California Court of Appeal May 16, 2016 No. E062795Unpublished
Filed 5/16/16 P. v. Foster CA4/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent, E062795
v. (Super.Ct.No. FWV1402270)
FREDERICK ALAN FOSTER, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. Colin J. Bilash,
Judge. Affirmed with directions.
Marianne Harguindeguy, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Gerald A. Engler, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Lynne G. McGinnis and Eric A.
Swenson, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
A jury found defendant and appellant Frederick Alan Foster guilty of being a
sexual offender who (1) failed to inform the law enforcement agency with which he last
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registered that he had moved away from that city (Pen. Code, § 290.013);1 and
(2) failing to register with the law enforcement agency in the city where he was living
Our high court explained the purpose of the registration law (§ 290) is to assure
that people convicted of certain sexual offenses are “‘readily available for police
surveillance at all times.’” (Britt, supra, 32 Cal.4th at p. 952.) The court wrote,
“Defendant’s objective in violating this section was the opposite of the government’s—
to avoid police surveillance. To fulfill this objective, he committed two crimes of
omission, but each crime furthered the same objective. The failure to notify the former
jurisdiction (§ 290, subd. (f)(1)) and the failure to register in the new jurisdiction (§ 290,
subd. (a)(1)(A)) were means of achieving the same objective—to prevent any law
enforcement authority from learning of his current residence.” (Ibid.)
The Supreme Court explained that the lower court was incorrect in determining
the defendant had two objectives: (1) to mislead law enforcement and residents of his
former community into believing he still resided there, and (2) to conceal from law
enforcement and residents of his new community the fact that he was now residing
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there. (Britt, supra, 32 Cal.4th at p. 953.) The Supreme Court reasoned that separating
the defendant’s objective by county “parses the objectives too finely.” (Ibid.)
The high court held, “a person subject to section 290’s reporting requirements
who changes residence a single time within California without reporting to any law
enforcement agency, and who thus violates both subdivisions (a) and (f) of section 290,
may be punished for one of those crimes, but not both.” (Britt, supra, 32 Cal.4th at pp.
954-955.)
In the instant case, defendant was convicted of failing to inform the Upland
Police Department, with which he last registered, that he had moved away from the city
of Upland (§ 290.013); and (2) failing to register with the Ontario Police Department,
which was the city in which he was residing (§ 290, subd. (b)). The trial court imposed
a three-year prison term for the Upland conviction and an eight-month consecutive
prison term for the Ontario conviction. Given the Supreme Court’s precedent on this
issue, we conclude the trial court erred. The record in this case does not disclose a
separate intent peculiar to this case such that we could distinguish this case from Britt.
It appears defendant, like the defendant in Britt, intended to conceal his residence from
law enforcement in general. Accordingly, we will order defendant’s sentence for the
Ontario conviction (§ 290, subd. (b)) to be stayed pursuant to section 654.
The People contend the trial court did not err because defendant “violated his
duty to register under section 290, subdivision (b) on more than one occasion.” The
People rely on the rule that “the prohibition against multiple punishment for indivisible
offenses does not apply to multiple violations of the same provision. ([People v.
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]Corrrea, supra, 54 Cal.4th at p. 344.)” The People reason that since defendant was
living in Ontario for “a ‘couple years’” he violated the duty to register more than once,
which “constituted yet another violation of his duty to register under section 290,
subdivision (b).
The People’s argument is not persuasive because defendant was not convicted of
failing to register on a separate occasion in Ontario, a year apart from his failure to
notify Upland. The acts for both convictions were alleged to have occurred “on or
about June 21, 2014.” Given the single date shared by the charges, and the evidence of
one change of address, we conclude there was a single move from Upland to Ontario
that constitutes the basis for the convictions. Accordingly, Britt is controlling. (See
Auto Equity Sales, Inc v. Superior Court of Santa Clara County (1962) 57 Cal.2d 450,
456 [intermediate appellate courts are bound by Supreme Court precedent].)
C. MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL
1. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
At defendant’s sentencing hearing, the following exchange occurred:
“The Court: [Defendant], anything you wish to say to the Court?
“The Defendant: Yeah, I would like to have a Marsden[2] hearing, if possible. I
know it’s kind of too late for that. Also—
“The Court: Well, you are entitled to it, as far as the trial goes and all that, yes.
[¶] Are you requesting a Marsden for the sentencing?
2 People v. Marsden (1970) 2 Cal.3d 118 (Marsden).
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“The Defendant: I mean, if possible because—
“The Court: You are entitled to request—
“The Defendant: If possible, because I am not actually really sure of all my
motions, actually.
“The Court: I am sorry, I can’t hear you.
“The Defendant: I said, if possible, if it could be.
“The Court: But you said ‘because’ after that, and I didn’t hear that point.
“The Defendant: Well, because my motions weren’t heard. And I feel that, you
know—
“The Court: Well, those are basically appeal issues; I don’t want to discuss that.
But if you are requesting a new attorney for your sentencing, I have to honor that
request—
“The Defendant: No, I understand that. I just want to make sure that my
attorney understands and you understand that I did request a motion to be presented to
the Court that wasn’t presented.
“The Court: Well, I don’t want to get into details on that on the record in open
court right now. I just need to know, if you are requesting a new attorney for
sentencing, I am obligated to consider that if that is your request. And I will consider
that, if that is your request.
“The Defendant: Well, depending on how long will it be, an estimate.
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“The Court: Well, I can’t go by that. A Marsden would be heard today. But as
far as the new attorney, that would be delayed. If a new attorney was granted, then the
sentencing will be delayed.
“The Defendant: No estimate of how long?
“The Court: I didn’t hear your question.
“The Defendant: Is there any estimate on how long it will be?
“The Court: I can’t estimate that. It would depend on getting an attorney in here
and then seeing what they wanted to do.
“The Defendant: Never mind.
“The Court: You want to just go ahead?
“The Defendant: I guess so. I mean, if there’s no—I mean, it seems like you
guys can find exactly how much time I could do—
“The Court: Right.
“The Defendant: —but there’s no way to find out how much time it will take to
get it done for me—
“The Court: Hold on.
“The Defendant: —so I don’t understand that at all.
“The Court: Hold on, [defendant]”
The Court then held a Marsden hearing. At the Marsden hearing, the following
discussion occurred:
“The Court: [Defendant], the reason I cut you off is because I don’t want you
saying some things that may be personal that have to do with your case alone. And it is
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not a motion that should be heard in open court; okay? [¶] But now I will listen to your
request or what your issues are. [¶] Now, obviously, anything that happened during the
trial—let me just start with this, based on the comments you told me and then you can
tell me where you want to go from there.
“Based on the comments that you indicated to me, it seems like you have a
number of issues about what your attorney may or may not have done related to the
trial. If that is the case, all those issues—and after I sentence you, I will advise you of
your appeal rights, and all those issues can be reviewed on appeal. As part of your
appeal rights, you will be appointed a new attorney if you request one.
“If you are requesting a new attorney prior to your sentencing and I grant that,
then [your trial counsel] would be relieved, I would appoint a new attorney. I don’t
know if that attorney will be here today or not, but at no worse than tomorrow, if that
were to happen. But then that attorney, obviously, would get some time to get up to
speed on your case. That would be up to the attorney. It is just a ballpark, so there
would be that delay. [¶] And then they will proceed on your sentencing; that new
attorney wouldn’t have the opportunity to review the things that you might be talking
about for trial. I mean, unless—
“The Defendant: I’m just—
“The Court: —you’re requesting an attorney for a Motion for New Trial.
“The Defendant: I understand. I don’t have time for the delay. All I’m stating
is, I know it’s kind of too late to put in certain motions that should have been pushed
during the trial.
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“The Court: Okay.
“The Defendant: But I asked—I spoke to my attorney when he entered the court,
and I wanted to know if he presented these motions to you as far as my appeal, as far as
the grounds of my appeal. But I don’t know that, because I don’t approach the bench
when both the D.A. and the attorney approach the bench. That’s why I was saying, if
these could be heard, I wanted to make sure that you heard of this—mention of the
motion, if that was possible, so that I could know exactly what’s taking place. Because
it’s—like, I don’t know what’s taking place, why it’s being delayed.
“The Court: Are you requesting [your trial counsel] to present a Motion for New
Trial for you?
“The Defendant: That’s what was supposed to be done last time; that’s why I
asked for a jury trial or a Court trial by you last time.
“The Court: [Defense Counsel], I am not going to ask you directly to comment
on that. [¶] You want to run a Motion for New Trial based on what you believe [your
trial counsel] did not do during trial; would that be correct?
“The Defendant: Based on what took place during the trial.
“The Court: All right. [¶] Well, I will appoint an attorney to evaluate a Motion
for New Trial because you are basing that on the competency of your counsel, basically;
is that correct?
“The Defendant: Yeah; exactly.
“The Court: Okay.
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“[Defendant’s Trial Counsel]: Your Honor, I think that issue goes up on appeal
about what I did; that’s an appeal issue. I am going to file a Notice of Appeal on this
case so that issue of whether I was IAC or not, that is going to be something that’s
going to be taken up, anyway.
“The Court: I know, but it is also a proper Motion for New Trial. If it lies—
“[Defendant’s Trial Counsel]: All right.
“The Court: —it is a proper Motion for New Trial.
“[Defendant’s Trial Counsel]: Okay.
“The Court: So I am not granting the Marsden, but I will appoint an attorney to
look into the issue as to whether or not there is a Motion for New Trial. [¶] That’s all I
can do, [defendant]. If that attorney determines there isn’t, then the motion will not be
filed and then you will have your appeal rights. If they determine that it should be filed,
they will file it. But there will, obviously, be a delay. [¶] Are you willing to waive
time for your sentencing to allow a new attorney to consider a Motion for New Trial?
“The Defendant: That’s why I was asking, how long will it take? That’s what
I—
“The Court: There’s no answer to that question. I mean, you would have to talk
to your attorney about that.
“(The defendant conferred with his attorney.)
“[Defendant’s Trial Counsel]: I am ready, Your Honor. [¶] And by [the] way,
for the record, I deny everything that he just said.
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“The Court: I understand. [¶] So, [defendant], are you willing to waive time for
sentencing to allow me to appoint an attorney to investigate the possibility of filing a
Motion for New Trial, or do you wish to be just sentenced today and then take
advantage of any appeal rights on any issues—
“The Defendant: I will go for the second offer.
“The Court: You would just like to be sentenced today and then—
“The Defendant: Yeah, the second, and the—
“The Court: And take advantage of any appeal rights on any issues you may
have?
“The Defendant: Yeah.”
The trial court denied the Marsden motion, sentenced defendant, and informed
him of his appellate rights.
2. ANALYSIS
Defendant contends the trial court erred by not listening to his reasons for
wanting to file a motion for new trial.
“‘When, after trial, a defendant asks the trial court to appoint new counsel to
prepare and present a motion for new trial on the ground of ineffective assistance of
counsel, the court must conduct a hearing to explore the reasons underlying the request.
[Citations.] If the claim of inadequacy relates to courtroom events that the trial court
observed, the court will generally be able to resolve the new trial motion without
appointing new counsel for the defendant. [Citation.] If, on the other hand, the
defendant’s claim of inadequacy relates to matters that occurred outside the courtroom,
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and the defendant makes a “colorable claim” of inadequacy of counsel, then the trial
court may, in its discretion, appoint new counsel to assist the defendant in moving for a
new trial.’” (People v. Smith (1993) 6 Cal.4th 684, 693.)
In the instant case, defendant said he wanted to file a motion for new trial based
upon ineffective assistance of counsel. The alleged ineffectiveness appeared pertain to
omissions on the part of defendant’s trial counsel. We infer the alleged ineffectiveness
related to omissions because defendant said, (1) “because my motions weren’t heard”;
(2) “I wanted to know if he presented these motions to you”; (3) “it’s kind of too late to
put in certain motions that should have been pushed during the trial”; and (4) “I did
request a motion to be presented to the Court that wasn’t presented.” Given that the
alleged ineffective assistance pertained to omissions, in particular, the failure to present
a motion or motions, it did not concern events the trial court could have observed.
Therefore, the trial court correctly concluded it would need to appoint counsel to assist
defendant in moving for a new trial.
The trial court told defendant, “I will appoint an attorney to look into the issue as
to whether or not there is a Motion for New Trial.” Accordingly, the trial court offered
defendant his requested relief—counsel to assist in filing a motion for new trial based
upon ineffective assistance of prior counsel. There was no need for the trial court to
delve deeper into defendant’s reasons for the motion because the trial court offered to
grant defendant’s request. Given that the trial court offered to grant defendant the relief
he wanted, we conclude the trial court did not err.
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Notably, defendant changed his mind and declined the appointment of an
attorney for the purpose of filing a motion for new trial because defendant did not want
to delay his sentencing hearing. We cannot fault the trial court for defendant’s decision
to decline the trial court’s offer. (See People v. Coffman (2004) 34 Cal.4th 1, 49 [under
the doctrine of invited error, a defendant cannot gain a reversal for a tactical decision
made by the defense].)
DISPOSITION
Defendant’s eight-month prison sentence for violating section 290, subdivision
(b) (Count 2) is stayed pursuant to section 654. The trial court is directed to issue an
amended abstract of judgment and forward a copy of the amended abstract to the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In all other respects, the judgment is
affirmed.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
MILLER Acting P. J.
We concur:
CODRINGTON J.
SLOUGH J.
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AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that the defendant was required to register as a sex offender under current law and that his sentence for failing to register in his new city of residence must be stayed under Penal Code section 654 because it arose from the same indivisible course of conduct as his failure to notify his former jurisdiction.
Issues
Whether the trial court erred in denying a motion to dismiss charges based on the defendant's claim that he was not legally required to register as a sex offender.
Whether the trial court erred by failing to stay the sentence for failing to register in the new city of residence pursuant to Penal Code section 654.
Whether the trial court erred by failing to inquire into the defendant's reasons for wanting to file a motion for new trial.
Disposition. Affirmed with directions.
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“The registration requirement is retroactive.”
“The failure to notify the former jurisdiction (§ 290, subd. (f)(1)) and the failure to register in the new jurisdiction (§ 290, subd. (a)(1)(A)) were means of achieving the same objective—to prevent any law enforcement authority from learning of his current residence.”
“Accordingly, we will order defendant’s sentence for the Ontario conviction (§ 290, subd. (b)) to be stayed pursuant to section 654.”