Opinion ID: 896080
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: appeal from amended judgment

Text: [¶ 7] Bender asserts the trial court did not have the authority to require his participation in chemical dependency treatment and anger management counseling while in prison. [¶ 8] N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-02 authorizes the court to sentence to a term of imprisonment, and the court may suspend the execution of part or all of the sentence. If the court suspends any part of the sentence, it must place the defendant on probation during the term of suspension. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-02(3). The trial court followed this procedure when it sentenced Bender. [¶ 9] N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-07 gives the court broad discretion to impose conditions when placing a defendant on probation, and provides a list of conditions which the court may impose. State v. Shepherd, 554 N.W.2d 821, 823 (N.D.1996); State v. Sahr, 470 N.W.2d 185, 193 (N.D.1991). Although the statute does not explicitly list chemical dependency treatment or anger management counseling, the list of conditions under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-07 is not exclusive and the imposition of conditions of probation is purely a matter of judicial discretion, allowing the trial court to tailor conditions to meet the particular facts and circumstances of each case. Shepherd, 554 N.W.2d at 823; State v. Saavedra, 406 N.W.2d 667, 671 (N.D. 1987). Accordingly, we held in Shepherd that the court, when it suspended part of the sentence, could require the defendant to participate in and complete a sex offender treatment program while in prison as a prior condition of probation. [¶ 10] The only statutory limitation upon the imposition of conditions of probation is the requirement in N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-07(2) that the conditions be reasonably necessary to ensure that the defendant will lead a law-abiding life or to assist the defendant to do so. Shepherd, 554 N.W.2d at 823; Sahr, 470 N.W.2d at 193. A condition of probation is valid if it is reasonable and is related to the defendant's reformation and rehabilitation in light of the offense committed. Shepherd, 554 N.W.2d at 823. [¶ 11] In this case, Bender committed a stabbing while under the influence of alcohol, and pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and aggravated assault. Requiring Bender to participate in alcohol treatment and an anger management program as a condition of probation is reasonable and is related to the offenses he committed. We conclude the trial court was authorized to impose these conditions on probation. [1] [¶ 12] Bender next asserts the requirement that he undergo counseling and treatment if possible while incarcerated at the penitentiary was ambiguous. Bender interprets the phrase if possible to mean he could reject the treatment and counseling programs if he decided there were difficulties with the programs, or could decide to participate in such programs while on probation after his release from prison. [¶ 13] We find no ambiguity in the original criminal judgment. The court clearly intended that Bender was required to attend these programs if they were available at the penitentiary and if staff decided the programs were appropriate for Bender. Bender's suggested reading of the phrase if possible, allowing him to decide if he wanted to participate in the programs, is ludicrous. [¶ 14] Bender also asserts the court could not revoke his probation before it began, while he was still incarcerated. Bender suggests the court must wait until he is actually released on probation before commencing proceedings to revoke the probation. [¶ 15] Our statutes allow the court to sentence a defendant to a term of imprisonment with a portion of that term suspended. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-02(3). The court must place the defendant on probation during the term of suspension, and is authorized to specify conditions of the probation. N.D.C.C. §§ 12.1-32-02(3), 12.1-32-07(4). Probation may be revoked for violation of any condition of probation: If the defendant violates a condition of probation at any time before the expiration or termination of the period, the court may continue the defendant on the existing probation, with or without modifying or enlarging the conditions, or may revoke the probation and impose any other sentence that was available under section 12.1-32-02 or 12.1-32-09 at the time of initial sentencing or deferment. In the case of suspended execution of sentence, the court may revoke the probation and cause the defendant to suffer the penalty of the sentence previously imposed upon the defendant. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-07(6) (emphasis added). The statute explicitly allows revocation at any time before the period of probation expires, and does not prohibit revocation of subsequent probation if the defendant violates the conditions of probation while still incarcerated. The court in this case followed the statute, revoked Bender's probation, and ordered that the suspended three years be served. [¶ 16] We have considered the remaining arguments raised by Bender related to the revocation proceedings and find them to be without merit. The amended criminal judgment is affirmed.