Court Opinion

ID: 2722869
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-02 21:08:38.911927+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:39:45.332143
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

IN RE DETENTION OF                               ]
                                                 )       No. 68664-0-1                                      r

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                                                         DIVISION ONE                          r/3

                                                                                               !

LOUIS W. BROCK,                                          PUBLISHED OPINION
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                        Respondent.              )       FILED: September 2. 2014             r~
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        Spearman, C.J. — In this case we consider whether a sexually violent

predator (SVP) under Chapter 71.09 RCW may waive his or her right to annually

petition for unconditional release by written agreement with the State. We

conclude that so long as the waiver is shown to be knowing, intelligent and

voluntary, a SVP may agree to waive the right to petition for unconditional

release. Accordingly, the agreement at issue in this case is lawful and

enforceable. We reverse.

                                             FACTS

        In 1991 Louis Brock was committed to the Special Commitment Center

(SCC) following a jury determination that he met the definition of a SVP1 under
chapter 71.09 RCW.2 In November 2007, Brock filed a motion for a new trial on

        1"Sexually violent predator" means any person who has been convicted of or charged
with a crime of sexual violence and who suffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder
which makes the person likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence if not confined in a
secure facility. RCW 71.09.020(18).
        2 For a brief summary of Brock's criminal history, see Tagqart v. State, 118 Wn.2d 195,
199-201, 822 P.2d 243 (1992).
No. 68664-0-1/2

whether he should be unconditionally released from the confinement. The trial

court granted the motion on February 28, 2008. At Brock's new trial, which began

in March 2010, the State offered testimony from Dr. Paul Spizman, an evaluator

at the SCC. He testified that because Brock suffered from a mental abnormality

and personality disorder which made him likely to engage in predatory acts of

sexual violence, he met the definition of a SVP. After hearing Dr. Spizman's

testimony and based on the advice of his attorneys, Brock concluded that it was

unlikely he would win unconditional release at trial. He also decided a conditional

release from confinement would more likely result from negotiating with the State

than by a jury trial. Before the second day of testimony resumed, the parties

notified the court they were attempting to settle the case. Later that same day,

Brock and the State entered into a settlement agreement ("the Agreement").

       The Agreement required Brock and the State to each use their "best

efforts" to explore, develop, and craft an appropriate less restrictive placement

alternative (LRA) that would be acceptable to the SCC. Clerk's Papers (CP) at

234. In exchange, Brock agreed that "he currently continues to meet the criteria

for and the definition of a [SVP]." CP at 233. He also agreed to waive his

"statutory and any constitutional right to seek, petition [for] or accept an

unconditional release or removal of his designation as a [SVP] for a period of four

(4) years from the date of [the] Order." CP at 234, U 6 ("Paragraph Six"). This

promise extended to any unconditional release that might be recommended by

the SCC. Brock's counsel told the court that she had read the Agreement to

Brock word for word with particular emphasis on Paragraph Six. She stated that
No. 68664-0-1/3

Brock indicated he understood the agreement and "he specifically agreed to that

provision [Paragraph Six] as well." Verbatim Report of Proceedings (3/4/10) at

307. The court questioned Brock about his understanding of the Agreement and

whether he was entering into it knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. Brock

answered "Yes." to both questions.3 VRP (3/4/10) at 310-11. The court approved

the Agreement as in the interest of justice. The parties filed the Agreement,

signed by Brock, counsel for both sides, and the court. The jury was dismissed

and the trial ended.

        Seven months later, Dr. Spizman conducted an annual review of Brock, as

required by statute. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Spizman "ha[d] significant

uncertainty whether [Brock continued to have] a mental abnormality." CP at 147.

He thus concluded Brock no longer met the criteria for continued involuntary

commitment. Brock did not petition for unconditional release at that time.

        A year later, after the October 2011 annual review, Dr. Spizman was again

"unable to clearly identify an underlying mental abnormality/personality disorder

that would meet the criteria necessary for Mr. Brock to be civilly committed as a

Sexually Violent Predator." CP at 191. He also questioned the degree of risk

Brock posed if he was released from confinement, opining "I cannot state [Brock]

continues to be more likely than not to reoffend sexually if released

unconditionally from confinement." ]d.

        3 The court stated, "[SCC] might submit a report saying that they don't believe that you're
a sexually violent predator within those four years, and that you should be released
unconditionally, that you by this paragraph, if that happened, are"agreeing that you would not
seek an unconditional release or attempt to have you designated as not being a sexually violent
predator. Do you understand that?" Brock answered, "Yes, I do." VRP (3/4/10) at 311-12.
No. 68664-0-1/4

       On November 10, 2011, less than two years after signing the Agreement,

Brock filed a memorandum, citing Dr. Spizman's report, in support of his request

for a trial on whether he should be unconditionally released. The State objected

to the request. It argued that, regardless of Dr. Spizman's opinion, the

Agreement precluded Brock from seeking unconditional release until 2014.

       In March 2012, Brock filed a motion to strike, withdraw or otherwise not

enforce the stipulation, contending the agreement was unenforceable because it

usurped the authority of the court and because the agreement was

unconscionable. The State opposed the motion. It contended that because Brock

was seeking relief from a judgment or order, the motion was properly analyzed

under CR 60. The State pointed out that Brock had not shown that any of the

bases listed in CR 60(b)(1)-(10) applied. Accordingly, it argued, the motion

should be denied. In reply, Brock clarified that his request for relief was not

based on CR 60(b).

       The court granted Brock's motion and entered an order striking Paragraph

Six of the Agreement.4 The court concluded Brock was entitled to relief because

Paragraph Six violated "public policy by allowing continued confinement of Mr.

Brock when he no longer meets the definition of a SVP." CP at 42. The court

further found that "the waiver of a right to accept unconditional release after

future annual reviews with unknown results is contrary to law because those

future annual reviews may not support continued confinement in the SCC." CP at

       4 Because the judge who presided over the aborted trial had retired, the motion was
heard by a different judge.
No. 68664-0-1/5

42. Although Brock expressly denied that he sought to vacate the Agreement

under CR 60(b), the court also granted relief under CR 60(b)(11) concluding that

under the circumstances, Brock's continued confinement without a right to seek

unconditional release was an extraordinary circumstance justifying relief.5 The

judge rejected Brock's claim that the Agreement was unconscionable and

reserved ruling on the issue of whether the Agreement failed for lack of

consideration.6

        The State appeals.

                                          DISCUSSION

        Brock first contends that the Agreement is illegal because, in light of the

results of his most recent annual reviews, it subjects him to confinement without

requiring the State to show that he meets the necessary statutory and

constitutional commitment criteria, i.e., that he is currently both mentally ill and

dangerous. He also contends the Agreement is unlawful because it assumes a

person may volunteer for continued commitment when the State fails to justify

involuntary commitment, which he argues is contrary to the SVP statute. Thus,

he contends the Agreement is void and unenforceable. We disagree.

        In general, parties may contract as they wish, and courts will enforce their

agreements without passing on the substance. Redford v. Seattle, 94 Wn.2d 198,

        5 Both parties agree, albeit for different reasons, that the trial court improperly granted
Brock relief under CR 60(b). The State contends that the Agreement is a stipulated judgment to
which CR 60(b) applies and reliefshould have been denied because the necessary showing
under the rule (i.e. fraud or mutual mistake) was not made. Brock contends that the rule is
inapplicable because the Agreement was not a final judgment. In light of our disposition of this
case, we need not resolve this dispute.
        6 Because neither party briefs these two issues on appeal, we do not address them.
No. 68664-0-1/6

206, 615 P.2d 1285 (1980). But a contract that is in conflict with statutory

requirements is illegal and unenforceable as a matter of law. Failor's Pharmacy

v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 125 Wn.2d 488, 499, 886 P.2d 147 (1994)

(citing Hederman v. George, 35 Wn.2d 357, 362, 212 P.2d 841 (1949));

Hammack v. Hammack, 114 Wn. App. 805, 810-11, 60 P.3d 663 (2003). In the

context of a plea agreement in a criminal case, generally a defendant can waive

any right that exists for his or her benefit if he or she so chooses. State v. Peltier,

No. 89502-3 (2014 WL                     (August 21, 2014)). But a plea agreement

cannot bind a court to impose a sentence that is contrary to law. State v. Barber,

170 Wn.2d 854, 870, 248 P.3d 494 (2011).

        Brock argues that the Agreement is void as a matter of law because it

attempts to bind the court to detain him under circumstances that are contrary to

statutory and constitutional law. But Brock misconstrues the Agreement and its

effect on his detention. Even absent the Agreement, Brock is not entitled to

unconditional release based on the results of his 2011 annual review.7 Under

RCW 71.09.090(1), he is only entitled to a trial to determine whether or not the

State can prove that he continues to meet the definition of a SVP. Obviously, the

outcome of such a proceeding is unknown. Thus, what Brock has waived in his

Agreement is not his release from confinement, but rather his right to petition for
a trial on the issue. The issue before us is whether a SVP may knowingly,

         7We also reject Brock's contention that the Agreementconverts his detention from
involuntary to voluntary. The basis for Brock's currentdetention is not the Agreement, but instead,
the jury finding in 1991 that he metthe criteria for commitment as a SVP beyond a reasonable
doubt. Thatjudgment has never been set aside and remains in effect unless and until itis
determined otherwise in a new proceeding.
No. 68664-0-1/7

intelligently and voluntarily waive the right to petition for such a trial or whether

such an agreement is, as Brock contends, contrary to law.

       In Peltier, our Supreme Court noted that generally criminal defendants can

waive rights that exist for their benefit. We see no reason why the same general

rule should not apply in this context. A SVP, like a criminal defendant, may

determine for any number of reasons that it is to his or her benefit to waive the

right to a trial. And if it appears advantageous to waive the right to a trial, he or

she should be able to do so. We are not persuaded that we should constrain a

person's ability to make such a decision regarding the conduct of their own case.

       Nor are we persuaded that permitting a SVP to make such a choice is

contrary to the SVP statute. RCW 71.09.090(1) provides:

       Ifthe secretary determines that the person's condition has so
       changed that either: (a) The person no longer meets the
       definition of a sexually violent predator; or (b) conditional
       release to a less restrictive alternative is in the best interest of
       the person and conditions can be imposed that adequately
       protect the community, the secretary shall authorize the person
       to petition the court for conditional release to a less restrictive
       alternative or unconditional discharge. The petition shall be
       filed with the court and served upon the prosecuting agency
       responsible for the initial commitment. The court, upon receipt
       of the petition for conditional release to a less restrictive
       alternative or unconditional discharge, shall within forty-five
       days order a hearing.

According to this subsection, the Department of Social and Health Services

(DSHS) must authorize a SVP to file a petition, ifthe annual review concludes

the committed person no longer meets the definition of a SVP. Brock urges us to

find that because the authorization by DSHS to file a petition is mandatory under

these circumstances, so too is the filing of the petition for unconditional release.
No. 68664-0-1/8

But, in the absence of any ambiguity on this point, there is no occasion for us to

interpret or read into the statute words that are not there. C.J.C. v. Corp. of

Catholic Bishop of Yakima, 138 Wn.2d 699, 708, 985 P.2d 262 (1999). Here,

under the plain language of the statute, the filing of the petition is not mandatory.

Nor does the statute place the discretion whether to file a petition in DSHS.

Rather, the choice appears to lie with the SVP. We discern no inconsistency with

the statute in permitting a committed person to waive the right to petition for a

trial if he or she so chooses.

       Brock points out that under RCW 71.09.090(2)(a), if the annual review

concludes the person still meets the commitment criteria, DSHS "shall provide

the committed person with an annual written notice of the person's right to

petition the court for conditional release to a less restrictive alternative or

unconditional discharge over [DSHS's] objection. The notice shall contain a

waiver of rights," in the event the SVP chooses not to exercise this right. Based

on this provision, he argues, and the trial court so concluded, that a waiver of the

right to petition for unconditional release in excess of one year, i.e., concurrent

with the annual review, violated public policy and was contrary to law. We

disagree that the provisions for notice of the right to petition and waiver of that

right in subsection (2)(a) are applicable to subsection (1).

       Subsection (2)(a) specifically addresses notice of and waiver of the right to

file a petition over DSHS's objection. Notice of the right to file a petition under this

circumstance is necessary because otherwise a committed person might

reasonably believe that an unfavorable annual review precluded a petition for any

                                            8
No. 68664-0-1/9

type of release even though it does not. The subsection also recognizes that

because the likelihood of release in light of an unfavorable review is substantially

less, a committed person may decide to waive filing a petition. Neither of these

circumstances are present in a case such as this which arises under subsection

(1). That subsection makes no mention of notice of the right to file a petition or of

waiver because the favorable annual review and the mandatory authorization to

file a petition is sufficient notice. And the question of whether to file a petition in

light of a favorable annual review is not one of waiver, but one of choice that lies

with the committed person.

       We conclude the trial court erred in vacating Paragraph Six of the

Agreement between Brock and the State.8

       Reverse.

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WE CONCUR:

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       8Brock also argues that the Agreement is unlawful as ultra vires, because through it, the
Snohomish County prosecutor has bound "DSHS, the SCC and the Washington Office of Public
Defense (OPD) to pay for Brock's continued commitment even though the [S]tate could not
establish he continued to meet commitment criteria." Brief of Respondent at 23-24. We disagree.
As discussed above, because the basis for Brock's detention is the 1991 jury verdict, each of the
noted agencies remain statutorily obliged to fund Brock's commitment.