Lead Opinion
This сase is before the Court for review of the decision of the Fourth District Court of Appeal in State v. Chubbuck,
This case pertains to subsection 921.0026(2)(d), Florida Statutes (2009), which authorizes a trial court to give a downward departure sentence if it finds that “[t]he defendant requires specialized treatment for a mental disorder that is unrelated to substance abuse оr addiction or for a physical disability, and the defendant is amenable to treatment.” § 921.0026(2)(d), Fla. Stat. (2009). The question presented is whether this departure ground requires the defendant to prove that the required specialized treatment is unavailable in the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC). We hold that the plain language of the statute does not include a requirement that the defendant prove unavailability of specialized treatment in the DOC as part of the definition. We therefore approve the Fourth District’s decision in Chubbuck.
FACTS
In January 2008, Harry Chubbuck was charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine (28-200 grams) (§ 893.135(l)(b)l.a., Fla. Stat. (2007)), one count of possession of cocaine with intent to sell (§ 893.13(l)(a), Fla. Stat. (2007)), one count of possession of paraphernalia (production) (§ 893.147(l)(a), Fla. Stat. (2007)), and one count of felon in possession of firearm or ammunition (constructive possession) (§ 790.23(l)(a), (c)-(e), Fla. Stat. (2007)). Pursuant to a subsequent plea agreement enterеd into by Chubbuck and the State, Chubbuck agreed to plead guilty to the charges in exchange for five years’ probation and no incarceration.
On July 21, 2010, a violation of probation affidavit was filed against Chubbuck, which alleged that Chubbuсk “fail[ed] to live and remain at liberty without violating
Counsel for Chubbuck told the trial court that Chubbuck is a “very, very ill man,” and asked the court to terminate his probation and sеntence him to time served to allow for treatment of his various ailments at the VA Hospital. Chubbuck’s counsel explained that Chubbuck “needs [ijnterferon treatment, which works.” Relying on the downward departure ground set forth in subsection 921.0026(2)(d), Chubbuck’s counsel requested that the court find that a downward departure is appropriate based on Chubbuck’s mental condition and physical disabilities. The State, relying on State v. Betancourt,
The trial judge found as follows:
[T]he bottom line here is before the Court stands a man who has served his country and put himself at risk. The documentation is clear that as a result of serving this country, he has significant problems that he’s trying to deal with.
The only violation before the Court is that the defendant, in the light most favorable to the State, may have used a controlled substance while on probation. Under no set of circumstances would I send the defendant to prison in this scenario.
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[T]he defendant is 66 years old. The nature of his problems [is] far beyond the expertise of the [DOC].... There is nothing that the [DOC] will do that in anyway [sic] will address any significant issues the defendant has.
The defendant is a former member of the Sheriffs Office. He has honorably*1166 served our country. He clearly has suffered for the rest of his life for that. The question then becomes: given the ... millions of Americans who are actually either in prison or under some type of supervised release, is there anything to be gained by the defendant being placеd back on probation other than to say, we put him back on probation, and [have] it sound politically better? In other words, is society better off because a 66-year-old hero, a veteran with significant problems, is now being supervised by the [DOC]?
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The Court recognizes that it must abide by the law....
I’m going to make this very simple for the [a]ppellate [c]ourt and for the State Attorney’s Office.... This defendant does not belong in prison, and it’s absurd to have a 66-year-old man, who put his life on the line for our country, and has the problems he now has under the supervision of the [DOC]. It’s just called ludicrous.
The defendant has spent 97 days in jail because he tested positive for cocaine, even if he used cocaine. I question whether anybody in this courtroom or this world, who went what this defendant went through in Vietnam when people like me sat home in our living rooms and watched the war on television, would have handled this any better than the defendant.
The defendant is not accused of committing any new crimes. He is 66 years old. He has sо many problems now dealing with mental health and physical problems. The common sense says enough is enough.
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And the Court respects the State’s right to appeal. I just hope that there comes a time when justice is not based solely on formulas and mathematical calculations. This is an unusual case, and I believe justice is best served by treating the time spent in jail as significant punishment for the violation, and the defendant needs to move on with his life.
The trial court revoked Chubbuck’s рrobation as unsuccessful, and sentenced him to ninety-six days in jail with ninety-six days’ credit for time served.
On appeal, the State claimed that “because Chubbuck did not present evidence that the [DOC] cannot provide the required specialized treatment, there was no competent, substantial evidence to support the trial court’s decision to impose a downward departure sentence under subsection 921.0026(2)(d).” Chubbuck,
*1168 Because the state was not on notice of this court’s present view of subsection 921.0026(2)(b) at the time of the sentencing hearing, we reverse the sentence to provide the state another opportunity to present evidence as to whether the [DOC] can provide the required “specialized treatment.” Although the state had the opportunity to present such evidence at the sentencing hearing, we recognize the possibility that the state did not present such evidence given this court’s view of the law at that time. We emphasize, however, that if the state presents such evidence at the new sentencing hearing, the trial court is not precluded from granting the defendant’s request for a downward departure for the same reasons. Rather, the state’s evidence is merely an additional factor which the trial court may consider in exercising its discretion as to whether to grant the defendant’s request for a downward deрarture.
Id. at 923.
ANALYSIS
The question before us is whether subsection 921.0026(2)(d) requires the defendant to prove that the required specialized treatment he needs is unavailable in the DOC. As the issue presented is one of statutory interpretation, the standard of review is de novo. Heart of Adoptions, Inc. v. J.A.,
A trial court may impose a downward departure below the lоwest permissible sentence if it finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, circumstances or factors that reasonably justify the downward departure. §§ 921.0026(1), 921.002(l)(f), Fla. Stat. (2009).
A trial court’s decision whether to depart from the guidelines is a two-part process. First, the court must determine whether it can depart, i.e., whether there is a valid legal ground and adequate factual support for that ground in the case pending before it (step 1). Legal grounds are set forth in case law and statute, and facts supporting the ground must be proved at trial by “a preponderance of the evidence.” This aspect of the court’s decision to depart is a mixed question of law and fact and will be sustained on review if the court applied the right rule of law and if competent, substantial evidence supports its ruling. Competent, substantial evidence is tantamount to legally sufficient evidence, and the appellate court will assess the*1169 record evidence for its sufficiency only, not its weight.
Second, where the step one requirements are met, the trial court further must determine whether it should depart, i.e., whether departure is indeed the best sentencing option for the defendant in the pending case. In making this determination (step 2), the court must weigh the totality of the circumstances in the case, including aggravating and mitigating factors. This second aspect of the decision to depart is a judgment call within the sound discretion of the court and will be sustained on review absent an abuse of discretion. Discretion is abused only where no reasonable person would agree with the trial court’s decision.
Id. at 1067-68 (footnotes omitted).
Section 921.0026(2) sets out a non-exclusive list of mitigating circumstances under which a downward departure sentence is reasonably justified for non-capital felonies committed on or aftеr October 1, 1998. See § 921,0026(2)(a)-(m), Fla. Stat. Under paragraph (2)(d), the mitigating circumstance at issue, a trial court may depart from the lowest permissible sentence if the defendant requires “specialized treatment” for a mental disorder (unrelated to substance abuse or addiction) or for a physical disability, and the defendant is amenable to treatment. § 921.0026(2)(d), Fla. Stat.; Ch. 97-194, § 8, Laws of Fla.
Chapter 921 does not define “specialized treatment.” As observed by Judge Warner, the requirement that the defendant must prove that the specialized treatment is unavailable in the DOC “appears to have had its origins in Abrams.” Hunter,
The Second District in Abrams did not cite to any authority which stoоd for the proposition that there must be record evidence establishing that specialized treatment could not be provided by the DOC. There was no reference to any statutory provision in the opinion; the district court simply cited to the Sentencing Guidelines Scoresheet in Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.990. Id. Abrams was decided in February 1998, which was prior to the effective date of subsection 921.0026(2)(d). Presumably, the downward departure ground in Abrams involved subsection 921.0016(4)(d), Florida Statutes (1994), which beсame effective in January 1994 and provided for a downward departure if the defendant required treatment of a specialized nature for addiction, a mental disorder, or a physical disability and the defendant was amenable to treatment. § 921.0016(4)(d), Fla. Stat.; Ch. 93-406, § 13. Subsection 921.0016(4)(d) was
Since the Abrams decision, each of our district courts of appeal have concluded that the defendant’s required specialized treatment must be unavailable in the DOC in order for subsection 921.0026(2)(d) to apply. See, e.g., Holmes,
It is a fundamental principle of Florida jurisprudence that penal statutes must be strictly construed. See Perkins v. State,
In construing subsection 921.0026(2)(d), our analysis begins with the actual language of the statute. See Heart of Adoptions, Inc.,
When the statute is clear and unambiguous, courts will not look behind the statute’s рlain language for legislative intent or resort to rules of statutory construction to ascertain intent. In such instance, the statute’s plain and ordinary meaning must control, unless this leads to an unreasonable result or a result clearly contrary to legislative intent.
Id. at 1230-31 (quoting Daniels v. Fla. Dep’t of Health,
We additionally note that our Legislature has included “specialized treatment otherwise not available” language in a separate statute, section 958.11(3)(c), Florida Statutes (2013). Section 958.11(3)(c) authorizes the DOC to assign a youthful offender to a facility not designed for the care, custody, control, and supervision of youthful offenders if the offender needs “specialized treatment otherwise not available at the youthful offender facility.” § 958.11(3)(e), Fla. Stat. Had the Legislature intended to require unavailability of specialized treatment in the DOC as an element of subsеction 921.0026(2)(d), it could have said so. See Hopkins v. State,
This Case
In light of our holding, we agree with the Fourth District’s decision to reverse Chubbuck’s downward departure sentence and remand for a new sentencing hеaring in order to afford the State an opportunity to present evidence, if any, as to whether the DOC can provide the required specialized treatment. Evidence which demonstrates that the DOC can so provide is one factor for the trial court’s consideration in deciding whether to give a downward departure sentence.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, we hold that the defendant is not required to prove that the DOC cannot provide the required specialized treatment in seeking a downward departure sentence under subsection 921.0026(2)(d). In light of the above, we approve the Fourth District’s decision in Chubbuck and we disapprove the decisions of the district courts in Ford, Scherber, Holmes, Wheeler, Green I, Mann, Tyrrell, Thompson, and Abrams, which hold to the contrary.
It is so ordered.
Notes
. The scoresheet indicated that the lowest permissible prison sentence was 33.3 months and the maximum prison sentence was sixty-one years.
. The probation order omits the possession of pаraphernalia count,
. It was represented through this filing that Chubbuck suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hepatitis C, severe arthritis, and melanoma, among other health issues. The filing also stated that once some of his conditions are under control, interferon treatment is required for his hepatitis C, which requires strict monitoring. Without proper medications, according to the filing, Chubbuck’s conditions could potentially become exacerbated, thereby causing depression, suicide, increased intrusive thoughts, hallucinatory flashbacks, nightmares, increased irritability, social isolation, “bad” insomnia, weight loss, and low energy.
. In Betancourt, the Fifth District Court of Appeal stated:
Notably, in order to demonstrate the need for specialized treatment, it must be established that the mental disorder or physical disability requires treatment that is not available in the [DOC]. Moreover, it is well-established in the case law that a downward departure is improper in the absence of еvidence ... that any such treatment could not be provided by the [DOC].
Id. at 57.
. In Hunter, the Fourth District upheld a departure sentence based on subsection 921.0026(2)(d), finding that "the expert testified that the specialized treatment the defendant needed was not available in the prison system, a requirement for downward departure under section 92I.0026(2)(d).”
. The Fourth District in Belluscio held as follows:
We find no error in the trial court's imposition of a downward departure sentence, because the defendant met his burden of proving the requirements for a dоwnward departure sentence, pursuant to section 921.0026(2)(d), Florida Statutes (2009), and*1167 presented unrebutted testimony that the defendant required specialized treatment for mental health disorders unrelated to substance abuse, which was not available at the [DOC],
. "If a departure is to be permitted [under subsection 921.0026(2)(d) ], the defendant must also establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the [DOC] cannot provide the required ‘specialized treatment.’ ” Gatto,
. In Green II, the Fourth District cоncluded as follows: "Green has the burden of proving that the DOC could not provide the specialized treatment he requires and such proof was not presented to the trial court. We reverse the downward departure sentence and remand for resentencing.”
. "To receive a sentence pursuant to ... section [921.0026(2)(d) ], a defendant must prove that the [DOC] cannot provide the specialized treatment required_" Scherber,
. “To show that a defendant requires specialized trеatment for a mental disorder, ‘it must be established that the mental disorder requires treatment that is not available in the [DOC].’” Wheeler,
. “Ms. Green did not meet her burden of establishing that the DOC could not provide the specialized treatment required." Green I,
. "This court and others have held that in order to establish the need for specialized treatment, it must be established that the mental disorder requires treatment that is not available in the [DOC].” Mann,
. "[T]here was no evidence presented showing that Jones required speciаlized treatment for his condition, or that any treatment he required could not be adequately provided by the [DOC].... Accordingly, no competent substantial evidence supports Jones’s medical condition as a basis for a downward departure.” Tyrrell,
. "No evidence was presented to the trial court that specialized treatment was required, or that any required treatment could not be provided by the [DOC].” Thompson,
. "Florida law ... requires that, if a departure is to be permitted under subsection [921.0026](2)(d), 'the defendant must also establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the [DOC] cannot provide the required “specialized treatment.” ’ ” Ford,
. The First District in Holmes concluded that the downward departure sentence was not supported by competent substantial evidence, finding that ”[t]here is no evidence in the record that DOC could not or would not accommodate any treatment needed.”
. In Hunter, Judge Warner concluded that subsection 921.0026(2)(d) "does not require the defendant to offer proof that the prison system does not provide the specialized treatment that the defendant requires.”
. In his special concurrence in Chubbuck, Judge Gross found that the record contains reasons which supported Chubbuck’s downward departure sentence other than subsection 921.0026(2)(d). Id. at 924 (Gross, J., concurring specially). Judge Gross noted that the trial judge also considered Chub-buck's age and that he was not a danger to the general public. Id. (Gross, J., concurring specially).
. A departure sentence:
must be accompanied by a written statement by the sentencing court delineating the reasons for the departure, filed within 7 days after the date of sentencing. A written transcription of reasons stated orally at sentencing for departure from the lowest permissible sentence is permissible if it is filed by the court within 7 days after the date of sentencing.
§ 921.00265(2), Fla. Stat. (2009).
. Pursuant to section 945.12, Florida Statutes (2013), prisoners who require "specialized” treatment may be transferred from the DOC to another facility to receive treatment:
The [DOC] is authorized to transfer substance abuse impaired persons ... and tuberculous or other рrisoners requiring specialized services to appropriate public or private facilities or programs for the purpose of providing specialized services or treatment for as long as the services or treatment is needed, but for no longer than the remainder of the prisoner's sentence.
§ 945.12(1), Fla. Stat. (2013) (emphasis added).
. As a result of its holding, the Fifth District "recede[d] from [its] cases [which] add[ed] the additional requirement to the statute,” and certified direct and express conflict with the decisions of the district courts in Ford, Scherber, Holmes, Wheeler, Green I, and Abrams. Owens,
. We have prеviously defined "amenability" as “a reasonable possibility that ... treatment will be successful.” Herrin v. State,
Concurrence Opinion
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I concur in the majority’s conclusion that the plain language of subsection
PARIENTE, J., concurs.
