255 Conn. 830 | Conn. | 2001
Opinion
The dispositive issue in this appeal is whether the due process clause of the federal constitution requires that a defendant be afforded a court hearing with counsel before a defendant’s conditions of probation may be modified by the probation authorities. After a hearing held pursuant to General Statutes § 53a-
The following facts are relevant to our disposition of this appeal. On March 21, 1995, the defendant pleaded guilty to several offenses under two separate, unrelated cases. In the first case, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges of burglary in the second degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-102 (a),
Upon the defendant’s release from prison, William Anselmo, who was the probation officer now overseeing the defendant’s case, made an appointment for the defendant at the sex offender unit of special services in Norwalk, and informed him of that date. Anselmo stressed to the defendant the importance of the evaluation process. Anselmo stated that the time allotted for the defendant to meet with the therapist would be very limited, and that even being fifteen minutes late for an appointment could prevent the therapist from meeting with the defendant. The evaluation process, if the defendant were cooperative, normally could be completed in three to four visits.
After attending a few meetings on time, the defendant arrived late to a meeting on February 24, 1998, did not receive an evaluation that day, and was informed that he would be removed from the program if he were late again. On March 24, 1998, the defendant arrived late again and was told that he was expelled from the program.
Thereafter, the probation department moved to have the defendant’s probation revoked. At the revocation hearing, the trial court determined that the defendant had violated his probation because he failed to comply with the condition of probation regarding sexual offender treatment. The trial court then sentenced the defendant to the unexecuted term of his original sentence.*
This appeal is limited to the following issues: (1) whether the modification of the defendant’s probation by the office of adult probation without a hearing and counsel denied him due process of law under the federal constitution;
I
The defendant, at the revocation hearing, did not claim that his probation was modified in violation of his due process rights under the federal or state constitution and, therefore, asks this court to review his unpreserved claim under State v. Golding, 213 Conn. 233, 239-40, 567 A.2d 823 (1989), and State v. Evans, 165 Conn. 61, 69-70, 327 A.2d 576 (1973). Under Golding, “a defendant can prevail on a claim of constitutional error
A
Over the past seventy years, the United States Supreme Court has expanded the protections afforded a defendant regarding the right to counsel and the right to a court hearing in criminal proceedings. See Arger-singer v. Hamlin, 407 U.S. 25, 37, 92 S. Ct. 2006, 32 L. Ed. 2d 530 (1972) (expanding right to counsel to state felony or misdemeanor cases through fourteenth amendment); In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 41, 87 S. Ct. 1428, 18 L. Ed. 2d 527 (1967) (right to counsel attaches at juvenile proceedings in which institutional confinement would result); Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 462, 58 S. Ct. 1019, 82 L. Ed. 1461 (1938) (right to counsel expanded to attach to all federal cases); Powell v. Ala
In addition, the Supreme Court also has sought to establish certain minimum procedural protections for individuals on parole and probation. In Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 482-83, 92 S. Ct. 2593, 33 L. Ed. 2d 484 (1972), the court held that the due process clause requires that an individual on parole be afforded a hearing before his parole is revoked. In determining whether the nature of the parolee’s interest was within the due process protection of the fourteenth amendment, the court stated: “The parolee has been released from prison based on an evaluation that he shows reasonable promise of being able to return to society and function as a responsible, self-reliant person. Subject to the conditions of his parole, he can be gainfully employed and is free to be with family and friends and to form the other enduring attachments of normal life. Though the State properly subjects him to many restrictions not applicable to other citizens, his condition is very different from that of confinement in a prison. He may have been on parole for a number of years and may be living a relatively normal life at the time he is faced with revocation. The parolee has relied on at least an implicit promise that parole will be revoked only if he fails to live up to the parole conditions. In many cases, the parolee faces lengthy incarceration if his parole is revoked. We see, therefore, that the liberty of a parolee, although indeterminate, includes many of the core values of unqualified liberty and its termination inflicts a ‘grievous loss’ on the parolee and often on others.” Id., 482.
Subsequently, in Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778, 782, 93 S. Ct. 1756, 36 L. Ed. 2d 656 (1973), the Supreme Court affirmed the principles set forth in Morrissey and held that, because revocation of probation results in
We previously have never considered whether due process requires that an individual on probation be afforded an opportunity to be heard with counsel before the office of adult probation may modify the defendant’s conditions of probation. Although the right to counsel and a hearing has been expanded over the years, particularly with regard to parole and probation revocations, we agree with the numerous federal and state courts that have held that due process does not require a court hearing or counsel before the conditions of an individual’s probation may be modified. See United States v. Silver, 83 F.3d 289, 292 (9th Cir. 1996) (extension of probation period); Forgues v. United States, 636 F.2d 1125, 1127 (6th Cir. 1980) (same); United States v. Cornwell, 625 F.2d 686, 688-89 (5th Cir. 1980) (same); United States v. Carey, 565 F.2d 545, 546-47 (8th Cir. 1977) (same); Skipworth v. United States, 508 F.2d 598, 600-602 (3d Cir. 1975) (same); Edwards v. State, 216 Ga. App. 740, 741, 456 S.E.2d 213 (1995) (adding condition of completing sex offender treatment); People v. Britt, 202 Mich. App. 714, 716-17, 509 N.W.2d 914 (1993) (adding condition that defendant wear electronic monitor or tether); Ockel v. Riley, 541 S.W.2d 535, 544 (Mo. 1976) (extension of probation period); State v. Zeisler, 19
The key distinction regarding this issue is that a modification of an individual’s probation does not require the same procedural protections as a probation revocation. In particular, the nature of the interest and the loss resulting from a modification simply do not parallel the fundamental nature of the interest or the seriousness of the loss involved in Morrissey or Gagnon. The primary loss occasioned by a modification of a condition of probation is still only the possibility of future revocation, a loss that potentially occurs only if the condition is not met.
Revocation proceedings often resolve a contested factual determination that requires the trial court to decide whether there was, in fact, a violation of probation. For modifications of probation, however, it is not necessary for the trial court to make a finding of a probation violation.
Although “[probation is the product of statute”; State v. Smith, 207 Conn. 152, 167, 540 A.2d 679 (1988); see
B
The defendant also claims that, although § 53a-30 (b),
II
The defendant next claims that, even if the modified condition of probation validly had been imposed, the trial court abused its discretion and improperly revoked his probation because: (1) the defendant’s tardy arrivals at the sex offender treatment sessions did not warrant
“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 proposes 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 making this determination, the trial court is vested with broad discretion. State v. Smith, supra, 207 Conn. 167 (defendant who seeks to reverse exercise of judicial discretion assumes heavy burden); State v. Davis, 229 Conn. 285, 290, 641 A.2d 370 (1994); State v. Repetti, 60 Conn. App. 614, 619-20, 760 A.2d 964 (2000) , cert. denied, 255 Conn. 923, 763 A.2d 1040 (2001) ; State v. Treat, 38 Conn. App. 762, 767, 664 A.2d 785, cert. denied, 235 Conn. 920, 665 A.2d 907 (1995).
We recognize that, in the present case, sex offender treatment was a key component of the rehabilitative process because it was directly connected to one of the underlying crimes to which the defendant had pleaded guilty. Failure to comply with a condition of probation is a sufficient basis upon which to order a violation of probation. See State v. Davis, supra, 229 Conn. 302; State v. Welch, 40 Conn. App. 395, 401-402, 671 A.2d 379, cert. denied, 236 Conn. 918, 673 A.2d 1145 (1996); State v. Treat, supra, 38 Conn. App. 765-66; State v. DeMasi, 34 Conn. App. 46, 56, 640 A.2d 138, cert. denied, 230 Conn. 906, 644 A.2d 920 (1994). Here, the defendant failed to complete the conditions of his probation because he repeatedly had arrived late to the sex
The trial court, therefore, reasonably could have found that, without the treatment, the likelihood of the defendant committing such crimes again had not decreased, and that the goals of rehabilitation were not being adequately met. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in revoking the defendant’s probation.
The judgment is affirmed.
In this opinion the other justices concurred.
General Statutes § 53a-32 (a) provides in relevant part: “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. ...”
The spelling of the defendant’s first name in this case is in accordance with a note in the files by the department of correction.
The due process clause of the fourteenth amendment to the United States constitution provides in relevant part: “No State shall . . . deprive any person of life, liberty or properly, without due process of law . . . .”
Article first, § 8, of the Connecticut constitution provides in relevant part: “No person shall be . . . deprived of life, liberty or properly without due process of law . . . .”
General Statutes § 53a-102 (a) provides: “A person is guilty of burglary in the second degree when he enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling at night with intent to commit a crime therein.”
General Statutes § 53a-72a (a) provides: “A person is guilty of sexual assault in the third degree when such person (1) compels another person to submit to sexual contact (A) by the use of force against such other person or a third person, or (B) by the threat of use of force against such other person or against a third person, which reasonably causes such other person to fear physical iryury to himself or herself or a third person, or (2) engages
See footnote 1 of this opinion.
General Statutes § 21a-277 (a) provides: “Any person who manufactures, distributes, sells, prescribes, dispenses, compounds, transports with the intent to sell or dispense, possesses with the intent to sell or dispense, offers, gives or administers to another person any controlled substance which is a hallucinogenic substance other than marijuana, or a narcotic substance, except as authorized in this chapter, for a first offense, shall be imprisoned not more than fifteen years and may be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars or be both fined and imprisoned; and for a second offense shall be imprisoned not more than thirty years and may be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars, or be both fined and imprisoned; and for each subsequent offense, shall be imprisoned not more than thirty years and may be fined not more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or be both fined and imprisoned.”
General Statutes § 53a-167a (a) provides: “A person is guilty of interfering with an officer when he obstructs, resists, hinders or endangers any peace officer or fireman in the performance of his duties.”
The department of special services filed a report recommending that upon release from prison, the defendant should engage in outpatient sex
The trial court, in making its ruling, stated: “[E]valuations were made while the defendant was still in the custody of the commissioner of correction. The defendant was informed that he would be subject to conditions to include sexual offender treatment both before and after his release. The court finds based on all of the evidence presented in this case that the defendant violated the conditions of his probation by not cooperating with
Although the defendant also claims a violation under the state due process clause, our decision is confined to the federal constitution because the defendant has failed to provide an independent analysis of the state constitutional issue. See State v. Ellis, 232 Conn. 691, 692 n.l, 657 A.2d 1099 (1995). “We have repeatedly apprised litigants that we will not entertain a state constitutional claim unless the defendant has provided an independent analysis under the particular provisions of the state constitution at issue. . . . Without a separately briefed and analyzed state constitutional claim, we deem abandoned the defendant’s claim . . . .” (Citations omitted.) State v. Robinson, 227 Conn. 711, 721-22, 631 A.2d 288 (1993); see also State v. Williams, 231 Conn. 235, 245 n.13, 645 A.2d 999 (1994); State v. Joyner, 225 Conn. 450, 458 n.4, 625 A.2d 791 (1993); State v. Rosado, 218 Conn. 239, 251 n.12, 588 A.2d 1066 (1991).
The Supreme Court stated: “[Probation revocation, like parole revocation, is not a stage of a criminal prosecution, but does result in a loss of liberty. Accordingly, we hold that a probationer, like a parolee, is entitled to apreliminary and a final revocation hearing, under the conditions specified in Morrissey v. Brewer, supra, [408 U.S. 482].” Gagnon v. Scarpelli, supra, 411 U.S. 782.
In Skipworth v. United States, supra, 508 F.2d 601-602, a case widely cited by courts addressing this issue, the Court of Appeals stated: “While we acknowledge that probation entails significant restrictions on an individual, an extension of probation is clearly not as ‘grievous’ a ‘loss’ as revocation, and here it entailed no greater restrictions than those which existed previously. In fact, the primary ‘loss’ suffered by an individual whose probation has been extended lies not in the continuing restrictions themselves, but in the possibility of future revocation. While such a loss is indeed serious, it is merely potential at the time of extension, and the due process clause clearly provides the protection of a hearing in the event that revocation proceedings should subsequently occur.”
In Skipworth v. United, States, supra, 508 F.2d 602, the Court of Appeals highlighted this distinction: “In revocation proceedings, the trial judge must reasonably satisfy himself that the probationer has broken some law while on probation or has otherwise violated a condition of his probation. While the judge has considerable discretion as to whether to order revocation, he must at a minimum make an initial factual finding of a probation violation. A revocation hearing, therefore, provides the probationer with the crucial opportunity to contest an allegation of violation.”
General Statutes § 53a-30 (c) provides: “At any time during the period of probation or conditional discharge, 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-29 (a)provides: “The court may sentence a person to a period of probation upon conviction of any crime, other than a class A felony, if it is of the opinion that: (1) Present or extended institutional confinement of the defendant is not necessary for the protection of the public; (2) the defendant is in need of guidance, training or assistance which, in his case, can be effectively administered through probation supervision; and (3) such disposition is not inconsistent with the ends of justice.”
Specifically, we note that the comment to § 53a-30 by the commission to revise the criminal statutes provides: “It is contemplated that, in sentences of probation, the court will, as it does now, usually leave the conditions to be set by the probation authorities.” Commission to Revise the Criminal Statutes, Penal Code Comments, Connecticut General Statutes, p. 16 (1969). The comment by the commission is especially insightful because the commission was specially authorized by the legislature to propose and report a general revision to the criminal statutes. 2A J. Sutherland, Statutory Construction (6th Ed. Singer 2000) § 48.09, pp. 447-48; see State v. Kluttz, 9 Conn. App. 686, 693, 521 A.2d 178 (1987); see generally Commission to Revise the Criminal Statutes, Commentary on Title 53a, The Penal Code.
General Statutes § 53a-30 provides in relevant part: “(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 the defendant for suitable employment; (2) undergo medical or psychiatric treatment and remain in a specified institution, when required for that purpose; (3) support the defendant’s dependents and meet other family obligations; (4) make restitution of the fruits of the defendant’s offense or make restitution, in an amount the defendant 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 the minor’s parents or in a suitable foster home, (B) attend school, and (C) contribute to the minor’s 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) if convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, other than a capital felony, a class A felony or a violation of section 21a-278, 21a-278a, 53a-55, 53a-56, 53a-56b, 53a-57, 53a-58 or 53a-70b or any offense for which there is a mandatory minimum sentence which may not be suspended or reduced by the court, and any sentence of imprisonment is suspended, participate in an alternate incarceration program; (9) reside
“(b) When a defendant has been sentenced to a period of probation, 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. . . .”
In a similar context, the United States Supreme Court has held that a defendant has no right to a hearing concerning prison transfers as long as “the conditions or degree of confinement to which the prisoner is subject is within the sentence imposed upon him and is not otherwise violative of the Constitution, the Due Process Clause does not itself subject an inmate’s treatment by prison authorities to judicial oversight.” Montanye v. Haymes, 427 U.S. 236, 242, 96 S. Ct. 2543, 49 L. Ed. 2d 466 (1976).
See footnote 19 of this opinion.
See footnote 16 of this opinion.