Court Opinion

ID: 3215556
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-06-21 21:06:43.208376+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:45:36.860062
License: Public Domain

Filed 6/21/16 P. v. Stevenson CA1/3
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                       FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                DIVISION THREE

THE PEOPLE,
         Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                         A147424
v.
KATHRINA STEVENSON,                                                      (Solano County
                                                                         Super. Ct. No. FCR254105)
         Defendant and Appellant.

         Defendant Kathrina Stevenson appeals from the denial of her postconviction
motion for modification of the terms of her probation, reduction of her offenses from
felonies to misdemeanors, and dismissal of her case. Pursuant to People v. Wende (1979)
25 Cal.3d 436, defense counsel requests this court to independently review the record,
and advises that defendant has been informed of her right to file a supplemental brief,
which she has not done. Having reviewed the record, we find no error or abuse of
discretion and shall affirm.
         On August 20, 2009, defendant pleaded no contest to nine counts of identity theft
and one count of second degree burglary (Pen. Code,1 §§ 530.5, 459). The court placed
defendant on nine years of felony probation. In December 2015, defendant filed a motion
requesting the court to reduce the felonies to misdemeanors (§ 17, subd. (b)), terminate
her probation early and successfully (§ 1203.3), and permit her to withdraw her plea and
dismiss the case (§ 1203.4). In the supporting memorandum of points and authorities, her

1
    All statutory references are to the Penal Code.

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attorney argued as follows: “Ms. Stevenson has remained offense free since she was
placed on probation six years ago. She has maintained appropriate contact with her
probation officer. She has paid her outstanding fines and fees. Ms. Stevenson informs
me that she completed her theft class as well as a residential treatment program with the
Rosewood House in Vallejo, California. Ms. Stevenson has complied with all the terms
and conditions of her probation other than paying [restitution]. Ms. Stevenson has been
battling leukemia and has to have frequent blood transfusion three times per week.
Ms. Stevenson is not working and as a result has been unable to make payments towards
the restitution . This is not a willful failure to pay on her part as she does not have
sufficient income to do so. [¶] . . . According to her last probation report of November
30, 2015, Ms. Stevenson has been on fixed income consisting of $700.00 monthly and
has to provide for her family with that income. Ms. Stevenson requests the court to grant
the outstanding restitution into a civil judgment of $17,431.15.”
       The district attorney opposed the motion, based on defendant having reduced her
restitution obligation of $17,712.00 by only $280.85 and having submitted no proof that
she had in fact completed a court-ordered theft class. The probation department had
attempted to verify that defendant had completed such a class but had been unable to do
so. The court denied defendant’s requests without prejudice, based on the reasons cited
in the district attorney’s opposition. The court explained: “I want to see some progress
towards restitution, some confirmation of her medical condition, some prognosis from a
physician, perhaps and proof that the theft class was completed. . . . [T]hat’s why I’m
doing it without prejudice so that you don’t need a change of circumstances to re-apply
for the relief.” The court continued defendant’s probation on the same terms and
conditions. Defendant filed a timely notice of appeal.
       Although there is no dispute about the court’s authority to grant the relief
defendant has requested, there is also no suggestion that such relief is mandatory. The
court’s reasons for denying the requested relief at this time are entirely reasonable and
certainly do not constitute an abuse of discretion.
       The January 21, 2016 order denying defendant’s motion is affirmed.

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                                _________________________
                                Pollak, Acting P.J.

We concur:

_________________________
Siggins, J.

_________________________
Jenkins, J.

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