Court Opinion

ID: 1036757
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-08-07 18:50:04.667901+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:38:24.970395
License: Public Domain

Filed 8/7/13 P. v. Phillips CA2/6
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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

                                     SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                   DIVISION SIX

THE PEOPLE,                                                                2d Crim. No. B244975
                                                                       (Super. Ct. Nos. MA056166-01,
     Plaintiff and Respondent,                                                 MA057013-01)
                                                                           (Los Angeles County)
v.

KRISTAL MARIE PHILLIPS,

     Defendant and Appellant.

                   Kristal Marie Phillips appeals an order revoking probation in case No.
MA056166-01, and a judgment after conviction in case No. MA057013-01, after she
waived her constitutional rights, admitted violating probation, and pleaded nolo
contendere to second degree burglary. (Pen. Code, §§ 459, 460)1 Phillips did not obtain
a certificate of probable cause for this appeal.
                   We appointed counsel to represent Phillips in this appeal. After
examination of the record, counsel filed an opening brief raising no issues. (People v.
Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436, 441.) On June 5, 2013, we advised Phillips that she had 30
days within which to personally submit any contentions or issues that she wished to raise
on appeal. On June 26, 2013, we received a response from her contending that 1)
insufficient evidence supports the judgment and 2) the trial court abused its discretion by

1
    All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless stated otherwise.
declining to sentence her to a "split sentence" pursuant to section 1170, subdivision
(h)(5)(B). Pursuant to People v. Kelly (2006) 40 Cal.4th 106, 123-124, we present a
factual and procedural summary of the case and a brief discussion of Phillips's
contentions.
                          FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
               On May 22, 2012, Phillips waived her right to a preliminary hearing,
waived her constitutional rights, and entered a plea of nolo contendere to the unlawful
driving or taking of a motor vehicle. (Veh. Code, § 10851, subd. (a).) Phillips also
admitted serving two prior prison terms within the meaning of section 667.5, subdivision
(b). Pursuant to a plea agreement, the trial court sentenced Phillips to a five year prison
term, suspended execution of sentence, and granted Phillips five years of formal
probation. (Case No. MA056166-01.)
               On August 7, 2012, the prosecutor charged Phillips with one count of
second degree burglary, involving her theft of merchandise from a store. (Case No.
MA057013-01.) The prosecutor also sought to revoke Phillips's probation in the earlier
case. On August 17, 2012, Phillips waived her right to a preliminary examination,
waived her constitutional rights, and pleaded nolo contendere to one count of second
degree burglary. She also admitted violating probation in the prior case. Pursuant to a
plea agreement, the trial court sentenced Phillips to a two-year term to be served
concurrently with the five-year term already imposed. The court revoked probation,
ordered execution of sentence, imposed various fines and fees, and awarded Phillips 110
days presentence custody credit in case No. MA056166-01, and 78 days credit in case
No. MA57013-01.
                                       DISCUSSION
                                             I.
               Phillips contends that insufficient evidence supports her second degree
burglary conviction.

                                              2
              Generally, a defendant who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a charge
and who appeals thereafter must obtain a certificate of probable cause. (§ 1237.5; People
v. Mendez (1999) 19 Cal.4th 1084, 1088.) Two exceptions to the rule exist -- search and
seizure issues and postplea issues that do not affect the validity of the plea. (Mendez, at
p. 1096.) Here Phillips did not obtain a certificate of probable cause and neither
exception pertains to her appeal.
              Moreover, Phillips entered a negotiated plea that admits all facts of her
crime, thereby relieving the prosecution of its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
(In re Chavez (2003) 30 Cal.4th 643, 649.) Thus, her claim of insufficient evidence is
forfeited by her plea.
                                             II.
              Phillips also argues that the trial court abused its discretion by denying her
motion for a split-sentence that would involve community residential drug treatment.
              Section 1170, subdivision (h)(5) provides: "The court, when imposing a
sentence pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, may commit the defendant
to county jail as follows: [¶] (A) For a full term in custody as determined in accordance
with the applicable sentencing law. [¶] (B)(i) For a term as determined in accordance
with the applicable sentencing law, but suspend execution of a concluding portion of the
term selected in the court's discretion, during which time the defendant shall be
supervised by the county probation officer in accordance with the terms, conditions, and
procedures generally applicable to persons placed on probation, for the remaining
unserved portion of the sentence imposed by the court." The trial court has broad
discretion in determining whether to impose a straight jail commitment or a "split" or
"blended" sentence pursuant to section 1170, subdivision (h)(5)(B). (People v. Clytus
(2012) 209 Cal.App.4th 1001, 1009.)
              The trial court denied Phillips's motion after reviewing the court files and
the probation report. The probation report discloses a long history of drug crimes,

                                              3
probation violations, and prison commitments. Phillips has not established that the court
abused its sentencing discretion.
              We have reviewed the entire record and are satisfied that Phillips's attorney
has fully complied with her responsibilities and that no arguable issue exists. (People v.
Wende, supra, 25 Cal.3d 436, 441.)
              The judgment is affirmed.
              NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.

                                          GILBERT, P.J.

We concur:

              YEGAN, J.

              PERREN, J.

                                             4
                             Christopher G. Estes, Judge

                        Superior Court County of Los Angeles

                        ______________________________

             Marilyn Drath, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant
and Appellant.

             No appearance for Plaintiff and Respondent.

                                          5