Opinion ID: 1275140
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Clearly Excessive

Text: The length of an exceptional sentence will not be reversed as clearly excessive absent an abuse of discretion. State v. Ritchie, 126 Wash.2d 388, 392, 894 P.2d 1308 (1995) (citing State v. Oxborrow, 106 Wash.2d 525, 530, 723 P.2d 1123 (1986)). A sentence is clearly excessive if it is based on untenable grounds or untenable reasons, or an action no reasonable judge would have taken. Oxborrow, 106 Wash.2d at 531, 723 P.2d 1123. In Oxborrow, we held the sentencing court did not abuse its discretion by imposing an exceptional sentence of 10 years (the statutory maximum) for a conviction on one count of first degree theft. Oxborrow, 106 Wash.2d at 533, 723 P.2d 1123. There, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of theft in the first degree under RCW 9A.56.020(1)(a) for defrauding 51 investors of over $1 million. Oxborrow, 106 Wash.2d at 528, 723 P.2d 1123. Branch argues no reasonable judge would sentence him to 48 months, which is 16 times the standard sentencing range (0-90 days). He offers no authority for this argument. A sentence of 48 months for a theft of nearly $400,000 is not a sentence based on untenable grounds or made for untenable reasons. We affirm the finding that this theft was a major economic offense because the factors of actual monetary loss greater than typical and the lengthy period of time are supported by substantial evidence, and the court did not err as a matter of law in finding multiple victims. These three factors support the statutory aggravating circumstance of major economic offense and, therefore, the imposition of an exceptional sentence. We also find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in imposing a 48-month sentence because 48 months is not a clearly excessive sentence for a theft of nearly $400,000. Branch argues if we do not affirm all of the factors found by the trial court, State v. Smith, 123 Wash.2d 51, 864 P.2d 1371 (1993) requires the case be remanded for resentencing. Smith, 123 Wash.2d at 58, 864 P.2d 1371 (remand for resentencing required where two of four aggravating circumstances are invalidate and court found it unclear whether the judge would have imposed the same sentence based only on the two remaining aggravating circumstances). Smith does not apply to the facts of this case. The sentencing judge here relied on only one statutory aggravating circumstance: major economic offense. He based that holding on his finding that all four of the subfactors were present in this case. RCW 9.94A.390(2)(c) specifically states a major economic offense can be established by consideration of any of the four subfactors. Thus, the aggravating circumstance of major economic offense will remain a valid reason for imposing an exceptional sentence if even one of the subfactors is satisfied.
Finally, Branch argues the court erred in ordering $398,652.91 in restitution because that amount is not supported in the record. As previously discussed, Branch agreed to pay restitution of over $400,000 at his plea hearing, and orally waived his right to a restitution hearing. At sentencing, the amount was lowered to $398.652.91. Also, during the sentencing hearing Branch told the court he accepted responsibility for his actions and wanted the opportunity to make his victims whole again. Branch failed to challenge the amount of restitution at that sentencing hearing and at the later hearing on the motion to reconsider. Branch's failure to raise this issue at the trial court and his agreement to pay restitution waives his right to argue the sufficiency of the record on appeal. See State v. Young, 63 Wash.App. 324, 330, 818 P.2d 1375 (1991) (on appeal, defendant cannot challenge child support as part of restitution order when he agreed to pay child support as part of criminal restitution); State v. Harrington, 56 Wash.App. 176, 181, 782 P.2d 1101 (1989) (failure to object to amount of restitution order at trial precluded review on appeal). We affirm the award of restitution in the amount of $398,652.91.