Opinion ID: 2534023
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: categorical decisions and sentence alternatives

Text: ¶ 17 Next, we consider whether, as Grayson contends, the trial judge abused his discretion by categorically refusing to consider a DOSA sentence. Again, while trial judges have considerable discretion under the SRA, they are still required to act within its strictures and principles of due process of law. Mail, 121 Wash.2d at 712, 854 P.2d 1042. While no defendant is entitled to an exceptional sentence below the standard range, every defendant is entitled to ask the trial court to consider such a sentence and to have the alternative actually considered. State v. Garcia-Martinez, 88 Wash.App. 322, 330, 944 P.2d 1104 (1997). A trial court abuses discretion when it refuses categorically to impose an exceptional sentence below the standard range under any circumstances. Id. at 330, 944 P.2d 1104. The failure to consider an exceptional sentence is reversible error. Id. Similarly, where a defendant has requested a sentencing alternative authorized by statute, the categorical refusal to consider the sentence, or the refusal to consider it for a class of offenders, is effectively a failure to exercise discretion and is subject to reversal. Cf. Garcia-Martinez, 88 Wash.App. at 330, 944 P.2d 1104. ¶ 18 Although the trial judge declined to give a DOSA mainly because he believed there was inadequate funding to support the program, we recognize that the judge did not state that this was his sole reason. But he did not articulate any other reasons for denying the DOSA, and he specifically rejected the prosecution's suggestion that more reasons be placed on the record. Further, it is clear that the judge's belief that the DOSA program was underfunded was the primary reason the DOSA was denied. Considering all of the circumstances, the trial court categorically refused to consider a statutorily authorized sentencing alternative, and that is reversible error. ¶ 19 We recognize that there were ample other grounds to find that Grayson was not a good candidate for DOSA. Grayson was facing significant time (108 to 144 months) for this crime and still was scheduled to face at least another 100 months for a pending marijuana delivery charge  a charge involving a quantity of drugs so substantial as to make him ineligible for DOSA. Grayson had an extensive and exclusively drug-based criminal history. He continued to commit drug offenses even while on conditional release from other drug offenses. While we reverse the sentence on procedural grounds, we leave it in the able hands of the trial judge on remand to consider whether Grayson is a suitable candidate.