Opinion ID: 1281019
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: was murphy entitled to a good time reduction?

Text: The right to good time reduction is created by statute and does not derive from either the federal or state constitution. Thus, the issue in the case at bar is purely a question of statutory interpretation. In accomplishing this task our primary guide is the language used, construed in light of the purpose of the enactment. Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm'n v. Apokedak, 680 P.2d 486, 489-90 (Alaska 1984). [I]f the language of a statute is unambiguous and expresses the intention of the legislature, it should not be modified or extended by judicial construction. State, Dep't of Natural Resources v. City of Haines, 627 P.2d 1047, 1049 n. 6 (Alaska 1981). Alaska Statute 33.20.010 guarantees good time reductions only to prisoners convicted of an offense against the state and sentenced to imprisonment. [5] Thus, the question in this case, as acknowledged by all parties, is whether the failure to pay a fine is an offense against the state. The term offense is not defined for purposes of this statute. Unless words have acquired a peculiar meaning, by virtue of statutory definition or judicial construction, they are to be construed in accordance with their common usage. State, Dep't of Revenue v. Debenham Elec. Supply Co., 612 P.2d 1001, 1002 (Alaska 1980); see AS 01.10.040. Failure to pay a fine imposed as a sentence for a criminal conviction is not within the common understanding of the word offense. For example, Black's defines offense: A felony or misdemeanor; a breach of the criminal laws. Black's Law Dictionary 975 (5th ed. 1979). Similarly, Webster's defines the word: an infraction of law: crime, misdemeanor. Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged 1566 (1961). Since the failure to pay a fine is not commonly understood as a breach of any criminal law, a misdemeanor or a felony, it is not an offense within the meaning of AS 33.20.010. [6] The superior court concluded that AS 12.55.051(a) is a species of the law of contempt and not an offense against the state. We think that this is an accurate depiction of the statute. As with contempt, the prisoner always has the option to be released immediately by complying with the court's order. Under AS 12.55.051(a), the court may imprison a recalcitrant defendant for up to one day for each fifty dollars of the fine unpaid, but the defendant may at any time pay off the fine, with credit accrued for the time served, to earn his release. As the court of appeals has noted, AS 12.55.051(a) is a method for dealing with enforcement of court orders... . Lominac v. Municipality of Anchorage, 658 P.2d 792, 794 (Alaska App. 1983). We therefore agree with the superior court that refusal to pay a fine is like a contempt of the court, not an offense against the state. Accordingly, the way to shorten a sentence is to comply with the court order, and not to seek reductions for good time. Granting good time reductions would be the practical equivalent of lowering the fine, which would defeat the coercive purpose of AS 12.55.051(a). Murphy argues that the purpose of good time reductions under AS 33.20.010 is best served by granting them to defendants imprisoned for nonpayment of fines. He cites the following statement of purpose: The credits are said to be in the nature of a payment or reward by the state to the convict for his good behavior, in order to stimulate him to conform to the rules of the institution and to avoid the commission of crimes and misdemeanors during his imprisonment. Such statutes are prompted by the highest motives of humanity, and are generally looked on with favor both by state and federal legislatures. 60 Am.Jur.2d Penal and Correctional Institutions § 222 (1987) (footnotes omitted). It is true that all prisoners, including those imprisoned for nonpayment of fines, would likely be induced to behave well if offered good time reductions, serving the purposes of AS 33.20.010. However, it does not follow that all prisoners are entitled to the benefits of the statute. The statute is explicitly limited to those imprisoned for offense[s] against the state. As discussed above, consistent with the common understanding of the word offense and the legislative purpose of AS 12.55.051(a), imprisonment for nonpayment of fines cannot be brought within the plain language of AS 33.20.010. [7]