Opinion ID: 478419
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of proof of scienter

Text: 36 Newton argues that the evidence before the state trial court was insufficient to prove that he had knowledge that he was a convicted felon on the date he was found in possession of a concealable firearm. He asserts that he did know he was a felon. The California Supreme Court rejected this argument in People v. Snyder, 32 Cal.3d 590, 592, 652 P.2d 42, 44, 186 Cal.Rptr. 485, 487 (1982). 37 A violation of due process occurs if a criminal conviction is not based on evidence that has convinced the trier of fact beyond a reasonable doubt of the existence of every element of the offense. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 316, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2787, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979) (citing In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368 (1970)); Tamapua v. Shimoda, 796 F.2d 261, 263 (9th Cir.1986) (Proof on which a conviction is based ... must support a finding beyond a reasonable doubt of every element of the offense.) (citing In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368). 38 Newton does not contend that he did not have knowledge that he was convicted of a felony. He argues instead that Judge Cook's order induced him to believe that he was not a convicted felon when he possessed the concealable firearm in 1974. Newton's belief that he was not a convicted felon in 1974, subject to all the conditions of that status because of Judge Cook's order, was mistaken under California law. 39 The decision of the California Supreme Court in Snyder is dispositive on the issue of mistake by a convicted felon under California's firearm possession law. In Snyder, the supreme court stated that [t]he elements of the offense proscribed by section 12021 are conviction of a felony and ownership, possession, custody or control of a firearm capable of being concealed on the person. 32 Cal.3d at 592, 652 P.2d at 43-44, 186 Cal.Rptr. at 486-87 (citations omitted). The defendant in Snyder contended that she reasonably believed that she had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor because her attorney so advised her. Id. at 592, 652 P.2d at 43, 186 Cal.Rptr. at 486. The California Supreme Court held that no specific criminal intent is required, and a general intent to commit the proscribed act is sufficient to sustain a conviction. Id. at 592, 652 P.2d at 44, 186 Cal.Rptr. at 487. The court noted that [w]ith respect to the elements of possession or custody, it has been held that knowledge is an element of the offense. Id. (emphasis added). Newton does not dispute the sufficiency of the evidence to prove to a rational trier of fact beyond a reasonable doubt that he had knowledge that he was in possession of a concealable firearm. As to Snyder's assertion that the first element of section 12021(a) requires proof of specific intent, i.e., knowledge of one's legal status as a felon, the court stated: Does section 12021 also require knowledge of one's legal status as a convicted felon? No case has so held. Id. The California Supreme Court explained its holding as follows: [R]egardless of what she reasonably believed, or what her attorney may have told her, defendant was deemed to know under the law that she was a convicted felon forbidden to possess concealable firearms. Her asserted mistake regarding her correct legal status was a mistake of law, not fact. It does not constitute a defense to section 12021. Id. at 593, 652 P.2d at 44, 186 Cal.Rptr. at 487 (emphasis in original). 40 Snyder makes clear that in California there is no requirement that a conviction under Cal.Penal Code Sec. 12021(a) be supported by proof that the person knew he was a convicted felon when he was found in possession of a concealable firearm. Specific intent is not an element of the charged crime. Proof that Newton was aware of his legal status was not necessary to preserve his right to federal due process under the fifth amendment. 41 Our conclusion that knowledge of legal status as a convicted felon is not required under California law is supported by federal cases interpreting a similar federal statute forbidding possession of a concealable firearm by one convicted of a felony. 18 U.S.C.App. Sec. 1202(a)(1) (1982 & Supp. III 1985) (any person who--[p] (1) has been convicted by a court of the United States or of a State or any political subdivision thereof of a felony ... [p] and who receives, possesses, or transports in commerce or affecting commerce ... any firearm shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned....). The only element of the federal offense which is not found in Cal.Penal Code section 12021(a) is an effect upon commerce. See United States v. Bass, 404 U.S. 336, 347-50, 92 S.Ct. 515, 522-23, 30 L.Ed.2d 488 (1971). The federal statute has been uniformly interpreted as requiring only that the defendant was in fact a convicted felon, and not that he actually knew he was a felon. United States v. Locke, 542 F.2d 800, 801 (9th Cir.1976); see United States v. Goodie, 524 F.2d 515, 518 (5th Cir.1975), cert. denied, 425 U.S. 905, 96 S.Ct. 1497, 47 L.Ed.2d 755 (1976); United States v. Thomas, 484 F.2d 909, 914-15 (6th Cir.1973), cert. denied, 415 U.S. 924, 94 S.Ct. 1428, 39 L.Ed.2d 480 (1974); United States v. Oliver, 683 F.2d 224, 228 (7th Cir.1982); United States v. Johnson, 683 F.2d 1187, 1189 (8th Cir.1982); United States v. Shomo, 786 F.2d 981, 985 (10th Cir.1986). 42 The evidence shows that there was sufficient evidence to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Newton had knowledge that he possessed a concealable firearm. The prosecution was not required to prove that Newton was aware that under California law, the striking of a sentence enhancing allegation did not relieve him of the onerous conditions which result from the conviction of a felony.