State Of Washington, Responent v. Stacy Dockins ( 2014 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 69922-9-
Respondent,
v.
STACY DOCKINS, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant. FILED: April 21, 2014
Verellen, J. — An offender is not entitled to credit against his sentence for time
he voluntarily spent in an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program prior to his
conviction and sentencing. The trial court properly declined to award Stacy Dockins
credit against his sentence for time he voluntarily spent in chemical dependency
treatment. We affirm.
FACTS
Dockins pleaded guilty to two counts of felony driving under the influence (DUI)
and one count of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. While in custody in the
King County Jail, Dockins petitioned the superior court for release in order to participate
in a month-long inpatient chemical dependency treatment program. The court released
Dockins from jail to allow him to enter treatment. As a condition of release, Dockins
was required to comply with the treatment program.
No. 69922-9-1/2
The trial court subsequently granted Dockins' requests for extensions of his
temporary release to allow him to participate in "long-term" treatment at the program for
approximately six months. During long-term treatment, Dockins was permitted to leave
the treatment facility three times per week and was required to work or volunteer. After
Dockins completed treatment, he was ordered by the court to participate in King
County's Community Center for Alternative Programs-Enhanced (CCAP-Enhanced).
Dockins and the State eventually entered a plea agreement. The State agreed to
request an exceptional sentence below the standard range and agreed not to file an
additional uncharged felony DUI charge.
At sentencing, Dockins requested credit for the time he served in the King
County jail, in CCAP, and in the chemical dependency treatment. The State opposed
Dockins' request for credit for his time in treatment, arguing that it was not part of the
plea agreement and that Dockins already benefited from the State's agreement to seek
an exceptional sentence below the standard range because of his completion of
treatment.
The trial court imposed the agreed exceptional sentence below the standard
range and credited Dockins for the time he spent in jail and in CCAP-Enhanced. The
court denied Dockins' request for credit for time spent in treatment, explaining that the
treatment was voluntary and not court-ordered: "This was your decision you made to go
to treatment. It's something that's going to benefit you. And you were not under direct
No. 69922-9-1/3
Court supervision at that time, even though they were monitoring you and reporting to
the Court."1
Dockins appeals.
ANALYSIS
Dockins contends he was entitled to credit for the time he voluntarily served in
chemical dependency treatment prior to his conviction and sentencing. We disagree.
Whether to award credit for time served is a question of law subject to de novo
review.2 A court's ultimate goal in reviewing a statute is to identify and give effect to the
legislature's intent.3 Intent is determined by first looking at the language of the statute.4
The trial court was required to grant credit for all confinement time served prior to
sentencing.5 But the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 (SRA) definition of "confinement"
does not apply to time served in voluntary chemical dependency treatment.
"Confinement" is defined as "total or partial confinement."6 "Total confinement" means
"confinement inside the physical boundaries of a facility or institution operated or utilized
under contract by the state or any other unit of government for twenty-four hours a
day."7 "Partial confinement" is defined as
confinement for no more than one year in a facility or institution operated
or utilized under contract by the state or any other unit of government, or,
if home detention or work crew has been ordered by the court, in an
1 Report of Proceedings (Jan. 11, 2013) at 17-18.
2 State v. Swiqer, 159 Wn.2d 224, 227, 149 P.3d 372 (2006).
3 State v. Jacobs, 154 Wn.2d 596, 600, 115 P .3d 281 (2005).
4 State v. Van Woerden. 93 Wn. App. 110, 116, 967 P.2d 14 (1998).
5 RCW 9.94A.505(6).
6 RCW 9.94A.030(8).
7RCW9.94A.030(51).
No. 69922-9-1/4
approved residence, for a substantial portion of each day with the balance
of the day spent in the community. Partial confinement includes work
release, home detention, work crew, and a combination of work crew and
home detention.[8]
Although "confinement" is defined to include work release, home detention, and
work crew, chemical dependency treatment is not among the alternatives included
within the definition. The SRA does not expressly grant trial courts authority to credit
chemical dependency treatment against confinementtime.9 Dockins presents no
compelling argument or authority to support the proposition that the legislature intended
to include voluntary treatment programs in the statutory definition of "confinement."
Inherent in the concept of confinement is that it is court-imposed, not voluntary.
Dockins was not compelled or ordered by the court to enter treatment. Although a trial
court must credit an offender for time in inpatient treatment where participation in the
program was a condition imposed on suspension of a sentence,10 this rule is
inapplicable in light of Dockins' voluntary participation in treatment prior to conviction or
sentencing.11 Dockins opted to enter treatment and benefited from the arrangement by
negotiating with the State for an exceptional sentence below the standard range due to
his success in treatment.
8 RCW 9.94A.030(35).
9 State v. Hale, 94 Wn. App. 46, 55, 971 P.2d 88 (1999) (holding "the SRA does
not grant trial courts authority to credit drug treatment against confinement time or
community service").
10 In the Matter of Chatman, 59 Wn. App. 258, 263, 796 P.2d 755 (1990).
11 Additionally, it is not disputed that the treatment facility Dockins attended does
not meet the RCW 9.94A.030(35) criterion of being "a facility or institution operated or
utilized under contract by the state or any other unit of government." Dockins' trial
counsel acknowledged it was not.
No. 69922-9-1/5
We affirm the trial court's determination that Dockins' voluntary participation in
the chemical dependency treatment program was not total or partial confinement.
Accordingly, Dockins is not entitled to credit for the time he spent there.
)Ji AcS
WE CONCUR:
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