Court Opinion

ID: 4449130
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-10-23 13:09:20.115506+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:45:36.126608
License: Public Domain

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Jennifer Nicole DeMaria,                       :
                             Petitioner        :
                                               :
              v.                               :    No. 710 M.D. 2018
                                               :    Submitted: May 17, 2019
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,                  :
Department of Corrections,                     :
                        Respondent             :

BEFORE:       HONORABLE MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, President Judge
              HONORABLE RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, Judge
              HONORABLE CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY PRESIDENT JUDGE LEAVITT                                         FILED: October 23, 2019
              Jennifer Nicole DeMaria (DeMaria) has filed a petition for review in
the nature of a complaint in mandamus to compel the Department of Corrections
(Department) to admit her into a drug offender treatment program as a State
intermediate punishment.1 The Department filed a preliminary objection in the
nature of a demurrer. Concluding that DeMaria’s complaint does not state a clear
right to relief, we sustain the demurrer and dismiss DeMaria’s petition.
              The facts on which the demurrer must be reviewed are set forth in
DeMaria’s petition for review. In March 2018, DeMaria pled guilty to drug delivery
resulting in death (two counts) and possession with intent to deliver. Prior to

1
  “State intermediate punishment” is a statutorily authorized sentencing alternative. 42 Pa. C.S.
§9721(a)(7). The General Assembly has directed the Department to “establish and administer a
drug offender treatment program as a State intermediate punishment.” 61 Pa. C.S. §4105(a). The
Department established its Drug Offender Treatment Program (DOTP) by regulation as a form of
State intermediate punishment to provide a sentencing alternative for individuals who commit
drug-related offenses. 61 Pa. Code §97.101. We refer to the DOTP and the State intermediate
punishment program interchangeably in this opinion.
sentencing, the prosecutor advised the sentencing court that the Commonwealth
waived the eligibility requirements for State intermediate punishment “based on the
underlying charges.”        Petition ¶7 at 2.   The sentencing court accepted the
Commonwealth’s waiver and referred DeMaria to the Department for an evaluation
of whether placement in State intermediate punishment was appropriate. Id. ¶ 7-10
at 2-3. The Department, “without performing an evaluation,” denied her admission
to the State intermediate punishment program “based on the charges to which she
had pled.” Id. ¶11 at 3.
             The sentencing court then held a second hearing, at which the
Commonwealth again elected to waive the eligibility requirements for State
intermediate punishment for “the [current] charges, as well as for any other charges
in [her] past[.]” Petition ¶12 at 3. In accepting the Commonwealth’s waiver, the
sentencing court noted that “it did not believe that the Department of Corrections
had the legal authority to deny [her] from the State [intermediate punishment]
program following such waiver and court acceptance.” Id. ¶13 at 4. The sentencing
court again referred DeMaria to the Department for reassessment.
             DeMaria alleges that the Department “performed only a minimal
evaluation[.]” Petition ¶14 at 4. The Department determined that DeMaria was not
eligible for State intermediate punishment because of “the context of her current
offenses,” “several prior unsuccessful treatment attempts,” and “history of assaultive
acts.” Petition ¶28 at 6.
             DeMaria further alleges that the Department’s stated reasons for
denying her placement in State intermediate punishment lack merit. She contends
that the Commonwealth waived any disqualification based on the nature of her
current offense and history of assaultive conduct. Further, she did not have a history

                                           2
of unsuccessful drug treatment. DeMaria sought a writ of mandamus to compel the
Department to place her in the State intermediate punishment program.
             In response, the Department filed a preliminary objection in the nature
of a demurrer. The Department contends that DeMaria lacks a clear right to relief
because placement in State intermediate punishment requires the exercise of the
Department’s discretion, and mandamus is not available to compel the exercise of
an agency’s discretion in a particular way. It asks this Court to dismiss her
mandamus complaint.
             In a demurrer, the court “must consider as true all well-pleaded material
facts set forth in the petition and all reasonable inferences that may be drawn from
those facts.”   Richardson v. Beard, 942 A.2d 911, 913 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2008).
“Preliminary objections will be sustained only where it is clear and free from doubt
that the facts pleaded are legally insufficient to establish a right to relief.” Id. The
court “need not accept as true conclusions of law, unwarranted inferences from facts,
argumentative allegations, or expressions of opinion.” Id.
             Mandamus is an extraordinary writ that is available to compel a
ministerial duty where there exists: (1) a clear legal right in the plaintiff; (2) a
corresponding duty in the defendant; and (3) the lack of any other adequate and
appropriate remedy. Banks v. Department of Corrections, 759 A.2d 432, 433 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 2000). “Mandamus is not used to direct the exercise of judgment or
discretion of an official in a particular way.” Clark v. Beard, 918 A.2d 155, 159 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 2007).
             Here, the State intermediate punishment Drug Offender Treatment
Program (DOTP) is a two-year program designed to rehabilitate inmates convicted
of drug-related offenses who have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. 61 Pa. C.S.

                                           3
§§4102-4108. The program addresses “the individually assessed drug and alcohol
abuse and addiction needs of a participant” and “other issues essential to the
participant’s successful reintegration into the community.” 61 Pa. C.S. §4105(a).
An individual is eligible for State intermediate punishment if he or she has been
convicted of a drug-related offense2 and

               (1)     Has undergone an assessment performed by the
                       Department of Corrections, which assessment has
                       concluded that the defendant is in need of drug and
                       alcohol addiction treatment and would benefit from
                       commitment to a drug offender treatment program[3] and
                       that placement in a drug offender treatment program
                       would be appropriate.
               (2)     Does not demonstrate a history of present or past violent
                       behavior.
               (3)     Would be placed in the custody of the department if not
                       sentenced to State intermediate punishment.

               (4)     Provides written consent permitting release of information
                       pertaining to the defendant’s participation in a drug
                       offender treatment program.

61 Pa. C.S. §4103 (emphasis added).4

2
  A “drug-related offense” is “[a] criminal offense for which a defendant is convicted and that the
court determines was motivated by the defendant’s consumption of or addiction to alcohol or a
controlled substance, counterfeit, designer drug, drug, immediate precursor or marijuana, as those
terms are defined in the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as The Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.” 61 Pa. C.S. §4103.
3
  The term “drug offender treatment program” (DOTP) means “[a]n individualized treatment
program established by the Department consisting primarily of drug and alcohol addiction
treatment that satisfies the terms and conditions in section 9905 of the act [at 42 Pa. C.S. Chapter
99] (relating to drug offender treatment program).” 37 Pa. Code §97.102.
4
  A defendant is ineligible for State intermediate punishment if he or she is subject to a sentence
which includes an enhancement for use of a deadly weapon; has been convicted or adjudicated
                                                 4
               Placement in State intermediate punishment requires several steps.
First, the sentencing court must determine whether an individual qualifies for
placement. If so, the sentencing court refers the matter for an evaluation by the
Department. 61 Pa. C.S. §4104(a)(1). Second, “[t]he Department will conduct a
risk assessment and assess the addiction and other treatment needs of” the individual.
37 Pa. Code §97.104(a). The Department, in its evaluation, considers the following
criteria:

               (1)     Information furnished to the Department by the sentencing
                       court.[5]

               (2)     The results of the assessment of addiction and other
                       treatment needs conducted by the Department.
               (3)     The length of the sentence that would be typically imposed
                       under the standard range of the sentencing guidelines
                       promulgated by the Pennsylvania Commission on
                       Sentencing.

               (4)     The eligible offender’s             motivation       to    participate
                       meaningfully in a DOTP.
               (5)     Whether the eligible offender has provided to the
                       Department written consent permitting the release of
                       information pertaining to the eligible offender’s
                       participation in a DOTP.

               (6)     The eligible offender’s criminal history.
               (7)     The eligible offender’s escape or parole absconder history.

delinquent of a crime requiring registration as a sexual offender; or has a current or prior conviction
for specified offenses, none of which are applicable here. 61 Pa. C.S. §4103.
5
  The sentencing court provides the Department with a summary of the individual’s offense;
information relating to the individual’s history of criminality and drug or alcohol abuse or
addiction; the presentence investigation report; and any other information the sentencing court
believes is relevant. 61 Pa. C.S. §4104(a)(2).
                                                  5
              (8)     The eligible offender’s institutional adjustment during
                      current and prior incarcerations.

              (9)     The availability of the Department’s programming
                      resources.

37 Pa. Code §97.106(a). Where the Department, “in its discretion,” believes the
criminal defendant’s placement in these programs is appropriate, it prepares a drug
treatment program plan for the individual and provides it to the sentencing court. 61
Pa. C.S. §4104(c); 37 Pa. Code §97.104(b). Upon receipt of a drug treatment
program plan, the court may sentence an individual to State intermediate
punishment. 61 Pa. C.S. §4104(d).6
              The Department contends the law does not confer a legal right upon
DeMaria to participate in State intermediate punishment. DeMaria responds that she
is “the perfect candidate for the State [intermediate punishment] program,” as found
by the sentencing court.         DeMaria Brief at 11.          DeMaria contends that the
Department does not have the authority to overrule the sentencing court’s
determination that a disqualification has been waived.
              Whether an individual would benefit from a drug offender treatment
program and whether his or her placement in a drug treatment plan would be
appropriate are matters committed to the Department’s discretion. Section 4104(c)
of the Prisons and Parole Code states:

              If the department in its discretion believes a defendant would
              benefit from a drug offender treatment program and placement
              in the drug offender treatment program is appropriate, the
              department shall provide the court, the defendant, the attorney

6
  Where the Department determines that the criminal defendant will not benefit from a drug
treatment program or that placement in a drug treatment program is not appropriate, it provides a
report setting forth the reasons for its determination to the sentencing court. 37 Pa. Code
§97.104(b).
                                               6
               for the Commonwealth and the commission with a proposed drug
               offender treatment program detailing the type of treatment
               proposed.

61 Pa. C.S. §4104(c) (emphasis added). Likewise, the statute does not “[c]onfer any
legal right upon any individual … to … participate in a drug offender treatment
program[.]” 61 Pa. C.S. §4108(1)(i);7 see also 37 Pa. Code §97.106(b) (“An eligible
offender does not have a right to placement in a DOTP.”).8
               DeMaria focuses on the Commonwealth’s waiver of the eligibility
requirements and the sentencing court’s acceptance of that waiver. She argues that
the Department cannot deny her admission into the State intermediate punishment
program based on the “context of her current offenses” and “history of assaultive
acts” because these disqualifications were waived. DeMaria Brief at 9. Stated
otherwise, if all disqualifying acts are waived, there is nothing on which the
Department can exercise its discretion to deny her admission to the program.
               Section 4104(a) provides, in pertinent part, as follows:

7
  This section provides, in pertinent part, as follows:
        Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, this chapter shall not
        be construed to:
        (1) Confer any legal right upon any individual, including an individual participating
        in the drug offender treatment program, to:
                (i) participate in a drug offender treatment program[.]
61 Pa. C.S. §4108(1)(i).
8
  Section 97.106(b) states, in pertinent part, as follows:
       (b) An eligible offender does not have a right to placement in a DOTP…. The goal
       of the Participant Selection Committee will be to select those defendants it believes
       will most likely benefit from a DOTP by becoming productive, law-abiding
       members of society while allowing the Department to use its available
       programming resources efficiently and effectively. The number of participants
       selected for a DOTP will be the number that the Participant Selection Committee
       believes will neither under use nor overtax the available programming resources.
37 Pa. Code §97.106(b).
                                                 7
             (a)   Referral for evaluation.—

                   (1)    Prior to imposing a sentence, the court may, upon
                          motion of the Commonwealth, commit [an
                          individual] to the custody of the department for the
                          purpose of evaluating whether the [individual]
                          would benefit from a drug offender treatment
                          program and whether placement in the drug
                          offender treatment program is appropriate.

                   (1.1) (i) The prosecuting attorney, in the prosecuting
                         attorney’s sole discretion, may advise the court that
                         the Commonwealth has elected to waive the
                         eligibility requirements of this chapter if the victim
                         has been given notice of the prosecuting attorney’s
                         intent to waive the eligibility requirements and an
                         opportunity to be heard on the issue.

                          (ii) The court, after considering victim input, may
                          refuse to accept the prosecuting attorney’s waiver
                          of the eligibility requirements.

61 Pa. C.S. §4104(a) (emphasis added). The sentencing court may refer a convicted
defendant to the Department for an evaluation upon motion of the Commonwealth
or where the Commonwealth waives the eligibility requirements. The sentencing
court has the discretion to refuse to accept the Commonwealth’s waiver. However,
in every case, the Department must do an evaluation.
             In her mandamus complaint, DeMaria avers that the first time the
sentencing court referred her to the Department for evaluation, the Department did
not “perform[] an evaluation.” Petition ¶11 at 3. The second time the sentencing
court referred her to the Department for evaluation, the Department “performed only
a minimal evaluation before again rejecting” her. Petition ¶14 at 4. DeMaria
attached the Department’s July 18, 2018, letter to her petition for review as Exhibit
E. In this letter, the Department states that it conducted a reassessment “[i]n

                                         8
compliance with the revised court order and 61 Pa. C.S. §4104” and that “all relevant
information was reviewed and considered.” Petition, Exhibit E.
              The Commonwealth’s waiver, and the sentencing court’s acceptance of
the waiver, did not limit what the Department could review or consider in its
evaluation.    The regulation specifies that the Department must consider an
individual’s criminal history.      37 Pa. Code §97.106(a)(6).         Notably, the
Department’s determination was not based solely on DeMaria’s current and past
criminal history. The Department deemed DeMaria inappropriate for the drug
treatment program because of her “several prior unsuccessful treatment attempts.”
Petition ¶28 at 6. DeMaria challenges this finding, stating that she only relapsed
once after receiving treatment for her addiction. Petition ¶15 at 4.
              DeMaria has neither a statutory right to State intermediate punishment
nor a statutory remedy to challenge the Department’s decision not to recommend her
entry to this program. A writ of mandamus cannot be used to create a remedy where,
as here, placement of an individual in State intermediate punishment has been denied
as a result of the Department’s exercise of discretion. See 37 Pa. Code §97.106(a)
(listing eight criteria the Department considers in doing its risk assessment). Only
after the Department determines that an individual’s placement is appropriate can
the sentencing court sentence a defendant to State intermediate punishment. 61 Pa.
C.S. §4103.
              DeMaria also asserts that the Department’s refusal to recommend her
for the State intermediate punishment program violated her equal protection rights.
In her brief, however, DeMaria does not develop this argument.           Other than
identifying two male defendants who pled guilty to drug delivery resulting in death
and were placed into the State intermediate punishment program, DeMaria does not

                                          9
provide any discussion or analysis of this claim. See DeMaria Brief at 12-13.
Further, DeMaria does not cite to any relevant authority. As such, we find that
DeMaria waived this issue.              American Rock Mechanics, Inc. v. Workers’
Compensation Appeal Board (Bik and Lehigh Concrete Technologies), 881 A.2d 54,
56 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2005).9
               For the reasons stated above, we hold that DeMaria’s petition does not
state a claim for a writ of mandamus. Accordingly, the Department’s preliminary
objection in the nature of demurrer is sustained, and the petition for review is
dismissed.

                                           MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, President Judge

9
  The basis of DeMaria’s equal protection claim is the Department’s placement of two male
defendants into the State intermediate punishment program. “The Equal Protection Clause … does
not obligate the government to treat all persons identically, but merely assures that all similarly
situated persons are treated alike.” Small v. Horn, 722 A.2d 664, 672 (Pa. 1998). The Department
must use the same criteria for all persons evaluated for the State intermediate punishment program.
37 Pa. Code §97.106(a). DeMaria does not allege that the Department applied different criteria.
The two individuals cited by DeMaria were convicted of one count of drug delivery resulting in
death, whereas DeMaria was convicted of two counts. DeMaria’s history includes assaultive
behavior, drug addiction and relapse following addiction treatment. The history of the other
defendants is not known, making it impossible to address her equal protection claim.
                                               10
         IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Jennifer Nicole DeMaria,                  :
                           Petitioner     :
                                          :
            v.                            :   No. 710 M.D. 2018
                                          :
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,             :
Department of Corrections,                :
                        Respondent        :

                                        ORDER

            AND NOW, this 23rd day of October, 2019, the preliminary objection
of Respondent Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Corrections to
Petitioner Jennifer Nicole DeMaria’s petition for review in the above-captioned
matter is SUSTAINED and the petition for review is DISMISSED.

                                   MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, President Judge