State of Washington v. Jonathan Kuhlman ( 2016 )


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  •                                                                                 FILED
    JANUARY 21, 2016
    In the Office of the Clerk of Court
    WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
    DIVISION THREE
    STATE OF WASHINGTON,                           )
    )          No. 32696-9-111
    Respondent,             )
    )
    v.                                      )
    )
    JONATHAN EDWARD KUHLMAN,                       )         UNPUBLISHED OPINION
    )
    Appellant.              )
    FEARING, J. -    A jury convicted Jonathan Kuhlman of rape in the second degree,
    two counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor with sexual motivation,
    and communication with a minor for immoral purposes. On appeal, Kuhlman challenges
    the length of his sentence. In particular, he objects to the trial court's use of sexual
    motivation sentence enhancements to increase the length of his sentence. We reject
    Kuhlman's contentions. We also affirm the trial court's imposition of legal financial
    obligations.
    FACTS
    Charges against Jonathan Kuhlman arise from his unnerving contact with two
    No. 32696·9·111
    State v. Kuhlman
    underage girls in Benton City. In October 2012, Kuhlman, then age forty, began
    communications on Facebook with Amelia, then age fourteen. Amelia is a fictitious
    name. Amelia was a freshman at Kiona-Benton High School in Benton City. Amelia
    told Kuhlman that she was sixteen.
    In his messages, Jonathan Kuhlman encouraged Amelia to skip school and smoke
    marijuana with him. On October 22, 2012, Kuhlman arranged to meet Amelia before
    school and smoke marijuana. Kuhlman retrieved Amelia as she walked toward high
    school. As Kuhlman drove Amelia toward an orchard, he loaded a pipe with marijuana,
    handed the pipe to Amelia, and told her "to take a hit." 1 Report of Proceeding (RP) at
    185. The two smoked marijuana from the pipe during the short trip to the orchard.
    During the drive, Amelia informed Kuhlman that she was fourteen years old.
    As the two parked in the orchard, Jonathan Kuhlman lowered his pants to his
    knees, grabbed the back of Amelia's head, and plunged her head toward his penis.
    Amelia pulled her head back. Kuhlman then placed his hands inside Amelia's shirt.
    Amelia removed Kuhlman's hand and insisted that he cease touching her. Kuhlman next
    deposited his hand in Amelia's shorts. He massaged Amelia's pubic region and inserted
    his fingers inside her vagina. Amelia again insisted that Kuhlman stop and declared her
    intention to leave. She shoved Kuhlman and ran toward school. As she fled, Kuhlman
    yelled to Amelia to keep silent about his conduct.
    2
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    In July 2013, Jonathan Kuhlman met Bertha, then age fifteen. Bertha is an
    invented name. Bertha was then between her freshman and sophomore years of high
    school at Kiona-Benton High School in Benton City. Kuhlman gave Bertha a ride home
    and inserted his phone number into her phone. On July 19,2013, Bertha sent Kuhlman
    text messages from a friend's phone. Kuhlman and Bertha added each other to their
    respective Facebook pages.
    As the texting continued, Bertha told Jonathan Kuhlman that she was sixteen years
    of age. Kuhlman asked Bertha when she last engaged in sex and whether she considered
    a "blow job" sex. 1 RP at 121. Kuhlman opined that Bertha was bisexual and described
    bisexuality as "hot." 1 RP at 121. When Bertha responded that she last engaged in sex
    on June 28, Kuhlman replied: "sounds like too long. You don't have a steady booty
    call." 1 RP at 121. The textative Kuhlman added: "[m]ust not been any good, huh?"
    followed by "[w jell, if it's been a month, shit I got to have it four or five times a week."
    1 RP at 122. Bertha texted: "So I take it you're good." 1 RP at 123. Kuhlman responded
    "Yeah" and "Well, one way to find out." 1 RP at 123.
    Bertha and Jonathan Kuhlman arranged by Facebook to meet. Kuhlman retrieved
    Bertha from summer school and drove her to an orchard. Kuhlman yanked down his
    pants and asked her for oral sex. Bertha complied and then engaged in vaginal sex with
    Kuhlman. At the end of the encounter, Kuhlman handed Bertha a bag of marijuana and
    3
    No. 32696-9-111
    State v. Kuhlman
    returned her to school.
    PROCEDURE
    In its second amended information, the State of Washington charged Jonathan
    Kuhlman with five crimes: (1) one count of rape in the second degree of Amelia, (2) in
    the alternative to count one, rape of a child in the third degree of Amelia, (3) distribution
    of a controlled substance to a person under the age of eighteen with sexual motivation
    with regard to Amelia, (4) distribution of a controlled substance to a person under the age
    of eighteen with sexual motivation with regard to Bertha, and (5) one count of
    communication with a minor for immoral purposes with regard to Bertha.
    The jury found Jonathan Kuhlman guilty of rape in the second degree, which
    verdict mooted the third degree rape charge. The jury also found Kuhlman guilty on the
    three remaining charges, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a person
    under the age of eighteen with sexual motivation and one count of communication with a
    minor for immoral purposes.
    The State of Tennessee previously convicted Jonathan Kuhlman of five crimes.
    Washington State earlier convicted Kuhlman of three crimes. At sentencing, the State
    argued that Jonathan Kuhlman had an offender score of fourteen for the second degree
    rape conviction with a standard range of 21 0-280 months. The State contended that
    Kuhlman sustained a score of eleven for each conviction for distribution of a controlled
    4
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    substance to a person under the age of eighteen, with a standard range of 100 to 120
    months each. Finally, the State maintained that Kuhlman merited an offender score of
    fourteen for the communication with a minor conviction, with a standard range of 51 to
    60 months.
    The State also contended that Jonathan Kuhlman's convictions for distribution of a
    controlled substance to a minor constituted sex offenses due to the sexual motivation
    enhancement. The State therefore sought to impose sexual motivation enhancements of
    eighteen months' additional confinement for each conviction, or thirty-six months total.
    In the end, the State argued that the statutory minimum amount of time that Kuhlman
    must serve in this case is 246 months, 210 months for count I, plus 36 months for the
    sexual motivation enhancements.
    Jonathan Kuhlman objected to the State's calculation of his offender score. He
    argued that the court should not increase the number of points for the distribution
    charges, nor add thirty-six months for the same sentence enhancement. Kuhlman argued
    "that's essentially a double whammy." Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Aug. 5,
    2014) 15.
    Because Jonathan Kuhlman challenges his legal financial obligations, we also
    review the facts and procedure relating to the imposition of the obligations. Prior to the
    sentencing decision, the trial court reviewed a presentence investigation report and
    5
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    Kuhlman's criminal history. The presentence investigation report found:
    [w]ith his record of self-employment, it does not appear Mr.
    Kuhlman will have any barriers to obtaining future employment beyond his
    registration requirements and conditions ofsupervision. . . . He listed his
    current wage or salary of $80,000 a year from his lawn care business. And
    ... he runs a marijuana depositorylbusiness for profit.
    Clerk's Papgers (CP) at 98. The presentence investigation report also stated that
    Kuhlman supports himself, his girlfriend, her two children, and their child in
    common. The report disclosed that Kuhlman stated, during an interview, that he is
    not subject to any child support order for a daughter, but, according to a personal
    information questionnaire, an order demands he pay child support for his daughter
    in the amount of $179 a month. He claims he actually pays a higher amount of
    $350 monthly. Kuhlman denied receiving public assistance, disability payments,
    financial assistance from family, unemployment,   o~   any other income.
    The presentence report did not list any monetary obligations of Jonathan
    Kuhlman. The report declared that Kuhlman posted $30,000 bail, but the report
    did not divulge whether Kuhlman paid $30,000 in cash or obtained a bail bond.
    Throughout the criminal proceedings in superior court, Kuhlman retained private
    counsel.
    The trial court calculated Jonathan Kuhlman's offender score as nine plus and
    sentenced Kuhlman to a minimum of246 months' confinement as requested by the State.
    6
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    The sentence represented the minimum sentence of 210 months for the crime with
    longest penalty, rape in the second degree, plus an additional thirty-six months for the
    sexual motivation enhancements attended to the two crimes of distribution of a controlled
    substance.
    The trial court also imposed $1,956 in legal financial obligations, $1,156 of which
    were discretionary costs. The trial court did not check the box for the boilerplate finding
    that Kuhlman had the ability or likely future ability to pay his financial obligations. The
    trial court made no inquiry about Kuhlman's financial situation during sentencing.
    Kuhlman did not object to the trial court's imposition of legal financial obligations.
    LAW AND ANALYSIS
    Jonathan Kuhlman challenges the length of his sentence and the trial court's
    imposition of legal financial obligations. We affirm the length of the sentence and
    decline to address Kuhlman's challenge to the financial obligations.
    Sexual Motivation Enhancement
    Before addressing the major issue on appeal, we address the question of Jonathan
    Kuhlman's offender score. Kuhlman may complain that the trial court imposed an
    offender score of fourteen, instead of eleven, on the rape and communication with a
    minor for immoral purposes convictions. The trial court may have done so by counting
    7
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    convictions for the distribution of controlled substances to a minor as three points
    because the charges were considered sexual crimes upon the jury's findings of sexual
    motivation. The State contends that the offender score is irrelevant since Kuhlman
    reached the maximum score of nine plus no matter whether the court imposes the three
    points.
    We agree with the State's position that the dispute as to the offender score does
    not impact Jonathan Kuhlman's sentencing because his offender score is nine plus
    regardless. Therefore, we do not resolve the dispute. Principles ofjudicial restraint
    dictate that if resolution of another issue effectively disposes of a case, we should resolve
    the case on that basis without reaching the first issue presented. Wash. State Farm
    Bureau Fed'n v. Gregoire, 162 Wn.2d 284,307, 
    174 P.3d 1142
    (2007); Hayden v. Mut.
    ofEnumclaw Ins. Co., 141 Wn.2d 55,68, 
    1 P.3d 1167
    (2000).
    Although Jonathan Kuhlman advocates for a reduction in his offender score, we
    recharacterize his request as one to exclude the sexual motivation enhancements from
    lengthening his conviction for second degree rape. Kuhlman wishes to reduce his
    sentence from 246 months to 210 months by claiming the sexual motivation
    enhancements may not be added to a conviction for the sexual offense of rape. We
    disagree. We hold that the trial court must impose the enhancements to Kuhlman's
    conviction for rape because, by statute, the enhancements must be applied to all
    8
    No. 32696-9-111
    State v. Kuhlman
    convictions in the same prosecution.
    The trial court bases a sentence imposed on a criminal defendant by the crime of
    conviction and an offender score established by applying RCW 9.94A.525, a section of
    the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981, ch. 9.94A RCW. The Washington Legislature has
    enacted numerous sentencing mandates, factors, and enhancements that increase the
    punishment meted on a convicted defendant after the trial court calculates a minimum
    sentence based on the offender score. One such enhancement is for sexual motivation
    when committing a crime. To that end, RCW 9.94A.535 reads:
    The court may impose a sentence outside the standard sentence
    range for an offense if it finds, considering the purpose of this chapter, that
    there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional
    sentence.
    (3) Aggravating Circumstances-Considered by a Jury-Imposed
    by the Court
    Except for circumstances listed in subsection (2) of this section, the
    following circumstances are an exclusive list of factors that can support a
    sentence above the standard range.
    (t) The current offense included a finding of sexual motivation
    pursuant to RCW 9.94A.835.
    (Emphasis added.) RCW 9.94A.030 defines "sexual motivation" as:
    (47) "Sexual motivation" means that one of the purposes for which
    the defendant committed the crime was for the purpose of his or her sexual
    gratification.
    Not all crimes qualify for the sexual motivation enhancement. Under RCW
    9
    No. 32696-9-111
    State v. Kuhlman
    9.94A.535(3)(t), we determine if a crime meets eligibility for the enhancement by the
    language ofRCW 9.94A.835. The latter statute declares:
    (I) The prosecuting attorney shall file a special allegation of sexual
    motivation in every criminal case, felony, gross misdemeanor, or
    misdemeanor, other than sex offenses as defined in RCW 9. 94A. 030 when
    sufficient admissible evidence exists, which, when considered with the
    most plausible, reasonably foreseeable defense that could be raised under
    the evidence, would justifY a finding of sexual motivation by a reasonable
    and objective fact finder.
    (2) In a criminal case wherein there has been a special allegation the
    state shall prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the
    crime with a sexual motivation. The court shall make a finding of fact of
    whether or not a sexual motivation was present at the time of the
    commission of the crime, or if a jury trial is had, the jury shall, if it finds
    the defendant guilty, also find a special verdict as to whether or not the
    defendant committed the crime with a sexual motivation. This finding shall
    not be applied to sex offinses as defined in RCW 9. 94A. 03 O.
    (Emphasis added.)
    Note that RCW 9.94A.835 exempts from the sexual motivation sentence
    enhancement a "sex offense." This exemption makes sense because the crime is already
    identified as being motivated, at least in part, by sexual desire. Sexual motivation is
    already factored into the sex offense's sentence. If the enhancement applied, a
    defendant's sentence would be impacted twice by his sexual intent, and the defendant
    would suffer what Jonathan Kuhlman labels a "double whammy."
    We look to RCW 9.94A.030 for a definition, under the Sentencing Reform Act, of
    a "sex offense."
    10
    No. 32696-9-II1
    State v. Kuhlman
    (46) "Sex offense" means:
    (a)(i) Aftlony that is a violation ofchapter 9A.44 RCW [rape, child
    molestation, indecent liberties, voyeurism] other than RCW 9A,44.132
    [failing to register as sex offender];
    (ii) A violation ofRCW 9A.64.020 [incest];
    (iii) A felony that is a violation of chapter 9.68A RCW [sexual
    exploitation of children, communication with a minor] other than RCW
    9.68A.080;
    (iv) A felony that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW [anticipatory
    offenses], a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy
    to commit such crimes; or
    (v) A felony violation ofRCW 9A,44.l32(l) (failure to register [as a
    sex offender]) if the person has been convicted of violating RCW
    9A,44.132(l) (failure to register [as a sex offender]) [or 9A,44.130 prior to
    June 10, 2010,] on at least one prior occasion;
    (b) Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to
    July 1, 1976, that is comparable to a felony classified as a sex offense in (a)
    of this subsection;
    (c) A felony with a finding ofsexual motivation under RCW
    9. 94A.S35 or 13,40.135; or
    (d) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under
    the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a sex offense under (a)
    of this subsection.
    (Emphasis added.) Rape should be considered more a crime of misogynistic violence and
    brutal control than of sex, but RCW 9.94A.030 reads to the contrary. A legal quandary
    arises from RCW 9.94A.030(46)(c) because the subsection encompasses in the definition
    of a "sex offense" a nons ex offense with a finding of sexual motivation and RCW
    9.94A.835 exempts from the sexual motivation enhancement "sex offenses." We return
    to this statutory dilemma later.
    RCW 9.94A.533 lists the additional months for sentence enhancements based on
    11
    No. 32696-9-111
    State v. Kuhlman
    various aggravating circumstances, including crimes with sexual motivation. The statute
    declares that eighteen months shall be added for a finding of sexual motivation. More
    importantly, the statute demands the trial court to add the enhancement to a sexual crime,
    for which the court convicts the defendant of another crime that merits the sexual
    motivation enhancement. RCW 9.94A.533 reads, in relevant part:
    (1) The provisions of this section apply to the standard sentence
    ranges determined by RCW 9.94A.510 or 9.94A.517.
    (8)(a) The following additional times shall be added to the standard
    sentence range for felony crimes committed on or after July 1, 2006, if the
    offense was committed with sexual motivation, as that term is defined in
    RCW 9.94A.030. If the offender is being sentencedfor more than one
    offense, the sexual motivation enhancement must be added to the total
    period oftotal confinement for all offenses, regardless ofwhich underlying
    offense is subject to a sexual motivation enhancement. ...
    (ii) Eighteen months for any felony defined under any law as a class
    B felony or with a statutory maximum sentence of ten years, or both;
    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision oflaw, all sexual
    motivation enhancements under this subsection are mandatory, shall be
    served in total confinement, and shall run consecutively to all other
    sentencing provisions, including other sexual motivation enhancements, for
    all offenses sentenced under this chapter . ...
    (c) The sexual motivation enhancements in this subsection apply to
    all felony crimes;
    (Emphasis added.) The State convicted Jonathan Kuhlman with two crimes carrying a
    sexual motivation enhancement rendering a total enhancement of thirty-six months.
    Two of Jonathan Kuhlman's crimes fall within RCW 9.94A.030's categories of
    12
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    sex crimes, rape in the second degree and communication with a minor for an immoral
    purpose. Our trial court added the sexual motivation sentence enhancements to the
    sentence for second degree rape, nonetheless. Under Jonathan Kuhlman's circumstances,
    one could conclude that the trial court in effect unlawfully imposed the sexual motivation
    enhancements on a sex crime, rape. Nevertheless, under RCW 9.94A.533(S)(a), if the
    offender is sentenced for more than one offense, the sexual motivation enhancement must
    be added to the period of total confinement for all offenses, regardless of which
    underlying offense is subject to a sexual motivation enhancement. The statute's plain
    language directs such an application. We also note that, at sentencing, the defendant is
    not simply sentenced disjointedly for discrete convictions, but sentenced in the aggregate
    for all convictions. In this light, the trial court did not impose the sexual motivation
    enhancements on Jonathan Kuhlman for a sex crime, but because of his other convictions
    for nonsex crimes that entailed sexual motivation.
    We now return to our legislative conundrum. Jonathan Kuhlman argues that the
    trial court could not have added the sexual motivation sentence enhancement because of
    an ambiguity in RCW 9.94A.S35. To repeat, under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(f), we determine
    if a crime qualifies for the enhancement by the language ofRCW 9.94A.S35. The latter
    statute declares that a finding of sexual motivation "shall not be applied to sex offenses as
    defined in RCW 9.94A.030." In tum, RCW 9.94A.030(46)(c) includes within "sex
    13
    No. 32696-9-111
    State v. Kuhlman
    offenses" "[a] felony with a finding of sexual motivation under RCW 9.94A.835." Thus,
    according to Kuhlman, a nonsex crime with a sexual motivation enhancement transforms
    into a sex crime, for which a sexual motivation enhancement may not be imposed. He
    requests that we strike the sexual motivation enhancements.
    The State of Washington contends that an offense is not one with a finding of
    sexual motivation until after the finding is made such that a charge with a request for
    such a finding is not a sex crime at the charging stage. We do not address this argument
    because the appeal can be resolved on other grounds.
    We recognize with Jonathan Kuhlman the inherent inconsistency resulting from a
    juxtaposition ofRCW 9.94A.835 with RCW 9.94A.030(46)(c). We find this
    inconsistency more of a circular or nonsensical anomaly or a legislative drafting error
    than an ambiguity. Under the latter statute, one cannot receive a sexual motivation
    sentence enhancement if found guilty of a sexual offense. The former statute defines a
    sexual offense as including a felony in which the trier of fact finds a sexual motivation.
    If one reads the language of both statutes literally, there can never be a sexual motivation
    sentence enhancement, at least with felonies. Yet, the legislature particularly would wish
    the enhancement to apply to felonies.
    Jonathan Kuhlman argues that RCW 9.94A.835, when read in light ofRCW
    9.94A.030(46)(c), is ambiguous, and he asks us to apply the rule oflenity. Kuhlman cites
    14
    No. 32696-9-111
    State v. Kuhlman
    State v. Hennings, 
    129 Wash. 2d 512
    , 522, 
    919 P.2d 580
    (1996), which reads:
    This oversight renders the section inconsistent with its own terms.
    As a result, the law is ambiguous and judicial interpretation is appropriate.
    In State v. Hennings, the high court addressed legislation that allowed the imposition of
    restitution under two separate statutes, RCW 9.94A.l40 and RCW 9.94A.l42, up to one
    hundred and eighty days after sentencing. The act further provided that its terms were
    retroactive, but the retroactive provision referenced restitution only under RCW
    9.94A.140. Restitution against both defendants on appeal was awardable only under
    RCW 9.94A.142. Our high court decided to insert the second restitution statute under the
    coverage of the retroactive section of the law so that the State's application for restitution
    was timely. The court considered the legislation to include an inadvertent omission. The
    court made no reference to the rule of lenity. The court holding harmed the defendants.
    Thus, Hennings does not support Jonathan Kuhlman's contention.
    The State solves the inconsistency between the two statutes by arguing that RCW
    9.94A.835 applies only to the prosecutor adding a charge of sexual motivation to another
    crime, whereas, RCW 9.94A.030 applies to findings of sexual motivation. In response,
    Jonathan Kuhlman argues that as soon as a sexual motivation allegation is made on a
    felony, it becomes a sex offense, but that the statute specifically disallows the State to
    add a sexual motivation allegation to a sex offense. We believe Kuhlman's reading of the
    15
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    statutes to be the better reading. Nevertheless, we decline to accept Kuhlman's reading
    for other reasons.
    Jonathan Kuhlman's interpretation of the two statutes would result in no sexual
    motivation enhancements, at least in felonies where one would expect the enhancements
    the most. Kuhlman's construction would render sexual motivation enhancements
    nugatory and would void the provisions ofRCW 9.94A.533 and RCW 9.94A.535.
    Statutes must be interpreted and construed so that all the language used is given effect,
    with no portion rendered meaningless or superfluous. Citizens Alliance for Prop. Rights
    Legal Fundv. San Juan County, 184 Wn.2d 428,440,359 P.3d 753 (2015); G-P Gypsum
    Corp. v. Dep 't ofRevenue, 
    169 Wash. 2d 304
    , 309, 
    237 P.3d 256
    (2010). The rule oflenity
    will be applied only if the defendant's proffered alternative interpretation is reasonable.
    See State v. Tili, 
    139 Wash. 2d 107
    , 115,985 P.2d 365 (1999). We find Kuhlman's reading
    unreasonable. We also believe that the legislature may have inserted the inconsistent
    language into RCW 9.94A.835 in order to ensure that the court does not apply the
    enhancement twice to a nonsex crime with a sexual motivation enhancement.
    Legal Financial Obligations
    Jonathan Kuhlman next contends that the trial court improperly required him to
    pay legal financial obligations without considering his financial resources under RCW
    10.01.160(3). He challenges the discretionary costs imposed by the court consisting ofa
    16
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    a$60 sheriff service fee, $700 attorney fee, $146 witness fee, and $250 jury demand fee,
    for a total sum of $1,156. Kuhlman does not challenge mandatory financial obligations
    of a $500 victim assessment fee, $200 court costs, and a $100 DNA (deoxyribonucleic
    acid) collection fee.
    Jonathan Kuhlman failed to object to the imposition of any legal financial
    obligations at sentencing. Nevertheless, he argues that he can still challenge the
    obligations for the first time on appeal, citing State v. Blazina, 
    182 Wash. 2d 827
    , 
    344 P.3d 680
    (2015). The State does not argue against appellate review, but instead contends that
    the trial court conducted the individualized inquiry required by Blazina. Whether we
    decline review or reach the merits of Kuhlman's assignment of error, the outcome
    remains the same. A presentence report showed that Kuhlman has the capability to pay
    the obligations.
    RCW 10.01.160(3) provides:
    The court shall not order a defendant to pay costs unless the
    defendant is or will be able to pay them. In determining the amount and
    method of payment of costs, the court shall take account of the financial
    resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of
    costs will impose.
    Courts may impose legal financial obligations if a defendant has or will have the financial
    ability to pay them. RCW 10.01.160; RCW 9.94A.760(2); State v. Curry, 118 Wn.2d
    911,914-16,829 P.2d 166 (1992).
    17
    No. 32696-9-III
    State v. Kuhlman
    In State v. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 831,839 (2015), our Supreme Court clarified
    that RCW 10.01.160(3) requires a trial court do more than sign a judgment and sentence
    with boilerplate language stating that it engaged in the required inquiry. Instead, the
    "record must reflect that the trial court made an individualized inquiry into the
    defendant's current and future ability to pay." 
    Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 838
    .
    We must first decide whether to address this assignment of error since Jonathan
    Kuhlman did not object to the imposition of legal financial obligations at sentencing.
    RAP 2.5(a) provides, in relevant part: "The appellate court may refuse to review any
    claim of error which was not raised in the trial court." With regard to unpreserved
    challenges to financial obligations, our high court clarified: "A defendant who makes no
    objection to the imposition of discretionary [legal financial obligations] at sentencing is
    not automatically entitled to review." 
    Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 832
    . "Each appellate court
    must make its own decision to accept discretionary review." 
    Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 835
    .
    As the State notes, the facts contained in the presentence investigation report
    comport with the requirements of Blazina by including an investigation of Jonathan
    Kuhlman's financial assets, income, and debts. The report stated that Kuhlman did not
    receive any public assistance. The report also identified Kuhlman's income as $80,000
    per year. He posted bail and hired a private attorney.
    Our trial court failed to check the box on Jonathan Kuhlman's judgment and
    18
    No. 32696-9-111
    State v. Kuhlman
    sentence, which box indicated Kuhlman had a present or future ability to pay legal
    financial obligations. Nevertheless, given the wealth of evidence attesting to Kuhlman's
    ability to pay and the trial court's statement on the record that it reviewed that
    information before imposing financial obligations, this omission does not warrant the
    court's review of the challenge.
    CONCLUSION
    We affirm the trial court's sentence imposed on Jonathan Kuhlman, including the
    imposition of discretionary legal financial obligations.
    A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
    Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW
    2.06.040.
    Fearing, J.     (J
    WE CONCUR:
    ~~w
    Siddoway, C.J.          ~.          If
    C)
    ,,"""r~ . . '3~,
    Lawrence-Berrey, J.
    j
    19
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 32696-9

Filed Date: 1/21/2016

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 4/18/2021