Opinion ID: 1195244
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sampsel's issues

Text: Can a minor be guilty of furnishing alcohol to another minor under K.S.A. 21-3610? Sampsel's first contention is that because he is 19 years old and therefore a minor, as defined under K.S.A. 41-102(p), he is among the class of persons intended to be protected by K.S.A. 21-3610 and not subject to punishment thereunder. This question involves the interpretation of K.S.A. 21-3610, which is a question of law over which our review is de novo. Todd v. Kelly, 251 Kan. 512, 515, 837 P.2d 381 (1992). Our criminal statutes are construed against the State. State v. Sexton, 232 Kan. 539, 543, 657 P.2d 43 (1983). The applicable portion of K.S.A. 21-3610 relating to furnishing liquor to a minor states: (a) Furnishing alcoholic liquor to a minor is directly or indirectly, selling to, buying for, giving or furnishing any alcoholic liquor to any minor. .... (c) As used in this section, terms have the meanings provided by K.S.A. 41-102 and amendments thereto. Sampsel is correct that for purposes of the alcoholic liquor laws in Chapter 41 of the Kansas Statutes he is a minor. From this premise he makes the broad leap to argue that because such provisions were designed to prohibit adults from supplying alcohol to minors, it excludes him from the class of parties that can be prosecuted. This argument and the cases Sampsel cites relating to the public policy against furnishing alcohol to minors fails to recognize the State's much more logical contention that K.S.A. 21-3610 makes it a criminal offense for anyone to furnish alcoholic liquor to a minor. K.S.A. 21-3610(d) does provide defenses to liability for licensed retailers, clubs, drinking establishments or caterers, or other parties with temporary permits who are furnished identification by individuals purporting to be 21 years or older, but there is no mention of limiting the scope of the statute to adults and excluding everyone under the age of 21 years. There are no cases on this issue, probably because Sampsel's contention is simply erroneous. The language of this statute is clear that anyone serving alcoholic liquor to a minor can be charged with the violation of K.S.A. 21-3610. Sampsel furnished alcoholic liquor to S.R. He was found guilty of doing so by the jury. This argument has no merit. Sampsel also argues the evidence did not sufficiently show the alcoholic liquor was actually furnished to S.R. by him. The evidence is clear that he poured S.R. several shots of bourbon. Under our standard of review, after we reviewed all the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, we are convinced that the jury was clearly justified in finding Sampsel guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Claiborne, 262 Kan. 416, 425, 940 P.2d 27 (1997). The trial court did not err in failing to instruct the jury on possession or obtaining alcoholic beverages by a minor under K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 41-727 as a lesser included offense of furnishing alcoholic liquor to a minor. The trial court's duty to instruct on lesser included offenses is based on a view of the evidence in the light most favorable to the defendant's theory if it would justify a jury verdict and the evidence does not exclude a theory of guilt on the lesser offense. State v. Moncla, 262 Kan. 58, 73-74, 936 P.2d 727 (1997). Sampsel makes a State v. Fike, 243 Kan. 365, 757 P.2d 724 (1988) argument, contending the two-pronged test under K.S.A. 21-3107(2)(d) applies. Under that test, where the elements of the crime charged and the lesser crime are compared, and the statutory elements of the lesser crime are automatically proved if the State establishes the elements of the crime charged, then the lesser crime is a lesser included crime. If a lesser crime does not satisfy the first prong of Fike, it can still be a lesser included crime if the factual allegations in the charging document allege a lesser crime which does not meet the statutory elements test and the evidence that must be adduced at trial for the purpose of proving the crime as charged would also necessarily prove the lesser crime. Fike, 243 Kan. at 368. The provisions of K.S.A. 21-3610 have previously been set forth. In alleging K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 41-727 is a lesser included crime, Sampsel points to its provisions that no person under 21 years of age shall possess, consume, obtain, purchase or attempt to obtain or purchase alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage except as authorized by law, as making this a lesser included crime. Sampsel acknowledges that in comparing the two provisions, the statutory elements of K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 41-727 are not automatically proved when the required elements of K.S.A. 21-3610 are also proved. However, Sampsel argues that in order to prove he furnished alcohol to S.R., the State necessarily proved that he purchased, obtained, or possessed the liquor. The State argues in opposition that the trial court was under no obligation to submit possession of an alcoholic beverage by a minor as a lesser included offense because possession of alcohol does not necessarily have to be proved to show that Sampsel furnished alcohol to S.R. The State also cites State v. Josenberger, 17 Kan. App.2d 167, 836 P.2d 11, rev. denied 251 Kan. 941 (1992), as support for its argument. In Josenberger, the defendant argued that simple possession of marijuana is a lesser included offense of the sale of marijuana. In disagreeing, the Josenberger court held that the factual allegations in the charging document did not allege a lesser crime of possession and the State did not necessarily have to prove the crime of possession in proving sale. 17 Kan. App.2d at 175. Under the facts of this case, the alcoholic liquor in question was never strictly in Sampsel's possession because evidence showed it was purchased and made available by someone else. He did clearly furnish the bourbon to S.R., as did others. It is clear the charging document did not allege a lesser crime of possession, and the State did not have to prove the crime of possession in order to prove the crime of furnishing alcohol to a minor. This was the logic of Josenberger and is equally applicable here. In addition, the charging document did not require the State to prove that Sampsel was a minor to be found guilty under K.S.A. 21-3610, and while he was a minor as defined by K.S.A. 41-102(p), this was not a required element of proof. Under these analyses, the lesser included offense instruction was not required to be given. The conviction of furnishing alcohol to a minor is affirmed.