People v. MartinezPeople v. Martinez
Opinion
I. Introduction
Ventura Martinez (defendant) appeals from a judgment of conviction, after a jury trial, of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11377, subdivision (a). Defendant admitted he was previously
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 In the unpublished portion of the opinion, we hold: The trial court erroneously failed to either strike or impose two section 667.5, subdivision (b), prior separate prison term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
II. Discussion
A. Unpublished Issues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. (
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 judgment. We conclude there is no jurisdictional error in such circumstance. As the Supreme Court explained in People v. Scott (1994)
Criminal Laboratory Analysis Fee
Defendant asserts the trial court erred in imposing a criminal laboratory analysis fee pursuant to Health and Safety Code
Health and Safety Code
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)
Penalty Assessments
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
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
Further, the Court of Appeal has held penalty assessments pursuant to section 1464 and Government Code
Abstract of Judgment
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,
III. Disposition
The judgment is modified to impose a $50 criminal laboratory analysis fee pursuant to Health and Safety Code
Grignon, J., and Armstrong, J., concurred.
Notes
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. (
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 waive all or any part of the state penalty, the payment of which would work a hardship on the person convicted or his or her immediate family.” (Italics added.)