Court Opinion

ID: 2769730
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-01-13 23:07:22.056485+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:12:07.509506
License: Public Domain

J-S72036-14

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION – SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,          :     IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                       :           PENNSYLVANIA
                Appellee               :
                                       :
         v.                            :
                                       :
DAVID P. BUCHANAN,                     :
                                       :
                Appellant              :     No. 811 WDA 2014

      Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered March 31, 2014,
              in the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County
           Criminal Division at No(s): CP-43-CR-0001328-2013

BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., SHOGAN, and STRASSBURGER,* JJ.

MEMORANDUM BY STRASSBURGER, J.:                  FILED JANUARY 13, 2015

     David    P. Buchanan (Appellant) appeals from the         judgment    of

sentence1 entered after he pled guilty to driving under the influence (DUI)

(third offense) with an accident enhancement; driving during suspension,

DUI-related; accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property;

and reckless driving.2 Upon review, we affirm.

     Appellant pled guilty to the above offenses on January 13, 2014. On

March 31, 2014, Appellant was sentenced to an aggregate 1½ to 3 years’

1
  Appellant purports to appeal from the April 17, 2014 order granting in part
and denying in part his post-sentence motion. We have corrected the
caption to reflect that Appellant’s appeal properly lies from the judgment of
sentence entered on March 31, 2014. Commonwealth v. Dreves, 839
A.2d 1122, 1125 n.1 (Pa. Super. 2003) (en banc).
2
  Appellant also was charged with the summary offense of failing to give
information and render aid, but that charge was nolle prossed.

* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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incarceration.    On April 15, 2014, Appellant filed a “Motion to Modify

Sentence Nunc Pro Tunc.” In support of the motion, Appellant alleged that

(1) the sentence was manifestly excessive in length, because it is not

specifically tailored to the nature of the offense, the ends of justice and

society and the rehabilitative needs of Appellant, (2) the sentencing court

failed to give Appellant proper credit for time served, and (3) subsequent to

sentencing, it was determined that Appellant may be a candidate for the

state intermediate punishment program. Following a hearing on the motion,

the trial court issued an order granting it in part and denying it in part on

April 17, 2014.   Specifically, the trial court ordered that Appellant receive

credit for time served from July 8, 2013, through July 9, 2013, and denied

the motion in all other respects. Appellant filed his appeal with this Court on

May 14, 2014.

      Appellant raises the following issues for our consideration:

    [1.] Did the sentence court abuse its discretion by imposing [an
         aggregate sentence of 1½ to 3 years’ incarceration] in that
         said sentence[ is] manifestly excessive in length and not
         specifically tailored to the rehabilitative needs [of] ...
         Appellant or the ends of justice and society?

    [2.]   Did the sentence court abuse its discretion by considering a
           refusal of a blood alcohol test at the time of Appellant’s
           sentencing when there was no evidence on the record of
           Appellant refusing a blood[]alcohol test?

Appellant’s Brief at 4 (unnecessary capitalization omitted).

      Before we address the merits of Appellant’s claims, we consider

whether we have jurisdiction to entertain this appeal. See Commonwealth

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v. Green, 862 A.2d 613, 615 (Pa. Super. 2004) (en banc). “Jurisdiction is

vested in the Superior Court upon the filing of a timely notice of appeal.”

Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Miller, 715 A.2d 1203, 1205 (Pa. Super.

1998)).

     In a criminal proceeding, an appeal lies from the judgment of

sentence. Commonwealth v. Preacher, 827 A.2d 1235, 1236 n.1 (Pa.

Super. 2003). In Green, an en banc panel of this Court discussed how Rule

720 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure governs the filing of an

appeal from the judgment of sentence. In relevant part, Rule 720 states:

     Post–Sentence Procedures; Appeal

     (A)   Timing.

     (1)   ... [A] written post-sentence motion shall be filed no later
           than 10 days after imposition of sentence.

     (2)   If the defendant files a timely post-sentence motion, the
           notice of appeal shall be filed:

           (a)   within 30 days of the entry of the order
                 deciding the motion;

           (b)   within 30 days of the entry of the order
                 denying the motion by operation of law in
                 cases in which the judge fails to decide the
                 motion;

           (c)   within 30 days of the entry of the order
                 memorializing the withdrawal in cases in which
                 the defendant withdraws the motion.

     (3)   If the defendant does not file a timely post-sentence
           motion, the defendant’s notice of appeal shall be filed
           within 30 days of the imposition of sentence … .

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Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A).         In Green, we construed the phrase “imposition of

sentence” as the date that the trial court pronounced the sentence in open

court, not the date that the order imposing the judgment of sentence was

docketed, if those dates differ. Green, 862 A.2d at 618-19.

     In this case, the sentencing court sentenced Appellant on March 31,

2014. Hence, Appellant’s post-sentence motion was due no later than April

10, 2014. See Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(1); see also 1 Pa.C.S.A. § 1908. The

certified record, however, reveals that Appellant filed his post-sentence

motion on April 15, 2014. Because Appellant failed to file his motion within

10 days of the imposition of sentence, Appellant did not timely file a post-

sentence motion. Therefore, Appellant had 30 days from the imposition of

sentence   to   file   his   notice   of   appeal.   See Pa.R.Crim.P.   720(A)(3);

Commonwealth v. Dreves, 839 A.2d 1122, 1127 (Pa. Super. 2003) (en

banc) (imposition of sentence triggers date for an appeal in the absence of a

timely post-sentence motion).         Appellant filed his notice of appeal on May

14, 2014, 44 days after the imposition of sentence. Therefore, his notice of

appeal appears untimely filed.3

3
 Our conclusion is unaltered by the fact that Appellant titled his motion
“Motion to Modify Sentence Nunc Pro Tunc” or that the trial court
entertained the motion. In Dreves, this Court explained:

     To be entitled to file a post-sentence motion nunc pro tunc, a
     defendant must, within 30 days after the imposition of sentence,
     demonstrate sufficient cause, i.e., reasons that excuse the late
     filing. Merely designating a motion as “post-sentence motion
     nunc pro tunc ” is not enough. When the defendant has met this
     burden and has shown sufficient cause, the trial court must then

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      Ordinarily, an appellate court lacks authority to extend the time for

filing an appeal. Commonwealth v. Braykovich, 664 A.2d 133, 136

(1995) (citing Pa.R.A.P. 105(b)). This rule does not, however, restrict the

power of the courts to grant relief in the case of fraud or breakdown in the

processes of the court.   See id.   In Commonwealth v. Patterson, 940
A.2d 493 (Pa. Super. 2007), a panel of this Court held that, where the trial

court complies with Pa.R.Crim.P. 704 at sentencing by notifying the

appellant of the time in which to file his post-sentence motion and appeal,

but thereafter fails to comply with Pa.R.Crim.P. 720 by failing to notify an

appellant that, due to the late filing of his post-sentence motion, he had to

file an appeal within 30 days of the imposition of sentence, an administrative

breakdown in the court system has occurred.4 Such a breakdown in the

      exercise its discretion in deciding whether to permit the
      defendant to file the post-sentence motion nunc pro tunc. If the
      trial court chooses to permit a defendant to file a post-sentence
      motion nunc pro tunc, the court must do so expressly. … [I]n
      order for a petition to file a post-sentence motion nunc pro tunc
      to be granted, a defendant must, within 30 days after the
      imposition    of   sentence,     demonstrate   an   extraordinary
      circumstance which excuses the tardiness.

      If the trial court does not expressly grant nunc pro tunc relief,
      the time for filing an appeal is neither tolled nor extended. The
      request for nunc pro tunc relief is separate and distinct from the
      merits of the underlying post-sentence motion. The trial court’s
      resolution of the merits of the late post-sentence motion is no
      substitute for an order expressly granting nunc pro tunc relief.

Dreves, 839 A.2d 1128-29 (footnote omitted).
4
 The relevant provisions of Rule 704 and Rule 720 are set forth in
mandatory terms. Rule 704(C)(3)(a) states that, at the time of sentencing,

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judicial system excuses the untimely filing of a notice of appeal. Id. at 497-

500.

       In this case, the trial court’s April 17, 2014 order did not advise

Appellant that he had to file an appeal within 30 days of the imposition of

sentence. Thus, although it appears that Appellant received notification of

his post-sentence and appellate rights at the time of sentencing, the trial

court’s failure to comply with Rule 720 excuses Appellant’s untimely-filed

notice of appeal. Had the trial court complied with Rule 720, Appellant could

have timely filed an appeal within the time remaining in the appeal period.

Finding that a court breakdown occurred, we have jurisdiction over this

appeal. See Patterson, 940 A.2d at 497-500.

“[t]he judge shall determine on the record that the defendant has been
advised,” inter alia, “of the right to file a post-sentence motion and to
appeal, [and] of the time within which the defendant must exercise those
rights.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 704(C)(3)(a) (emphasis added). The Comment to this
Rule provides that “[t]he rule is intended to promote ... fair sentencing
procedures ... by requiring that the defendant be fully informed of his or her
post-sentence rights and the procedural requirements which must be met to
preserve those rights.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 704, Comment. Furthermore, Rule
720(B)(4)(a) states that “[a]n order denying a post-sentence motion,
whether issued by the judge ... or entered by the clerk of courts ..., shall
include notice to the defendant of,” inter alia, “the right to appeal and the
time limits in which the appeal must be filed.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(B)(4)(a)
(emphasis added). “This requirement ensures adequate notice to the
defendent, which is important given the potential time lapse between the
notice provided at sentencing and the resolution of the post-sentence
motion.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(B)(4)(a), Comment.

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      Appellant’s claims challenge the discretionary aspects of his sentence.5

Where an appellant challenges the discretionary aspects of a sentence, there

is no automatic right to appeal, and an appellant’s appeal should be

considered to be a petition for allowance of appeal. Commonwealth v.

W.H.M., 932 A.2d 155, 162 (Pa. Super. 2007). As we observed in

Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162 (Pa. Super. 2010):

      [a]n appellant challenging the discretionary aspects of his
      sentence must invoke this Court’s jurisdiction by satisfying a
      four-part test:

          [W]e conduct a four-part analysis to determine: (1)
          whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, see
          Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly
          preserved at sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and
          modify sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P. [720]; (3) whether
          appellant’s brief has a fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and
          (4) whether there is a substantial question that the
          sentence appealed from is not appropriate under the
          Sentencing Code, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).

Id. at 170 (citing Commonwealth v. Evans, 901 A.2d 528 (Pa. Super.

2006)).

      Here, as evidenced above, Appellant has failed to file timely his post-

sentence motion and notice of appeal.        Nevertheless, even excusing both

instances of untimeliness, Appellant is not entitled to relief.

      Appellant’s brief contains the requisite Rule 2119(f) concise statement,

and, as such, is in technical compliance with the requirements to challenge

5
  Because the plea agreement was open as to his sentence, Appellant is not
precluded from challenging the discretionary aspects of sentencing. See
Commonwealth v. Brown, 982 A.2d 1017, 1019 (Pa. Super. 2009).

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the discretionary aspects of a sentence. This Court has stated the following

with regard to the concise statement of reasons relied upon for allowance of

appeal:

      The statement must persuade us there exists a substantial
      question that the sentence is inappropriate under the Sentencing
      Code.

            To convince us a substantial question exists, an appellant
      needs to advance a colorable argument that the sentencing
      court’s actions were inconsistent with a specific provision of the
      Sentencing Code or violated a fundamental norm of the
      sentencing process.     More specifically, the statement must
      explain where the sentence falls in relation to the sentencing
      guidelines, identify what specific provision of the Code and/or
      what fundamental norm was violated, and explain how and why
      the sentencing court violated that particular provision and/or
      norm.

            Because we focus on the issues articulated by the
      appellant, it is not necessary that the statement of reasons
      provide elaborate factual or procedural details. Even still, we are
      not persuaded by bald assertions or non-specific claims of error
      in a concise statement. Instead, a concise statement must state
      the way in which the penalty imposed is inappropriate.

            In any event, we conduct a case-specific analysis of each
      appeal to decide whether the particular issues presented in the
      concise statement actually form a substantial question
      concerning the propriety of the sentence. Thus, we do not
      include or exclude any entire class of issues as being or not
      being substantial. Rather, we evaluate each claim based on the
      particulars of its own concise statement.

Commonwealth v. Feucht, 955 A.2d 377, 383-84 (Pa. Super. 2008)

(citations omitted).

      With respect to Appellant’s first issue, Appellant’s concise statement

provides that his sentence is “manifestly excessive in length and not

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specifically tailored to the rehabilitative needs to the appellant or the ends of

justice and society.” Appellant’s Brief at 9. This statement fails to identify

the specific provision of the Code and/or fundamental norm claimed to have

been violated. It further fails to explain how and why the sentencing court

violated that particular provision and/or norm other than by providing bald

assertions. Thus, we find that it fails to present a substantial question

concerning the propriety of Appellant’s sentence.

      Moreover, Appellant raises for the first time on appeal his claim that

the sentencing court abused its discretion in considering a refusal of a blood

alcohol test in sentencing Appellant.     Issues challenging the discretionary

aspects of sentence must be raised in a post-sentence motion or by

presenting the claim to the trial court during the sentencing proceedings.

Commonwealth v. Watson, 835 A.2d 786, 791 (Pa. Super. 2003). “Absent

such efforts, an objection to a discretionary aspect of a sentence is waived.”

Id.; see Pa.R.A.P. 302 (providing that “[i]ssues not raised in the lower court

are waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal”). This failure

cannot be cured by submitting the challenge in a Rule 1925(b) statement.

Watson, 835 A.2d at 791.         Instantly, Appellant did not object to the

sentencing court’s alleged consideration of a refusal of a blood alcohol test at

sentencing or in his post-sentence motion. Accordingly, this claim is waived.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 1/13/2015

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