Opinion ID: 2545133
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The As Applied Challenge

Text: Having found section 16-3-309(5) constitutional on its face, we next consider the argument that section 16-3-309(5) is unconstitutional as applied to this case. Mojica-Simental asserts no independent argument as to why section 16-3-309(5) is unconstitutional as applied; rather he couples the argument that it is unconstitutional on its face with the claim that it is also unconstitutional as applied. While we decide today that section 16-3-309(5) does not violate a defendant's right to confrontation on its face, we also recognize that a trial court could apply this statute in such a manner as to present constitutional difficulties. A defendant's right to confrontation is a fundamental constitutional right. Pointer v. Texas, 380 U.S. 400, 403, 85 S.Ct. 1065, 13 L.Ed.2d 923 (1965). Thus, in order to waive that right, a defendant's waiver must be voluntary, knowing and intentional. People v. Curtis, 681 P.2d 504, 514 (Colo.1984). If a defendant does not have actual notice of the requirements of the statute, or mistakenly fails to notify the prosecution to have the technician present to testify, there is a significant possibility that a defendant's failure to act may not constitute a voluntary waiver of his fundamental right to confrontation. We have identified the factors a trial court should consider before excluding defense witnesses as a sanction for failure to provide notice of an alibi defense. Hampton, 696 P.2d at 778. In particular, the factors we identified include: the reason for and the degree of culpability associated with the failure to timely respond to the prosecution's specification of time and place; whether and to what extent the nondisclosure prejudiced the prosecution's opportunity to effectively prepare for trial; whether events occurring subsequent to the defendant's noncompliance mitigate the prejudice to the prosecution; and, whether there is a reasonable and less drastic alternative to the preclusion of alibi evidence. Id. at 778. We consider this approach useful when considering whether to admit a lab report without an opportunity to confront the appropriate witness. Thus, before admitting a lab report pursuant to section 16-3-309(5), some factors the trial court might consider include: whether an attorney or a pro se litigant actually knew that he was required to notify the opposing party of his desire to have the witness present; the reasons why notice was late or was not given at all; the difficulty of acquiring the presence of the witness; the significance to the case of the report and of the testimony that would be elicited from the technician; and any other pertinent circumstances. In practice, section 16-3-309(5) might be best utilized if the proponent of the lab report notifies the opposing party that it intends to introduce the lab report without a foundational lab technician witness, unless advised ten days before trial that the witness' presence is desired, and the parties discuss the matter, at some pre-trial opportunity, to ensure that all parties are in agreement as to whether the witness will be present. Although we determine that section 16-3-309(5) does not violate a defendant's right to confrontation on its face, we cannot reach the question of the constitutionality of the statute as applied. On appeal to this court, Mojica-Simental argues that section 16-3-309(5) is unconstitutional both facially and as applied to his case. However, in order to argue the constitutionality of a statute as applied, the statute must have been unconstitutional as applied to the complainant. United States v. Raines, 362 U.S. 17, 21, 80 S.Ct. 519, 4 L.Ed.2d 524 (1960). This statute has not yet been applied to Mojica-Simental at all; the lab report in this case was not admitted without an opportunity for the defendant to confront and cross-examine the lab technician, and thus, Mojica-Simental was never deprived of his constitutional right to confrontation. Nor will Mojica-Simental be prevented from exercising his right to confrontation when this case is remanded, as it will only be necessary for him to notify the prosecution ten days before the rescheduled trial if he wants the lab technician to testify in person. Thus, this statute has not been applied to deprive Mojica-Simental of any constitutional right, nor is it likely to be so applied to him in the future.