Court Opinion

ID: 9948975
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-08 15:17:02.138556+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:26:26.429148
License: Public Domain

RECORD IMPOUNDED

                               NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                              APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
       This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
    internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                       SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                       APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                       DOCKET NO. A-3099-21

IN THE MATTER OF L.C.
________________________

                  Submitted January 30, 2024 – Decided March 8, 2024

                  Before Judges Mayer and Enright.

                  On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
                  Division,    Bergen      County,      Docket      No.
                  0258-XTR-2022-1.

                  Faugno Weis Katcher Duarte, LLC, attorneys for
                  appellant (Tamra Dawn Katcher, of counsel and on the
                  brief).

                  Mark Musella, Bergen County Prosecutor, attorney for
                  respondent State of New Jersey (K. Charles Deutsch,
                  Assistant Prosecutor, of counsel and on the brief).

PER CURIAM

         L.C.1 appeals from a May 6, 2022 order granting the State's petition for a

1
  We use initials because "[a]ll records related to proceedings for [Final Extreme
Protective Orders] are confidential and may not be disclosed to anyone other
than the respondent . . . except if good cause is found by the court to release
Final Extreme Risk Protection Order (FERPO) entered under the Extreme Risk

Protective Order Act of 2018 (Act), N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 to -32. We affirm.

                                          I.

         We glean the following facts from the record. On February 10, 2022, the

Saddle River Police Department (SRPD) responded to a call regarding an

altercation between L.C. and his roommate, D.C. The call was made by an

individual who reported that D.C. came to his home, claimed he was just

physically assaulted, and asked to use the phone.

         The SRPD immediately met with D.C. and observed visible signs of his

injuries, including a laceration on D.C.'s forehead and cuts on his hands. D.C.

told the police that when he returned home that night, L.C. took D.C.'s phone

away from him, threw it on the lawn, and punched D.C. in the face and head.

D.C. stated he was able to leave the scene once L.C.'s girlfriend broke up the

fight.

         D.C. also told the police he believed L.C. initiated the fight because L.C.

suspected D.C. "made a complaint to the [SRPD] . . . regarding commercial

vehicles being parked" at their residence. D.C. further stated he was "unsure if

such records." Admin. Off. of the Cts., Admin. Directive #19-19, Guidelines
for Extreme Risk Protective Orders, 9 (Aug. 12, 2019) (AOC Directive).

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[L.C.] suffer[ed] from . . . PTSD symptoms."

        L.C.'s girlfriend informed the police she knew nothing about the

altercation. She also stated "she was unsure if [L.C.] regularly t[ook] any

medication that he . . . need[ed]."

        The SRPD repeatedly tried to contact L.C. after learning he fled the scene.

When their attempts failed, the police "determined a [w]elfare [c]heck needed

to be conducted . . . to ensure [L.C.] was okay[,] based on what [D.C.] and [L.C.'s

girlfriend] stated." Using a canine unit, the SRPD found L.C. at a neighbor's

residence. The police then determined the fight between L.C. and D.C. was a

domestic violence incident. They arrested L.C. and charged him with simple

assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)(1).2

        The next day, Detective Michael Cooper applied for and obtained a

Temporary Extreme Risk Protective Order (TERPO) from a municipal court

judge. Pursuant to the February 11, 2022 TERPO, officers seized and removed

over thirty items from L.C.'s home, including firearms and ammunition.

        The FERPO hearing proceeded on May 6. The State called Detective

Cooper to testify. L.C. called his former direct supervisor, a Staff Sergeant from

2
    The charge was subsequently dismissed due to D.C.'s failure to appear in court.

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the United States Marine Corps (USMC), to testify.

      In describing the February 10 incident, Detective Cooper acknowledged

he "was not one of the officers that responded" to the scene, but because he "was

the on-call detective that night," he "became involved in the case" "to review

the criminal complaint[] as well as speak with [L.C.]." Cooper testified that

after his review of "all the reports . . . dating back . . . many years," "it was

determined . . . [the SRPD] should file for the TERPO."

      Cooper stated that according to police records, L.C. contacted the SRPD

in November 2014 to report his ex-girlfriend falsely accused him of physically

assaulting her. According to Cooper, based on a "command investigation" into

these allegations, a USMC corporal submitted recordings to the SRPD from

L.C.'s ex-girlfriend wherein she stated L.C. "would commit mass murder and

murder-suicide."

      Cooper also testified that in August 2018, the SRPD responded to L.C.'s

home regarding a dispute between L.C. and his sister. L.C.'s sister reportedly

had mental health issues and told the police that L.C. stole her medication and

locked it in his gun safe. The police investigated the allegation and found L.C.'s

gun safe did not contain his sister's medication. Approximately two days later,

L.C. requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) against his sister, and

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Cooper assisted L.C. in obtaining the TRO.

      Next, Detective Cooper testified that in December 2018, he and other

SRPD officers responded to L.C.'s home after L.C.'s girlfriend reported L.C. was

"having a potential anxiety attack." When Cooper arrived, he observed L.C.

"was shaking and . . . extremely anxious," and appeared to be experiencing a

"very, very aggressive panic attack." Cooper stated L.C.'s "girlfriend . . . was

rubbing the bottom of [L.C.'s] feet and . . . telling [Cooper that L.C.] . . . suffered

from some PTSD from his time in the service." According to Cooper, L.C.

experienced "everything that would constitute a full[-]blown panic attack"

before L.C. was voluntarily transported to a local hospital.

      Next, Cooper testified that in August 2021, he spoke with L.C. after an

anonymous caller "reached out to [Cooper] to advise . . . that [L.C.] was seeing

drones flying around" his home.         When Cooper contacted L.C. about the

reported drones, L.C. told Cooper "he believed that people were watching . . .

him specifically, and that he s[aw the drones] often." L.C. also provided the

detective with video footage "of what he believed was a drone . . . flying over

his home," but Cooper saw no drones in the video.

      L.C.'s witness testified he was L.C.'s supervisor in the USMC between

2012 and 2014 or 2015. The Staff Sergeant also stated he had no knowledge of

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any investigations related to L.C.'s alleged misconduct during that period.

      At the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, Judge Foti orally granted the

State's petition for a FERPO and issued a conforming order. On June 16, 2022,

following L.C.'s appeal from the May 6 FERPO, Judge Foti issued a written

amplification of her decision, pursuant to Rule 2:5-1(b).

      In her cogent oral opinion, Judge Foti aptly noted that in deciding whether

a FERPO should issue, she was "required to consider eight factors[,] and if [she

found] any of the eight factors[, she] c[ould] also consider the mental health

factors . . . enumerated in the law." Next, the judge explained:

            the rules governing admissibility of evidence at
            trial . . . [do] not apply to the presentation and
            consideration of information at the FERPO hearing.
            Notwithstanding hearsay rules, the court may consider
            affidavits or documents submitted in support of a
            petition and may consider any information provided by
            the county prosecutor or designee.

The judge also recognized her decision could "not be based on hearsay alone,"

and there had to "be a residuum of legal and competent evidence in the record

to support" the issuance of a FERPO.

      Additionally, the judge assessed the credibility of the parties' witnesses,

finding Detective Cooper provided "credible testimony" and that L.C.'s witness

"testified credibly that he was not aware of" a report of L.C.'s alleged

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misconduct in 2014. But the judge also stated she was "not sure . . . [the Staff

Sergeant's testimony was] dispositive of the fact that [such a] report was[ not]

made."

      Similarly, in her amplification letter, the judge credited Cooper's

testimony, finding he "spoke clearly and answered all of counsel's questions

directly and without hesitation," and "maintained good eye contact throughout

his testimony." But the judge further stated that while L.C.'s witness "also

testified clearly and answered all of counsel's questions," he "seemed to lack

knowledge of certain incidents involving [L.C.] and [the] police." She explained

the Staff Sergeant

            seemed to be unaware of incidents involving [L.C.]'s
            ex-girlfriend's reports to the [USMC] that [L.C.]
            physically assaulted her[,] and [of] threats emanating
            from [L.C.] that [he] would commit "mass murder" and
            "murder-suicide." [] [The Staff Sergeant] could not
            testify concerning these events, nor could he testify
            about any follow-up investigation of these allegations.

      Next, Judge Foti found the following factors under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-23(f)

supported the issuance of a FERPO:         one ("history of threats or acts of

violence . . . directed toward self or others"), two ("history of use, attempted

use, or threatened use of physical force"), and five ("prior arrests, pending

charges, or convictions for a violent indictable crime or disorderly persons,"

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                                       7
stalking, or domestic violence offenses). In finding factor one, Judge Foti

referenced the February 10, 2022 incident, following which D.C. reported to the

police that L.C. "physically assaulted him by punching him in the face and

head." She noted the State produced exhibits documenting D.C.'s "visible signs

of injury" from the altercation.

      The judge also stated in her amplification letter that other facts militated

in favor of finding factor one, including L.C.'s "history of troubling encounters

with [the] police." Such encounters included the 2014 incident when L.C.'s ex-

girlfriend reported he physically assaulted her and would commit "mass murder"

and "murder-suicide." Further, the judge credited Detective Cooper's testimony

regarding: (1) the August 2018 dispute between L.C. and his sister; (2) the

December 2018 incident when the SRPD went to L.C.'s home following a report

he might be suffering from an anxiety attack; and (3) the August 2021 incident

when L.C. reported "multiple drones were flying over his home," yet "there were

no drones visible to [the] police" on the video footage he supplied to Detective

Cooper as proof of the incident.

      Next, in finding factor two, the judge confirmed in her oral and written

opinions that she "relied on the same findings of fact set forth in factor one to

find factor two," noting L.C.'s "history of concerning and threatening behavior[]

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culminat[ed] in violence against [his] roommate," as evidenced by "the

photographs of [D.C.'s] injuries" the State produced at trial.

      Finally, Judge Foti found factor five, explaining L.C. was previously

arrested "for a violent disorderly persons/domestic violence offense" based on

the February 10 assault. The judge acknowledged "[o]ne event on its own

m[ight] cause . . . some hesitation, but when . . . view[ing] the totality of the

circumstances," the State "met its burden by a preponderance of the evidence

that [L.C.] pose[d] a danger to others by owning or possessing firearms." She

further clarified in her amplified opinion that the State "sustained its burden" in

establishing L.C. "pose[d] a significant danger of bodily injury to [him]self or

others by owning or possessing a firearm," and thus, the FERPO was warranted.

                                        II.

      On appeal, L.C. raises the following arguments:

            POINT I

            THE COURT BELOW ERRED BY RELYING ON
            HEARSAY THAT WAS UNSUPPORTED BY A
            RESIDUUM OF LEGAL AND COMPETENT
            EVIDENCE.

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            POINT II

            THE COURT ERRONEOUSLY RELIED ON
            IRRELEVANT    EVIDENCE   TO     SUPPORT
            GRANTING THE FERPO AGAINST [L.C.].

            POINT III

            THE STATE FAILED TO MEET ITS BURDEN TO
            ESTABLISH THAT [L.C.] POSES A SIGNIFICANT
            DANGER OF BODILY INJURY TO HIMSELF OR
            OTHERS BY HAVING WEAPONS.

      "The scope of appellate review of a trial court's fact-finding function is

limited." Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 411 (1998). We are bound by the trial

court's findings "when supported by adequate, substantial, credible evidence."

Id. at 411-12. When evidence is testimonial, as in this case, and involves

credibility questions, deference is "especially appropriate" because the trial

judge observed the witnesses first-hand. Id. at 412.

      The Act, also known as the "red flag law," "permits the emergent removal

of weapons from any person who poses a danger to self or others." In re D.L.B.,

468 N.J. Super. 397, 400-01 (App. Div. 2021). The Act was intended to address

the growing number of mass shootings by removing firearms from those who

have shown "red flags" indicative of future violence. Id. at 400-02.

      Pursuant to its authority under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-31, our Supreme Court

promulgated the AOC Directive to effectuate the purposes of the Act. See AOC

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Directive at 1. In addition, based on its authority under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-32, the

Office of the Attorney General adopted Attorney General Law Enforcement

Directive No. 2019-2 to implement the law. See Off. of Att'y Gen., Law Enf't

Directive No. 2019-2, Directive Pursuant to the Extreme Risk Protective Order

Act of 2018 (Aug. 15, 2019) (the Directive).

      In considering whether to grant a FERPO, a court must consider eight

factors namely, whether an individual:

            (1) has any history of threats or acts of violence . . .
            directed toward self or others;

            (2) has any history of use, attempted use, or threatened
            use of physical force . . . against another person;

            (3) is the subject of a temporary or final restraining
            order or has violated a temporary or final restraining
            order issued pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic
            Violence Act of 1991[]" . . . ;

            (4) is the subject of a temporary or final protective order
            or has violated a temporary or final protective order
            issued pursuant to the "Victim's Assistance and
            Survivor Protection Act[]". . . ;

            (5) has any prior arrests, pending charges, or
            convictions for a violent indictable crime or disorderly
            persons offense, stalking offense pursuant to section 1
            of [N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10], or domestic violence offense
            enumerated in section 3 of [N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19];

            (6) has any prior arrests, pending charges, or
            convictions for any offense involving cruelty to animals

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                                       11
            or any history of acts involving cruelty to animals;

            (7) has any history of drug or alcohol abuse and
            recovery from this abuse; or

            (8) has recently acquired a firearm, ammunition, or
            other deadly weapon.

            [N.J.S.A. 2C:58-23(f).]

      Prior to issuing a FERPO, however, the court must also consider "all

relevant evidence," including if the individual: "has recklessly used, displayed,

or brandished a firearm;" "has an existing or previous extreme risk protective

order issued against [them];" and "has previously violated an extreme risk

protective order issued against [them]." AOC Directive, attach. 1, Guideline

3(d)(9) to (11).

      If a court finds at least one of the eleven "behavioral" factors, it may then

consider four mental health factors, specifically whether the subject of the

hearing:

            (12) has any prior involuntary commitment in a hospital
            or treatment facility for persons with psychiatric
            disabilities;

            (13) has received or is receiving mental health
            treatment;

            (14) has complied or has failed to comply with any
            mental health treatment; and

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                                       12
            (15) has received a diagnosis of a mental health
            disorder.

            [D.L.B., 468 N.J. Super. at 404 (citing AOC Directive,
            attach. 1, Guidelines 3(d), 5(d)) (regarding TERPOs
            and FERPOs, respectively).]

      No single factor is determinative. Rather, after weighing the appropriate

factors, "[t]he court shall issue the FERPO . . . if it finds 'by a preponderance of

the evidence at the hearing that the [individual] poses a significant danger of

bodily injury to the [individual's] self or others' by possessing a firearm." Id. at

406-07 (quoting N.J.S.A. 2C:58-24(b)).

      "[T]he rules governing admissibility of evidence at trial shall not apply to

the presentation and consideration of information at the [FERPO] hearing." Id.

at 406 (second alteration in original) (quoting AOC Directive, attach. 1,

Guideline 5(c)). In fact, when determining whether to grant a FERPO, the court

must not only consider the N.J.S.A. 2C:58-23(f) factors "as well as any other

relevant evidence," N.J.S.A. 2C:58-24(c), but Guideline 5(d) requires the court

to "consider all relevant evidence, including the factors referenced in Guideline

3(d)(1) to (11)," AOC Directive, attach. 1, Guideline 5(d), and "'information

obtained through the performance of [the State's] responsibilities' under the

Act," D.L.B., 468 N.J. Super. at 419 (quoting AOC Directive, attach. 1,

Guideline 5(e)). However, a FERPO "order 'cannot be based on hearsay alone'

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                                        13
and 'there must be a residuum of legal and competent evidence in the record to

support' the court's order." D.L.B., 468 N.J. Super. at 406 (quoting Weston v.

State, 60 N.J. 36, 51 (1972)).

      Applying these principles, we affirm the challenged FERPO substantially

for the reasons set forth in Judge Foti's well-reasoned and comprehensive oral

and written opinions. Not only are her factual and credibility findings entitled

to our deference, as they are amply supported in the record, but we are convinced

she properly applied the factors under the Act and the AOC Directive.

      Lastly, we reject L.C.'s argument that the judge impermissibly relied on

hearsay in issuing the FERPO. Indeed, the record reflects the judge did not

exclusively    rely    on    hearsay    evidence,    but    instead,    properly

considered hearsay evidence, documentary evidence (including pictures of

D.C.'s injuries), and Detective Cooper's credible testimony regarding his direct

interactions with L.C. as grounds supporting the entry of the FERPO.

      To the extent we have not specifically addressed any of L.C.'s remaining

arguments, we conclude they lack sufficient merit to warrant discussion in a

written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

      Affirmed.

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