State v. Christopher T. Dean ( 2017 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 43201
STATE OF IDAHO, ) 2017 Unpublished Opinion No. 338
)
Plaintiff-Respondent, ) Filed: January 27, 2016
)
v. ) Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk
)
CHRISTOPHER T. DEAN, ) THIS IS AN UNPUBLISHED
) OPINION AND SHALL NOT
Defendant-Appellant. ) BE CITED AS AUTHORITY
)
Appeal from the District Court of the Seventh Judicial District, State of Idaho,
Lemhi County. Hon. Alan C. Stephens, District Judge. Hon. Stephen J. Clark,
Magistrate.
Decision of the district court on intermediate appeal from the magistrate’s
judgment of conviction and order denying motion to dismiss, affirmed.
Law Office of Randolph B. Neal; Randolph B. Neal, Idaho Falls, for appellant.
Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General; Lori A. Fleming, Deputy Attorney
General, Boise, for respondent.
________________________________________________
HUSKEY, Judge
Christopher T. Dean appeals from the district court’s decision, on intermediate appeal,
affirming Dean’s judgment of conviction for second degree stalking and the denial of his
motions to dismiss.1 Dean argues on appeal: (1) the uniform citation failed to charge a crime;
thus, the amended complaint necessarily charged a new offense that was barred by the statute of
limitations; (2) there was no evidence to support a finding that Dean’s actions were committed
1
Although Dean asserts in his notice of appeal that he appeals from the magistrate’s
denial of his motion to reconsider, he provides no argument or authority as to the district court’s
error in affirming the magistrate’s denial of the motion to reconsider. The only mention of the
denial of the motion to reconsider in Dean’s appellate brief is in the recitation of the course of
proceedings and in the summary of the magistrate’s findings. Because Dean does not provide
argument or authority as to this Court’s review of the denial of the motion to reconsider, he has
waived this issue on appeal. See State v. Zichko, 129 Idaho 259, 263, 923 P.2d 966, 970 (1996).
1
both knowingly and maliciously, as required by Idaho Code Section 18-7906; (3) there was no
evidence to support the district court’s finding that Dean had the requisite intent under the
statute; (4) the term “nonconsensual contact” in I.C. § 18-7906 makes the statute ambiguous and,
therefore, the rule of lenity applies; (5) the district court erred in affirming the magistrate’s
judgment of conviction, because there was no evidence to support a finding of guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt; and (6) the cumulative error doctrine applies.
The State argues the district court did not err in affirming the magistrate’s decision
because the amended complaint was not a new or different offense and so was not barred by the
statute of limitations. Further, the State asserts that for Dean’s remaining arguments, Dean failed
to provide an adequate record on appeal. We affirm.
I.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Dean owns a home that includes a small apartment located above his garage. The
apartment contained two separate and distinct areas--one that Dean used and the other that Dean
leased. The area Dean used included a bathroom, a bedroom that Dean’s wife used as an office,
and a hallway with a washer and dryer. At the end of the hallway was a door, which separated
the area Dean used and the area Dean leased to the lessee. The leased area included a kitchen
and a bedroom with an attached bathroom. The lease agreement did not include the area Dean
used, but the lessee utilized the hallway to access the leased portion of the apartment. Further,
with Dean’s knowledge, the lessee used the front bathroom and the washer and dryer.
Beginning on August 6, 2011, and continuing daily until August 15, 2011, each time the
lessee left the apartment, she noticed upon her return that her clothing in the front bathroom, in
her laundry basket near the washer and dryer, and in her bedroom was disturbed. On August 12,
2011, Dean made a sexual advance on the lessee by saying, “maybe I’ll get you drunk enough to
get you into bed.” Because of this comment, the lessee suspected Dean had been disturbing her
clothing. The lessee began taking photographs on August 14, 2011, in order to document the
appearance and location of her clothing in the mornings and evenings. The lessee took photos
before she left the apartment and also upon her return to her apartment.
The lessee also set up a video camera to record her apartment during her absence. The
first video was taken the morning of August 15, 2011. The camera was set up underneath the
sink in the front bathroom. This video showed the legs of an individual wearing tennis shoes
2
walking into the bathroom and past the camera. While out of view of the camera, the individual
made two long sniffing sounds. The lessee testified the shoes in the video belonged to Dean.
The second video was taken the evening of August 15, 2011, and the camera was set up in the
food pantry of the kitchen pointing toward the front door of the lessee’s apartment. The second
video shows Dean enter the front bathroom, and then walk into the leased area, through the
kitchen and past the camera, toward the lessee’s bedroom. Then Dean walked back into the
kitchen, past the camera, and out of the leased area into the hallway. While in the hallway, Dean
bent down, picked up an item of clothing from the lessee’s laundry basket, and pressed the
clothing to his face.
The lessee reported the incidents to the police department and immediately moved out of
the apartment. By uniform citation, Dean was charged with two counts of second degree
stalking. The citation was dated August 15, 2011, and charged two counts of “Stalking 2nd
Degree” in violation of “18-7906(c)(4).” The officer made a mistake, however, as there is no
such Idaho Code subsection. The closest code section is I.C. § 18-7906(2)(c)(4). More than a
year later, Dean filed a motion to dismiss the charges with prejudice, asserting the citation was
facially deficient because it failed to allege a criminal act, as subsection (c)(4) does not exist.
Dean argues even if the officer meant to cite to subsection (2)(c)(4), the citation would still fail
to charge a crime because subsection (2)(c)(4) is only a definitional section and proscribes no
criminal act. Because the citation did not charge a crime, Dean argues any amendment would
necessarily be charging a new crime, and any such charges would be barred by the statute of
limitations.
The State then filed an amended complaint, charging Dean with one count of second
degree stalking and one count of unlawful entry. Dean filed a second motion to dismiss, arguing
first, that the second degree stalking charge in the amended complaint was not supported by
probable cause because the police report failed to identify a course of conduct as required by
statute, and second, that the unlawful entry was barred by statute of limitations and failed as a
matter of law. The magistrate found Dean’s motions to dismiss were untimely pursuant to
I.C.R. 12(d). Despite the untimeliness, the magistrate in the alternative, denied Dean’s motions
to dismiss the second degree stalking charge, holding the citation identified the alleged crime and
specified how Dean committed the crime by citing to a subsection of the statute. The magistrate
held, “[a] reasonable person would be able to identify the basis of the charge. To hold otherwise
3
would be to almost eviscerate the use of citations in other than the most simple of cases.” The
magistrate dismissed the charge of unlawful entry.2 The State filed a second amended complaint
alleging one count of second degree stalking.
After a bench trial, the magistrate found Dean guilty of second degree stalking. The
magistrate found Dean knowingly and maliciously engaged in a nonconsensual course of
conduct by intending to do an unlawful act. The magistrate reasoned:
[I]f [Dean] was counting on the covert nature of his activities to shelter him, that
would seem to be misplaced. If discovered, he would know that it would be
foreseeable that [the lessee] would be annoyed or disturbed. The belief that
[Dean] could simply get away with the conduct and hence [the lessee] could not
suffer any vexation or annoyance cannot provide a shield.
Dean filed in one document, a motion for reconsideration, a renewed motion for acquittal, and a
motion for dismissal of all charges, which the magistrate denied. The magistrate entered the
judgment of conviction and placed Dean on probation. Dean appealed to the district court.
The district court, on intermediate appeal, affirmed the magistrate’s judgment of
conviction and the denial of Dean’s motions to dismiss, albeit based on a different theory than
that used by the magistrate. The district court summarized Dean’s argument as follows: (1) the
citation was insufficient to charge a crime because it cited a definition paragraph and the statute
of limitations had run before the prosecution amended its complaint to include the correct code
section; and (2) the magistrate erred in finding Dean acted with malice as required by I.C. § 18-
7906 because Dean never intended to vex, annoy, or injure the victim.
The district court held the citation was sufficient to charge a crime because “[a] citation
to any section under I.C. § 18-7906 would be sufficient to provide notice to a defendant that they
are being charged with stalking in the second degree.” The district court further held the citation
did not create any confusion as to what was charged when it cited to a specific provision because
the citing officer alleged the facts found within that provision were the basis for the crime. As to
Dean’s argument that the magistrate erred in finding Dean acted with malice, the district court
adopted the factual findings of the magistrate. The district court reasoned to find malice, the
court need only find that Dean “had the intent to commit the trespass, unlawful entry, invasion of
2
The State filed a notice of cross-appeal to the district court as to the magistrate’s
dismissal of the unlawful entry charge. The record on this appeal, however, provides no further
documents or transcripts related to the cross-appeal. As such, we do not address the cross-appeal
because it was not raised as an issue before this Court.
4
privacy, or breach of contract in order to find the requisite intent to be found guilty of stalking.”
Finally, the district court found the magistrate’s mischaracterization of evidence error was
harmless.3 Dean timely appeals from the district court’s decision.
II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
For an appeal from the district court, sitting in its appellate capacity over a case from the
magistrate division, this Court’s standard of review is the same as expressed by the Idaho
Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reviews the magistrate record to determine whether there is
substantial and competent evidence to support the magistrate’s findings of fact and whether the
magistrate’s conclusions of law follow from those findings. State v. Korn, 148 Idaho 413, 415,
224 P.3d 480, 482 (2009). If those findings are so supported and the conclusions follow
therefrom, and if the district court affirmed the magistrate’s decision, we affirm the district
court’s decision as a matter of procedure. Id. Thus, the appellate courts do not review the
decision of the magistrate. State v. Trusdall, 155 Idaho 965, 968, 318 P.3d 955, 958 (Ct. App.
2014). Rather, we are procedurally bound to affirm or reverse the decision of the district court.
Id.III.
ANALYSIS
Preliminarily, although Dean identified only three issues on appeal, his opening brief
contained numerous sub-issues that are unrelated to each other or any identified issue. As a
result, this Court has identified the following six issues on appeal. First, Dean argues the district
court erred in affirming the magistrate’s denial of Dean’s motion to dismiss, because Dean
asserts the uniform citation violated his due process rights by failing to allege a crime. Dean
asserts the uniform citation did not allege a crime because it cited a non-existent subsection of
I.C. § 18-7906. As such, Dean argues the amended complaint charged a new offense that was
barred by the one-year statute of limitations. Second, Dean argues the district court erred in
affirming the judgment of conviction, because there was no evidence to support a finding that
Dean’s actions were committed both knowingly and maliciously, as required by I.C. § 18-7906.
Third, Dean argues there was no evidence to support the district court’s finding that Dean had
3
Dean has not challenged the district court’s harmless error holding. Thus, we do not
address this as an issue on appeal. See Zichko, 129 Idaho at 263, 923 P.2d at 970.
5
the malicious intent to annoy, harass, or injure the victim. Fourth, Dean argues the term
“nonconsensual contact” in I.C. § 18-7906 makes the statute ambiguous and, therefore, the rule
of lenity applies. Fifth, Dean raises three different arguments as to how the district court erred in
affirming the judgment of conviction. Finally, Dean argues the cumulative error doctrine
applies.
A. The Uniform Citation Provided Proper Notice to Dean of the Charges Against Him
and the Amended Complaint Was Not Barred by the Statute of Limitations
Dean argues the following: the uniform citation failed to charge a violation because the
citation alleged a violation of a nonexistent subsection of I.C. § 18-7906, and so did not set forth
the facts upon which the charge was based. Thus, the amended complaint necessarily charged a
new and different offense because Dean was not charged with any crime until the amended
complaint was filed. However, according to Dean, the amended complaint was barred by the
statute of limitations.
Although the issue summary and conclusion in Dean’s appellate brief assert the
magistrate did not have jurisdiction, Dean’s argument and supporting authority allege a due
process violation. Thus, the issue we address on appeal is whether the citation and the amended
complaint complied with due process requirements.
1. The uniform citation adequately informed Dean of the charges against him
Dean contends the uniform citation failed to charge a violation because the citation cited
a nonexistent subsection of I.C. § 18-7906. Dean also argues the uniform citation did not allege
facts sufficient to charge the crime of second degree stalking under I.C. § 18-7906. Further,
Dean asserts that even if the citing officer meant to cite I.C. 18-7906(2)(c)(4) instead of I.C. 18-
7906(c)(4), the citation still would fail to charge a violation because subsection (2)(c)(4) is a
definition section and does not proscribe any act. As such, Dean argues the uniform citation
violated his due process rights because the uniform citation made no allegations of the necessary
elements of the crime and failed to adequately notify Dean of the nature of the charge.
Idaho Misdemeanor Criminal Rule 3(b) provides that “the complaint in a uniform
citation may be used as the complaint to prosecute a misdemeanor.” “A uniform citation
provides a simplified way of charging misdemeanors and infractions and resolving the resulting
cases expeditiously.” State v. Cahoon, 116 Idaho 399, 401, 775 P.2d 1241, 1243 (1989). “To be
legally sufficient, a charging document must meet two requirements: it must impart jurisdiction
and satisfy due process.” State v. Severson, 147 Idaho 694, 708, 215 P.3d 414, 428 (2009). An
6
indictment confers jurisdiction when it alleges that the defendant committed a criminal offense in
the state of Idaho. Id. Objections regarding an indictment’s conferral of jurisdiction may be
made for the first time on appeal. State v. Jones, 140 Idaho 755, 758, 101 P.3d 699, 702 (2004).
An indictment satisfies due process when, among other things, it contains “factual specificity
adequate to ‘enable a person of common understanding to know what is intended’ and to shield
against double jeopardy.” Id. (quoting State v. Grady, 89 Idaho 204, 209, 404 P.2d 347, 349-50
(1965)). Idaho Criminal Rule 7(b) embodies the elements of notice necessary for due process,
providing in relevant part:
The indictment or information shall state for each count the official or customary
citation of the statute, rule or regulation or other provision of law which the
defendant is alleged to have violated. Error in the citation or its omission shall
not be grounds for dismissal of the indictment or information or for the reversal of
the conviction if the error or omission did not mislead the defendant to the
defendant’s prejudice.
Preliminarily, we note that because Dean did not assert a jurisdictional challenge in the
trial court below. Even if he had raised a jurisdictional challenge on appeal, it would be a post-
trial jurisdictional challenge. In post-trial jurisdictional challenges, a citation is sufficient if the
citation contains a statement of territorial jurisdiction and a citation to the applicable section of
the Idaho Code. See State v. Quintero, 141 Idaho 619, 622, 115 P.3d 710, 713 (2005); Jones,
140 Idaho 755 at 759, 101 P.3d at 703. The citation alleged Dean’s offense was committed in
Idaho, therefore, it contains a statement of territorial jurisdiction. The citation also alleged Dean
committed two violations of “Stalking 2nd Degree” in violation of “18-7906(c)(4).” Because the
citation alleged Dean committed the crime of second degree stalking pursuant to I.C. § 18-7906
and alleged the crime was committed in Idaho, the magistrate had subject matter jurisdiction.
Although Dean correctly notes the code section used by the citing officer was I.C. § 18-
7906(c)(4) and subsection (c)(4) does not exist, Idaho Criminal Rules suggest that an error in the
citation does not invalidate the document. As noted above, I.C.R. 7(b) states: “Error in the
citation or its omission shall not be grounds for dismissal of the indictment or information or for
reversal of the conviction if the error or omission did not mislead the defendant to the
defendant’s prejudice.” Dean recognized in his motion to dismiss that the citing officer likely
meant to cite Dean for a violation of I.C. § 18-7906(2)(c)(4). Idaho Code Section 18-7906
provides in relevant part that “a person commits the crime of stalking in the second degree if the
person knowingly and maliciously: (a) Engages in a course of conduct that seriously alarms,
7
annoys or harasses the victim and is such as would cause a reasonable person substantial
emotional distress.” Subsection (2)(c)(4) defines the method by which the crime may be
committed:
(2) As used in this section:
(c) “Nonconsensual contact” means any contact with the victim that is
initiated or continued without the victim’s consent, that is beyond the scope of the
consent provided by the victim, or that is in disregard of the victim’s expressed
desire that the contact be avoided or discontinued. “Nonconsensual contact”
includes, but is not limited to:
(iv) Entering onto or remaining on property owned, leased or
occupied by the victim.
Dean alleges no error in citing to the statute, only in citing to a subsection within that statute. As
such, Dean had notice of which statute he was alleged to have violated. Additionally, even a
cursory review of the statute would reveal that only subsection (2) contains a further subsection
designated (c)(iv). The citation to I.C. § 18-7906 makes clear that Dean was charged with the
crime of second degree stalking; the further citation to (2)(c)(iv) simply specified the method by
which Dean committed the crime for which he was charged. As evidenced by Dean’s claims and
arguments in his motions to dismiss, Dean was not misled by the error nor can he reasonably
argue he was prejudiced. Instead, Dean was able to identify the correct subsection from the
citation and argue against its application. Thus, the citation properly charged Dean with second
degree stalking pursuant to I.C. § 18-7906, and the error in the citation did not mislead Dean to
his prejudice.
2. The amended complaint did not allege a new or different offense and so was
not barred by the statute of limitations
Dean argues because the initial citation failed to charge a violation, the amended
complaint necessarily charged the new or different offense of second degree stalking and so was
barred by the statute of limitations. The State argues there was no new or different offense
alleged in the amended complaint because the charge alleged in the amended complaint was the
same as the charge alleged in the citation. As such, the State asserts the amended complaint was
not barred by the statute of limitations. We agree with the State’s reasoning.
As the initial citation properly charged Dean with two counts of second degree stalking
and was issued within the one-year statute of limitations, the State could amend the complaint at
any time before the prosecution rested. “The court may permit a complaint, an information or
indictment to be amended at any time before the prosecution rests if no additional or different
8
offense is charged and if substantial rights of the defendant are not prejudiced.” I.C.R. 7(e). As
noted above, the citation properly charged Dean with second degree stalking in violation of I.C.
§ 18-7906. The amended complaint also charged Dean with second degree stalking in violation
of I.C. § 18-7906.4 As the citation and the amended complaint charged Dean with the same
crime, the amended complaint did not allege a new or different offense of second degree
stalking. Because a complaint may be amended at any time before the prosecution rests, the
amended complaint clarifying the charge set forth in the citation was not barred by the statute of
limitations. Thus, as the citation was sufficient to charge Dean with second degree stalking, the
amended complaint did not allege a new or different offense of second degree stalking, Dean had
proper notice of the charges against him, and the amended complaint was not barred by the
statute of limitations.
B. Dean Fails to Provide an Adequate Record to Support the Claim That There Was
No Evidence That Dean’s Actions Were Committed Both Knowingly and
Maliciously
Preliminarily, we note that Dean’s issue statement is “the State failed to prove the
element of malicious intent to alarm, annoy or harass.” Dean’s argument and authority,
however, differ from the issue statement. Dean’s argument and authority address whether the
State failed to prove Dean acted with the intent to vex, annoy, or injure; and whether the State
failed to prove Dean knew his conduct was causing alarm, annoyance, or harassment. Thus, this
is the argument we address on appeal.
Dean argues I.C. § 18-7906 requires that he act both knowingly and maliciously. Dean
asserts “knowingly” requires a showing that Dean “intentionally engaged in a course of conduct
which did alarm, annoy and harass,” and “maliciously” requires the intent to vex, annoy, or
injure. Dean asserts under State v. Nastoff, 124 Idaho 667, 862 P.2d 1089 (Ct. App. 1993), the
State was required to prove Dean intended his actions to seriously alarm, annoy, or harass the
victim. Dean argues the district court erred in affirming the magistrate because the State failed
to provide any evidence that Dean intended to “vex, annoy, or injure” or “seriously alarm, annoy
or harass.”
4
Dean was charged by citation with two counts of second degree stalking. In the amended
complaint, Dean was charged with one count of second degree stalking and one count of
unlawful entry. The charge of unlawful entry was subsequently dismissed.
9
It is the responsibility of the appellant to provide a sufficient record to substantiate his or
her claims on appeal. State v. Murinko, 108 Idaho 872, 873, 702 P.2d 910, 911 (Ct. App. 1985).
In the absence of an adequate record on appeal to support the appellant’s claims, we will not
presume error. State v. Beason, 119 Idaho 103, 105, 803 P.2d 1009, 1011 (Ct. App. 1991). In
this case, five witnesses testified at trial. Dean provided the transcripts for only three of the five
witnesses that testified. Appellate review of Dean’s claim that there was insufficient evidence
presented necessarily requires an examination of all of the evidence presented to the magistrate
to determine whether there was substantial evidence upon which a rational trier of fact could
have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Here, Dean did not
provide all of the evidence presented to the trial court. Accordingly, we do not have before us all
the evidence that was available to the magistrate in making his decision that guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt was established. McClure v. Stanley, 113 Idaho 975, 977, 751 P.2d 671, 673
(Ct. App. 1988). Thus, we cannot say the magistrate erred in concluding the State presented
sufficient evidence on each and every element of the offence. Consequently, Dean has failed to
show the district court erred in affirming the magistrate.
C. Dean Fails to Demonstrate That There Was Insufficient Evidence of Malicious
Intent, That the District Court Erred in Its Interpretation of Civil Injury, and That
Idaho Code Section 18-7906 Is Void for Vagueness
The district court affirmed the magistrate’s finding that Dean acted with malice as
required by I.C. § 18-7906, and reasoned:
It is clear that [Dean] did repeatedly intend to enter the victim’s dwelling without
her permission, in contradiction of the rental agreement, and without a pending
emergency. The entrance and subsequent rummaging of the victim’s personal
items can be classified as a trespass, an unlawful entry, an invasion of the victim’s
right to privacy, or a breach of contract. Each of these classifications constitutes
an injury to the victim for which there is a legal remedy. Since each of these
classifications constitutes an injury to the victim, the court must only find that
[Dean] had the intent to commit the trespass, unlawful entry, invasion of privacy,
or breach of contract in order to find the requisite intent to be found guilty of
stalking.
This court, having adopted all of the factual findings as amended by the
lower court, agrees with the lower court that [Dean] did have the requisite intent
to injure the victim.
Dean offers three different arguments for why the district court erred in affirming the
magistrate’s decision: (1) there was no substantial evidence to support the district court’s finding
that Dean intended to repeatedly enter the lessee’s apartment without permission; (2) the district
10
court incorrectly relied upon the civil injuries of trespass, invasion of privacy, and breach of
contract to find malice; and (3) I.C. § 18-7906 is void for vagueness because it does not provide
notice to the public that infliction of injury in a civil context rises to the level of injury required
by this statute.
1. Dean fails to provide a sufficient record to support his argument that there
was no substantial evidence to support the district court’s finding that Dean
intended to repeatedly enter the lessee’s apartment without permission
In affirming the magistrate, the district court held: “It is clear that [Dean] did repeatedly
intend to enter the victim’s dwelling without her permission, in contradiction of the rental
agreement, and without a pending emergency.” Dean asserts no such finding is supported by the
record. As noted above, it is the responsibility of the appellant to provide a sufficient record to
substantiate his or her claims on appeal. Murinko, 108 Idaho at 873, 702 P.2d at 911. In the
absence of an adequate record on appeal to support the appellant’s claims, we will not presume
error. Beason, 119 Idaho at 105, 803 P.2d at 1011. Because Dean provided the transcripts for
only three of the five witnesses that testified, Dean did not provide a sufficient record on appeal
for this Court to consider his argument and review whether there was substantial evidence to
support the magistrate’s finding. Consequently, Dean has failed to show the district court erred
in affirming the magistrate on this ground.
2. Dean provided no authority to support his argument that the district court
erred in reasoning civil injuries constitute criminal injuries
Dean argues the district court erred because:
Thus, the District Court relied upon and declared that civil injuries of
trespass, invasion of privacy, and breach of contract could constitute a criminal injury
to [the lessee]. Rather than the foreseeability argument of the Trial Court, the District
Court averred that “each of these classifications [trespass, invasion of privacy, and
breach of contract] constitutes an injury to the victim for which there is a legal
remedy.” Thus, the District Court declared new law that the word “injury” in a civil
context is the same as “injure” in a criminal context.
Dean asserts the district court’s interpretation of civil injuries would replace the criminal injury
proscribed by I.C. § 18-7906. Dean further asserts that “even if civil torts could possibly meet
the definition of the term ‘injure’ in the statutory definition of malice found in the criminal code,
it would effectively negate the necessity that this malicious intent must be toward ‘seriously
alarming, annoying or harassing’ the victim.”
11
A party waives an issue on appeal if either authority or argument is lacking. State v.
Zichko, 129 Idaho 259, 263, 923 P.2d 966, 970 (1996). Here, Dean failed to provide authority
regarding his proposition that the district court erred in concluding civil injuries could also
constitute the criminal injury proscribed by I.C. § 18-7906. Therefore, Dean waives this
argument on appeal.
3. Idaho Code Section 18-7906(2)(c) defining nonconsensual contact is not void
for vagueness
Preliminarily, we note that although Dean argues I.C. § 18-7906 is void for vagueness, he
does not clarify whether the statute is void on its face or void as applied to him. As a result, this
Court has identified that Dean’s void for vagueness claim is a facial challenge based on the
arguments and authority he presented. Dean argues the nonconsensual conduct defined in
I.C. § 18-7906(2)(c) is impermissibly vague because the Idaho Legislature did not intend that
individuals committing civil torts against a victim could suddenly find themselves subject to
criminal prosecution under the stalking statute. Dean argues the district court erred when it
found “the infliction of injury in a civil context could rise to the level of injury in this criminal
case, thereby creating a criminal penalty for civil conduct without any prior notice to the public
and in conflict with case law which has been in place for centuries.” Dean further asserts that
because nonconsensual contacts can include conduct that constitutes a civil tort, I.C. § 18-7906
does not provide proper notice because the statute does not indicate that nonconsensual conduct
that constitutes a civil tort directly implicates a criminal intent to seriously alarm, annoy, or
harass.
Where the constitutionality of a statute is challenged, we review the lower court’s
decision de novo. State v. Cobb, 132 Idaho 195, 197, 969 P.2d 244, 246 (1998); State v. Martin,
148 Idaho 31, 34, 218 P.3d 10, 13 (Ct. App. 2009). The party attacking a statute on
constitutional grounds bears the burden of proof and must overcome a strong presumption of
validity. State v. Freitas, 157 Idaho 257, 261, 335 P.3d 597, 601 (Ct. App. 2014); State v. Cook,
146 Idaho 261, 262, 192 P.3d 1085, 1086 (Ct. App. 2008). Appellate courts are obligated to seek
an interpretation of a statute that upholds its constitutionality. Freitas, 157 Idaho at 261, 335
P.3d at 601; Martin, 148 Idaho at 34, 218 P.3d at 13.
Due process requires that all persons be informed as to what the state commands or
forbids and that persons of ordinary intelligence not be forced to guess at the meaning of the law.
Cobb, 132 Idaho at 197, 969 P.2d at 246. No one may be required at the peril of loss of liberty to
12
speculate as to the meaning of penal statutes. Freitas, 157 Idaho at 261, 335 P.3d at 601. A void
for vagueness challenge is more favorably acknowledged and a more stringent vagueness test
will be applied where a statute imposes a criminal penalty. Cobb, 132 Idaho at 198, 969 P.2d at
247. As a result, criminal statutes must plainly and unmistakably provide fair notice of what is
prohibited and what is allowed in language persons of ordinary intelligence will understand.
State v. Kavajecz, 139 Idaho 482, 486, 80 P.3d 1083, 1087 (2003). Additionally, a statute is void
for vagueness if it invites arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. Freitas, 157 Idaho at 261,
335 P.3d at 601. A statute avoids problems with arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement by
identifying a core of circumstances to which the statute or ordinance unquestionably could be
constitutionally applied. Id. A statute should not be held void for uncertainty if it can be given
any practical interpretation. Id. at 261-62, 335 P.3d at 601-02. A statute may be challenged as
unconstitutionally vague on its face or as applied to a defendant’s conduct. Id.; Martin, 148
Idaho at 35, 218 P.3d at 14.
Even if Dean had raised the void for vagueness claim below,5 Dean has not demonstrated
that I.C. § 18-7906(2)(c) is impermissibly vague on its face. To be successful in a facial
vagueness challenge, the defendant must demonstrate that the law is impermissibly vague in all
of its applications. Freitas, 157 Idaho at 261, 335 P.3d at 601. That is, it must be shown that the
enactment is invalid in toto. Cobb, 132 Idaho at 199, 969 P.2d at 248; State v. Newman, 108
Idaho 5, 12, 696 P.2d 856, 863 (1985). All that is required for conduct to meet the definition of
nonconsensual contact in I.C. § 18-7906(2)(c) is “any contact with the victim that is initiated or
continued without the victim’s consent, that is beyond the scope of the consent provided by the
victim, or that is in disregard of the victim’s expressed desire that the contact be avoided or
discontinued” which includes, but is not limited to, “[e]ntering onto or remaining on property
5
The clerk’s record indicates Dean’s void for vagueness claim was raised for the first time
on appeal to this Court. Dean’s first motion to dismiss, second motion to dismiss, motion to
reconsider, and notice of appeal to the district court did not include a void for vagueness claim.
In Dean’s notice to appeal to the district court and to this Court, Dean indicated the trial court
failed to apply the rule of lenity to a vaguely worded statute. This, however, is not arguing the
statute is void for vagueness, but rather that the rule of lenity should apply. Further, we note that
although Dean may have raised a void for vagueness argument in his briefing and oral argument
to the district court on intermediate appeal, Dean has not provided this Court with that briefing or
the oral argument transcripts. Generally, issues not raised below may not be considered for the
first time on appeal. State v. Fodge, 121 Idaho 192, 195, 824 P.2d 123, 126 (1992). Thus, Dean
has waived this issue on appeal to this Court.
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owned, leased or occupied by the victim.” Idaho Code Section 18-7906(2)(c) clearly provides
notice to the public that should a person have contact with a victim without consent, beyond
consent, or in disregard of an expressed desire to not be contacted, that person may be charged
with a violation of I.C. § 18-7906. Therefore, Dean has not met his burden to show I.C. § 18-
7906(2)(c) is impermissibly vague in all applications.
D. Idaho Code Section 18-7906 Is Not Ambiguous
Dean argues I.C. § 18-7906 is ambiguous because “a violation of the statute by
nonconsensual contact by entry into [an] area occupied by the victim cannot be distinguished
from an innocent entry.”
This Court exercises free review over the application and construction of statutes. State
v. Reyes, 139 Idaho 502, 505, 80 P.3d 1103, 1106 (Ct. App. 2003). Where the language of a
statute is plain and unambiguous, this Court must give effect to the statute as written, without
engaging in statutory construction. State v. Burnight, 132 Idaho 654, 659, 978 P.2d 214, 219
(1999); State v. Escobar, 134 Idaho 387, 389, 3 P.3d 65, 67 (Ct. App. 2000). The language of
the statute is to be given its plain, obvious, and rational meaning. Burnight, 132 Idaho at 659,
978 P.2d at 219. If the language is clear and unambiguous, there is no occasion for the court to
resort to legislative history or rules of statutory interpretation. Escobar, 134 Idaho at 389, 3 P.3d
at 67. When this Court must engage in statutory construction because an ambiguity exists, it has
the duty to ascertain the legislative intent and give effect to that intent. State v. Beard, 135 Idaho
641, 646, 22 P.3d 116, 121 (Ct. App. 2001). To ascertain such intent, not only must the literal
words of the statute be examined, but also the context of those words, the public policy behind
the statute and its legislative history. Id. It is incumbent upon a court to give an ambiguous
statute an interpretation which will not render it a nullity. Id. Constructions of an ambiguous
statute that would lead to an absurd result are disfavored. State v. Doe, 140 Idaho 271, 275, 92
P.3d 521, 525 (2004).
“A statute is ambiguous where the language is capable of more than one reasonable
construction.” Verska v. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, 151 Idaho 889, 896, 265
P.3d 502, 509 (2011) (quoting Porter v. Board of Trustees, Preston School Dist. No. 201, 141
Idaho 11, 14, 105 P.3d 671, 674 (2004)). An unambiguous statute would have only one
reasonable interpretation. Verska, 151 Idaho at 896, 265 P.3d at 509. An alternative
interpretation that is unreasonable would not make it ambiguous. Id.14
Dean interprets the statute as follows: “Nonconsensual contact must include the right to
exclude an entry which in turn requires the duty of another to gain consent. The right to consent
exists only where there is standing to object to entry.” Therefore, Dean asserts the statute is
ambiguous because nonconsensual contact by entry into an area occupied by the victim cannot
be distinguished from innocent entry. However, Dean’s argument fails because the language of
the statute is plain and unambiguous.
Idaho Code Section 18-7906 clearly provides, in relevant part, that “a person commits the
crime of stalking in the second degree if the person knowingly and maliciously: (a) Engages in
a course of conduct that seriously alarms, annoys or harasses the victim and is such as would
cause a reasonable person substantial emotional distress.” The statute defines a course of
conduct as “repeated acts of nonconsensual contact involving the victim or a family or household
member of the victim, provided however, that constitutionally protected activity is not included
within the meaning of this definition.” I.C. § 18-7906(2)(a). The statute then defines
nonconsensual contact as, “any contact with the victim that is initiated or continued without the
victim’s consent, that is beyond the scope of the consent provided by the victim, or that is in
disregard of the victim’s expressed desire that the contact be avoided or discontinued.” I.C.
§ 18-7906(2)(c). As an example of the ambiguity, Dean argues one cannot have nonconsensual
contact in a public place. Dean provides no authority for such proposition, and this Court can
envision several different scenarios consisting of nonconsensual contact in a public place. Just
because Dean can fashion a set of facts that would not meet the statutory elements does not mean
the statute is ambiguous. See Verska, 151 Idaho at 896, 265 P.3d at 509. Idaho Code Section
18-7906 proscribes conduct and provides definitions and guidance as to what actions constitute
the proscribed conduct. Thus, the statute is not ambiguous.
E. Dean Has Not Provided a Sufficient Record on Appeal for This Court to Consider
His Argument That the District Court Erred in Affirming the Judgment of
Conviction and the Magistrate’s Denial of Dean’s Motion to Reconsider Because
There Was No Evidence to Support a Finding of Guilty Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Dean argues the district court, on intermediate appeal, erred in affirming the magistrate
because there was not substantial evidence to support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt. Dean extensively argues an alternative interpretation of the evidence presented at trial.
Based on this interpretation, Dean asserts there was not substantial evidence to support a finding
of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt that he engaged in a course of conduct that would cause a
15
reasonable person substantial emotional distress as required by I.C. § 18-7906. As noted above,
Dean neglected to include the entire trial transcript on appeal. It is the responsibility of the
appellant to provide a sufficient record to substantiate his or her claims on appeal. Murinko, 108
Idaho at 873, 702 P.2d at 911. In the absence of an adequate record on appeal to support the
appellant’s claims, we will not presume error. Beason, 119 Idaho at 105, 803 P.2d at 1011.
Thus, the district court did not error in affirming the magistrate’s judgment of conviction.
F. Cumulative Error
Lastly, Dean contends that the cumulative error doctrine applies here, necessitating a
reversal of his conviction. Under the doctrine of cumulative error, a series of errors, harmless in
and of themselves, may in the aggregate show the absence of a fair trial. State v. Adamcik, 152
Idaho 445, 483, 272 P.3d 417, 455 (2012). However, a necessary predicate to the application of
the doctrine is a finding of more than one error. Id. Dean has failed to demonstrate any error, let
alone multiple errors. Thus, we decline to find any cumulative error in this case.
IV.
CONCLUSION
We hold the citation properly charged Dean with second degree stalking and the amended
complaint was not barred by the statute of limitations. Dean failed to show the district court
erred in affirming the magistrate’s findings because Dean failed to provide an adequate record
for appeal. We further hold I.C. § 18-7906 is not ambiguous. We decline to find cumulative
error in this case because Dean failed to demonstrate any error. For the foregoing reasons, the
decision of the district court on intermediate appeal from the magistrate’s judgment of conviction
and order denying motion to dismiss is affirmed.
Judge GUTIERREZ and Judge MELANSON CONCUR.
16