Com. v. Warriner, E. ( 2015 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Appellee
v.
ERIC WARRINER
Appellant No. 354 EDA 2014
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence January 23, 2014
In the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-46-CR-0002572-2008
BEFORE: BOWES, J., SHOGAN, J., and OTT, J.
MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.: FILED MARCH 10, 2015
Eric Warriner brings this appeal from the judgment of sentence
imposed on January 23, 2014, in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery
County, following the revocation of his probation. The trial court imposed a
sentence of time served to 12 months in a county prison, commitment to
date from June 12, 2013. Contemporaneous with this appeal, Warriner’s
counsel has filed a petition to withdraw from representation and an Anders
brief. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967); Commonwealth v.
Santiago, 978 A.2d 349 (Pa. 2009). The Anders brief identifies one issue, a
challenge to the evidence supporting the revocation of Warriner’s probation.
For the reasons that follow, we affirm the judgment of sentence and grant
counsel’s petition to withdraw.
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Initially, we note that it appears that Warriner’s sentence — time
served to twelve months, commitment to date from June 12, 2013 — has
expired, and his appeal is therefore moot.1 However, where a defendant
appeals his conviction after he has completed serving his sentence, “the
appeal is not moot if there is the possibility of collateral civil or criminal
consequences as a result of the conviction.” Commonwealth v. Kelly, 418
A.2d 387, 388 (Pa. Super. 1980). Here, we find that the mootness doctrine
does not apply, since the issue identified in the Anders brief challenges the
court’s revocation of probation, which could have future consequences. See
Commonwealth v. Carter, 523 A.2d 779, 781 (Pa. Super. 1987)
(addressing appeal from an order revoking probation and imposing a
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1
Counsel for Warriner states in the Anders brief, filed June 5, 2014:
While it might appear that Warriner’s appeal will become moot
as of 13 June 2014, … Warriner was again taken into custody
and charged with violating the terms of his county parole on 4
March 2014 and is currently confined in the [Montgomery County
Correctional Facility] awaiting a violation of parole hearing.
Insofar as Warriner will not be entitled to any credit for time he
spent at liberty on county parole if that parole is indeed revoked,
the maximum term expiration date of [the] 23 January 2014
sentence will be extended to deny Warriner credit for any such
time.
Anders Brief at 12 n.2 (citations omitted).
This information related by counsel, however, is not reflected by the certified
record, which was received in this Court on April 8, 2014. Therefore, we
cannot consider it. See Commonwealth v. Vasquez, 715 A.2d 468, 472
n.6 (Pa. Super. 1998) (holding that statements by counsel in briefs are not
of record).
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sentence of imprisonment even though sentence had been fully served and
parole had expired; explaining “the fact that [the court] had previously been
determined that [appellant] was a poor probation risk would most certainly
appear in a presentence report and would be given consideration in imposing
sentence for a new offense).
The record reflects that on November 5, 2008, Warriner pleaded guilty
to violating 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(b) (Driving under the Influence (DUI) – High
Rate of Alcohol), and was sentenced to a term of one to two years’
imprisonment, followed by three years’ probation. On October 15, 2010,
following a hearing at which Warriner stipulated to violation of his probation
with respect to his DUI conviction, the trial court revoked probation and
sentenced him to time served to 23 months in the county prison, to be
followed by one year of probation. At a probation violation hearing on April
4, 2011, Warriner stipulated to being in violation of his county parole and
probation, and the trial court revoked his county parole, recommitted him to
county prison to serve his parole backtime, made him eligible for re-parole
after serving five months, and re-imposed another consecutive one year
term of county probation.
On June 13, 2013, Warriner was again charged with violating the
terms and conditions of his probation at two docket numbers, CR-0272-2011
and CR-2572-2008 (his DUI conviction). The notice of violations was read
into the record by Warriner’s supervising probation officer, Jenna Kauffman:
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The first violation is that [Warriner] failed to conduct himself in a
manner that would not create a danger to the community or
himself. To wit: On June 11, 2013 he admitted to myself that
he slapped his live-in girlfriend, which resulted in her having a
black eye.
Number 2, he failed to request non-narcotic and non-addictive
medication to be prescribed and he failed to notify officer prior to
consumption of the prescribed and/or over-the-counter
medication. To wit: On or about June 13, 2013, he admitted he
had been prescribed Percocet from two different hospitals and
had consumed them.
Number 3, he failed to abstain from the unlawful possession, use
or sale of narcotics or dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.
To wit: On or about July 19, 2012, October 9, 2012 and April
12, 2012, he submitted urine samples which tested positive for
the presence of opiates.
Four, failed to enter, cooperate or participate and/or complete an
evaluation test and/or treatment as directed. To wit: He failed
to enter and complete intensive outpatient treatment as
recommended by the probation and parole intervention (PPI)
evaluation.
Five, failed to report to the Montgomery County Adult Probation
and Parole Department as directed on or about June 11, 2013.
Six, failed to pay fines, costs and restitution as directed.
N.T., 1/23/2014/, at 11–12; Commonwealth Exhibit C-2.
On January 23, 2014, Warriner appeared by video conference for a
contested violation of probation (VOP) hearing. At the hearing, Kauffman
testified that Warriner had been advised by other probation officers of the
rules and regulations of his probation, and she had reviewed the same rules
and regulations with him during supervision. Kauffman then read into the
record the notice of violations as set forth above. In addition, through
Kauffman’s testimony, the Commonwealth introduced, inter alia, the
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following documents: (1) Warriner’s July 19, 2012, signed admission,
following urine testing, to using morphine; (2) Warriner’s October 9, 2012,
signed admission, following urine testing, to using Percocet; and (3) a
laboratory report of a urine sample taken from Warriner, dated April 12,
2012, that reflected a positive result for the presence of opiates.2 Kauffman
also identified two additional documents as statements from the
Montgomery County Clerk of Courts, showing the amounts due on fines and
costs for the docket numbers at issue in the VOP hearing, including this
case, and these documents were admitted by the trial court.3 Kauffman
further testified that Warriner did not ask permission to use a prescription
pill, as required under the rules and regulations of his probation.
Warriner chose to testify in his own behalf. He admitted that the
drugs for which he had tested positive had been obtained “on the street
because my probation officer does not want me to take narcotics even with a
doctor’s note.” N.T., 1/23/2014, at 21–22. Warriner testified he had a
physical condition for which he took the medication, specifically, that he was
“an ice hockey player [and] I blew out both of my knees, left and right,
when I was 17 and 18.” Id. at 22. Warriner also admitted that he received
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2
See N.T., 1/23/2014, at 12–13; see also Commonwealth Exhibit C-3, C-4,
and C-5, respectively.
3
See N.T., supra, at 14–15; see also Commonwealth Exhibit C-6 and C-7.
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Percocet when he went to the hospital for treatment of a “recently blown out
[] right meniscus,”4 and that he took that medication. See id. at 22–23. He
also acknowledged that he “blew hot urines” because “when I’m in a lot of
pain I drug. I have no other option.” On cross examination, Warriner
admitted he never received permission from his probation officers to use the
prescription medications.
The trial court, after hearing the arguments of counsel, found Warriner
in violation of probation and revoked probation at both docket numbers.
The court then permitted Warriner to exercise his right of allocution.
Following Warriner’s statement to the court, the court ordered Warriner to
pay fifty percent of his fines and costs at both docket numbers, and
exonerated the remaining fifty percent. The court then sentenced Warriner
as stated above, explaining that that his violations were “serious enough to
revoke probation[.]” Id. at 34.
On February 4, 2014, Warriner filed a pro se notice of appeal.5
Appellate counsel then entered his appearance on behalf of Warriner on
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4
N.T., supra, at 22.
5
As discussed, the VOP hearing involved two criminal docket numbers, CR-
0272-2011, and CR-2572-2008. After finding Warriner in violation of
probation, the court revoked probation at both docket numbers. At CR-
0272-2011, the court imposed two years’ probation, consecutive to the
sentence of time served to 12 month’s county imprisonment imposed at CR-
2572-2008. See N.T., supra, at 40–41. This appeal only involves CR-2572-
2008.
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February 25, 2014. In addition, on February 25, 2014, in response to the
trial court’s order to file a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement of errors complained
of on appeal, counsel advised the court he would be filing an Anders brief.
See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(c)(4).
When presented with an Anders brief, this Court may not review the
merits of the underlying issues without first passing on the request to
withdraw. Commonwealth v. Goodwin, 928 A.2d 287, 290 (Pa. Super.
2007) (en banc).
Prior to withdrawing as counsel on a direct appeal under
Anders, counsel must file a brief that meets the requirements
established by our Supreme Court in Commonwealth v.
Santiago, 602 Pa. 159, 978 A.2d 349, 361 (Pa. 2009). The brief
must:
(1) provide a summary of the procedural history
and facts, with citations to the record;
(2) refer to anything in the record that counsel
believes arguably supports the appeal;
(3) set forth counsel’s conclusion that the appeal
is frivolous; and
(4) state counsel’s reasons for concluding that
the appeal is frivolous. Counsel should
articulate the relevant facts of record,
controlling case law, and/or statutes on point
that have led to the conclusion that the
appeal is frivolous.
Santiago, 978 A.2d at 361. Counsel also must provide a copy of
the Anders brief to the appellant. Attending the brief must be a
letter that advises the appellant of his or her right to “(1) retain
new counsel to pursue the appeal; (2) proceed pro se on appeal;
or (3) raise any points that the appellant deems worthy of the
court’s attention in addition to the points raised by counsel in the
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Anders brief.” Commonwealth v. Nischan, 2007 Pa. Super.
199, 928 A.2d 349, 353 (Pa. Super. 2007); see
Commonwealth v. Daniels, 2010 Pa. Super. 112, 999 A.2d 590,
594 (Pa. Super. 2010); Commonwealth v. Millisock, 2005 PA
Super 147, 873 A.2d 748, 751-52 (Pa. Super. 2005).
Commonwealth v. Harden, 103 A.3d 107, 110 (Pa. Super. 2014).
Here, our review of the record reveals counsel has complied with the
requirements for withdrawal. Specifically, counsel filed a petition for leave
to withdraw, in which he states his belief that the appeal is frivolous, filed
an Anders brief pursuant to the dictates of Commonwealth v. Santiago,
978 A.2d 349, 361 (Pa. 2009), and has provided a copy of the letter he
mailed to Warriner, advising him of his right to retain new counsel or
proceed pro se. The letter to Warriner also reflects counsel’s enclosure of a
copy of the Anders brief.6 Moreover, our review of the record reveals no
additional correspondence from Warriner. Accordingly, we will proceed to
examine the record and make an independent determination of whether the
appeal is wholly frivolous.
In an appeal from a probation revocation sentence, our review is
limited to a consideration of the validity of the revocation proceedings, and
the legality and discretionary aspects of the sentence imposed following
revocation. Commonwealth v. Cartrette, 83 A.3d 1030, 1033-1034 (Pa.
Super. 2013) (en banc). The issue identified in the Anders brief is a
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6
See Letter to Warriner from Timothy Wile, Esquire, 6/4/2014, attached as
Exhibit A to the Petition for Leave to Withdraw as Counsel, filed 6/5/2014.
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challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the revocation of
Warriner’s probation.
“A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is a question of
law subject to plenary review. We must determine whether the
evidence admitted at trial and all reasonable inferences drawn
therefrom, when viewed in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth as the verdict winner, is sufficient to support all
elements of the offenses. A reviewing court may not weigh the
evidence or substitute its judgment for that of the trial court.”
Commonwealth v. Perreault, 2007 Pa. Super. 214, 930 A.2d
553, 558 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations and internal quotations
omitted).
“Revocation of a probation sentence is a matter committed to
the sound discretion of the trial court and that court's decision
will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of an error of law
or an abuse of discretion.” Id. “When assessing whether to
revoke probation, the trial court must balance the interests of
society in preventing future criminal conduct by the defendant
against the possibility of rehabilitating the defendant outside of
prison. In order to uphold a revocation of probation, the
Commonwealth must show by a preponderance of the evidence
that a defendant violated his probation.” Commonwealth v.
Allshouse, 2011 Pa. Super. 192, 33 A.3d 31, 37 (Pa. Super.
2011) (quotation marks and citations omitted). “[T]he reason for
revocation of probation need not necessarily be the commission
of or conviction for subsequent criminal conduct. Rather, this
Court has repeatedly acknowledged the very broad standard that
sentencing courts must use in determining whether probation
has been violated[.]” Commonwealth v. Ortega, 2010 PA
Super 87, 995 A.2d 879, 886 (Pa. Super. 2010) (citations and
internal quotations omitted). “A probation violation is established
whenever it is shown that the conduct of the probationer
indicates the probation has proven to have been an ineffective
vehicle to accomplish rehabilitation and not sufficient to deter
against future antisocial conduct.” Id.
Commonwealth v. Colon, 102 A.3d 1033, 1041 (Pa. Super. 2014).
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Here, Warriner’s probation officer, Kauffman, in reading the notice of
violations into the record, stated that Warriner had admitted to her that he
slapped his live-in girlfriend, resulting in his girlfriend suffering a black eye.
Furthermore, Kauffman testified regarding Warriner’s admission to her that
he had been prescribed Percocet and had consumed the medication. In
addition, Kauffman confirmed that Warriner had signed separate
admissions, dated July 19, 2012, and October 9, 2012, of his use of opiates,
following urine testing. Finally, Kauffman stated that Warriner never
requested or was given permission to use the medication that he consumed,
and Warriner conceded this fact on cross examination.
In this Commonwealth, a probationer’s admissions to his probation
officer that he violated the terms of his probation constitutes sufficient
evidence upon which to base a finding that the probationer in fact violated
the terms of his probation. See Commonwealth v. Perreault, 930 A.2d
553, 558–559 (Pa. Super. 2007) (finding defendant’s own out-of-court
admissions, which were clearly admissible at the hearing, proved by a
preponderance of the evidence that he violated the terms of his probation),
appeal denied, 945 A.2d 169 (Pa. 2008). On this record, we conclude there
was sufficient evidence concerning the first three alleged violations for the
trial court to find that Warriner had violated probation, and that “the
conduct of [Warriner] indicates that probation has not been effective to
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accomplish rehabilitation, nor a sufficient deterrent against future antisocial
conduct.”7, 8 See Commonwealth v. Simmons, 56 A.3d 1280 (Pa. Super.
2012) (finding sufficient evidence to support the revocation of defendant’s
probation where his threats constituted assaultive behavior), affirmed, 91
A.3d 102 (Pa. 2014), cert. denied, 135 S. Ct. 366 (U.S. 2014);
Commonwealth v. Carver, 923 A.2d 495, 498 (Pa. Super. 2007)
(acknowledging “technical violations can support revocation and a sentence
of incarceration when such violations are flagrant and indicate an inability to
reform”).
Accordingly, because we agree with counsel’s assessment that
Warriner’s appeal is wholly frivolous, we affirm the judgment of sentence
and grant counsel’s petition to withdraw.
Judgment of sentence affirmed. Petition to withdraw granted.
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7
N.T., 1/23/2014, at 34.
8
Counsel, in the Anders brief, posits that the final three violations alleged
in the notice of violations were not supported by sufficient evidence.
However, since we have determined that the evidence of record concerning
the first three violations provided a sufficient basis for the trial judge to
revoke Warriner’s probation and to conclude that probation was no longer a
viable rehabilitative tool, we need not address the remaining alleged
violations.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 3/10/2015
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