207 Conn. 152 | Conn. | 1988
The defendant, Kendall Smith, a probationer, has appealed from the imposition by the trial court, Barall, J., of a special condition of probation one year after his sentencing originally placing him on probation. He maintains that, in doing so, the trial court violated General Statutes § 53a-30
After the defendant’s probationary period began, senior probation officer Thomas McGeary, who had ten years experience, was assigned to act as his probation officer. On October 28, 1986, McGeary, based on his observations of the defendant and the original presentence investigation, filed a request
During his testimony, the defendant denied that he had ever admitted to McGeary that he had used marihuana and he maintained that McGeary had told him that it was all right if he used marihuana but that he would not allow him to use “cocaine and all that other stuff, heroin.” The defendant did state that he later had submitted to a urine test for McGeary but that he had done so against his will. The test disclosed the presence of marihuana.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court, Barall, J., made it clear that the defendant’s drug use
On May 5, 1987, the defendant, with his counsel present, appeared before the trial court, Byrne, J. At that time, he was put to plea on an information charging him with the violation of the conditions of his probation in violation of General Statutes § 53a-32.
On appeal, the defendant claims that the trial court erred in imposing compulsory drug tests as a special condition of his probation one year after imposition of his sentence. He contends that the trial court, in doing so, violated General Statutes § 53a-30, his federal and state
The defendant resists not only the state’s argument of mootness, but also the state’s collateral claim that he has not preserved any of his claims for appeal. He acknowledges that it is correct that he has completed his sentence and that the special conditions complained of on this appeal no longer exist. He goes on, however, to reason that, because the factual basis upon which he pleaded to the violation resulted from that which was disclosed by drug testing imposed in violation of his rights, the “admitted” revocation of probation, if permitted to stand, would not only have a negative effect on his ability to obtain probation in the future but also that it should be erased from his record. This appeal, therefore, he claims is not moot. He argues that he has preserved his claims for appeal because he objected and excepted to the special conditions at the time they were imposed by the trial court, Barall, J. In addition, the defendant contends that he has waived no right to his appeal by his later plea-bargained admission to the violation for which he was sentenced. He maintains that this is so not only because he had objected and excepted to the imposition of the special condition but also because the trial court, Byrne, J., in fact knew of the pendency of the appeal that he had taken earlier. The record in the trial court, however, shows nothing to indicate that the trial court knew of the pendency of this appeal.
On the other hand, the state contends that all of the defendant’s claims of error are without merit. Although
Reference to the consequences of a guilty plea is helpful when we consider the direct or collateral consequences of a revocation of probation in this case. “The distinction between ‘direct’ and ‘collateral’ consequences of a plea, while sometimes shaded in the relevant decisions, turns on whether the result represents a definite, immediate and largely automatic effect on the range of the defendant’s punishment.” United States v. Lambros, 544 F.2d 962, 966 (8th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 930, 97 S. Ct. 1550, 51 L. Ed. 2d 774 (1977); Huffman v. State, 703 S.W.2d 566, 568 (Mo. App. 1986). Something that is “collateral” is “indirect.”
The “collateral consequences” threshold insofar as mootness is concerned is therefore colorably present and requires that we review his other claims to determine whether the revocation of probation was valid in order to ascertain if there is actually a possible collateral consequence. In the event that we decide that the revocation of probation was invalid, then there are cognizable collateral consequences and the appeal is not moot. If, however, we decide that the revocation of probation was valid, the appeal is moot. The circumstance, of course, that the defendant has completed his sen
At this point, it is well to discuss the matter as to whether the defendant’s admission and plea to the violation of probation and his acceptance of the plea bargain precludes his appeal. See generally Cherokee Nation v. United States, 355 F.2d 945, 949 (Ct. Cl. 1966); Connecticut Light & Power Co. v. Public Utilities Control Authority, 176 Conn. 191, 201, 405 A.2d 638 (1978); 4 Am. Jur. 2d, Appeal and Error § 251; 4 C.J.S., Appeal and Error § 215b. This plea bargain resulted in his obtaining the benefit of a nine month sentence for the unexpired portion of his sentence. This raises the question whether one may have the benefit of that bargain in such circumstances and still maintain the appeal, irrespective of any issue of mootness. We have already set out the defendant’s claim in that regard but must now determine whether he has effectively surrendered his right to appeal by accepting the benefit of his plea bargain. We decide that he has not under the unique circumstances of this case.
We may ourselves determine to exercise our inherent supervisory authority over the administration of justice to review the defendant’s claim. See State v. Chung, 202 Conn. 39, 44, 519 A.2d 1175 (1987); State v. Madera, 198 Conn. 92, 99-100, 503 A.2d 136 (1985); State v. Cohane, 193 Conn. 474, 499, 479 A.2d 763, cert. denied, 469 U.S. 990, 105 S. Ct. 397, 83 L. Ed. 2d 331 (1984). To do so in this case would comport with the interests of justice. The state argues that the appeal has been rendered moot by the revocation of the
In this regard, we point out that we are not limited in our disposition of a case to those claims raised by the parties and we have frequently acted sua sponte upon grounds of which the parties were not previously apprised. See State v. Gilnite, supra; Greenwood v. Greenwood, supra. Where there is good reason, we have permitted additional argument when we ‘believe that
Years ago, the United States Supreme Court said that the purpose of probation is “to provide a period of grace in order to aid the rehabilitation of a penitent offender; to take advantage of an opportunity for reformation which actual service of the suspended sentence might make less probable.” Burns v. United States, 287 U.S. 216, 220, 53 S. Ct. 154, 77 L. Ed. 266 (1932). Accordingly, it emphasized that in administering the probation statute, the trial judge has “an exceptional degree of flexibility” in determining whether to grant or revoke probation and on what terms. Id. Punishment of an offender may not be the primary purpose of imposition of probation by a judge although it must be recognized that probation conditions may have an incidental punitive effect in that any restriction on liberty is in a sense “punishment.” Higdon v. United States, 627 F.2d 893, 898 (9th Cir. 1980).
Last year, in Griffin v. Wisconsin, 483 U.S. 868, 107 S. Ct. 3164, 3167-68, 97 L. Ed. 2d 709 (1987), the United States Supreme Court, in speaking to the warrant requirement, stated: “[W]e have permitted excep
It is generally held that there is no right to be granted probation. See, e.g., United States v. McLeod, 608 F.2d
On appeal, the “standard of review of an order revoking probation is whether the trial court abused its discretion; if it appears that the trial court was reasonably satisfied that the terms of probation had been violated and, impliedly, that the beneficial purposes of probation were no longer being served, then the order must stand.” State v. Roberson, 165 Conn. 73, 80, 327 A.2d 556 (1973). In reviewing the issue of discretion, we do so according it every reasonable presumption in favor of the trial court’s ruling. State v. Amarillo, 198 Conn. 285, 313-14, 503 A.2d 146 (1986). A defendant who seeks to reverse the exercise of judicial discretion, assumes a heavy burden. State v. Tirado, 194 Conn. 89, 95, 478 A.2d 606 (1984).
We turn to the defendant’s claim that the imposition of the special condition of probation of drug testing one year after imposition of a sentence on the underlying felony violates General Statutes § 53a-30, his constitu
General Statutes § 53a-30, which is divided into three subsections, is concerned with, inter alia, conditions of probation imposed at the time of sentencing and with the enlargement or modifications “whether originally imposed by the court [under § 53a-30] or otherwise . . . .” General Statutes § 53a-30 (c). In addition, it also authorizes, once probation has been imposed, that the office of adult probation “may require that the defendant comply with any/or all conditions which the court could have imposed under subsection (a) which are not inconsistent with any condition actually imposed by the court.” (Emphasis added.) General Statutes § 53a-30 (b). The plain language of this statute contemplates continuing supervision over the period of probation. See, e.g., Mazur v. Blum, 184 Conn. 116, 118, 441 A.2d 65 (1981). A cardinal rule of statutory construction requires that statutes be construed “in a manner which gives effect to the apparent intention of the legislature . . . [and that] we presume that there is a purpose behind every sentence, clause or phrase used . . . and that no part of a statute is superfluous.” Waterbury Petroleum Products, Inc. v. Canaan Oil & Fuel Co., 193 Conn. 208, 231-32, 477 A.2d 988 (1984); State v. Grant, 176 Conn. 17, 20, 404 A.2d 873 (1978). In addition, “[t]his court does not interpret statutes in a vacuum, nor does it refuse to consider matters of known historical fact.” State v. Ellis, 197 Conn. 436, 445, 497 A.2d 974 (1985); see State v. Roberson, supra, 77. Since probation is, first and foremost, a penal alternative to incarceration — its objectives are to foster the offender’s reformation and to preserve the public’s safety — a sentencing court must have the discretion
In keeping with the continuing supervision and authority given the court
In this case, the defendant was placed on probation for a robbery in which he participated to get money for drugs. Certainly the challenged condition could have
The court properly imposed the special condition one year after sentencing. It plainly had the authority to do so in the exercise of its discretion under § 53a-30 (c) which encompasses ongoing supervision. We have said: “To modify, is ordinarily to change the mode in which a subject is dealt with, rather than to change the subject itself.” Central Railway & Electric Co.’s Appeal, 67 Conn. 197, 210, 35 A. 32 (1895). The trial court’s exercise of its power to “modify” in this case did not change the subject itself, but did change the manner in which the defendant’s probation was administered.
In attacking this postsentence imposition of the special condition, the defendant also argues that he was entitled to notice of all of the conditions of probation at the time of sentencing. In doing so, he fails to recognize the ongoing authority of the court in overseeing the probation process. “ ‘The success of probation as a correctional tool is in large part tied to the flexibility within which it is permitted to operate.’ ABA Standards Relating to Probation § 3.3 commentary (Approved Draft 1970).’ ” Buckley v. Quincy Division of District Court Department, 395 Mass. 815, 818, 482 N.E.2d 511 (1985). “ ‘The court may revoke or modify any condition of probation . . .’ [that] will subserve the ends of justice and the best interests of both the public and the defendant.” Burns v. United States, 287 U.S. 216, 221, 53 S. Ct. 154, 77 L. Ed. 266 (1932).
Initially, we note that the general conditions under § 53a-30 (a) include that the defendant “(7) refrain from violating any criminal law of the United States, this state or any other state . . . [and] (9) [that he] satisfy any conditions reasonably related to his rehabilitation.” Moreover, General Statutes § 54-108,
It is simply unreasonable for this defendant, found guilty of robbery in the first degree intended to generate money to pay for drugs for himself, to believe that if, during the ongoing contact with his probation officer, the use of drugs was reasonably suggested by his conduct or appearance, he would never expect to be subject to some type of drug testing. Despite the warning by his probation officer not to use drugs, including marihuana, he said he would use marihuana and did so. Under the circumstances, the court was entitled to impose the urinalysis testing. It clearly was reasonably related to the defendant’s rehabilitation and to the goals of probation. It was a foreseeable consequence, not only of a full due process hearing, but out of the reasonable suspicions of an experienced probation officer. This special condition was not, as in Carmo v. State, 378 So. 2d
The defendant also maintains that, in any event, this postsentence special condition was invalid because it was not imposed by the judge who sentenced him originally. We reject this claim. To legitimatize that argument would not only unduly hamper the administration of the court’s supervisory power over probation but would give sanction to a practice that has no basis in constitution, statute, decision or rule of practice in this state and for which the defendant has advanced none.
We believe that the urinalysis test was a search and seizure that implicated the defendant’s fourth and fourteenth amendment rights. See Schmerber v. California, 384 U.S. 757, 767, 86 S. Ct. 1826, 16 L. Ed. 2d 908 (1966); Shoemaker v. Handel, 619 F. Sup. 1089, 1098 (D.N.J. 1985), aff’d, 795 F.2d 1136 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 986, 107 S. Ct. 577, 93 L. Ed, 2d 580 (1986); Tucker v. Dickey, 613 F. Sup. 1124, 1129-30 (W.D. Wis. 1985); Storms v. Coughlin, 600 F. Sup. 1214, 1218-20 (S.D.N.Y. 1984); Roman v. State, 570 P.2d 1235, 1243 (Alaska 1977); People v. Richards, 76 Mich. App. 695, 698-99, 256 N.W.2d 792 (1977); Macias v. State, supra. It implicated the interests in human dignity and privacy at risk in Schmerber. While the required urinalysis involved no forced penetration of body tissues, as does a blood test, it did involve the involuntary extraction of bodily fluids and, in that sense, if not literally, it was an “ ‘intrusion beyond the body’s surface.’ ” Tucker v. Dickey, supra; Schmerber v. California, supra, 769. The fourth amendment pro
The search and seizure by way of urinalysis in this case was constitutionally sound under this standard. The defendant’s consent was not needed for the urine test, given his status, the reasonableness of the imposition of the testing condition and its obvious relation to his rehabilitation and other goals of probation. The broad power to impose conditions “permits insulating the individual from the conditions that led him into trouble.” United States v. Moore, 486 F.2d 1139, 1174 (D.C. Cir.), cert. denied, 414 U.S. 980, 94 S. Ct. 298, 38 L. Ed. 2d 224 (1973). As with parolees, it may be crucial to the success of a probation program for a probation officer to have access to some information that a probationer may be unwilling to divulge and so a probation officer “needs to be able to act in a manner that could not be tolerated if done by a policeman or other agent of the state with respect to an ordinary citizen” under the fourth amendment. See State v. Velasquez, supra, 1259; see also Roman v. State, supra, 1243. The defendant’s suggestion that probation, without something more, such as exigent circumstances, implies that his consent is needed lacks merit. Exigent circumstances exist when the societal costs of obtaining a warrant sufficiently outweigh the reasons for prior recourse to a neutral magistrate. Arkansas v. Sanders, 442 U.S. 753, 99 S. Ct. 2586, 61 L. Ed. 2d 235 (1979). Under the
Another claim of the defendant is that the order of the trial court, Bar all, J., imposing special conditions one year after the original sentencing violates his constitutional right against double jeopardy under the fifth amendment.
The guarantee against double jeopardy proscribes exposure to criminal prosecutions for the same offense after conviction or acquittal and protects against multiple punishments for the same offense. North Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 717, 89 S. Ct. 2072, 23 L. Ed. 2d 656 (1969). Such exposure is absent from proceedings that are not “ ‘essentially criminal.’ ” Breed v. Jones, 421 U.S. 519, 528, 95 S. Ct. 1779, 44 L. Ed. 2d 346 (1975). “The essential nature of a proceeding is not determined by its form or label .... United States v. U.S. Coin & Currency, 401 U.S. 715, 718, 91 S. Ct. 1041, 28 L. Ed. 2d 434 (1970). A proceeding is criminal for double jeopardy purposes, if it imposes a sanction intended as punishment. See Helvering v. Mitchell, 303 U.S. 391, 399, 58 S. Ct. 630, 82 L. Ed. 917 (1938).” State ex rel. Flowers v. Department of Health, 81 Wis. 2d 376, 383, 260 N.W.2d 727 (1978). The circumstances of the defendant’s revocation do not fit within these principles. The fact that his. conduct resulting in the revocation was determined in the manner that it was does not transform the revocation proceeding into a criminal prosecution. Actually, a probation
Revocation hearings are not concerned with punishment or retribution. The probation process, in seeking to normalize the probationer into society as soon as reasonably possible, presents the ultimate question whether the probationer is still a “good risk” to be continued in that status. Gagnon v. Scarpelli, supra, 783; State ex rel. Flowers v. Department of Health, supra, 385. This determination involves the consideration of the goals of probation, including whether the probationer’s behavior is inimical to his own rehabilitation, as well as to the safety of the public. The ends of probation revocation are thus distinct from the punitive functions of the criminal law and a number of consider
In summary, the special condition complained of was properly imposed on the defendant. In doing so, none of his rights was violated as claimed. There was no abuse of discretion. The revocation of his probation was not in error. Accordingly, this appeal is moot. “It is a well-settled general rule that the existence of an actual controversy is an essential requisite to appellate jurisdiction; it is not the province of appellate courts to decide moot questions, disconnected from the granting of actual relief or from the determination of which no practical relief can follow.” Reynolds v. Vroom, 130 Conn. 512, 515, 36 A.2d 22 (1944); Phaneuf v. Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, 166 Conn. 449, 452, 352 A.2d 291 (1974); State v. Johnson, 11 Conn. App. 251, 256-57, 527 A.2d 250 (1987). There is no practical relief that can be afforded the defendant given the circumstances of this case.
Accordingly, the defendant’s appeal is dismissed as moot.
In this opinion the other justices concurred.
General Statutes § 53a-30 provides: “conditions of probation and conditional discharge, (a) When imposing sentence of probation or conditional discharge, the court may, as a condition of the sentence, order that the defendant: (1) Work faithfully at a suitable employment or faithfully pursue a course of study or of vocational training that will equip him for suitable employment; (2) undergo medical or psychiatric treatment and remain in a specified institution, when required for that purpose; (3) support his dependents and meet other family obligations; (4) make restitution of the fruits of his offense or make restitution, in an amount he can afford to pay or provide in a suitable manner, for the loss or damage caused thereby and the court may fix the amount thereof and the manner of performance; (5) if a minor, (A) reside with his parents or in a suitable foster home, (B) attend school, and (C) contribute to his own support in any home or foster home; (6) post a bond or other security for the performance of any or all conditions imposed; (7) refrain from violating any criminal law of the United States, this state or any other state; (8) reside in a residential community center or halfway house approved by the commissioner of correction, and contribute to the cost incident to such residence; (9) satisfy any other conditions reasonably related to his rehabilitation. The court shall cause a copy of any such order to be delivered to the defendant and to the probation officer, if any.
“(b) When a defendant has been sentenced to a period of probation, the officer of adult probation may require that the defendant comply with any
“(c) At any time during the period of probation or conditional release, after hearing and for good cause shown, the court may modify or enlarge the conditions, whether originally imposed by the court under this section or otherwise, and may extend the period, provided the original period with any extensions shall not exceed the periods authorized by section 53a-29. The court shall cause a copy of any such order to be delivered to the defendant and to the probation officer, if any.”
General Statutes § 53a-134 (a) (2) provides in part: “(a) A person is guilty of robbery in the first degree when, in the course of the commission of the crime or of immediate flight therefrom, he or another participant in the crime ... (2) is armed with a deadly weapon . . . .”
McGeary’s “Request” set out the following: “The undersigned requests that:
“MODIFICATION for the Reason for Request set forth below, the above order of probation/conditional discharge be modified as follows: Special Condition of Probation that Kendall Smith submit to urinalysis and cooperate with any and all drug treatment required by Adult Probation.
“REASON FOR REQUEST Subject has admitted to heavy Cocaine and marijuana use in the past, and claimed he committed the Offense to obtain
“Dated at Hartford On 10/28/86 Signed Isl A.T. McGeary Sr. P.O.”
In finding “good cause,” the trial court said, assuming that there had been an application for a search warrant, “which would be based upon the issue or probable cause . . . and an affidavit submitted, I would have issued a search warrant. [Because] you have the testimony of a credible probation officer, acknowledgment of a known felon . . . acknowledging that he is using a substance that is forbidden under our law and so I am going to grant the request for modification.”
General Statutes § 53a-32 provides: “violation of probation or conditional discharge: ARREST; PROCEDURE, (a) At any time during the period of probation or conditional discharge, the court or any judge thereof may issue a warrant for the arrest of a defendant for violation of any of the conditions of probation or conditional discharge, or may issue a notice to appear to answer to a charge of such violation, which notice shall be personally served upon the defendant. Any such warrant shall authorize all officers named therein to return the defendant to the custody of the court or to any suitable detention facility designated by the court. Any probation officer may arrest any defendant on probation without a warrant or may deputize any other officer with power to arrest to do so by giving him a written statement setting forth that the defendant has, in the judgment of the probation officer, violated the conditions of his probation. Such
“(b) If such violation is established, the court may continue or revoke the sentence of probation or conditional release or modify or enlarge the conditions, and, if such sentence is revoked, require the defendant to serve the sentence imposed or impose any lesser sentence. No such revocation shall be ordered, except upon consideration of the whole record and unless such violation is established by reliable and probative evidence.”
When the defendant pleaded to the information, the following took place:
“The Clerk: State of Connecticut versus Kendall Smith, docket number 5 14 14. In an original information you’re charged with violating the conditions of your probation imposed on December 20th, 1985, by the Honorable Joseph Purtill at the town of Hartford on or about March 3rd, 1987, in violation of Connecticut General Statute [$] 53a-32, do you admit or deny this violation?
“Mr. Smith: Admit.”
At that time, the prosecutor indicated to the court that the defendant “now has a drug case pending.”
At oral argument, we were informed that the defendant has served the sentence and is no longer incarcerated.
We do not discuss the defendant’s Connecticut constitutional claims. Initially, we note that his preliminary statement of issues refers only to the United States constitution. In addition, while his brief refers to the Connecticut constitution, it undertakes no separate analysis indicating that the rights afforded him under the federal and state constitutions are distinguishable with reference to the substantive issue that he has raised. Moreover, we do not perceive, on the facts of this case, any reason independently to undertake any such analysis. See State v. Chung, 202 Conn. 39, 45 n.7, 519 A.2d 1175 (1987); State v. Toste, 198 Conn. 573, 576 n.3, 504 A.2d 1036 (1986).
Defense counsel on appeal, who was trial counsel, indicates that the pendency of this appeal was discussed in chambers. The record does not so disclose.
Concerning matters that may occur in chambers and which are not made of record, only recently we have said: “A case must be decided on the formal record and a court cannot resort to matters extraneous to the record
In this context, we note that defense counsel put nothing on the record indicating that any such matter was discussed in chambers, but likewise put nothing on the record, at that time, that the defendant was admitting the violation “subject” to an appeal previously taken.
During the pendency of the appeal, the state filed a motion to dismiss, which the defendant opposed, claiming that the validity of the trial court’s modification of the conditions of probation had been rendered moot by the defendant’s admission of the violation of the terms of his probation and its recurring revocation. We denied the state’s motion without prejudice to its renewal at the hearing in the appeal itself. Both parties addressed the mootness issue in oral argument before this court.
It is not necessary for us, in the circumstances of this case, to determine whether the office of adult probation could have required the defendant, without a court order, to have submitted to the conditions imposed in fact by the trial court, Barall, J. This is so because the challenged conditions were imposed by the court after application and hearing and a finding of good cause.
Although United States v. Scott, 678 F.2d 32 (5th Cir. 1982), involved a parolee, we deem its standard applicable to probationers. In doing so, we note that in determining whether the fourth amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures has been violated, some courts do not distinguish between probation status or parole status but treat them as the same. See, e.g., United States v. Consuelo-Gonzalez, 531 F.2d 259, 266 (9th Cir. 1975); State v. Pinson, 104 Idaho 227, 230 n.1, 657 P.2d 1095 (1983); State v. Earnest, 293 N.W.2d 365, 368 n.2 (Minn. 1980); Seim v. State, 95 Nev. 89, 94, 590 P.2d 1152 (1979); State v. Velasquez, 672 P.2d 1254, 1258 n.2 (Utah 1983).
The fifth amendment to the United States constitution provides in part: “nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb . . . .”