James Jones v. State , 348 Ga. App. 653 ( 2019 )

FIFTH DIVISION
MCFADDEN, P. J.,
RICKMAN and MARKLE, JJ.
NOTICE: Motions for reconsideration must be
physically received in our clerk’s office within ten
days of the date of decision to be deemed timely filed.
http://www.gaappeals.us/rules
February 19, 2019
In the Court of Appeals of Georgia
A18A1912. JONES v. THE STATE.
MARKLE, Judge.
James Jones appeals from the trial court’s denial of his motion to modify his
sentence, imposed following his plea of guilty to child molestation. For the reasons
that follow, we dismiss the appeal.
“Whether to grant a motion to correct a sentence under OCGA § 17-10-1 (f)
lies within the discretion of the trial court. So long as the sentence imposed by the
court falls within the parameters prescribed by law, we will not disturb it.” (Citation
omitted.) Richardson v. State, 334 Ga. App. 344, 346 (779 SE2d 406) (2015).
So viewed, the record shows that in 2015, Jones entered a negotiated plea in
which he pled guilty to the molestation of his stepdaughter. The trial court accepted
the plea, finding it was entered into knowingly and voluntarily. The trial court
sentenced Jones to thirteen years, with eight to serve, concurrent with “any sentence
currently serving.”1 As one of the conditions of his probation, Jones was ordered to
have no contact with the victim or his biological son, the birth of whom resulted from
the molestation. The trial court added a caveat to the no contact condition that would
allow Jones to have contact with the victim or child if ordered by a judge, leaving
open the possibility that Jones could legitimate the child and obtain visitation. Per the
terms of his plea agreement, Jones agreed to waive any right to modification of his
sentence and his right to appeal.
Thereafter, Jones filed a motion to modify his sentence under OCGA § 17-10-1
(f), arguing that the special conditions of his probation were unlawful and that the
trial court erred by imposing an indeterminate sentence under OCGA § 17-10-1 (a)
(1) by prohibiting him from having any contact with his biological child. He also filed
a motion to compel, apparently seeking to compel the trial court to rule on his motion
1
Jones makes reference to another case, 96-RCCR-692, which appears to be
a conviction for aggravated assault. None of the records pertaining to this conviction
were submitted on appeal.
2
for modification.2 The trial court denied Jones’s motion to modify his sentence
without a hearing. This appeal followed.
Jones argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to modify his
sentence because (1) it was error to revoke his probation arising from his 1996
conviction; (2) the special condition of probation prohibiting contact with the victim
or his biological child constituted an indeterminate sentence; and (3) he never agreed
to certain conditions of probation that could not be imposed without his consent. We
disagree.
1. Before we consider the merits of Jones’s appeal, we first address the State’s
argument that the appeal should be dismissed because (a) the motion was untimely,
and (b) Jones waived his right to file the motion as part of his guilty plea.
OCGA § 17-10-1 (f) provides:
Within one year of the date upon which the sentence is imposed, or
within 120 days after receipt by the sentencing court of the remittitur
upon affirmance of the judgment after direct appeal, whichever is later,
the court imposing the sentence has the jurisdiction, power, and
2
Jones contends that he also filed a motion to correct void sentence, and he
moved to compel the trial court to rule on that motion as well. There is no motion to
correct void sentence in the record, and the clerk of the superior court confirmed that
no such motion was filed. Nor is there any record of the trial court’s disposition of
such a motion.
3
authority to correct or reduce the sentence and to suspend or probate all or any
part of the sentence imposed.
Here, contrary to the State’s argument, Jones’s motion to modify his sentence
was timely. Jones was sentenced on February 23, 2017, and he filed the instant
motion on December 14, 2017, within one year of his sentencing. See OCGA § 17-
10-1 (f). Thus, the trial court was authorized to consider the motion.
The State further contends that this Court should dismiss the appeal because
Jones waived his right to seek modification of his sentence as part of his negotiated
plea.
It is well established that a defendant can waive his right to seek post
conviction relief as part of a negotiated plea agreement. See Rush v. State, 276 Ga.
541, 542 (579 SE2d 726) (2003). However, the waiver does not apply if the sentence
imposed was illegal. See Sumner v. State, 284 Ga. App. 308, 312 (643 SE2d 831)
(2007). As Jones raises a claim that the sentence imposed was illegal, we will
consider the merits of his appeal to determine if he waived his right to file the motion
to modify his sentence.
2. Jones first argues that the revocation of his probation in his earlier case and
his sentence to consecutive terms of imprisonment was improper.
4
Jones did not raise this argument before the trial court, and we therefore decline
to consider it. Daniels v. State, 244 Ga. App. 522, 523 (536 SE2d 206) (2000)
(declining to review arguments for reduction in sentence that were not raised by the
appellant in the court below). Moreover, the record on appeal is devoid of any
documents related to that previous judgment. Therefore, there is nothing for this
Court to review. Adams v. State, 282 Ga. App. 819, 822 (3) (a) (640 SE2d 329)
(2006).
3. In his next two arguments, Jones contends that he received an indeterminate
sentence based on the special condition that he have no contact with the victim or his
biological child. He notes that the victim explicitly wished to remain in contact with
him and to allow Jones to be involved in his biological child’s life, and he contends
that the probation condition effectively terminates his parental rights. We address
each in turn, finding no merit to either claim.
(a) Under OCGA § 17-10-1 (a) (1), a trial court is required to impose a
determinate sentence. A determinate sentence is one that establishes a specific
number of months or years. See OCGA § 17-10-1 (a) (1). Here, the trial court
imposed both a specific term of imprisonment and a term of probation for a
determinate number of years. Thus, the trial court did not impose an indeterminate
5
sentence.3 See OCGA § 17-10-1 (a) (1). Moreover, nothing about the special
conditions of probation transformed the sentence into one that was indeterminate
given the specific term of probation imposed. Id.
(b) The trial court’s inclusion of a no contact provision was also within the trial
court’s discretion and would not cause the sentence to be illegal. See OCGA § 42-8-
35 (a), (b) (1); Rooney v. State, 311 Ga. App. 376, 376-377 (1) (715 SE2d 780)
(2001) (“the trial court acted within its authority in imposing conditions on
probation.”). We have repeatedly approved of special conditions of probation that
prohibit contact with the victim or minors, including the defendant’s own children.
See Mullens v. State, 289 Ga. App. 872, 874 (1) (658 SE2d 421) (2008). As we have
explained, “[a] condition of probation which precludes contact between the
perpetrator of a sexual crime and his victim bears a reasonable relation to future
criminality especially where a family relationship provided the opportunity for the
past criminal conduct.” (Citation omitted.) Mathews v. State, 234 Ga. App. 111 (506
SE2d 225) (1998) (affirming special condition that prevented contact even though
3
The State further argues that any modification would be invalid because the
trial court did not give the State notice or an opportunity for a hearing. See OCGA
§ 17-10-1 (f). In light of our conclusion that Jones waived his right to seek
modification of his sentence, we do not address this argument.
6
victim was defendant’s common-law wife and wanted to continue relationship).4
Therefore, Jones’s argument in this regard is unpersuasive.
Because Jones has not established that the sentence imposed was illegal, his
motion to modify his sentence is barred by the waiver provision in his plea
agreement. Rush, 276 Ga. at 542; Sumner, 284 Ga. App. at 312. Accordingly, we
dismiss Jones’s appeal.
Appeal dismissed. McFadden, P. J., and Rickman, J., concur.
4
Notably, the trial court left open the possibility that Jones could regain the
right to have contact with his child by legitimating the child and obtaining approval
from the court. Thus, there is no merit to Jones’s claim that the condition of probation
effectively terminated his parental rights without notice or proper proceedings.
7