State v. Scott Anthony Hansen , 154 Idaho 882 ( 2013 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 39664
STATE OF IDAHO, ) 2013 Opinion No. 26
)
Plaintiff-Respondent, ) Filed: May 6, 2013
)
v. ) Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk
)
SCOTT ANTHONY HANSEN, )
)
Defendant-Appellant. )
)
Appeal from the District Court of the First Judicial District, State of Idaho,
Bonner County. Hon. Steven C. Verby, District Judge.
Judgment of conviction and sentence for statutory rape, affirmed; order
relinquishing jurisdiction, affirmed; order denying Idaho Criminal Rule 35 motion
for reduction of sentence, affirmed.
Sara B. Thomas, State Appellate Public Defender; Sally J. Cooley, Deputy
Appellate Public Defender, Boise, for appellant. Sally J. Cooley argued.
Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General; Russell J. Spencer, Deputy
Attorney General, Boise, for respondent. Russell J. Spencer argued.
________________________________________________
GUTIERREZ, Chief Judge
Scott Anthony Hansen appeals from his judgment of conviction and sentence imposed for
one count of statutory rape, the district court’s order relinquishing jurisdiction, and the district
court’s denial of Hansen’s Idaho Criminal Rule 35 motion. Specifically, Hansen asserts that the
district court violated his right to due process by denying him allocution at sentencing and that
the violation of that right amounts to fundamental error. Hansen also argues the district court
abused its discretion by imposing an excessive sentence, by relinquishing jurisdiction, and by
denying Hansen’s Rule 35 motion for a reduction in sentence. Hansen asks this Court to remand
the case for resentencing, or alternatively, to reduce his sentence.
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I.
FACTS AND PROCEDURE
At the age of seventeen, Hansen went to live with a church friend because Hansen’s
father was incarcerated and Hansen’s relationship with his step-mother was tenuous. While
staying at the friend’s house, Hansen began having sexual relationships with two
thirteen-year-old victims. Based on conduct with the two victims that occurred after Hansen had
reached eighteen years of age, the State charged him with one count of statutory rape and one
count of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of sixteen. Pursuant to a plea agreement,
Hansen pled guilty to statutory rape, Idaho Code § 18-6101(1).
At the sentencing hearing, the district court stated, “Before I decide what to do in this
case, Mr. Hansen, I’ll afford you an opportunity to make a statement on your own behalf or to
present to me any evidence or information in mitigation in an effort to lessen any punishment I
might otherwise impose.” Defense counsel responded, “I know that my client does have a
statement; however, I have information for the Court, and I have three witnesses to call.” After
presenting the three witnesses, defense counsel asked for a unified five-year sentence, with two
years determinate, and a period of retained jurisdiction. In accordance with the plea deal, the
State recommended a ten-year sentence, with two years determinate, and a period of retained
jurisdiction. The district court listened to the witness testimony and argument by defense
counsel, asked specific questions of Hansen regarding information in the presentence
investigation report and testimony from the witnesses, and imposed a unified sentence of eight
years, with two years determinate, but retained jurisdiction. Before imposing the sentence, the
district court did not ask whether Hansen wished to make a statement.
Before the period of retained jurisdiction was to expire, the district court relinquished
jurisdiction without a hearing based on a recommendation from Hansen’s case manager at the
correctional institution. Hansen appealed and also timely filed a Rule 35 motion for a reduction
in sentence. The district court denied Hansen’s motion. Hansen amended his notice of appeal to
include the denial of the Rule 35 motion. As the primary issue before this Court, Hansen asserts
the district court violated his right to due process by denying him allocution at sentencing,
amounting to fundamental error and requiring a remand for resentencing. Hansen also argues the
district court abused its discretion by imposing an excessive sentence, by relinquishing
jurisdiction, and by denying Hansen’s Rule 35 motion.
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II.
ANALYSIS
A. Allocution at Sentencing
Preliminarily, the State argues this Court does not have jurisdiction to review whether
Hansen’s due process rights were violated by the district court because Hansen timely appealed
only from the order relinquishing jurisdiction. The State asserts that, based on Idaho Appellate
Rule 14(a), such an appeal only allows this Court to review “the sentence contained in the
judgment” and does not confer jurisdiction to review whether the district court violated Hansen’s
due process rights at the sentencing hearing.
The State’s argument is without merit. Allocution is a procedural right that is centrally
related to sentencing and allows the defendant to make a statement or present information in
mitigation of punishment. See I.C.R. 33(a)(1). Pursuant to Rule 14(a), if, at the time of
judgment, the district court retains jurisdiction, the time to file an appeal from the sentence
contained in the criminal judgment is enlarged by the length of time between entry of the
judgment of conviction and entry of the order relinquishing jurisdiction or placing the defendant
on probation. As such, a timely appeal from a district court’s order relinquishing jurisdiction
gives this Court jurisdiction to review the proceedings and considerations of the district court
relating to and leading up to the proclamation of the sentence actually imposed. See State v.
Bartlett, ___ Idaho ___, ___, ___ P.3d ___, ___ (Ct. App. Feb. 12, 2013) (reviewing, on appeal
from an order relinquishing jurisdiction, the defendant’s allegation that the district court’s
statements at sentencing amounted to a promise of probation if the defendant successfully
completed a period of retained jurisdiction); State v. Alberts, 121 Idaho 204, 208-09, 824 P.2d
135, 139-40 (Ct. App. 1991) (looking at actions and statements of the trial court at the sentencing
hearing in reviewing whether it exercised proper discretion in imposing consecutive sentences,
on appeal from an order relinquishing jurisdiction); State v. Caldwell, 119 Idaho 281, 282, 805
P.2d 487, 488 (Ct. App. 1991) (noting that the appellate court has jurisdiction to conduct an
independent review of the record to determine whether a sentence was excessive on a timely
appeal from an order relinquishing jurisdiction). Moreover, judicial economy and sound policy
demonstrate this approach is necessary to discourage the filing of premature appeals of a
sentence that a defendant otherwise has no incentive to challenge. See State v. Adams, 115 Idaho
1053, 1055-56, 772 P.2d 260, 262-63 (Ct. App. 1989). When a district court retains jurisdiction
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or places the defendant on probation, for example, the defendant has little reason to file an appeal
from the sentence unless jurisdiction is later relinquished--as in this case--or probation is revoked
and the sentence is executed. See id. at 1055, 772 P.2d at 262 (“[W]hen a sentence is suspended
and probation is granted, the defendant has scant reason, and no incentive, to appeal. Only if the
probation is later revoked, and the sentence is ordered into execution, does the issue of an
excessive sentence become genuinely meaningful.”) Therefore, the extension of time to appeal
“the sentence contained in the criminal judgment” granted by Rule 14(a) is not rigidly confined
to exclude matters related to the sentencing hearing. Hansen timely appeals the order
relinquishing jurisdiction and argues that the violation of his due process rights, by denying him
allocution at sentencing, resulted in a greater punishment than the district court otherwise would
have imposed. Accordingly, we have jurisdiction to review the challenge.
Hansen did not object or raise his challenge regarding allocution at sentencing before the
district court. 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). Idaho decisional law,
however, has long allowed appellate courts to consider a claim of error to which no objection
was made below if the issue presented rises to the level of fundamental error. See State v. Field,
144 Idaho 559, 571, 165 P.3d 273, 285 (2007); State v. Haggard, 94 Idaho 249, 251, 486 P.2d
260, 262 (1971). In State v. Perry, 150 Idaho 209, 245 P.3d 961 (2010), the Idaho Supreme
Court abandoned the definitions it had previously utilized to describe what may constitute
fundamental error. The Perry Court held that an appellate court should reverse an unobjected-to
error when the defendant persuades the court that the alleged error: (1) violates one or more of
the defendant’s unwaived constitutional rights; (2) is clear or obvious without the need for
reference to any additional information not contained in the appellate record; and (3) affected the
outcome of the trial proceedings. Id. at 226, 245 P.3d at 978.
Hansen asserts he meets the fundamental error standard, arguing that Idaho law regarding
the right to allocuation, which precedes Perry, provides greater protection than corresponding
federal law. The State argues that the right to allocution is not of a constitutional dimension and,
therefore, Hansen cannot meet the first prong of the Perry test.
As noted above, allocution is a procedural right of a criminal defendant that is
safeguarded through Idaho Criminal Rule 33(1)(a), which provides in relevant part as follows:
“Before imposing sentence the court shall afford counsel an opportunity to speak on behalf of the
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defendant and shall address the defendant personally to ask if the defendant wishes to make a
statement and to present any information in mitigation of punishment.” Idaho case law
evidences the considerable protection that Rule 33 provides. For example, allowing defense
counsel the right to speak on behalf of the accused does not constitute full compliance with this
rule. State v. Goodrich, 97 Idaho 472, 480, 546 P.2d 1180, 1188 (1976); State v. Gervasi, 138
Idaho 813, 815, 69 P.3d 1074, 1076 (Ct. App. 2003). Moreover, a district court’s failure to allow
the defendant to allocute at sentencing is grounds for remanding the case for resentencing, and
we have held that, even if the defendant did not object to the error at sentencing, the failure to
object does not preclude a review for fundamental error. Gervasi, 138 Idaho at 815-16, 69 P.3d
at 1076-77; see also State v. Carey, 122 Idaho 382, 386, 834 P.2d 899, 903 (Ct. App. 1992)
(holding the district court’s failure to provide a defendant with allocution requires a remand for
resentencing).
However, the cases cited above were decided before the Idaho Supreme Court revised the
fundamental error review standard in Perry. In light of Perry, we must examine whether a
criminal defendant may still challenge a court’s failure to allow the defendant allocution on
appeal as fundamental error when he does not object before the trial court. More specifically, we
must determine whether the right to allocution is a constitutional right.
In Gervasi, this Court stated, “[A]llocution has a time-honored place in the jurisprudence
of most American states. The right of allocution is a traditional, common-law right of a criminal
defendant which was recognized as early as 1689.” Gervasi, 138 Idaho at 815-16, 69 P.3d at
1076-77 (citations omitted). We noted the United States Supreme Court has recognized that the
evolution in criminal procedure has not obviated the need for a defendant to personally have the
opportunity to present a plea for leniency to the court. Id. at 816, 69 P.3d at 1077 (citing Green
v. United States, 365 U.S. 301, 304 (1961)). We also noted that “the denial of allocution has not
been held to constitute a denial of due process under the United States Constitution, and
therefore does not implicate a federal constitutional right.” Id. In fact, the United States
Supreme Court has held that the failure of a trial court to ask a defendant whether he has a
statement to make before a sentence is imposed is not itself error that is constitutional in nature.
Hill v. United States, 368 U.S. 424, 428 (1962). The United States Supreme Court later
recognized it had “not directly determined whether or to what extent the concept of due process
of law requires that a criminal defendant wishing to present evidence or argument . . . should be
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permitted to do so.” McGautha v. California, 402 U.S. 183, 218 (1971), judgment vacated on
other grounds by Crampton v. Ohio, 408 U.S. 941 (1972). 1 Nonetheless, Hansen argues Idaho
affords protections greater than federal law, relying on language in a previously decided case,
wherein we stated, “We are persuaded that allocution is so important a right that a court’s failure
to meet its obligation to allow a defendant the opportunity of allocution should be subject to
challenge on appeal as fundamental error.” Gervasi, 138 Idaho at 816, 69 P.3d at 1077.
We are not persuaded that the cases on which Hansen relies commutes the right of
allocution into a constitutional due process right sufficient to meet the revised fundamental error
standard. Although Idaho appellate courts have stressed the importance of the right of
allocution, we have never explicitly held that due process, required under Article I, Section 13,
of the Idaho Constitution, requires that a defendant be afforded the right to allocution. Rather, in
our jurisprudence, we have depended on Rule 33(a), prior precedent, and the role of allocution in
the history of Idaho’s criminal justice system. See, e.g., Gervasi, 138 Idaho at 816, 69 P.3d at
1077. We have referenced a criminal defendant’s due process rights in regards to sentencing
and, within that context, examined other jurisprudence that recognizes that the right of allocution
is vital to a defendant’s defense. State v. Nez, 130 Idaho 950, 958, 950 P.2d 1289, 1297 (Ct.
App. 1997). Even where we reference constitutional due process rights of a criminal defendant,
we have only gone so far as to acknowledge there is case law that accepts allocution as a
constitutional right guaranteed by due process when a defendant requests to make a statement
and the district court affirmatively denies the request. See id. at 958, 950 P.2d at 1297 (citing
Boardman v. Estelle, 957 F.2d 1523, 1529-30 (9th Cir. 1992)). To elaborate, in Boardman, the
Ninth Circuit held that allocution is a due process right, but limited its holding to circumstances
where the defendant asks to speak at sentencing and is denied that opportunity. Boardman, 957
F.2d at 1530. We have not explicitly adopted the reasoning of that court and are not presented
with the same circumstance in this case. Hansen’s defense counsel did indicate that Hansen had
1
See also 6 WAYNE R. LAFAVE, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE § 26.4(g) (3d ed. 2012), wherein
the commentator recognizes the following:
While some opportunity to object to the sentencing information relied
upon by the court is generally considered part of the due process guaranteed to
criminal defendants under the Constitution, that opportunity, at least in
non-capital cases, does not necessarily include either the right to present evidence,
or the right to make a personal unsworn statement to the sentencer, otherwise
known as the right of allocution.
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a statement to make at the sentencing hearing, but from the record we cannot conclude the
district court’s failure to later invite a statement was an affirmative denial of the opportunity to
allocute and not simply an oversight.
In determining that Hansen does not meet the first prong of Perry, we do not purport to
put the burden on a defendant to ensure that a trial court adheres to its obligation contained
within Rule 33(a) and afford the defendant the right to allocution. However, a violation by the
district court of a rule of procedure does not necessarily equate to a deprivation of a
constitutional right. See Hill, 368 U.S. at 426. Because Perry is the controlling law in Idaho,
Hansen must show that the denial of allocution is of a constitutional nature. He cannot do so
and, thus, fails to demonstrate fundamental error.
B. Excessive Sentence
Hansen asserts his unified sentence of eight years, with two years determinate, is
excessive given any reasonable view of the facts. An appellate review of a sentence is based on
an abuse of discretion standard. State v. Burdett, 134 Idaho 271, 276, 1 P.3d 299, 304 (Ct. App.
2000). Where a sentence is not illegal, the appellant has the burden to show that it is
unreasonable and, thus, a clear abuse of discretion. State v. Brown, 121 Idaho 385, 393, 825
P.2d 482, 490 (1992). A sentence may represent such an abuse of discretion if it is shown to be
unreasonable upon the facts of the case. State v. Nice, 103 Idaho 89, 90, 645 P.2d 323, 324
(1982). A sentence of confinement is reasonable if it appears at the time of sentencing that
confinement is necessary “to accomplish the primary objective of protecting society and to
achieve any or all of the related goals of deterrence, rehabilitation or retribution applicable to a
given case.” State v. Toohill, 103 Idaho 565, 568, 650 P.2d 707, 710 (Ct. App. 1982). Where an
appellant contends the sentencing court imposed an excessively harsh sentence, we conduct an
independent review of the record, having regard for the nature of the offense, the character of the
offender, and the protection of the public interest. State v. Reinke, 103 Idaho 771, 772, 653 P.2d
1183, 1184 (Ct. App. 1982). When reviewing the length of a sentence, we consider the
defendant’s entire sentence. State v. Oliver, 144 Idaho 722, 726, 170 P.3d 387, 391 (2007).
Hansen asked for a unified five-year sentence, with two years determinate, and a period
of retained jurisdiction. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the State recommended a unified
ten-year sentence, with two years determinate, and also a period of retained jurisdiction. It is
important to note that the sentence imposed was well within statutory limits. The district court
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considered Hansen’s background, his troubled childhood, and his prospects for rehabilitation and
imposed a sentence less than that recommended by the State pursuant to the plea agreement. In
consideration of the nature of the crimes, Hansen’s high risk for recidivism, and Hansen’s failure
to understand the impact of his crimes, the sentence was not excessive under any reasonable
view of the facts. Accordingly, there was no abuse of discretion.
C. Relinquishment of Jurisdiction
Hansen asserts the district court abused its discretion by relinquishing jurisdiction
because he had some success during the retained jurisdiction program at North Idaho
Correctional Institute (NICI), he recognized his problem, and he desired to be more successful in
the future. The decision to place a defendant on probation or whether, instead, to relinquish
jurisdiction over the defendant is a matter within the sound discretion of the district court and
will not be overturned on appeal absent an abuse of that discretion. State v. Hood, 102 Idaho
711, 712, 639 P.2d 9, 10 (1981); State v. Lee, 117 Idaho 203, 205-06, 786 P.2d 594, 596-97 (Ct.
App. 1990). A court’s decision to relinquish jurisdiction will not be deemed an abuse of
discretion if the trial court has sufficient information to determine that a suspended sentence and
probation would be inappropriate. State v. Statton, 136 Idaho 135, 137, 30 P.3d 290, 292 (2001).
Here, Hansen’s case manager at NICI recommended that the district court relinquish
jurisdiction less than two months after Hansen began the program. In the short time Hansen was
in the program, he had numerous disciplinary issues. Though the issues were first dealt with
through a community model, Hansen’s behavior did not improve. Even when intervention
efforts were accelerated, Hansen did not take responsibility for his actions or seek to correct his
behavior. In fact, the addendum to the presentence investigation report evidences that Hansen
grew more defiant and blatantly disregarded treatment requirements and recommendations.
Even Hansen admits that his success during the period of retained jurisdiction was limited.
Based on evidence that Hansen was unwilling to follow treatment guides, correct his thinking
patterns, or follow basic rules of conduct, the district court had sufficient information to
determine Hansen was not a candidate for probation and the court did not abuse its discretion in
relinquishing jurisdiction.
D. Denial of the Rule 35 Motion
Finally, Hansen argues the district court abused its discretion in denying his Rule 35
motion for a reduction of sentence. Hansen asserts the district court erred in denying the motion
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in light of new information--specifically, Hansen’s affidavit regarding his time in custody in
which he acknowledged his bad decisions and stressed his willingness to change.
A motion for reduction of sentence under Rule 35 is essentially a plea for leniency,
addressed to the sound discretion of the court. State v. Knighton, 143 Idaho 318, 319, 144 P.3d
23, 24 (2006); State v. Gill, 150 Idaho 183, 186, 244 P.3d 1269, 1272 (Ct. App. 2010). In
presenting a Rule 35 motion, the defendant must show that the sentence is excessive in light of
new or additional information subsequently provided to the district court in support of the
motion. State v. Huffman, 144 Idaho 201, 203, 159 P.3d 838, 840 (2007). In conducting our
review of the grant or denial of a Rule 35 motion, we consider the entire record and apply the
same criteria used for determining the reasonableness of the original sentence. Gill, 150 Idaho at
186, 244 P.3d at 1272.
The district court denied the Rule 35 motion for the same reasons it relinquished
jurisdiction. Even assuming that Hansen’s assertions contained within his affidavit were true,
the district court noted that Hansen’s high risk for recidivism and unwillingness or inability to
comply with the law supported an execution of the sentence originally imposed. The sentence
was not excessive when imposed and the district court, in finding the sentence served the goals
of protecting society and deterring future criminal behavior, did not abuse its discretion in
denying the Rule 35 motion.
III.
CONCLUSION
We conclude Hansen cannot establish that the district court’s failure to later invite
allocution at sentencing amounts to fundamental error. We further conclude the district court did
not abuse its discretion by imposing the sentence, by relinquishing jurisdiction, or by denying
Hansen’s Rule 35 motion. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of conviction and sentence, the
order relinquishing jurisdiction, and the denial of the Rule 35 motion.
Judge LANSING and Judge MELANSON CONCUR.
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