Opinion ID: 2629689
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: other financial obligations

Text: Finally, Hunziker asserts that under K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 21-4610(d)(1), the district court erred by ordering a restitution payment plan that was unworkable. A sentencing court has substantial discretion when ordering the amount of restitution. [Citation omitted.] Moreover, the method of determining the amount of restitution is a matter within the discretion of the trial court. [Citation omitted.] Judicial discretion is abused only where no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the court. [Citation omitted.] Casto, 22 Kan. App.2d at 153-54. Hunziker argues that, under K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 21-4610(c)(8), State v. Loffer, 24 Kan. App.2d 495, 947 P.2d 458 (1997), rev. denied 263 Kan. 889 (1998), and Applegate, 266 Kan. 1072, the district court was required to institute a plan of restitution that considered the amount of support he is required to provide to his dependents. Hunziker asserts that the district court failed to consider the fact that he had a child on the way. He further contends that because Kansas statutes require him to provide support to his dependent child, his monthly restitution payments are unworkable. The State contends that the district court did not abuse its discretion in setting the restitution payments. According to the State, the district judge did consider Hunziker's financial condition before setting the monthly minimum restitution payment at $200 per month. The Court of Appeals wrote: The trial court first inquired of Hunziker's codefendant about his employment, child support, and the monthly payments he had been making to the court pending the restitution hearing. When the trial court then asked Hunziker how much he had been paying while reporting on probation, Hunziker responded $125 per month. His attorney then told the court that Hunziker understood he would be on probation until full restitution had been paid and that Hunziker had a child on the way. He also told the trial court that he advised Hunziker to make every effort to get the restitution paid within 1 year because if he did not, his probation would be extended. It appears the trial court was beginning to ask Hunziker about his financial conditions as it had asked Hunziker's codefendant when Hunziker's attorney advised the trial court he had informed Hunziker to pay any restitution orders within a year. Moreover, Hunziker did not argue to the trial court that its restitution plan was unworkable. When the defendant failed to challenge the restitution plan before the trial court, the issue was not preserved for appeal. [Citation omitted.] As a result, Hunziker's argument fails. 30 Kan. App.2d at 286-87. Hunziker's attorney advised the district court of the fact that Hunziker had a child on the way. Further, counsel told the court that Hunziker would make every effort to get the restitution paid within the year. The district judge ruled: Well, you gentlemen got yourself into this, and, you know, if it means getting a part-time job on weekends or evenings to make some money to repay this gentleman at a greater rate, I think you are going to need to do that. I really think you both need to be paying $200 a month. That may mean you are going to have to find some additional work. Otherwise this will never get paid off. The interest will keep going and you will be on probation forever, and the minute you miss a payment you are going to be back before me and I may have to put you in jail and I don't want to have to do that. The district judge allowed 1 month before the $200 payments would begin in order to give Hunziker and Cox time to find additional work. Counsel for Hunziker made no objection to the district court's ruling on the monthly amount of restitution payments. The Court of Appeals correctly determined that Hunziker failed to preserve the issue for appeal. Issues not raised before the trial court generally cannot be raised on appeal. Crume, 271 Kan. at 98. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded with directions to reduce the restitution order by the amount of $721.97. LARSON, S.J., assigned. [1]