent, is an unauthorized
Further, the failure of the trial judge to have stated reasons for the sentence choice, not imposing the drag program fee, has been waived by the prosecution. No objection to the failure of the trial judge to set forth an adequate statement of reasons for failing to impose the drug program fee was ever articulated in the trial court by the prosecutor. Violations of the sentencing rales concerning statements of reasons are generally treated as waived if not raised. (People v. Scott, supra, 9 Cal.4th at p. 355 [reasons used for sentencing were “inapplicable, duplicative, and improperly weighed”]; People v. de Soto (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 1, 7-8 [62 Cal.Rptr.2d 427] [improper dual use of facts underlying weapons use to impose the upper term waived by failure to impose a more specific objection at sentencing]; People v. Kelley (1997) 52 Cal.App.4th 568, 581-582 [60 Cal.Rptr.2d 653] [failure to consider mitigating factors]; People v. Middleton (1997) 52 Cal.App.4th 19, 35 [60 Cal.Rptr.2d 366] [use of improper fact to impose the upper term]; People v. Minder (1996) 46 Cal.App.4th 1784, 1791-1792 [54 Cal.Rptr.2d 555] [failure to comply with requirement in rule 433(b) of the California Rules of Court to state reasons for imposing upper term when imposition of sentence is suspended]; People v. Erdelen (1996) 46 Cal.App.4th 86, 91 [53 Cal.Rptr.2d 553] [improper dual use of facts to impose upper term waived]; People v. Zuniga (1996) 46 Cal.App.4th 81, 83 [53 Cal.Rptr.2d 557] [failure to state any reason for sentence choices]; People v. Dancer (1996) 45 Cal.App.4th 1677, 1693 [53 Cal.Rptr.2d 282], disapproved on another point in People v. Hammon (1997) 15 Cal.4th 1117, 1123 [65 Cal.Rptr.2d 1, 938 P.2d 986] [improper use of particularly vulnerable aggravating factor to impose upper term]; People v. Douglas (1995) 36 Cal.App.4th 1681, 1691 [43 Cal.Rptr.2d 129] [finding application of waiver
Criminal Laboratory Analysis Fee
Defendant asserts the trial court erred in imposing a criminal laboratory analysis fee pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, subdivision (a), in the amount of $100. We agree.
Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, subdivision (a), required the trial court to impose a criminal laboratory analysis fee in the amount of $50 for each violation of Health and Safety Code section 11377. Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, subdivision (a) provides in pertinent part: “(a) Every person who is convicted of a violation of Section . . . 11377 . . . shall pay a criminal laboratory analysis fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50) for each separate offense. The court shall increase the total fine necessary to include this increment.” The fee is mandatory. (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.5, subd. (a); People v. Clark, supra, 7 Cal.App.4th at p. 1050.) There is no requirement that a defendant be found to have the ability to pay a criminal laboratory analysis fee before such a fee can be imposed. (People v. Staley, supra, 10 Cal.App.4th at pp. 784-785.)
Defendant was convicted of one count of methamphetamine possession in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11377, subdivision (a). Therefore, a fine in the amount of $100 was not legally authorized; the mandatory fine was statutorily limited to $50. The imposition of a sentence not statutorily authorized is jurisdictional error that is subject to correction whenever it comes to a court’s attention. (People v. Dotson (1997) 16 Cal.4th 547, 554, fn. 6 [66 Cal.Rptr.2d 423, 941 P.2d 56]; People v. Karaman (1992) 4 Cal.4th 335, 345-346, fn. 11, 349, fn. 15 [14 Cal.Rptr.2d 801, 842 P.2d 100]; In re Ricky H. (1981) 30 Cal.3d 176, 191 [178 Cal.Rptr. 324, 636 P.2d 13]; People v. Davis (1981) 29 Cal.3d 814, 827, fn. 5 [176 Cal.Rptr. 521, 633 P.2d 186]; In re Sandel (1966) 64 Cal.2d 412, 414-418 [50 Cal.Rptr. 462, 412 P.2d 806].) Therefore, the judgment must be modified to impose a $50 (not $100) criminal laboratory analysis fee.
The Attorney General argues defendant is also subject to mandatory penalty assessments pursuant to sections 1202.4, subdivision (a)(2), 1464, and Government Code section 76000 in connection with the criminal laboratory analysis fee imposed under Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, subdivision (b). We agree.
Subdivision (a)(2) of section 1202.4 provides: “Upon a person being convicted of any crime in the State of California, the court shall order the defendant to pay a fine in the form of a penalty assessment in accordance with Section 1464.”
Unless the Legislature has otherwise provided, such as in section 1202.4, subdivision (e), or Welfare and Institutions Code section 730.6, subdivision (f) , penalty assessments under sections 1464, and Government Code section 76000 are mandatory. (People v. Sierra (1995) 37 Cal.App.4th 1690, 1694-1695 [44 Cal.Rptr.2d 575]; People v. Heisler (1987) 192 Cal.App.3d 504, 506-507 [237 Cal.Rptr. 452]; Penalty Assessments and Court Costs, 62 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 13, 17 (1979).) As explained in People v. Sierra, supra, 37 Cal.App.4th at page 1695: “Trial courts are given discretion under subdivision (d) of section 1464 not to impose the penalty assessment where an inmate remains in prison [until the fine is satisfied] and the payment of the assessment ‘would work a hardship on the person convicted or his or her immediate family.’ Otherwise, the trial court has an obligation to impose a penalty assessment. [Citation.]”
Further, the Court of Appeal has held penalty assessments pursuant to section 1464 and Government Code section 76000 apply to the drug program fee imposed under Health and Safety Code section 11372.7. (People v. Sierra, supra, 37 Cal.App.4th at p. 1693.) In Sierra, the Court of Appeal for the Fifth Appellate District held Health and Safety Code section 11372.7 defined the drug program fees as an increase to the total fine, therefore it was mandatory to impose the penalty assessments. (37 Cal.App.4th at p. 1695.) Health and Safety Code section 11372.7, subdivision (a), states in part: “The court shall increase the total fine ... to include this increment . . . .” Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, the criminal laboratory analysis fee provision, contains that same language in subdivision (a): “The court shall increase the total fine ... to include this increment.” Under the reasoning of Sierra, we conclude Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, defines the criminal laboratory analysis fee as an increase to the total fine and therefore is subject to penalty assessments under section 1464 and Government Code section 76000. We have previously held the laboratory fee is a fine. (People v. Sanchez (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 1329, 1332 [76 Cal.Rptr.2d 34].) Therefore, the judgment must be amended to impose, in addition to the $50 criminal laboratory analysis fee (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.5), penalty assessments of $50 pursuant to section 1464, and $35 pursuant to Government Code section 76000.
The Attorney General contends restitution fines, criminal laboratory analysis fees, and penalty assessments must be set forth on the abstract of judgment in addition to being noted in the reporter’s transcript. We agree.
In People v. Sanchez, supra, 64 Cal.App.4th at page 1331, and People v. Hong (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 1071, 1074-1084 [76 Cal.Rptr.2d 23], we recently held that an abstract of judgment must reflect the imposition of restitution fines pursuant to sections 1202.4, subdivision (b), and 1202.45 and criminal laboratory analysis fees under Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, respectively. Here we hold that under Hong and Sanchez, penalty assessments which, as discussed above, are a part of the total fine, must also be set forth on the abstract of judgment. Further, as we explained in Hong: “Appellate courts routinely grant requests on appeal of the Attorney General to correct errors in the abstract of judgment. (E.g., People v. Goodwin (1997) 59 Cal.App.4th 1084, 1094, fn. 8 . . . [abstract corrected to add restitution fine]; People v. Neufer (1994) 30 Cal.App.4th 244, 254 . . . [excessive day of presentence conduct credit]; People v. Ngaue (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 896, 899, fn. 3 . . . [abstract corrected concerning enhancements].)” (People v. Hong, supra, 64 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1075-1076.) We are in accord with the Attorney General that on remand, upon imposition of appropriate restitution fines, the amended abstract of judgment in this case must reflect the imposition of the restitution fines pursuant to sections 1202.4, subdivision (b) and 1202.45 as discussed in the unpublished portion of the opinion, the imposition of the $50 criminal laboratory analysis fee pursuant to Health and Safety Code, section 11372.5, subdivision (a), and the imposition of penalty assessments pursuant to sections 1202.4, subd. (a)(2), 1464, and Government Code section 76000.
III. Disposition
The judgment is modified to impose a $50 criminal laboratory analysis fee pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11372.5, plus penalty assessments of $50 pursuant to Penal Code section 1464, and $35 as required by Government Code section 76000. The judgment is further modified to reflect 127 days of actual presentence custody plus 62 days of conduct credit for a total of 189 days of presentence custody credit. On remand, the trial court must exercise its discretion to either strike or impose the two Penal Code section 667.5, subdivision (b), prior separate prison term enhancements in accord with all of the requirements of Penal Code section 1385, subdivision (a) and impose restitution fines pursuant to Penal Code sections 1202.4, subdivision (b) and 1202.45. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed.
Grignon, J., and Armstrong, J., concurred.
All further statutory references are to the Penal Code except where otherwise noted.
See footnote, ante, page 1511.
Similarly, we presume the trial court exercised its discretion and declined to impose a fine pursuant to subdivision (c) of Health and Safety Code section 11377 or section 672. Health and Safety Code section 11377 provides in relevant part: “(c) In addition to any fine assessed [for misdemeanor possession of specified anabolic steroids or chorionic gonadotropin], the judge may assess a fine not to exceed seventy dollars ($70) against any person who violates subdivision (a), with the proceeds of this fine to be used in accordance with Section 1463.23 of the Penal Code [AIDS education program]. The court shall, however, take into consideration the defendant’s ability to pay, and no defendant shall be denied probation because of his or her inability to pay the fine permitted under this subdivision.” (Italics added.) Section 672 authorizes a fine where none is otherwise prescribed. Section 672 states: “Upon a conviction for any crime punishable by imprisonment in any jail or prison, in relation to which no fine is herein prescribed, the court may impose a fine on the offender not exceeding ... ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in cases of felonies, in addition to the imprisonment prescribed.” (Italics added.) A trial court may assess a fine under section 672 and the $70 fine provided for in Health and Safety Code section 11377, subdivision (c). (People v. Clark, supra, 7 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1044-1046.)
The language in subdivision (a)(2) of section 1202.4 is derived from Government Code section 13967. The reference to a fine “in the form of a penalty assessment” first appeared in Government Code section 13967 as amended in 1983. (Stats. 1983, ch. 1092, § 135.2, p. 3998.) That amendment was part of the legislative implementation of Proposition 8, the Victim’s Bill of Rights, calling for restitution to crime victims. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subd. (b).) As revealed in the legislative history of that 1983 amendment (Assem. Bill No. 1485 (1983-1984 Reg. Sess.)), the Legislature increased the amount of the section 1464 penalty assessment by $1. That $1 was earmarked for the state Restitution Fund. Therefore, each time a fine and penalty were assessed against a criminal defendant, $1 of the amount collected was in the nature of a restitution fine. The fine was imposed in the form of a penalty assessment at the request and for the convenience of the county clerks. (See Analysis of Assem. Bill No. 1485 (1983-1984 Reg. Sess.) as amended July 1, 1983, Sen. Com. on Judiciary, pp. 1-4; Sen. Democratic Caucus, Analysis of Assem. Bill No. 1485 (1983-1984 Reg. Sess.) as amended July 1, 1983, pp. 1-2.) In 1994, section 1202.4 was rewritten. (Stats. 1994, ch. 1106.) The provisions of Government Code section 13967 requiring the restitution fine were moved to section 1202.4. Further, the Legislature “recharacterize[d]” “restitution in the form of a penalty assessment” as a “fine in the form of a penalty assessment.” (Legis. Counsel’s Dig., Assem. Bill No. 3169 (1993-1994 Reg. Sess.), Stats. 1994, ch. 1106, Sen. Rules Com., Analysis of Assem. Bill No. 3169 (1993-1994 Reg. Sess.) p. 2; Sen. Floor Analysis, Assem. Bill No. 3169 (1993-1994 Reg. Sess.) Aug. 12, 1994, pp. 1-2; Assem. Com. on Public Safety, Analysis of Assem. Bill No. 3169 (1993-1994 Reg. Sess.), as amended Apr. 4, 1994, p. 1; Sen. Floor Analysis, Assem. Bill No. 3169 (1993-1994 Reg. Sess.) Aug. 22, 1994, pp. 1-2.)
Subdivision (d) of section 1464 provides: “In any case where a person convicted of any offense, to which this section applies, is in prison until the fine is satisfied, the judge may