California Court of Appeal Apr 13, 2015 No. D065614Unpublished
Filed 4/13/15 P. v. Wiese CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115. of rule 8.1115.
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE PEOPLE, D065614
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v. (Super. Ct. Nos. SCD243786, SCD245844, SCD251085) RONALD L. WIESE,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Judge
Desiree Bruce-Lyle. Affirmed as modified.
Jared G. Coleman, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General,
William M. Wood, Meagan Beale and Paige B. Hazard, Deputy Attorneys General, for
Plaintiff and Respondent.
1
In this appeal we are called upon to determine whether the trial court erred in
imposing increased restitution fines (Pen. Code, § 1202.4, subds. (b), (m))1 and a drug
program fee (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.7) in sentencing the defendant after revocation
of his probation, where a contrary sentence previously imposed was executed but
suspended and stayed during the defendant's probationary period. We answer that
inquiry in the affirmative, strike the increased restitution fines and the drug program fee,
and order that the abstract of judgment be corrected. In all other respects we affirm the
judgment.
I.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Appellant Ronald Wiese has a lengthy criminal history resulting from a three-
decade-long addiction to controlled substances. In each of the three cases on appeal,
Wiese entered a guilty plea and was convicted of procuring or possessing drugs, and a
sentence was imposed and its execution was suspended pending Wiese's successful
completion of probation, which included drug treatment. When Wiese failed, his
probation was revoked and he was sentenced to the executed six-year prison term but, as
relevant here, the court increased the amount of restitution fines previously imposed and
imposed a mandatory drug program fee (in case No. SCD245844), which the court had
declined to impose when sentence was pronounced.
1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.
2
Wiese argues the court erred when it imposed the executed sentence but increased
the restitution fines and imposed the drug program fee. We agree for the reasons we will
discuss; however we first set forth the relevant facts2 and procedural history of each case
appealed for context.
A. Case No. SCD243786
On October 22, 2012, Wiese pled guilty to unlawfully obtaining by subterfuge a
prescription for Percocet, a controlled substance (Health & Saf. Code, § 11173,
subd. (a)).
On November 20, 2012, imposition of sentence was suspended and the trial court
placed Wiese on felony probation for three years on the condition that he serve 85 days in
custody and pay a $240 restitution fine (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) and a probation revocation
restitution fine (§ 1202.44) of $240, which was stayed.
On March 26, 2013, the trial court revoked Wiese's probation due to his new
conviction in case No. SCD245844. The court imposed and executed a stipulated two-
year prison term to run concurrently with that which was imposed on the principal term
selected in case No. SCD245844, but stayed execution of that sentence, and reinstated
and extended Weise's probation until the year 2016 on the previous terms and conditions.
On January 31, 2014, the trial court formally revoked probation, lifted the stay of
execution, and ordered the two-year executed sentence to be served concurrently with the
2 In discussing the individual cases, we note only the relevant sentencing date, plea terms and sentence imposed.
3
sentences in cases Nos. SCD251085 and SCD245844. The court also imposed a
restitution fine of $480.
B. Case No. SCD245844
On February 26, 2013, Wiese pled guilty to two counts of possession of a
controlled substance (Health & Saf. Code, § 11377, subd. (a)), as on two occasions he
knowingly possessed a usable amount of methamphetamine. He admitted nine prison
priors (§§ 667.5, subd. (b), 668).
On March 26, 2013, the court sentenced Wiese to a six-year prison term,
suspended execution of sentence and granted probation on the condition that Wiese
immediately serve 365 days in custody, a portion of which could be served in a
residential drug treatment program. It ordered, but stayed unless probation was revoked,
a $2,000 probation revocation restitution fine (§ 1202.44) and an additional restitution
fine of $2,000 pursuant to section 1202.4, subdivision (b). Although the court made no
express finding as to Wiese's inability to pay the drug program fee (Health & Saf. Code,
§ 11372.7) or the lab analysis fee, it specifically ordered that neither fee was imposed.
On October 3, 2013, Wiese admitted to being in violation of his probation and was
referred to the Parole Re-entry Court program. On November 8, Wiese's probation was
revoked and reinstated, he was accepted in the Parole Re-entry Court program, and he
was ordered to participate in that program as a condition of probation. Ultimately, he
was terminated from the program and his probation was revoked.
On January 31, 2014, after terminating Wiese from the court drug program, the
court lifted the stay of execution and ordered that Wiese serve the previously imposed
4
six-year prison term to be served concurrently with the sentences executed in cases
Nos. SCD251085 and SCD243786. The court also imposed a restitution fine of $3,360
(§ 1202.4, subd. (b)), a drug program fee of $570 (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.7) and a
lab analysis fee of $190 (id., § 11372.5).
C. Case No. SCD251085
On October 3, 2013, in exchange for a three-year stipulated prison sentence that
was to run concurrently with the sentence imposed in case No. SCD245844, Wiese pled
guilty to possession of a controlled substance (Health & Saf. Code, § 11377, subd. (a)), as
he knowingly possessed a usable amount of methamphetamine on September 25, 2013.
On November 8, 2013, Wiese was sentenced to the previously stipulated three-
year prison term, which was executed but suspended and stayed for three years pending
successful completion of probation. Wiese was ordered to immediately serve 365 days in
custody, which could be completed in the Parole Re-entry Court program. The trial court
imposed a restitution fine of $280 (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)).
On January 10, 2014, Wiese's probation was revoked. A review and sentencing
hearing was held January 31, at which time the trial court lifted the stay of execution of
judgment and imposed the stipulated three-year sentence to be served concurrently with
the six-year term in case No. SCD245844.3 The court also imposed a restitution fine of
$840 (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)).
3 The parties agree that the abstract of judgment mistakenly lists the time imposed for this case as 93 years. We will order the abstract of judgment corrected.
5
II.
DISCUSSION
This case involves the issue of whether a trial court may modify the terms of an
executed sentence after a defendant's probation is revoked and sentence is executed. The
disposition of the case rests upon the important distinction, in probation cases, between
orders suspending imposition of sentence and orders suspending execution of previously
imposed sentences. The basic distinction is set forth in the Penal Code (§ 1203.2,
subds. (a) & (c)), is implemented by California Rules of Court, rule 4.435 and is
explained in the seminal California Supreme Court case of People v. Howard (1997) 16
Cal.4th 1081 (Howard).
"When the trial court suspends imposition of sentence, no judgment is then
pending against the probationer, who is subject only to the terms and conditions of
probation." "On the defendant's rearrest and revocation of probation, '. . . the court may,
if the sentence has been suspended, pronounce judgment for any time within the longest
period for which the person might have been sentenced.' (§ 1203.2, subd. (c); see Cal.
Rules of Court, rule 435(b)(1)[4] . . . .)" (Howard, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 1087.)
Significantly, however, " 'if the judgment has been pronounced and the execution
thereof has been suspended, the court may revoke the suspension and order that the
judgment shall be in full force and effect.' " "On revocation of probation, if the court
previously had imposed sentence the sentencing judge must order that exact sentence into
4 Effective January 1, 2001, rule 435 was renumbered as rule 4.435.
6
effect." (Howard, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 1088, italics added; see People v. Ramirez
(2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 1412, 1423-1425.)
With these basic rules in mind, we now turn to Wiese's two appellate claims.
A. Increased Restitution Fines
Wiese initially argues the trial court erred by imposing an increased restitution fine
under section 1202.4, subdivision (b) in each of his three cases when his probation was
revoked, suspension and stay of his executed sentence was lifted and execution of the
sentence was ordered. Specifically, he asserts that in case No. SCD243786 the restitution
fine imposed at sentencing was $240, and the trial court improperly increased the fine to
$480 when the sentence was executed; in case No. SCD245844 the restitution fine
imposed at sentencing was $2,000, and the trial court improperly increased the fine to
$3,360 when the sentence was executed; and, finally, in case No. SCD251085 the
restitution fine imposed at sentencing was $280, and the trial court improperly increased
the fine to $840 when the sentence was executed. The People concede this was error, and
we agree.
A restitution fine imposed at the time of conviction and granting of probation
remains the same despite a future revocation of probation. Therefore, when probation is
revoked, the trial court has no authority to impose a second restitution fine in a greater
amount than the original fine. (People v. Chambers (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 819, 821-
823.) Accordingly, we will order that the increased restitution fines in each of
defendant's cases imposed at the time sentence was executed be stricken and the abstract
7
of judgment be corrected to reflect the amount of the restitution fines imposed at
sentencing.
B. Drug Program Fee
Citing Howard, Wiese next argues the trial court erred by imposing a drug
program fee under Health and Safety Code section 11372.75 when ordering his sentence
to be executed in case No. SCD245844, because when he was sentenced and judgment
was rendered, the court specifically choose not to impose the drug program fee or a lab
analysis fee.6 Wiese is correct.
Section 1203.2, subdivision (c) provides in relevant part:
"[I]f the judgment has been pronounced and the execution thereof has been suspended, the court may revoke the suspension and order that the judgment shall be in full force and effect."
5 Health and Safety Code section 11372.7 provides in relevant part: "(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) or (e), each person who is convicted of a violation of this chapter 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. "(b) The court shall determine whether or not the person who is convicted of a violation of this chapter has the ability to pay a drug program fee. If the court determines that the person has the ability to pay, the court may set the amount to be paid and order the person to pay that sum to the county in a manner that the court believes is reasonable and compatible with the person's financial ability. In its determination of whether a person has the ability to pay, the court shall take into account the amount of any fine imposed upon that person and any amount that person has been ordered to pay in restitution. If the court determines that the person does not have the ability to pay a drug program fee, the person shall not be required to pay a drug program fee."
6 While pronouncing sentence the trial court stated, "I will not order the drug program fee nor the lab analysis fee."
8
California Rule of Court, rule 4.435, subdivision (b)(2), implementing this part of section 1203.2 subdivision (c), states:
"If the execution of sentence was previously suspended, the judge must order that the judgment previously pronounced be in full force and effect and that the defendant be committed to the custody of the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the term prescribed in that judgment."
These provisions, ''by their terms, limit the court's power in situations in which the
court [chooses] to impose sentence but suspend[s] . . . execution pending a term of
probation." (Howard, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 1088 [discussing § 1203.2, subd. (c) and
Cal. Rules of Court, former rule 435, now rule 4.435]; see generally People v. Bolian
(2014) 231 Cal.App.4th 1415, 1420.)7 Our Supreme Court, in explaining its Howard
decision, which discussed the implications of an executed sentence under section 1203.2,
subdivision (c) and rule 4.435, subdivision (b)(2), stated:
"We explained that '[w]hen the trial court suspends imposition of sentence, no judgment is then pending against the probationer, who is subject only to the terms and conditions of the probation. [Citations.] The probation order is considered to be a final judgment only for the "limited purpose of taking an appeal therefrom." [Citation.] On the defendant's rearrest and revocation of her probation, ". . . the court may, if the sentence has been suspended, pronounce judgment for any time within the longest period for which the person might have been sentenced." ' [Citation.] However, '[u]nlike the situation in which sentencing itself has been deferred, where a sentence has actually been imposed but its execution suspended, "The revocation of the suspension of execution of the judgment brings the former judgment into full force and effect. . . ." [Citations.]' [Citation.]
7 An exception to the rule exists when an executed sentence is unauthorized. In that circumstance, the trial court can order execution of the correct sentence whether it is more or less than the sentence previously imposed. (In re Renfrow (2008) 164 Cal.App.4th 1251, 1253.) In this case, there is no contention the executed sentence, including the restitution fines and the drug program fee, was unauthorized.
9
". . . '[O]n revocation of probation, if the court previously had imposed sentence, the sentencing judge must order that exact sentence into effect . . . .' " (People v. Scott (2014) 58 Cal.4th 1415, 1423-1424 (Scott).)
Here, the court imposed sentence on Wiese, including a term that he not pay the
drug program fee, and executed but stayed the sentence during Wiese's probationary
period. The exact sentence, including the drug program fee term, became the judgment
rendered against Wiese and court was without the authority to modify that judgment
when Weise's probation was revoked, and the sentence was executed.
The People, citing People v. Vega (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 183 (Vega), argue8 that
the court had the authority to impose the drug program fee because, as a fee not a fine, it
was not part of the punishment imposed on Wiese at the time of sentencing. In essence,
the People argue that the court's order regarding nonpayment of the drug program fee was
not a term of the executed sentence and did not become a part of the judgment. We are
not persuaded.
"Howard establishes that when a court elects to impose a sentence, a judgment has
been entered and the terms of the sentence have been set even though its execution is
suspended pending a term of probation." (Scott, supra, 58 Cal.4th at p. 1424, italics
added.) Scott clarified that a "sentence includes more than the length of the term of
8 Citing People v. Walker (1991) 54 Cal.3d 1013, overruled by People v. Villalobos (2012) 54 Cal.4th 177, the People also assert, in passing, that Wiese's drug program fee claim is forfeited. The argument is not supported legally or factually, is not well developed, and consequently we will not consider it. (See generally People v. Whalen (2013) 56 Cal.4th 1, 74 [appellate claim not supported by argument or legal authority is forfeited].) 10
confinement." (Ibid., citing People v. Garcia (2006) 147 Cal.App.4th 913, 916-917 [sex
offender registration requirement was part of an executed sentence].) Here, the
Legislature specifically required the court to include a term regarding payment (or
nonpayment) of the drug program fee in the sentence for the offense that Wiese was
convicted of, possession of a controlled substance (Health & Saf. Code, § 11377,
subd. (a)). (See Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.7, subds. (a), (b) ["If the court determines
that the person does not have the ability to pay a drug program fee, the person shall not
be required to pay a drug program fee." (Id., subd. (b).) In that respect, Vega, cited by
the People, is not controlling authority as the issue there was whether the laboratory
analysis fee (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.5) could be imposed on defendants for a
conviction of conspiracy to transport cocaine. (Vega, supra, 130 Cal.App.4th at p. 194.)
Vega is thus neither legally or factually on point.
Wiese was sentenced once, and the terms of his sentence included nonpayment of
the drug program fee. (Scott, supra, 58 Cal.4th at p. 1423.) The court was required to
impose that exact sentence when Wiese's probation was revoked and his sentence was
executed. The court's failure to do so was error, and we will order the portion of his
sentence regarding payment of a drug program fee in case No. SCD248544 be stricken
and the abstract of judgment corrected.
DISPOSITION
In case No. SCD243786, the restitution fine of $480 (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) imposed
when sentence was executed is ordered stricken, and the restitution fine of $240
(§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) ordered at sentencing is reinstated.
11
In case No. SCD245844, the restitution fine of $3,360 (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) and
the drug program fee of $570 (Health & Saf. Code, § 11372.7) imposed when sentence
was executed are ordered stricken, and the restitution fine of $2,000 (§ 1202.4, subd. (b))
ordered at sentencing is reinstated.
In case No. SCD251085, the restitution fine of $840 (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) imposed
when sentence was executed is ordered stricken, and the restitution fine of $280
(§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) ordered at sentencing is reinstated.
The superior court is ordered to modify the abstract of judgment to reflect the
reinstated restitution fines in each of the three cases and the deletion of the drug program
fee in case No. SCD245844. The superior court is also ordered to modify the abstract of
judgment in case No. SCD251085 to reflect that the court imposed a three-year prison
sentence, to be served concurrently with the six-year sentence in case No. SCD245844,
not a 93-year sentence. The corrected abstract of judgment shall be forwarded to the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. As modified, the judgment is affirmed.
IRION, J.
WE CONCUR:
HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.
AARON, J.
12
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. When a trial court has previously imposed and suspended execution of a sentence, it lacks the authority to modify that sentence upon revocation of probation; it must order the exact sentence originally pronounced into effect.
Issues
Whether a trial court may increase restitution fines upon revocation of probation when execution of the original sentence was previously suspended.
Whether a trial court may impose a drug program fee upon revocation of probation when it had previously declined to impose that fee at the time of sentencing.
Disposition. Affirmed as modified.
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“A restitution fine imposed at the time of conviction and granting of probation remains the same despite a future revocation of probation.”
“The court was required to impose that exact sentence when Wiese's probation was revoked and his sentence was executed.”