Opinion ID: 2640086
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ex Parte In Camera Meetings

Text: The trial judge, Honorable Leslie W. Light, presided over the present case for over 10 months. During that period, the court conferred in camera 10 times with Henry J. Hall, counsel for codefendant Lee, outside the presence of both defendant and his counsel, Ralph A. Courtney III. These hearings were transcribed and sealed in the trial court. Thereafter, while the case was pending on automatic appeal, defendant filed a motion in this court to unseal or otherwise gain access to the foregoing transcripts. On June 25, 2003, we ordered that three of the transcripts be unsealed (one conference on Nov. 19, 1997, and two conferences on Dec. 2, 1997), and that transcripts of three other conferences remain sealed (Aug. 5, 1997, Mar. 30, 1998, and Apr. 1, 1998). The same order also gave appellate counsel access to reporter's transcripts of four additional conferences (and to one portion of the sealed clerk's transcript), but declined to unseal such items or allow their use in court papers that were not themselves filed or lodged under seal (conferences on Nov. 10, 1997, Nov. 13, 1997, Jan. 12, 1998, and Mar. 2, 1998). Defendant's main complaint on appeal is that his absence and the absence of his counsel from the foregoing conferences resulted in violations of his right to counsel, to presence, to due process, and to a fair and public trial under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the federal Constitution. We will reject the claim. (8) Proceedings held in chambers and outside the presence of a party are generally disfavored. ( Ayala, supra, 24 Cal.4th 243, 262; see id. at pp. 293-294 (dis. opn. of George, C. J.); see also People v. Prince (2007) 40 Cal.4th 1179, 1279 [57 Cal.Rptr.3d 543, 156 P.3d 1015] ( Prince ) [openness presumed in public trial guarantee].) However, the trial court retains discretion to conduct in camera ex parte proceedings to protect an overriding interest that favors confidentiality. (See, e.g., People v. Gurule (2002) 28 Cal.4th 557, 593-594 [123 Cal.Rptr.2d 345, 51 P.3d 224] ( Gurule ) [privileged attorney-client information]; People v. Lawley (2002) 27 Cal.4th 102, 159 [115 Cal.Rptr.2d 614, 38 P.3d 461] ( Lawley ) [identity of confidential informant]; Ayala, supra, 24 Cal.4th at p. 261 [trial strategy]; People v. Webb (1993) 6 Cal.4th 494, 516 [24 Cal.Rptr.2d 779, 862 P.2d 779] ( Webb ) [privileged psychotherapy records].) (9) In addition, the federal constitutional right to counsel arises at critical stages of the prosecution or when necessary to assure a meaningful defense. ( United States v. Wade (1967) 388 U.S. 218, 225 [18 L.Ed.2d 1149, 87 S.Ct. 1926]; People v. Koontz (2002) 27 Cal.4th 1041, 1069 [119 Cal.Rptr.2d 859, 46 P.3d 335] ( Koontz ).) (10) Likewise, a federal constitutional right to be present in court exists where necessary to protect the defendant's opportunity for effective cross-examination, or to allow him to participate at a critical stage and enhance the fairness of the proceeding. ( People v. Waidla (2000) 22 Cal.4th 690, 741-742 [94 Cal.Rptr.2d 396, 996 P.2d 46] ( Waidla ), citing Kentucky v. Stincer (1987) 482 U.S. 730, 744-745 & fn. 17 [96 L.Ed.2d 631, 107 S.Ct. 2658].) Such protections usually do not cover in camera discussions on matters bearing no reasonable, substantial relation to the defense of the charge. ( People v. Rogers (2006) 39 Cal.4th 826, 855 [48 Cal.Rptr.3d 1, 141 P.3d 135]; Waidla, supra, 22 Cal.4th at p. 742.) Defendant makes no serious attempt to show a violation of these principles based on the transcripts that we unsealed or otherwise provided to counsel on appeal. He asks us to infer from the sheer number of in camera ex parte proceedings that codefendant Lee's counsel received unfettered access to the trial court, and functioned as a super-prosecutor in the case. As so framed, the claim is speculative and fails outright. Indeed, the court met at least three times with defendant's attorney in chambers, outside the presence of Lee's counsel, suggesting the procedure was not one-sided or unfair. [20] In any event, we have carefully reviewed all 10 transcripts sealed at trial and used to support the present claim on appeal. (E.g., Gurule, supra, 28 Cal.4th 557, 595; Lawley, supra, 27 Cal.4th 102, 160; Webb, supra, 6 Cal.4th 494, 518.) The matters discussed in those conferences did not bear directly on the evidence at trial, the conduct of the defense, or the outcome of the case. Nor do the transcripts reveal any attempt by Attorney Hall to curry favor with the trial court or to benefit his client Lee at the expense of defendant. To the contrary, and as an example, defendant instigated the closed proceedings that are the subject of the three transcripts we ordered unsealed on appeal. On those occasions, Hall consulted with the trial court about telephone calls and handwritten notes he had received directly from defendant complaining about his attorney, Courtney, offering to help Lee with her defense, and threatening to commit suicide. The court suggested that Hall should promptly disclose these communications to Courtney and inform defendant that no contact could occur in Courtney's absence. Hall said he took such action. It seems unreasonable for defendant to now complain about ex parte in camera meetings held to ensure that his own actions did not place Lee's counsel in an ethical or tactical bind. No constitutional error occurred. (11) Almost as an afterthought, defendant argues in his reply brief on appeal that the proceedings from which he and his counsel were excluded violated the presence requirements set forth in section 977. ( Id., subd. (b)(1) [accused must be present at specified proceedings in all felony cases, and must be present at all other proceedings unless he executes a written waiver form].) Even assuming such statutory error occurred, it was harmless for the reasons we have set forth above. (See People v. Rundle (2008) 43 Cal.4th 76, 134 [74 Cal.Rptr.3d 454, 180 P.3d 224], citing People v. Watson (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836 [299 P.2d 243].)