Lead Opinion
¶ 1. Defendant
¶ 2. The chаrges in this case stem from an incident in October 2012 between defendant and his ex-girlfriend. The ex-girlfriend was driving her mother’s car when defendant followed her, passed her, and then stopped in the middle of the roadway. When the ex-girlfriend tried to pass, defendant swerved his truck, damaging the car’s right side. Defendant was charged with aggravated domestic assault, aggravated stalking, negligent operation of a vehicle and reckless endangerment. In November 2012, defendant pleaded guilty to grossly negligent operation and reckless endangerment, and the State dismissed the other charges. Defendant was sentenced to two-to-five years.
¶ 3. The State requested restitution. The ex-girlfriend testified at the restitution hearing. She explained that she was driving her mother’s green ear when defendant crashed his red truck into the car, causing damage to the front and back passenger doors. She described that there were scratches up and down the side of the door, the back door was dented in and there was red paint on the side of the car. She also testified that none of the damage wаs present before defendant’s truck hit the car. She testified that she had no automobile insurance.
¶ 4. The car owner, the ex-girlfriend’s mother, also testified. She explained that she obtained an estimate for the repairs. Defense counsel questioned the car owner about the estimate during voir dire, and she admitted that she knew little about vehicles and could not elaborate on the meaning of particular items in the estimate. Defendant moved to exclude the estimate as hearsay. Upon further questioning by the' State, the witnеss clarified that there was no other damage to her vehicle prior to October 2012, and the estimate was to repair damage caused by the October 2012 collision. The court admitted the estimate in conjunction with the owner’s testimony. The car owner also testified that she did not have collision insurance. She explained that she had tried to get information from the state’s attorney about defendant’s insurance, but did not receive a response to her request.
¶5. Defendant’s cousin, who is a friend of the ex-girlfriend, testified for defеndant. She stated that there were dents in the car prior to the October 2012 accident. She also testified that she did not notice additional damage after the accident.
¶ 6. The court made findings on the record. The court found that the State had met its burden of showing that defendant crashed his truck into the vehicle driven by his ex-girlfriend and caused substantial damage to the car’s right side. The court found credible the car owner’s testimony that there was not any significant damage prior to the accident. The court also found that the estimatе represented a fair and reasonable amount to repair the damage caused by the accident. The court issued a written form order, finding: “The victim incurred an uninsured material loss in the total amount of $2427.36.” Defendant timely appealed.
¶ 8. On appeal, defendant first argues that the State failed to meet its burden of proving that the damage was not insured. Although the State introduced testimony from the car owner that her insurance did not cover the damage and that she did not receive any information in response to her inquiries regarding defendant’s insurance, defendant contends that the State failed to meet its burden of -proving that defendant lacked insurance tо cover the damage.
¶ 9. We conclude that the State’s failure to affirmatively demonstrate that defendant lacked insurance does not require reversal because defendant has not demonstrated or even alleged that the victim’s loss was covered by his insurance, and therefore that, if such an inquiry had been made at the restitution hearing, the result would have been different. See United States v. ZangaRI,
¶ 10. Relatedly, defendant argues that the court failed to make a specific finding that the damage was uninsured. Defendant focuses on the court’s on-the-record findings made at the conclusion of the restitution hearing, which did nоt mention insurance. However, in addition to those findings, the court issued a written form restitution order. On that order, the court checked the box, finding specifically that “[t]he victim incurred an uninsured material loss.” Defendant claims that this finding in the written order is not sufficient because it conflicts with the court’s earlier oral findings. That the court did not mention insurance in its oral findings does not conflict with its subsequent written finding that the victim suffered an uninsured loss. The finding on the written order was sufficient to demonstrate that the court found the loss was uninsured. See Hanson-Metayer v. Hanson-Metayer,
¶ 11. Next, defendant contends that the court erred in admitting and using a repair estimate because it was hearsay. At trial, the car owner testified concerning the cost of repairs to her vehicle, and the
¶ 12. Hearsay is a statement made by somеone not testifying at trial “offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” V.R.E. 801(c). Hearsay is not admissible unless it fits within an exception. V.R.E. 802. The court’s evidentiary rulings are reviewed for an abuse of discretion. See State v. Burke,
¶ 13. We agree that the estimate was hearsay since the author of the estimate did not testify at trial, and it was introduced to prove the truth of the car owner’s claim for damages.
¶ 14. Under Vermont Rule of Evidence 1101(b)(3), the rules of evidence are not applicable in sentencing proceedings. Restitution is part of sentencing, and thus employs rules that “are less formal than in the criminal trial.” VanDusen,
¶ 15. This conclusion is supported by both federal and state cases. Vermont Rule 1101 employs similar language to the parallel federal rule, which also states that the rules of evidence do not apply to “sentencing.” F.R.E. 1101(d)(3). Federal courts interpreting this language have concluded that because restitution is part of sentencing it is not governed by the rules of evidence. See United States v. Gushlak,
¶ 17. In addition, admission of hearsay documents to prove the amount of a victim’s loss is supported by the restitution statute. The statute does not reference the use of expert witnesses, but instead states that a restitution hearing may be delayed until therе is “sufficient documentation” of the victim’s material loss. 18 V.S.A. § 7043(d)(1). Thus, the statute presumes the use of documents to demonstrate the amount of a victim’s material loss.
¶ 18. Therefore, we hold that in restitution proceedings the rules of evidence do not apply and hearsay may be admitted. Any offered hearsay must, however, meet certain requirements to ensure its reliability. See Gallagher,
¶ 19. While the Rule 32 procedure was not followed in this case, the record provides sufficient information to conclude that the estimate was admissible. The court did not make an explicit finding on reliability, but following voir dire concluded the estimate was admissible in conjunction with the vehicle owner’s testimony regarding the scope of the estimate. The record supports that the estimate had sufficient indicia оf reliability and was admissible. The estimate was detailed, came from a disinterested party, and, as the trial court explained, was admitted in conjunction
¶ 20. Defendant’s final argument is that the court erred in calculating the amount of loss by using the cost of repair rather than the difference in the vehicle’s fair market value before and after the accident. See State v. Curtis,
¶ 21. Assuming plain-error review applies,
¶ 22. Further, even if the difference in fair market value is the correct measure of damages, defendant fails to meet the plain-error standard because he has not demonstrated that using the repair
Affirmed.
Notes
Per statute, in Vermont, all insurance policies must include coverage for insurance against uninsured motorists up to $10,000 in property damage, subject to a $150 deductible. 23 V.S.A. § 941(a). Therefore, if the car owner had a Vermont insurance policy and defendant was uninsured, presumably her policy would cover the loss, and her only out-of-pocket expense would be the $150 deductible. Neither side elicited information about uninsured motorist coverage at the restitution hearing. In addition, on appeal, defendant does not argue this as a basis for reversal, and consequently there is no briefing on the issue. Therefore, we do not reach the question.
Apart from the estimate, the evidence of the amount of damage to the vehicle consisted of the car owner’s testimony that there was no damage to the car prior to the accident, and that, in her opinion, the estimate accurately depicted the cost of repairing the vehicle. A property owner is competent to testify about the value of her property. 12 V.S.A. § 1604. Here, however, the car owner admitted that she did not know much about vehicles and she did not know how much the car was worth. Her valuation of the damage was based solely on the estimate. Therefore, her testimony alone was not sufficient to demonstrate the victim’s estimated loss to a reasonable degree of certainty. See State v. May,
Before the criminal court, defendant did not challenge the amount of restitution. At defendant’s ehange-of-plea hearing, the State indicated that it was seeking restitution. Defendant’s attorney indicated that the only issue regarding restitution was whether there was contact between the two vehicles. Therefore, defendant limited the restitution issues to whether there was any damage to the car, not the amount of the damage resulting.
The criminal rules, which include the plain-error standard, V.R.Cr.P. 52(b), are applicable in all criminal proceedings except as specifically stated. V.R.Cr.P. 1, 54 (making rules applicable in all criminal proceedings, and listing exceptions, which do not include sentencing or restitution). We have recognized, however, that restitution “is more akin to a civil judgment for damages,” Hughes,
Concurrence Opinion
¶ 23. concurring. Chapter II, § 37 of the Vermont Constitution provides that “[t]he Supreme Court shall make and promulgate rules . . . governing practice and procedure in civil and criminal cases in all courts.” To implement this responsibility for criminal cases, the Supreme Court adopted the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure effective October 1, 1973. V.R.Cr.P. 59(a). These rules govern “the procedure in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court in all criminal proceedings.” V.R.Cr.P. 1. As the majority holds, restitution is part of sentencing, a subject covered by Rule of Criminal Procedure 32 and not excluded by Rule 54(a)(2).
¶ 24. When the rules were promulgated, the current restitution statute had not been enacted. As a result, the sentencing rule did not mention restitution. Although the current statute requires that restitution “be considered in every' case” in which a victim has suffered material loss, 13 V.S.A. § 7043(a)(1), Rule 32 does not explicitly provide a procedure for restitution requests. The only specific procedure is in the statute: “Unless the amount of restitution is agreed to by the parties at the time of sentencing, the Court shall set the matter for a sentencing hearing,”
¶ 25. This case is a vivid demonstration of why rules establishing the procedure for restitution claims are necessary. The issues in this appeal should be clearly covered by rule provisions.
¶ 26. Both the main issues make the point in different ways. Defendant’s first argument here is that the prosecution failed to show that the viсtim’s material loss was uninsured, as required for any restitution order, id. § 7043(a)(2), because it did not consider what liability
¶ 27. The point is that a disclosure regime where both defendant and the victim disclose insurance coverage and existing claims is far preferable to attempting to determine insurance coverage in a contested restitution hearing with no discovery and no pleadings.
¶28. There is more to this point. The arguments assume that determining the availability of coverage is a relatively simple matter of looking at policies or the law. Imagine, however, that defendant’s insurance carrier denies coverage under a policy exclusion for intentional torts. While I use this as a hypothetical, even an occasional sampling of our decisions shows that insurance coverage disputes are common, and it is not uncommon for insurers to exclude criminal conduct from their liability coverage. The criminal division judge could not determine the coverage question in a restitution hearing in which the insurance carrier is not a party. It is not clear what procedure to emрloy in a circumstance like this.
¶ 29. The second main issue also shows the need for procedural regulation. I agree with the majority that hearsay evidence is admissible in a restitution hearing if found' reliable. In fact, Rule 32(c)(4)(A) specifically provides for use of hearsay in sentencing hearings but regulates its use.
Either party may offer evidence, including hearsay, specifically on any disputed factual issues in open court with full rights of cross-examination, confrontation, and represеntation. When a defendant objects to factual information submitted to the court or otherwise taken into account by the court in connection with sentencing, the court shall not consider such information unless, after hearing, the court makes a specific finding as to each fact objected to that the fact has been shown to be reliable by a preponderance of the evidence, including reliable hearsay. If the court does not find the alleged fact to be rehable, the court shall either make a finding thаt the allegation is unreliable or make a determination that no such finding is necessary because the matter controverted will not be taken into account in sentencing. A written record of such findings and determinations shall be appended to and accompany any copy of the presentence investigation report or other controverted document thereaftermade available by the court to the Department of Corrections.
V.R.Cr.P. 32(c)(4)(A).
¶ 30. Because evidence used in a restitution proceeding is “Sentencing Information” governed by Rule 32(c), I conclude that Rule 32(c)(4)(A) applies to restitution. It was not followed by the court, but defendant has not raised this error on appeal to this Court.
¶ 31. In any event, Rule 32 should explicitly state that the provisions in Rule 32(c)(4)(A) apply to restitution hearings. That will ensure that the court determines the reliability of the evidence presented.
¶ 32. Again, there is a broader point. A restitution order is essentially the equivalent of a civil judgment with stronger and broader enforcement powers. I do not recommend that we apply the rules of civil procedure to restitution proceedings. I do believe, however, that the essential elements of the civil rules should apply to ensure notice of the restitution claim, discovery of the evidence being used by defendant and the victim, and a fair and complete adjudication of the dispute.
¶ 33. In summary, I concur fully in the opinion of the majority but hope that we will recognize from this decision that we are in need of complete and effective procedural rules for restitution proceedings. I urge the Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure to develop a draft of such rules and present them to us.
While §7043(c)(1) provides as quoted in the text, §7043(d)(1) provides for a separate restitution hearing “[i]f sufficient documentation of the material loss is not available at the time of sentencing.” The former provision appears to make the latter superfluous.
In addition, the statute provides a procedure for when the defendant attempts to discover medical and mental health records submitted to the “Victims Compensation Board.” 13 V.S.A. § 7043(c)(3).
I am not arguing that the prosecutor violated the statute since the statute does not require that the prosecutor file the statement and copies with the court. I do believe that the rule should require filing of the statement and copies.
I do argue below that the failure to disclose the use of hearsay in advance of the hearing was a violation of Rule 32.
Like the majority and dissenting opinions, I assume a loss is not uninsured under the statute if defendant has liability insurance that may cover the loss or if, because the loss arises from a collision of two vehicles, the victim has uninsured motorist coverage. I am not sure, however, that the Legislature understood the complications that could arise from such a definition of uninsured.
The statute, 13 V.S.A. § 7043(h), states that restitution “shall not preclude a person from pursuing an independent civil action for all claims not covered by the restitution order.” It does not require such an action.
Dissenting Opinion
¶ 34. dissenting. I agree fully with the majority’s holding that the Vermont Rules of Evidence do not apply to restitution hearings. I dissent only on the issue of evidence of an uninsured loss.
¶ 35. In the course of the restitution hearing, the victim testified that her own car — the subject of the property damage claim — was insured. Because uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in Vermont, subject to a $150 deductible, the evidence was unmistakable that the victim had insurance coverage available to her that would respond to this loss. 23 V.S.A. § 941(a). Any reluctance she may have had to make use of her own insurance coverage is irrelevant. The restitution statute limits the use of funds held by the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Servicеs to losses for which there is no coverage. See 13 V.S.A. § 7043(a)(l)-(2) (stating that restitution may be awarded to victim that has suffered “a material loss,” defined as “uninsured property loss, uninsured out-of-pocket monetary loss, uninsured lost wages, and uninsured medical expenses” (emphases added)). Although defendant failed to pursue this issue either at trial or on appeal, the trial court’s error in ordering restitution in the face of insurance required by statute meets criteria for “plain error” and requires a remand on that issue. See State v. Simmons,
¶ 36. I am authorized to state that Justice Skoglund joins this dissent.
