Court Opinion

ID: 9539309
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:01:55.492979+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:58:41.591154
License: Public Domain

*424Johnson, J.
(dissenting) — At issue in this case is whether charges will be dismissed automatically as a result of the State's failure to file findings of fact and conclusions of law within 21 days of receiving notice of appeal, as required by JuCR 7.11(d). The majority holds dismissal is not automatic and reads into the rule a requirement that the petitioner must show prejudice from the late filing to receive any remedy. The majority's interpretation ignores the rule's plain language and does not solve the problem presented by this case: the State's continued failure to comply with the rule's mandatory requirements. Although I agree dismissal need not be automatic, I would place the burden on the State rather than the defendant to demonstrate why it has failed to comply once the time period has passed. Unless the State can present a. sufficient reason to the court, the defendant should be entitled to relief. Therefore, I dissent.
Both the rules of statutory construction as well as policy rationales support enforcing the time limit set by JuCR 7.11(d). Court rules are interpreted like statutes and are subject to the principles of statutory construction. State v. Greenwood, 120 Wn.2d 585, 592, 845 P.2d 971 (1993). This court has stated repeatedly that if the language of a statute or rule is unambiguous, words must be given their plain, ordinary meaning. State v. Smith, 117 Wn.2d 263, 270-71, 814 P.2d 652 (1991). "We are obliged to give the plain language of a statute its full effect, even when its results may seem unduly harsh." (Italics mine.) Geschwind v. Flanagan, 121 Wn.2d 833, 841, 854 P.2d 1061 (1993). Just recently, this court gave a bright line reading of another court rule, following the rule's strict plain language. See State v. Newkirk, 122 Wn.2d 174, 857 P.2d 1030 (1993); State v. Hackett, 122 Wn.2d 165, 857 P.2d 1026 (1993).
Under JuCR 7.11(d), the prosecution must submit written findings of fact and conclusions of law 21 days after receiving a juvenile's notice of appeal. The plain language of the rule could not be more clear. The prosecution must submit findings — not can or should — it must. Under RAP 1.2(b), *425the word "must" is used in place of "should" "to emphasize failure to perform the act in a timely way may result in more severe than usual sanctions". (Italics mine.) RAP 1.2(b).
By ignoring this plain language, the majority reaches a result which in effect gives the State an indefinite time period to file its findings. Here, over 302 days passed before the State complied. Yet the majority does nothing because the long delay did not prejudice the defendant. Unfortunately, case-by-case determinations of prejudice will give the State little incentive to meet the 21-day deadline, resulting in continued disregard for the rule. In a significant number of cases, the defendant will not be able to show prejudice, so the rule is rendered meaningless.
Practical reasons also dictate in favor of requiring stricter compliance with the 21-day rule. Delays caused by late filings are a waste of judicial resources. For example, one division of the Court of Appeals sends a series of reminder letters, followed by motions to compel, which cost the court both time and money. Even with these methods, significant delays often persist. Given that many juvenile dispositions are not lengthy, additional delay results in inherent prejudice because juveniles who serve short sentences will not receive any adequate relief on appeal.
The State has conceded at oral argument that compliance with the rule would not be difficult. The State agreed some type of preprinted carbon form could be used, in which the parties fill out the findings and conclusions and obtain the judge's signature on the form prior to departing the courtroom. As one Justice suggested, the form could include boxes to check for jurisdiction and presence of the defendant with counsel, and a space to fill in the findings and conclusions. The findings and conclusions themselves need not be extensive. Findings must include a statement of ultimate facts as to each element of the crime, State v. Commodore, 38 Wn. App. 244, 250, 684 P.2d 1364, review denied, 103 Wn.2d 1005 (1984), and the elements can be taken from the information where they must be set out. Findings need not include all *426the evidence in the record, but "only those which establish the existence or nonexistence of determinative factual matters". In re LaBelle, 107 Wn.2d 196, 219, 728 P.2d 138 (1986). As noted at oral argument, the problem of compliance is purely a mechanical one.
Finally, I do not advocate automatic dismissal in these cases. Rather I would place the burden on the State to justify its noncompliance. Since the rule places a duty on the State to file findings, the burden should not be placed on the defendant, but on the State, to show why it has not complied. If the State fails to file written findings within the rule's time limit, the defendant should be able to bring a motion to dismiss once the 21 days have elapsed. If the motion does not stir the State into action, or if it still has not complied by time of the hearing on the motion, then the State better have a good reason for noncompliance, or the defendant should be granted relief. Since the State has conceded that complying with the rule would not be difficult, I should think the State would comply for fear of dismissal. This result would not only answer the question presented, but solve the problem as well.
Utter, Brachtenbach, and Madsen, JJ., concur with Johnson, J.
Reconsideration denied November 30, 1993.