Court Opinion

ID: 4410820
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-06-27 16:01:49.868314+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:57:58.024549
License: Public Domain

NOTICE: NOT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
 UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL
                 AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.

                                    IN THE
             ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
                                DIVISION ONE

                           STATE OF ARIZONA, Appellee,

                                        v.

                           JOSE RIVERA, Appellant.

                             No. 1 CA-CR 18-0642
                               FILED 6-27-2019

           Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
                        No. CR 2016-002285-001
               The Honorable Joseph P. Mikitish, Judge

                                  AFFIRMED

                                   COUNSEL

Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Phoenix
By Joseph T. Maziarz
Counsel for Appellee

Law Office of Nicole Countryman, Phoenix
By Nicole Countryman
Counsel for Appellant
                             STATE v. RIVERA
                            Decision of the Court

                       MEMORANDUM DECISION

Judge Jennifer B. Campbell delivered the decision of the Court, in which
Presiding Judge Paul J. McMurdie and Judge Randall M. Howe joined.

C A M P B E L L, Judge:

¶1              Jose Rivera timely appeals from his conviction and sentence
for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, a
class three dangerous felony. After searching the record on appeal and
finding no arguable question of law that was not frivolous, Rivera’s counsel
filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and
State v. Leon, 104 Ariz. 297 (1969), asking this court to search the record for
reversible error. This court granted Rivera’s motion to allow him to file a
pro per supplemental brief, but he did not do so. After reviewing the entire
record, we find no reversible error and affirm Rivera’s conviction and
sentence.

                              BACKGROUND1

¶2            During rush hour on Interstate 10 in Phoenix one morning,
commuters began calling 911 to report that a white car was driving
erratically—going faster than the pace of traffic, tailgating, and swerving
between lanes and onto the emergency shoulder. Eventually, the white car
swerved, cutting diagonally across traffic. The white car then collided with
a black car that was at a standstill in line for a righthand exit ramp, injuring
that car’s driver. When officers arrived on the scene, they were unable to
perform field sobriety tests on the driver of the white car, Rivera. He was
staggering around, had watery and bloodshot eyes, was lethargic, was
unable to control his movements, and had to be supported to stay upright.
Rivera submitted to a blood test at the hospital later and an analysis
revealed that he had methamphetamine and clonazepam in his system at
the time of the collision.

¶3         A jury found Rivera guilty of aggravated assault with a
deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, a class three dangerous felony,

       1 We view the facts in the light most favorable to sustaining the
conviction and resolve all reasonable inferences against Rivera. State v.
Guerra, 161 Ariz. 289, 293 (1989).

                                       2
                            STATE v. RIVERA
                           Decision of the Court

and found the aggravating circumstance of causing physical, emotional, or
financial harm to the victim. The court sentenced Rivera to the presumptive
term of 7.5 years of incarceration and awarded him 434 days of presentence
incarceration credit.

                               DISCUSSION

¶4              We have reviewed the entire record for reversible error and
find none. See Leon, 104 Ariz. at 300. Rivera received a fair trial. He was
represented by counsel at all stages of the proceedings and was present at
all critical stages.

¶5            The evidence presented at trial was substantial and supports
the verdict. The jury was properly comprised of eight members and the
court properly instructed the jury on the elements of the charge, Rivera’s
presumption of innocence, the State’s burden of proof, and the necessity of
a unanimous verdict. The superior court received and considered a
presentence report, Rivera was given an opportunity to speak at sentencing,
and his sentence was within the range of acceptable sentences for his
offense.

                              CONCLUSION

¶6            We affirm Rivera’s conviction and sentence. Unless defense
counsel finds an issue that may be appropriately submitted to the Arizona
Supreme Court, his obligations are fulfilled once counsel informs Rivera of
the outcome of this appeal and his future options. See State v. Shattuck, 140
Ariz. 582, 584-85 (1984). Rivera has 30 days from the date of this decision to
proceed, if he wishes, with a pro per motion for reconsideration or petition
for review.

                          AMY M. WOOD • Clerk of the Court
                           FILED: AA

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