State Of Washington v. Allixzander Harris ( 2016 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
June 1, 2016
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 46758-5-II
Respondent,
v.
ALLIXZANDER DEVELL HARRIS, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
MELNICK, J. — Allixzander Devell Harris appeals his sentence and convictions for six
counts of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor with multiple aggravating factors on
those counts, one count of tampering with a witness, and one count of promoting prostitution in
the second degree. He makes numerous arguments that his exceptional sentence should be
reversed because it was based on the rapid recidivism aggravating factor. Because the jury found
other aggravating factors existed and the trial court said it would have imposed the same
exceptional sentence based on the presence of only one, we do not consider his sentencing
arguments. In addition, we reject Harris’s argument that the trial court violated his right to be
present and his right to self-representation. Harris also challenges the imposition of his legal
financial obligations (LFOs). In a statement of additional grounds (SAG), Harris asserts that he
received ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm, but remand the case to the trial court to
conduct an individualized inquiry on Harris’s ability to pay discretionary LFOs.
46758-5-II
FACTS
In late 2012, S.D. and K.H., both minors, became homeless. They asked Harris about
becoming prostitutes because they needed money for a place to stay. He took S.D. and K.H. to
meet a woman, Trista, who taught them about prostitution. Trista helped them find their first
client. S.D. and K.H. were instructed to go into a nearby room where they performed oral
intercourse on the client. K.H. also had penile-vaginal intercourse with the client. As payment,
they received money, marijuana, and a marijuana pipe from the client. K.H. was arrested shortly
thereafter, but after her release, she continued prostituting.
Harris took pictures of S.D. and created Backpage.com1 advertisements for K.H. and S.D.
He received phone calls from the advertisements on his cell phone. Harris, S.D., and K.H.
responded to inquiries by text message. Harris made the arrangements for S.D. and K.H. to meet
clients. Harris drove S.D. and K.H. to different locations to meet new clients. He took all of the
money S.D. and K.H. made.
The State charged Harris with six counts of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor
with aggravating factors (counts I through VI), one count of tampering with a witness (count VII),
one count of promoting prostitution in the second degree (count VIII), and possession of depictions
of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree (count IX).2 Counts I through
VI included the aggravating factors of ongoing pattern of sexual abuse3 and victimization of
1
Backpage.com is a classified advertising website where escorts advertise their services.
Advertisers include phone numbers in their advertisements that interested clients can call or text
message.
2
RCW 9.68A.101; RCW 9A.72.120; RCW 9A.88.080; RCW 9.68A.070(2); and RCW
9.68A.011(4)(f), (g).
3
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(g).
2
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homeless youth.4 Counts I and II also included aggravating factors of multiple unpunished current
offenses5 and rapid recidivism.6 The trial court dismissed count IX, possession of depictions of
minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, during trial. Harris plead not guilty to all charges.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On April 17, 2013, Harris filed a motion for his appointed lawyer to withdraw because he
would not file motions as Harris instructed.7 The trial court denied the motion. On May 15, Harris
again moved for his lawyer’s withdrawal, telling the court that his lawyer was harassing him and
threatening him. The trial court again denied the motion. On May 23, Harris’s lawyer told the
trial court that Harris filed a bar complaint against him and that Harris refused to talk to him. The
trial court again refused to appoint new counsel. On June 6, the trial court granted the lawyer’s
motion to withdraw based on a breakdown of communication with Harris.
The trial court appointed a new lawyer and granted a continuance to allow him to prepare
for trial. Harris objected to the continuance “to preserve any speedy trial issues.” Report of
Proceedings RP (June 21, 2013) at 8. On August 1, the trial court granted the second lawyer’s
motion to withdraw because of a conflict with Harris. The trial court appointed Harris a third
lawyer.
4
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(j). This statute has been amended, however, the amendments do not affect
the provisions we utilize for our analysis.
5
RCW 9.94A.535(2)(c).
6
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(t).
7
Harris said, “My motion is to withdraw defense counsel.” Report of Proceedings (RP) (Apr. 17,
2013) at 7. For consistency, we refer to this motion and other similar motions as motions to
withdraw.
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On October 4, Harris indicated to the trial court that he wanted to file a motion to withdraw
counsel and he was not speaking to his lawyer. The trial court explained to Harris that he must
bring motions through his lawyer. Harris told the trial court that the third lawyer was not his
lawyer. Harris continued to interrupt the trial court at the hearing:
THE COURT: No. No. Sir, one more word and you are coming out of this
jail [sic] right now. Look at me. He is your attorney until he has been withdrawn.
I haven’t done that yet, and I am not entertaining a motion to his withdrawal. That
is not what we are here for.
[HARRIS]: I am here against the law.
THE COURT: One more word and you are out of here. We are here for
omnibus only. If you have a separate motion to make, you note it up through your
attorney. You have been here long enough you know how.
[HARRIS]: I am—
THE COURT: Not another word.
....
[HARRIS]: You can take me back, but I am—
THE COURT: Take him back now. Take him out.
[HARRIS]: Take me back, but I never signed that order, and you cannot
proceed with that because I never gave him prior consent, so all that should be on
record.
RP (Oct. 4, 2013) at 5. After Harris was removed from the courtroom, the lawyer explained this
exchange was the first he heard of Harris’s displeasure, and that Harris consistently contacted his
office several times a day. The trial court continued to conduct the hearing and signed a stipulation
and protection order based on an agreement between the State and Harris’s lawyer. The order
related to “the use and distribution of image and audio evidence from the DVD recording . . .
provided to the defense in the course of discovery.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 462. It pertained to
interviews with children and “suspected child pornography.” CP at 462.
On November 4, Harris’s lawyer moved to continue the trial date because he had health
issues. The trial court granted the continuance. Eight days later, Harris personally filed a
handwritten objection to the continuance.
4
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On January 14, 2014, Harris’s lawyer again moved to continue the trial date. When Harris
complained, the trial court explained to Harris:
your choices are today is if you want to go to trial today this afternoon, then you
will have to do it by yourself without [your lawyer] if you wish to proceed and
represent yourself because it’s—as long as he remains your attorney, he has cited
some compelling reasons why the matter should be continued.
RP (Jan. 14, 2014) at 19-20. Harris responded: “I don’t need to discuss it. No disrespect. It’s I
don’t need to discuss it because I am not stupid. I am not going to go pro se. I am not going to do
that, so I am going to have to do this with him.” RP (Jan. 14, 2014) at 20-21. The trial court
warned Harris that “it’s unlikely that if you make another motion that you are unhappy with him
and you want the Court to relieve him, assuming I grant it, I can assure you that I am not going to
appoint a fourth public defender for you.” RP (Jan. 14, 2014) at 22.
On March 24, Harris’s third lawyer filed a motion to withdraw. He explained that Harris
had “orally fired [him] on the record several times “declaring that [he is] not his attorney and that
he will not work with [him].” CP at 42. He also represented that Harris filed bar complaints
against him and continued to appeal the dismissal of those complaints. He pointed to a breakdown
in communication with Harris, and added that his health issues precluded him from taking the case
to trial in the foreseeable future. On March 28, the trial court granted the motion.
The trial court appointed a fourth lawyer. Harris tried to make a record about one of the
trial court’s orders. The trial court told Harris that he needed to speak to his new lawyer and make
motions through him. Harris responded that “when I asked [my lawyer] to do these things for me
that you’re telling me to do properly, he didn’t do it. So what am I supposed to do if these attorneys
aren’t going to do it for me? I’m not going to go pro se.” RP (Mar. 28, 2014) at 19.
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On April 7, the trial court held a status conference hearing. There was discussion about
when time for trial would expire based on the appointment of new counsel. The trial court had a
colloquy with Harris:
[DEFENSE ATTORNEY]: Do you think that the 60 days period started
over again when I got appointed?
[HARRIS]: Yes.
THE COURT: All right. That means your speedy trial expires in May, end
of May. Do you agree with that sir, Mr. Harris?
[DEFENSE ATTORNEY]: Whatever 60 days—
[HARRIS]: I agree, man. So basically what I am saying is I believe that my
expiration date—if I am saying it right—would actually be the 30th, but—man, I
don’t know how to explain it. I believe that my expiration date is the 30th. . . .
[DEFENSE ATTORNEY]: And I am your new lawyer starting March 28th.
[HARRIS]: Right. So 60 days from—okay, yes. I understand what you are
saying.
THE COURT: So why don’t we count up 60 days; March 28th. So the next
order is going to reflect when the new speedy trial expiration date is.
....
[THE COURT:] May 27th is the new speedy trial expiration date.
RP (Apr. 7, 2014) at 8-10.
The next week, the trial court held another status conference. Harris claimed a violation
of his time for trial right because his third lawyer was not actually disqualified, and instead moved
for leave to withdraw because of health issues. Harris acknowledged that he waived his time for
trial right at the previous hearing, but claimed he was “either tricked or confused.” RP (Apr. 14,
2014) at 7. Harris’s current lawyer cited to State v. Campbell, 103 Wash. 2d 1, 14-15, 691 P.2d 929
(1984), which permitted “counsel [to ask] for a continuance even over the client’s objections on
effective assistance grounds” because he “couldn’t be ready in time.” RP (Apr. 14, 2014) at 8.
The trial court said that Harris’s third lawyer was replaced for reasons other than just his health,
and Harris’s current lawyer agreed. Harris told the trial court that “I’m ready myself today, but I
6
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know that my attorney is definitely not, and that’s who is representing me because I’m not going
pro se.” RP (Apr. 14, 2014) at 14.
On May 5, the trial court held another status conference. Harris’s lawyer was still not ready
to go to trial, stating “I’m asking for as much of a continuance—and I think, under State v.
Campbell, and I could be wrong, . . . I think that enables me to ask for only 30 days, but I could be
wrong.” RP (May 5, 2014) at 23. He also told the trial court that Harris wanted him to object on
his behalf because Harris felt his time for trial right was violated. When Harris again complained
to the trial court about the continuances, the trial court advised Harris that he had,
two choices. Your attorney has good cause to ask for a continuance. If you wish
the trial to go forward on May 14—
[HARRIS]: I will not go pro se.
THE COURT: . . . Your choices are, we have this matter continued to
sufficient time for your attorney to be ready, or to go by yourself.
RP (May 5, 2014) at 26.
On July 25, Harris filed another motion to withdraw his counsel. Harris explained to the
trial court that there had been a breakdown in communication with his fourth lawyer. He claimed
that he did not “feel safe going to trial with [his lawyer]” because he was not allowed to see some
evidence. RP (July 25, 2014) at 12. Harris’s lawyer denied this. Harris’s lawyer explained to the
trial court that he “anticipate[s] that [Harris] will file a bar complaint against me and file an appeal
for ineffective assistance of counsel.” RP (July 25, 2014) at 16. Harris later told the trial court
that he already wrote a bar complaint against his lawyer because of their disagreement. The trial
court responded:
7
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Mr. Harris, I have several concerns. I told you last time that if you want to
represent yourself you may do that. I am not going to keep continuing to appoint
public defender after public defender for you. You have made similar complaints
about each and every attorney I have appointed for you. I am quite concerned it
wouldn’t matter how many attorneys I gave you. You will have the same problems
with them. None of the attorneys that I appoint for you would be good enough, that
would do what you want them to do. I am not going down that road.
What I am hearing from this counsel is that he is working hard. Maybe you
disagree with him in strategies. . . . He has not told me that he can’t work with you.
I am concerned about your ability to work with any attorney.
RP (July 25, 2014) at 22-23. When Harris protested, the trial court again explained that Harris
would not receive another public defender:
I am just saying the time for you to speak every time you are in court is now over.
I have been very, very patient with you and very accommodating.
I am denying your request for new counsel. You need to work with your
current counsel. Your only other alternative is to go by yourself or hire private, and
obviously you can’t do that. So you have two choices. You can represent yourself,
you stay with counsel—or actually there is a third choice—you hire private counsel.
You can’t do that the day before trial either because that would require a
whole new continuance. I am just kind of warning you: Do not come in here the
day of trial before and try to say, “Now I have money. I am going to hire a private
lawyer.” That won’t fly.
[HARRIS]: If I chose to represent myself, would counsel be able to like still
be there for me to refer to?
THE COURT: No.
....
[THE COURT:] Standby counsel, they end up, you know, being your
attorney. So just have him represent you. I am stopping the conversation.
RP (July 25, 2014) at 30-31.
II. TRIAL
On the third day of trial, during voir dire, Harris continued to object to the decisions his
lawyer made regarding jury selection. The State expressed concern about Harris’s conduct. The
following exchange occurred.
8
46758-5-II
[THE STATE]: Your Honor, if this is going to be persistent—I mean, the
defendant, once again, which we’ve been over, he has two decisions, whether to
plead or to testify. If he wants to make legal arguments, then he can go pro se. I
mean, this continued behavior normally isn’t allowed for any defendant and it’s
just—I think it’s going to interrupt the proceedings.
THE COURT: I will admonish him again. Mr. Harris, you need to speak
through your attorney. Thank you.
[DEFENSE ATTORNEY]: May it please the court—
[HARRIS]: How you just—
THE COURT: Mr. Harris, you are speaking out of turn over and over again.
Look at me, I’m warning you again. If you don’t stop talking outside your attorney,
I’m going to have you removed from the courtroom.
[HARRIS]: He doesn’t do it.
THE COURT: You speak through your attorney. You have choices of
going pro se or letting your attorney do your job. I will not allow this to continue.
[The State] is correct, it’s gone on too long. If you have motions, you make your
attorney—
[HARRIS]: He won’t do it.
THE COURT: He exercises his judgment as to what motions need to be
made, period. . . .
[HARRIS]: I want to go pro se.
THE COURT: I believe I—wait a minute. Mr. Harris, you are interrupting
the proceedings. I’m trying to talk to counsel about another juror questionnaire.
3 RP at 344-45. The trial court did not verbally answer Harris’s request to go pro se and trial
continued.
The jury found Harris guilty on all counts. The jury also found Harris guilty of the
following aggravating factors: knowingly advancing the commercial sexual abuse of a minor and
victimization of homeless youth on counts I through VI. The jury also found the aggravating factor
that Harris knowingly profited from K.H.’s sexual conduct on count V.
After the jury announced its verdict, the trial court informed the jury that it would hear
testimony and arguments on the recent recidivism aggravating factor as part of a bifurcated trial.
The jury heard testimony. After closing arguments, Harris moved for the aggravating factor to be
9
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dismissed because it was unconstitutionally vague. The trial court denied the motion. By special
verdict, the jury found Harris guilty of the aggravating factor on counts I and II.
III. SENTENCING
On September 26, the trial court entered judgment and sentence. The trial court sentenced
Harris to 486 months of confinement on each of the first six counts, and 60 months on counts VII
and VIII. The trial court ran all of the confinement concurrently for a total of 486 months. The
trial court noted that “an exceptional [sentence] is extremely warranted given all the aggravating
circumstances.” RP (Sept. 26, 2014) at 19. The trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions
of law for the exceptional sentence. In its findings, the trial court found:
I.
That the Defendant has been convicted of 6 Counts of Promoting
Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor (Counts I through VI), one count of
Tampering With a Witness, and one Count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second
Degree. The Defendant’s standard range is 240-318 months. The statutory
maximum is life incarceration.
II.
That the Jury was asked to return a special verdict to determine if the
defendant committed this offense shortly after being released from incarceration
for Count I and II. The Jury determined that this aggravating factor was present.
III.
That the Jury was asked to return a special verdict to determine if the
defendant knew that the victim of the current offense was a youth who was not
residing with a legal custodian and the defendant established or promoted the
relationship for the primary purpose of victimization. The Jury determined that this
aggravating factor was present.
CP at 435-36. In its conclusions, the trial court determined:
II.
That there are substantial and compelling reasons to impose an exceptional
sentence of 486 [months] on Counts I through VI.
....
10
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IV.
That the exceptional sentence is justified by the following aggravating
circumstances—
a) . . . the defendant committed this offense shortly after his release from
incarceration.
b) . . . the defendant knew that the victim of the current offense was a youth
who was not residing with a legal custodian and the defendant established or
promoted the relationship for the primary purpose of victimization.
c) . . . the defendant has committed multiple current offenses and the
defendant’s high offender score results in some of the current offenses going
unpunished[.]
V.
That the grounds listed in the preceding paragraph, taken together or
considered individually, constitute sufficient cause to impose the exceptional
sentence. This Court would impose the exact same sentence even if only one of the
grounds listed in the preceding paragraph is valid.
CP at 436-37
The trial court imposed the mandatory and discretionary LFOs the State requested. The
trial court did not conduct an individualized inquiry into Harris’s ability to pay the discretionary
LFOs. Harris appeals.
ANALYSIS
I. EXCEPTIONAL SENTENCE
Harris argues that his exceptional sentence should be reversed because the recent
recidivism aggravator is unconstitutionally vague, insufficient evidence supported the aggravating
factor, and, in the alternative, his attorney rendered constitutionally deficient assistance because
he failed to object to inadmissible hearsay testimony at the hearing on the aggravating factor. But
the trial court found three aggravating factors and concluded that any one aggravating factor would
have been sufficient grounds to impose the exceptional sentence. Because of the trial court’s ruling
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and because Harris does not challenge any other aggravating factor, we affirm Harris’s exceptional
sentence without reaching his other arguments on the aggravated factor of rapid recidivism. 8
In State v. Jackson, 150 Wash. 2d 251, 276, 76 P.3d 217 (2003), our Supreme Court stated,
“Where the reviewing court overturns one or more aggravating factors but is satisfied that the trial
court would have imposed the same sentence based upon a factor or factors that are upheld, it may
uphold the exceptional sentence rather than remanding for resentencing.”
In State v. Trebilcock, 184 Wash. App. 619, 634, 341 P.3d 1004 (2014), review denied, 183
Wash. 2d 1001 (2015), we upheld the trial court’s exceptional sentence. The defendant challenged
one of the two aggravating factors. Trebilcock, 184 Wash. App. at 634-36. Because the trial court
concluded that either aggravating factor alone would have been sufficient grounds to impose the
sentence, we did not review the challenged aggravating factor. Trebilcock, 184 Wash. App. at 635-
36. The same situation exists in Harris’s case. Because the trial court would have sentenced Harris
to 486 months based on only one aggravating factor, we need not decide his issues.9
II. RIGHT TO BE PRESENT
Harris argues that the trial court violated his federal and state constitutional right to be
present after he was removed from the October 4, 2013 hearing. We disagree.
A. Standard of Review
A criminal defendant has a fundamental right to be present at all critical stages of a trial.
State v. Irby, 170 Wash. 2d 874, 880, 246 P.3d 796 (2011). The Washington Constitution provides
8
We avoid ruling on constitutional issues when we can resolve the case on other grounds. See
State v. Haney, 125 Wash. App. 118, 125-26, 104 P.3d 36 (2005).
9
We do not address Harris’s ineffective assistance of counsel argument regarding the aggravating
factor because there is no prejudice. The trial court would have imposed the same sentence
regardless of the number of aggravating factors.
12
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in relevant part: “In criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to appear and defend in
person, or by counsel.” WASH. CONST. art. 1, § 22. The right to be present is supported by the
confrontation clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Irby, 170 Wash. 2d
at 880. The United States Supreme Court has “recognized that this right is also ‘protected by the
Due Process Clause in some situations where the defendant is not actually confronting witnesses
or evidence against him.’” Irby, 170 Wash. 2d at 880-81 (quoting United States v. Gagnon, 470 U.S.
522, 526, 105 S. Ct. 1482, 84 L. Ed. 2d 486 (1985)). Whether a defendant’s constitutional right
to be present has been violated is a question of law we review de novo. Irby, 170 Wash. 2d at 880.
B. Right to be Present Not Violated
“[A] defendant has a right to be present at a proceeding ‘whenever his presence has a
relation, reasonably substantial, to the fullness of his opportunity to defend against the charge.’”
Irby, 170 Wash. 2d at 881 (quoting Snyder v. Massachusetts, 291 U.S. 97, 105-06, 54 S. Ct. 330, 78
L. Ed. 674 (1934), overruled in part on other grounds sub nom. Malloy v. Hogan, 378 U.S. 1, 84
S. Ct. 1489, 12 L. Ed. 2d 653 (1964)). But that right is not absolute. Irby, 170 Wash. 2d at 881.
“‘[T]he presence of a defendant is a condition of due process to the extent that a fair and just
hearing would be thwarted by his absence.’” Irby, 170 Wash. 2d at 881 (quoting Snyder, 291 U.S. at
106-07. A defendant does not have a right to be present when his “‘presence would be useless, or
the benefit but a shadow.’” Irby, 170 Wash. 2d at 881 (quoting Snyder, 291 U.S. at 106-07). It
follows then that a “defendant does not have a right to be present during in-chambers or bench
conferences between the court and counsel on legal matters, at least when those matters do not
require the resolution of disputed facts.” State v. Bremer, 98 Wash. App. 832, 835, 991 P.2d 118
(2000).
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A defendant does not generally have a right to be present where purely legal matters are at
issue in a proceeding. State v. Wilson, 141 Wash. App. 597, 604, 171 P.3d 501 (2007); see In re
Pers. Restraint of Lord, 123 Wash. 2d 296, 306, 868 P.2d 835 (1994) (holding defendant had no right
to be present during various sidebar conferences and in-chambers hearings on “matters of law,”
where no prejudice was shown). For example, the absence of a defendant during a jury instruction
hearing was not a violation of his constitutional rights. Bremer, 98 Wash. App. at 835.
Harris argues he had a right to be present when the trial court entered a stipulation and
protection order and scheduled a status conference. He had been removed earlier after the trial
court determined he was disruptive. The order related to “the use and distribution of image and
audio evidence from the DVD recording . . . provided to the defense in the course of discovery.”
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 462. It pertained to interviews with children and “suspected child
pornography.” CP at 462. Harris’s lawyer remained in court. Nothing occurred that required the
resolution of disputed facts. Only legal matters and scheduling issues took place. For these
reasons, the trial court did not violate Harris’s right to be present.10
III. RIGHT TO SELF-REPRESENTATION
Harris argues that his conviction should be reversed because the trial court violated his
right to represent himself at trial when he requested to go pro se and the court did not respond to
his request. We disagree.
A. Standard of Review
We review decisions on the right to self-representation for an abuse of discretion. In re
Pers. Restraint of Rhome, 172 Wash. 2d 654, 667, 260 P.3d 874 (2011); State v. Madsen, 168 Wash. 2d
10
Harris also argues that the trial court violated his right to be present because it should not have
removed him. Because no violation of his right to be present occurred, we need not address this
argument.
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496, 504, 229 P.3d 714 (2010). The “ad hoc,” fact-specific analysis of waiver of counsel questions
is best assigned to the trial court’s discretion. State v. Hahn, 106 Wash. 2d 885, 900, 726 P.2d 25
(1986). A trial court abuses its discretion if its “decision is manifestly unreasonable or ‘rests on
facts unsupported in the record or was reached by applying the wrong legal standard.’” Madsen,
168 Wash. 2d at 504 (quoting State v. Rohrich, 149 Wash. 2d 647, 654, 71 P.3d 638 (2003)).
B. The Trial Court Did Not Abuse Its Discretion
“Article 1, section 22 of the Washington Constitution explicitly guarantees criminal
defendants the right to self-representation. The Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution implicitly guarantees this right.” State v. Englund, 186 Wash. App. 444, 455, 345 P.3d
859 (internal citations omitted) (footnote omitted), review denied, 183 Wash. 2d 1011 (2015). Courts
regard this right as “so fundamental that it is afforded despite its potentially detrimental impact on
both the defendant and the administration of justice.” Madsen, 168 Wash. 2d at 503. Improper denial
of the right to represent one’s self requires reversal regardless of whether prejudice results.
Madsen, 168 Wash. 2d at 503.
There is no automatic right to represent one’s self, and “courts are required to indulge in
‘every reasonable presumption against a defendant’s waiver of his or her right to counsel.’” State
v. Coley, 180 Wash. 2d 543, 560, 326 P.3d 702 (2014) (quoting Madsen, 168 Wash. 2d at 504), cert.
denied, 135 S. Ct. 1444 (2015). “‘The grounds that allow a court to deny a defendant the right to
self-representation are limited to a finding that the defendant’s request is equivocal, untimely,
involuntary, or made without a general understanding of the consequences.’” Englund, 186 Wn.
App. at 456 (quoting Madsen, 168 Wash. 2d at 504-05). “Such a finding must be based on an
‘identifiable fact.’” Englund, 186 Wash. App. at 456-57 (quoting Madsen, 168 Wash. 2d at 505). If
the defendant’s request is not unequivocal or timely, the motion will not be considered. Madsen,
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168 Wash. 2d at 504. A defendant’s request to proceed pro se must be unequivocal to protect
“defendants from making capricious waivers of counsel and to protect trial courts from
manipulative vacillations by defendants regarding representation.” State v. Stenson, 132 Wash. 2d
668, 740, 940 P.2d 1239 (1997). The request to be pro se must be unequivocal in the context of
the record as a whole. State v. Luvene, 127 Wash. 2d 690, 699, 903 P.2d 960 (1995).
Timeliness of a request for self-representation is determined on a continuum:
If the demand for self-representation is made (1) well before the trial or hearing and
unaccompanied by a motion for a continuance, the right of self representation exists
as a matter of law; (2) as the trial or hearing is about to commence, or shortly before,
the existence of the right depends on the facts of the particular case with a measure
of discretion reposing in the trial court in the matter; and (3) during the trial or
hearing, the right to proceed pro se rests largely in the informed discretion of the
trial court.
State v. Barker, 75 Wash. App. 236, 241, 881 P.2d 1051 (1994).
In reviewing the record as a whole, there are numerous colloquies between the trial court
and Harris focused on his requests for new lawyers. He continually and repeatedly told the trial
court he did not want to represent himself because he was not stupid.” Additionally, we note that
Harris’s trial had been pending for over a year and a half. Many of the delays resulted from
Harris’s requests for new lawyers. The trial court appointed four different lawyers to represent
Harris. Harris finally mentioned going pro se during voir dire, on the third day of trial. He did so
only after the trial court again admonished him to talk through his lawyer. In the context of the
whole record, Harris’s statement that he wanted to represent himself was equivocal.
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Under the totality of the circumstances, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
considering Harris’s statement that he wanted to go pro se as equivocal.11 Harris’s comment is
more reasonably construed to be a continuation of his disruptive behavior.
IV. LFOS
Harris contends that the trial court erred by not conducting a particularized inquiry before
imposing discretionary LFOs. At oral argument, the State conceded that the trial court failed to
make an individualized inquiry into Harris’s ability to pay discretionary LFOs. The record reflects
that the State’s concession is correct. We exercise our discretion and remand the case to the trial
court to make an individual inquiry on Harris’s ability to pay discretionary LFOs. State v. Blazina,
182 Wash. 2d 827, 830, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).
V. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL GROUNDS
A. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Harris asserts that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his lawyer
improperly stipulated to a waiver of speedy trial on April 7, 2014. He asserts that this stipulation
blocked any motion for dismissal that “would have been granted” on a violation of his right to a
speedy trial.12 He further claims that his attorney’s failure to move for dismissal on this ground
also constitutes ineffective assistance. We disagree.
1. Standards of Review
We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel de novo. State v. Sutherby, 165
Wash. 2d 870, 883, 204 P.3d 916 (2009). To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel,
Although we conclude Harris’s request to go pro se was equivocal, we also note that the request
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was not timely. It occurred on the third day of trial.
12
Although Harris uses the term “speedy trial” he only asserts a violation of the “time for trial”
court rule. CrR 3.3.
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the defendant must show both that (1) defense counsel’s representation was deficient, and (2) the
deficient representation prejudiced the defendant. State v. Grier, 171 Wash. 2d 17, 32-33, 246 P.3d
1260 (2011). If either prong is not satisfied, Harris’s claim must fail. In re Pers. Restraint of
Yates, 177 Wash. 2d 1, 35, 296 P.3d 872 (2013). Representation is deficient if after considering all
the circumstances, the performance falls “below an objective standard of reasonableness.” Grier,
171 Wash. 2d at 33 (quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed.
2d 674 (1984)). Prejudice exists if there is a reasonable probability that except for counsel’s errors,
the result of the proceeding would have differed. Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 34. An appellant faces a
strong presumption that counsel’s representation was effective. Grier, 171 Wash. 2d at 33.
“‘We interpret a court rule as though it were enacted by the legislature, giving effect to its
plain meaning as an expression of legislative intent.’” State v. Miller, 188 Wash. App. 103, 106, 352
P.3d 236 (2015) (quoting State v. Chhom, 162 Wash. 2d 451, 458, 173 P.3d 234 (2007)). “‘Plain
meaning is discerned from reading the rule as a whole, harmonizing its provisions, and using
related rules to help identify the legislative intent embodied in the rule.’” Miller, 188 Wash. App. at
106 (quoting Chhom, 162 Wash. 2d at 458).
Under CrR 3.3(b)(1)(i), a defendant held in custody pending trial must be tried within 60
days of arraignment. The trial court may grant an extension of time for trial when unavoidable or
unforeseen circumstances exist. CrR 3.3(e)(8). The trial court may also grant a continuance on
the written agreement of the parties, or on the motion of the court or a party when required in the
administration of justice and where the defendant will not be substantially prejudiced in the
presentation of the defense. CrR 3.3(f)(1), (2). The trial court must “state on the record or in
writing the reasons for the continuance.” CrR 3.3(f)(2). Violation of the time for trial rule results
in dismissal with prejudice. CrR 3.3(h). Under CrR 3.3(c)(2)(vii), “[o]n occurrence of one of the
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following events, a new commencement date shall be established, and the elapsed time shall be
reset to zero: . . . The disqualification of the defense attorney or prosecuting attorney. The new
commencement date shall be the date of the disqualification.”
2. Stipulation of Time for Trial and Continuance
Harris challenges the “stipulation” on April 7, 2014, that resulted in a new time for trial
expiration date and a continuance. SAG at 3. However, Harris’s analysis relies on factual
inaccuracies. At the April 7, hearing, there was some confusion as to when time for trial would
expire. The trial court made it clear that the new commencement date occurred when the trial
court appointed a new lawyer on March 28. The trial court made sure that Harris agreed to its
calculations. The parties did not enter into a stipulation, and the trial court did not grant a
continuance. The trial court made a determination, and Harris agreed with it. Because Harris’s
argument is based on erroneous facts, his claim fails.
3. Failure to Move for Dismissal on Time for Trial Violation
Harris asserts that he received ineffective assistance of counsel when his lawyer failed to
move for dismissal of the case because of a time for trial violation. He asserts that the motion to
dismiss would have likely been granted because his third lawyer withdrew solely because of health
issues, and the trial court improperly considered this action to be a conflict under CrR 3.3. We
disagree.
A new commencement date is established when a defense attorney is disqualified. CrR
3.3(c)(2)(vii). Here, the trial court stated that it disqualified Harris’s third lawyer not only because
of health issues, but because Harris filed bar complaints against the lawyer and there was a
breakdown in communication. The record supports the trial court’s finding. Therefore, the trial
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court properly computed the time for trial and an objection would not have been sustained. Harris
cannot show prejudice. His claim fails.
We affirm but remand the case to the trial court to conduct an individualized inquiry on
Harris’s ability to pay discretionary LFOs.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2.06.040, it is so ordered.
Melnick, J.
We concur:
Worswick, P.J.
Lee, J.
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