Opinion ID: 2600342
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: To-Convict Instructions

Text: ¶ 18 Next, we must decide whether the classification of the underlying felony or misdemeanor in the to-convict jury instruction is an essential element of bail jumping. In the current case, the to-convict jury instruction required a finding that the defendant was charged with possession of controlled substance, with no mention of the underlying crime's classification. [4] A to-convict instruction must include all of the elements of a crime because it is the touchstone that a jury must use to determine guilt or innocence. DeRyke, 149 Wash.2d at 910, 73 P.3d 1000. [5] If the classification of the underlying charge is an element of bail jumping, then it must be in the to-convict instruction. However, if the classification is not an element of bail jumping, and RCW 9A.76.170(1) stands alone, then a simple identification of the underlying charge is sufficient. ¶ 19 In the instant case, the Court of Appeals addressed whether the classification is an essential element of bail jumping. It held that: [T]he penalty classification is relevant only to the sentence to be imposed on conviction, a topic the jury is not even permitted to consider in its deliberations. It is not an element of the crime, so there was no infirmity in the information or the `to convict' instruction here. Williams, 133 Wash.App. at 716, 136 P.3d 792 (footnote omitted). The court, citing Miller, 156 Wash.2d at 27, 123 P.3d 827, characterized the classification of the bail jumping charge as a legal question outside of the jury's domain because it is neither an express nor implied element of the crime. See Williams, 133 Wash.App. at 719-20, 136 P.3d 792; see also Miller, 156 Wash.2d at 24, 123 P.3d 827 (Where the validity of a no-contact order was not an express statutory element of the crime it was not a necessary part of the to-convict instruction. Rather, it was a question of law appropriately within the province of the trial court to decide.). Similarly, the court in Gonzalez-Lopez held that the express elements of bail jumping under RCW 9A.76.170(1) do not include the penalty clauses under subsection (3), and it went on to approve a to-convict bail jumping instruction that was predicated on `Attempted Child Molestation in the First Degree, a felony,' 132 Wash.App. at 629, 639, 132 P.3d 1128. The court stated [t]here is no need to construe the statute. The words are plain and unambiguous. Id at 629, 132 P.3d 1128. ¶ 20 We agree with the reasoning of the Court of Appeals in both the current case and in Gonzalez-Lopez. Subsection (1) of RCW 9A.76.170 outlines the elements of bail jumping and does not explicitly or implicitly reference the penalties in subsection (3). The underlying offense is merely a gateway to get to the separate bail jumping charge, and a simple identification of the alleged crime is sufficient. We hold that the classification of the underlying crime is not an essential element of bail jumping and, therefore, does not have to be included in the to-convict instruction. ¶ 21 Even if this court found that RCW 9A.76.170(3) is an element of bail jumping, which we do not, the to-convict instruction is still sufficient in the current case. Here, the jury was informed that Williams' underlying charge was possession of a controlled substance. Although there was no felony modifier, the felony language was in the charging information, the accompanying statement of probable cause, and the original information alleging cocaine possession was introduced into evidence during trial. Jury instruction 1 states that [t]he only evidence you are to consider consists of the testimony of witnesses and the exhibits admitted into evidence. CP at 71. The charging information (that we just found to be sufficient) was given to the jury as an exhibit to prove an element of the to-convict. Its use as an exhibit is functionally the same as if it were part of the to-convict jury instruction. The prosecutor also referenced the charging document exhibit in his closing argument as he attempted to prove each element of the to-convict jury instruction. The jury found the defendant guilty of Bail Jumping as charged in Count I. CP at 69. Count I of the State's second amended information clearly indicated that the defendant had failed to appear after being charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, a felony. CP at 86-87. ¶ 22 As a final note, any jury misunderstanding of the underlying charge could have been only in Williams' favor, i.e., if the jury thought the underlying charge was a misdemeanor drug charge (marijuana), this is a lesser charge than Williams actually jumped. We affirm the Court of Appeals and hold that the to-convict instruction was proper.