Opinion ID: 2587850
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: State v. Mendoza

Text: ¶ 2 In April 2006, a jury convicted Frank C. Mendoza of robbery in the second degree and unlawful imprisonment. The jury found that the victim was particularly vulnerable and the defendant knew or should have known that status. Prior to sentencing, the prosecutor filed a statement of prosecuting attorney (Statement), which presented a summary of the evidence at trial, a list asserting Mendoza's criminal history, the prosecutor's calculation of Mendoza's offender score and appropriate sentencing range, and a sentencing recommendation. With respect to some of the asserted criminal history, the Statement listed the sentencing court and date of the crime. No documentation was included verifying the convictions. At sentencing, the prosecutor merely summarized Mendoza's criminal history on the record. ¶ 3 In light of the criminal history, the prosecutor alleged Mendoza's offender score was at least 9, putting the standard sentencing range at 63-84 months for the robbery charge and 51-60 months for the unlawful imprisonment charge. Mendoza did not object to the criminal history in the Statement at sentencing, nor did he affirmatively agree with the prosecutor's representations. The only reference Mendoza's attorney made on the record was the following: I have reviewed the statement of prosecuting attorney, the terms and conditions with Mr. Mendoza.... My recommendation to the Court would be 63 months on the robbery in the second degree and 51 months on the unlawful imprisonment to run concurrent. Report of Proceedings (RP) (Apr. 17, 2006) at 6. The trial court found Mendoza had an offender score of 9 and sentenced him to 84 months and 60 months, respectively, to be served concurrently. ¶ 4 The Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions but remanded for resentencing because Mendoza had not acknowledged the prior convictions, nor had the State provided any evidence of their existence. State v. Mendoza, 139 Wash.App. 693, 695, 162 P.3d 439 (2007). The appeals court held that the State would be allowed to present new evidence to prove Mendoza's criminal history at resentencing. Id. The State filed a petition for review, arguing that the sentencing court was allowed to rely on the information provided by the prosecutor in the absence of an objection by Mendoza. We granted review. State v. Mendoza, 163 Wash.2d 1017, 180 P.3d 1292 (2008).