Opinion ID: 2590193
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Due Process and SRA Requirements

Text: Hunter also argues that due process and the SRA require that the State prove the existence and comparability of his prior out-of-state convictions by a preponderance of the evidence. In Ford, we stated that: the use of a prior conviction as a basis for sentencing under the SRA is constitutionally permissible if the State proves the existence of the prior conviction by a preponderance of the evidence. Similarly, where prior out-of-state convictions are used to increase an offender score, the State must prove the conviction would be a felony under Washington law. 137 Wash.2d at 479-80, 973 P.2d 452 (citation omitted) (citing State v. Ammons, 105 Wash.2d 175, 186, 713 P.2d 719, 718 P.2d 796 (1986); former RCW 9.94A.360(3) (1998); State v. Cabrera, 73 Wash.App. 165, 168, 868 P.2d 179 (1994)). Further, we reasoned that [a]lthough facts at sentencing need not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, fundamental principles of due process prohibit a criminal defendant from being sentenced on the basis of information which is false, lacks a minimum indicia of reliability, or is unsupported in the record. Ford, 137 Wash.2d at 481, 973 P.2d 452 (citing Torres v. United States, 140 F.3d 392, 404 (2nd Cir.1998)). Thus, to satisfy due process requirements, `the facts relied upon by the trial court must have some basis in the [trial] record. ' Id. at 482, 973 P.2d 452 (quoting State v. Bresolin, 13 Wash.App. 386, 396, 534 P.2d 1394 (1975)). Hunter asserts that the sentencing court imposed his sentence based, in part, on his prior out-of-state convictions and that the existence and comparability of these convictions was unsupported by the record in violation of the SRA and his due process rights. However, as noted in Ford, we held that under the SRA, a defendant's acknowledgement of the existence and comparability of his or her prior out-of-state convictions allows the judge to rely on unchallenged facts and information introduced for the purposes of sentencing. Id. at 482-83, 973 P.2d 452 (citing RCW 9.94A.370(2)). There we rejected the State's argument that a defendant acknowledges facts and information at sentencing when he or she fails to object to the State's proffered offender score calculation based in part on a defendant's prior out-of-state convictions, but held that a defendant's affirmative acknowledgment of the existence and comparability of out-of-state convictions will render further proof unnecessary. Id. at 483 n. 5, 973 P.2d 452. Accordingly, since Hunter affirmatively acknowledged at sentencing that his prior out-of-state convictions were properly included in his offender score, we hold the sentencing court did not violate the SRA nor deny him due process.