IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON No. 49944-4-II

Respondent,

v.

KAELA MAE GLOVER, PUBLISHED OPINION

Appellant.

HAAN,J.* — In 2017, following Kaela M. Glover’s conviction for second degree burglary, 

the sentencing court imposed $2,900 in legal financial obligations (LFOs), including $2,100 for 

court-appointed attorney fees. Glover appeals, arguing that the sentencing court erred because it 

failed to adequately inquire into her ability to pay before imposing the discretionary LFO. Because 

the sentencing court’s inquiry was inadequate under State v. Blazina,

1 we reverse the LFOs and 

remand for a new hearing on LFOs.2 

 

*

Judge Marilyn K. Haan is serving as a judge pro tempore of the Court of Appeals pursuant to 

CAR 21(c). 

1

182 Wn.2d 827, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).

2 Glover also argues that the sentencing court erred when it imposed the discretionary attorney fee 

LFO in an amount partially based on her trial’s length and erred when it ordered Glover to pay $25 

per month toward her LFOs, despite the fact that she could never pay her LFOs at this amount. 

Because we reverse and remand for a new hearing on LFOs, we do not reach Glover’s remaining 

issues. We note that at the time of this opinion, the Supreme Court’s opinion in State v. Ramirez 

is pending and that the decision in that case may bear on Glover’s resentencing. See Order

Granting in Part Petition for Review, noted at 190 Wn.2d 1001 (2018).

Filed

Washington State

Court of Appeals

Division Two

August 7, 2018
No. 49944-4-II

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FACTS

In 2017, a jury found Glover guilty of one count of second degree burglary, based on 

testimony that despite being forbidden from entering Walmart property, she had gone to a Walmart 

store and stolen a bathing suit, ice cube tray, and candy.3 At sentencing, the trial court determined 

that Glover’s offender score was 15 because of her lengthy criminal history, which included six 

prior burglaries. Glover received a standard range sentence of 63 months. 

Regarding LFOs, the sentencing court inquired whether there was “any physical or other 

reason why you [Glover] can’t work and have a job, earn an income,” to which Glover answered, 

“No.” Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Jan. 30, 2017) at 242. The sentencing court then 

asked Glover about any job history, and Glover responded that the last time she had held a job was 

30 months before sentencing. Since then she had also worked “[u]nder the table,” “like a day or 

two here and there” at a friend’s landscaping company. VRP (Jan. 30, 2017) at 242.

Based solely on this exchange, the sentencing court found that Glover had the future ability 

to pay LFOs. It ordered Glover to pay $2,900 in LFOs: $2,100 for the discretionary courtappointed attorney fee LFO and $800 for mandatory LFOs.4

 A superior court commissioner later 

found Glover indigent for purposes of appeal. 

Glover appeals the imposition of the discretionary LFO.

 

3 The probable cause statement lists the stolen property’s value as $16.44. 

4 The mandatory LFOs are the $500 victim assessment, $200 criminal filing fee, and $100 

deoxyribonucleic acid collection fee. See State v. Mathers, 193 Wn. App. 913, 918, 376 P.3d 

1163, review denied, 186 Wn.2d 1015 (2016); State v. Gonzales, 198 Wn. App. 151, 153, 392 P.3d 

1158, review denied, 188 Wn.2d 1022 (2017).
No. 49944-4-II

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ANALYSIS

Glover argues that under Blazina, the sentencing court failed to adequately inquire into her 

ability to pay before imposing the discretionary LFO. The State contends that Glover waived this 

issue or alternatively, that the sentencing court’s inquiry was adequate.5 We reach this issue, agree 

with Glover, and reverse and remand for a new hearing on LFOs.

I. WAIVER

Glover did not object to the sentencing court’s imposition of the discretionary LFO. In 

general, the failure to raise an issue before a superior court waives the issue on appeal under RAP 

2.5(a). Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 832. However, we interpret the rules of appellate procedure liberally 

“to promote justice and facilitate the decision of cases on the merits.” RAP 1.2(a). 

In Blazina, our Supreme Court held that generally, challenges to discretionary LFOs do not 

fit within an exception to RAP 2.5(a) and that an appellate court “must make its own decision to 

accept discretionary review.” 182 Wn.2d at 835. Nevertheless, the Blazina court exercised its 

discretion to consider unpreserved LFO arguments in light of the “[n]ational and local cries for 

reform of broken LFO systems.” 182 Wn.2d at 835. In the wake of Blazina, appellate courts have 

heeded its message and regularly exercise their discretion to reach the merits of unpreserved LFO 

arguments. See, e.g., State v. Malone, 193 Wn. App. 762, 765, 376 P.3d 443 (2016). 

 

5 At oral argument, however, the State acknowledged that it is unclear from the record whether 

Glover was, in fact, able to pay the discretionary LFO due to the lack of inquiry into Glover’s 

financial position and that it is “questionable” whether the sentencing court complied with Blazina. 

Wash. Court of Appeals oral argument, State v. Glover, No. 49944-4-II (May 22, 2018), at 25 min., 

33 sec. and 30 min., 38 sec (on file with court).
No. 49944-4-II

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Glover is not automatically entitled to first raise on review her argument that the sentencing 

court’s inquiry into her ability to pay was inadequate. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 835. Nevertheless, 

following Blazina, we reach the merits of her argument. 

II. LEGAL PRINCIPLES: INQUIRY INTO ABILITY TO PAY

We generally review a decision whether to impose LFOs for an abuse of discretion. State 

v. Clark, 191 Wn. App. 369, 372, 362 P.3d 309 (2015). However, we review legal questions, such 

as whether a sentencing court’s inquiry was adequate under Blazina, de novo.6 See State v. Garza, 

150 Wn.2d 360, 366, 77 P.3d 347 (2003). 

At the time of Glover’s sentencing, former RCW 10.01.160(3) (2015) provided that

[t]he 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.

In Blazina, our Supreme Court set forth specific directives that a trial court must comply with 

when it imposes discretionary LFOs under former RCW 10.01.160(3):

Practically speaking, this imperative under RCW 10.01.160(3) means that 

the court must do more than sign a judgment and sentence with boilerplate language 

stating that it engaged in the required inquiry. The record must reflect that the trial 

 

6 We disagree with the concurrence that we should apply an abuse of discretion standard. It is well 

settled that this court reviews questions of law de novo. See, e.g., State v. Ford, 125 Wn.2d 919, 

923, 891 P.2d 712 (1995). Even where we would generally review a superior court’s decision for 

an abuse of discretion, we will review de novo a legal determination made as a part of that decision. 

See, e.g., State v. Brightman, 155 Wn.2d 506, 519, 122 P.3d 150 (2005) (stating that the standard 

of review depends on the trial court’s reasoning when it refuses a jury instruction: we review for 

an abuse of discretion a refusal based on a factual determination, but we review de novo a refusal 

based on a ruling of law). To apply an abuse of discretion standard in this case would be to defer 

to the trial court’s interpretation of Blazina’s holding. But we do not defer to a trial court’s 

discretion when it resolves legal questions, and accordingly “the de novo standard is better 

applied.” State v. Garza, 150 Wn.2d 360, 366, 77 P.3d 347 (2003). We note that the appropriate 

standard of review for this issue is currently before our Supreme Court, in Ramirez. See Order 

Granting in Part Petition for Review, noted at 190 Wn.2d 1001 (2018).
No. 49944-4-II

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court made an individualized inquiry into the defendant’s current and future ability 

to pay. Within this inquiry, the court must also consider important factors, as amici 

suggest, such as incarceration and a defendant’s other debts, including restitution, 

when determining a defendant’s ability to pay.

182 Wn.2d at 838. Among the other factors that the amici in Blazina suggested were “employment 

history, financial situation, and other factors.” Amici Curiae Br. of Wash. Defender Ass’n, 

Blazina, No. 89028-5, at 7 (Wash. March 12, 2015).

Blazina went on to exhort courts to “look to the comment in court rule GR 34 for guidance,” 

which “lists ways that a person may prove indigent status.” 182 Wn.2d at 838. The legislature 

“intended each judge to conduct a case-by-case analysis and arrive at an LFO order appropriate to 

the individual defendant’s circumstances.” Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 834.

III. INADEQUATE INQUIRY UNDER BLAZINA

At sentencing, the court conducted a limited inquiry into Glover’s ability to pay: the court 

asked only about Glover’s work history and whether there was any reason she could not work. 

Glover told the sentencing court that there was no reason she could not work, that the last time she 

held a job was 30 months before, and that she sporadically worked “[u]nder the table” for a friend’s 

company. VRP (Jan. 30, 2017) at 242. Based solely on this discussion, the sentencing court 

imposed $2,900 in LFOs, including the $2,100 discretionary LFO for court-appointed attorney 

fees. 

At a minimum, Blazina requires a sentencing court to consider within this inquiry 

important factors bearing on a defendant’s ability to pay before imposing discretionary LFOs; 

these factors include “incarceration and a defendant’s other debts, including restitution.” 182 

Wn.2d at 838. In addition, employment history and financial situation are among the factors 

suggested by amici, which Blazina states the court must consider. Amici Curiae Br., supra, at 7. 
No. 49944-4-II

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Further, a sentencing court should “seriously question” an indigent defendant’s ability to pay 

LFOs. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 839.

Here, however, the sentencing court was aware that Glover had a lengthy criminal history, 

including three prior Washington convictions, yet failed to inquire at all about other debts. The 

court also failed to examine her financial situation, such as the extent of her assets. And Glover 

was later found to be indigent, calling into question her ability to pay. The record contains no 

other information to support that the sentencing court engaged in the required consideration of the 

“important factors” referenced in Blazina, beyond the court’s minimal questioning about Glover’s 

employment potential. 182 Wn.2d at 838. Yet, despite Blazina’s directives, the sentencing court 

imposed a $2,100 discretionary LFO after minimally questioning Glover about her employment 

potential. 

We hold that the sentencing court’s inquiry into Glover’s ability to pay was inadequate 

under Blazina. Accordingly, we reverse the LFOs and remand for a new hearing on LFOs.

HAAN, J.P.T.

I concur:

BJORGEN, P.J.
No. 49944-4-II

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I join the majority as to the result. However, I write separately regarding the appropriate 

standard of review of a sentencing court’s inquiry into a defendant’s ability to pay discretionary 

legal financial obligations (LFOs) under State v. Blazina.

7 We generally review a court’s decision 

whether to impose discretionary LFOs for an abuse of discretion. State v. Clark, 191 Wn. App. 

369, 372, 362 P.3d 309 (2015). As stated in State v. Ramirez, “Whether or not a trial court makes 

an individualized inquiry is reviewed de novo; however, if the court does make an inquiry, then 

we review a trial court’s imposition of discretionary LFO’s for an abuse of discretion.” noted at 1 

Wn. App 1001, *6 n.4, (2017), review granted in part, 190 Wn.2d 1001. As our Supreme Court 

has granted review in part of Ramirez, the Supreme Court will determine the proper standard of 

review that applies.

________________________________

SUTTON, J.

 

7

182 Wn.2d 827, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).