Court Opinion

ID: 1041842
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-09-24 14:45:15.370835+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:27:11.702418
License: Public Domain

FILED 

                                                                SEPT. 24, 2013 

                                                         In the Office of the Clerk of Court 

                                                       W A State Court of Appeals, Division III 

         IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON 

                            DNISION THREE 

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                           )         No. 30984-3-III
                                               )
                     Respondent,               )
                                               )
              v.                               )         UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                               )
JOSHUA ALLEN RUTHERFORD,                       )

                                               )

                     Appellant.                )

       KULIK, J. -   Joshua Rutherford entered a guilty plea to one count of third degree

child rape and one count of third degree rape. Mr. Rutherford appeals, arguing that his

guilty plea is invalid because the trial court failed to infonn him of the specific

constitutional rights he forfeited as a part of his plea. We disagree and affinn. We also

affinn the trial court's assessment ofMr. Rutherford's legal fmancial obligations (LFOs).

                                           FACTS

       Mr. Rutherford pleaded guilty to one count of third degree rape of a child and one

count of third degree rape. Paragraph number five of the guilty plea listed six

constitutional rights that Mr. Rutherford agreed to forfeit by pleading guilty. Mr.
No.30984-3-III
State v. Rutherford

Rutherford signed a plea statement, certifYing that his attorney explained all of the

provisions of the agreement and that Mr. Rutherford understood them all.

       At the plea hearing, the court confirmed with Mr. Rutherford that he read and

reviewed the plea statement with his attorney before signing it. Mr. Rutherford told the

court that he had no questions about the plea statement. Then, the court engaged Mr.

Rutherford in a question and answer session regarding the two charges to which he was

pleading guilty, including the maximum penalty, apparent offender score, standard range

and term of community custody for each count, and other consequences of the plea.

       Regarding constitutional rights, the court stated, "Paragraph 5 on page 3 indicates

that you have certain constitutional rights. When you plead guilty, you give up those

rights. Do you understand that?" Report of Proceedings (RP) at 4. Mr. Rutherford

answered "yes." RP at 4. Mr. Rutherford also confirmed he understood that the State

was not required to prove the elements of his crime beyond a reasonable doubt. After

further questioning about other aspects of the plea, the court determined that Mr.

Rutherford's plea was made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily.

      The court accepted the plea and found Mr. Rutherford guilty of third degree child

rape and third degree rape. The court imposed concurrent sentences for the two offenses,

for a total term of confinement of 34 months.

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State v. Rutherford

          The court also ordered Mr. Rutherford to pay over $1,700 in LFOs, payable at $50

per month commencing 90 days after release from custody or when funds become

available in the Department of Corrections. The court made no oral inquiry or statement

on Mr. Rutherford's ability to pay. However, section 2.5 of the judgment and sentence

generically stated that the court considered the defendant's past, present, and future

ability to pay and found that the defendant had the ability or likely future ability to pay the

LFOs as ordered by the court.

          Mr. Rutherford appeals. He contends that his guilty plea is invalid because the

court's finding that he had the future ability to pay his LFOs is not supported by the

record.

                                          ANALYSIS

          Guilty Plea. A valid guilty plea requires that a defendant intelligently and

voluntarily enter into the plea with knowledge that certain constitutional rights will be

waived. State v. Branch, 129 Wn.2d 635, 642, 919 P.2d 1228 (1996). "Whether a plea is

knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made is determined from a totality of the

circumstances." Id.

          By entering a plea of guilty, a defendant necessarily waives important

constitutional rights, including the right to a jury trial, to confront one's accusers, and the

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No. 30984-3-III
State v. Rutherford

privilege against self-incrimination. Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 243, 89 S. Ct.

1709,23 L. Ed. 2d 274 (1969). "[T]here is no constitutional requirement that there be

express articulation and waiver of the three rights referred to in Boykin by the defendant

at the time of acceptance of his guilty plea if it appears from the record ... that the

accused's plea was intelligently and voluntarily made, with knowledge of its

consequences." Woodv. Morris, 87 Wn.2d 501,508,554 P.2d 1032 (1976).

       In Branch, the court held that under the totality of the circumstances, Mr. Branch's

plea and waiver of rights was intelligently and voluntarily made, with full knowledge of

its consequences, when Mr. Branch stated that he knew he was giving up the specific

rights listed on the plea statement, and the trial judge generally asked if Mr. Branch had

any questions regarding these rights. Branch, 129 Wn.2d at 643-44.

       Here, as in Branch, Mr. Rutherford had full understanding of the constitutional

rights he forfeited as a result of his guilty plea. The specific constitutional rights that Mr.

Rutherford forfeited were listed in the plea statement signed by Mr. Rutherford. At the

plea hearing, the trial court asked Mr. Rutherford ifhe understood that he was waiving

these constitutional rights listed in the plea statement. Mr. Rutherford confirmed that he

understood. The court was not required to restate the constitutional rights being waived

to confirm Mr. Rutherford's understanding of the plea.

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No.30984-3-III
State v. Rutherford

       Under the totality of the circumstances, Mr. Rutherford's plea was knowing,

voluntary, intelligent, and with the understanding of the constitutional rights being

waived.

       LPO We review a trial court's determination on an offender's financial resources

and ability to pay under the clearly erroneous standard. State v. Bertrand, 165 Wn. App.

393,404 n.13, 267 P.3d 511 (2011) (quoting State v. Baldwin, 63 Wn. App. 303, 312,818

P.2d 1116, 837 P.2d 646 (1991)), review denied, 175 Wn.2d 1014 (2012). "A finding of

fact is clearly erroneous when, although there is some evidence to support it, review of all

of the evidence leads to a 'definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been

committed.'" Schryvers v. Coulee Cmty. Hosp., 138 Wn. App. 648, 654, 158 P.3d 113

(2007) (quoting Wenatchee Sportsmen Ass 'n v. Chelan County, 141 Wn.2d 169, 176, 4

P.3d 123 (2000)).

       Upon a criminal conviction, a superior court may order the payment of a LFO,

which can include restitution, costs, fines, and other assessments. RCW 9.94A.760(l).

Costs may be imposed on a convicted defendant for expenses specially incurred by the

State in prosecuting the defendant. RCW 10.01.160.

       In determining the amount and method of payment of costs, the court shall take

account ofthe financial resources of the defendant and the nature ofthe burden that

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No.30984-3-III
State v. Rutherford

payment of costs will impose. RCW 10.01.160(3). However, the court is not required to

enter formal, specific findings regarding a defendant's ability to pay. State v. Curry, 118

Wn.2d 911,916, 829 P.2d 166 (1992).

       Still, the trial court must make an adequate record for us to conclude there is a

sufficient "factual basis for the defendant's ... ability to pay." Baldwin, 63 Wn. App. at

311. "[W]hen the presentence report establishes a factual basis for the defendant's future

ability to pay and the defendant does not object, the requirement of inquiry into the ability

to pay is satisfied." Id.

       Here, section 2.5 of the judgment and sentence shows that the trial court

considered Mr. Rutherford's past, present, and future ability to pay and found that Mr.

Rutherford had the ability or likely future ability to pay the LFOs.

       While the court did not address Mr. Rutherford's ability to pay during the

sentencing hearing, the court's finding from the judgment and sentence is supported by

the record. Mr. Rutherford's presentence investigation report stated that he graduated

from high school one year earlier, had just been hired as a cook, had minimal debt or

financial obligations, and was able to provide for himself.

       The record provides a sufficient factual basis to determine that Mr. Rutherford

could pay LFOs because he was employable, had little debt, and was able to provide for

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State v. Rutherford

himself. Thus, the evidence supports the finding in the judgment and sentence that Mr.

Rutherford had the ability or likely future ability to pay the ordered LFOs.

       We affirm the validity of the guilty plea and the assessment ofLFOs.

       A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to

RCW 2.06.040.

                                          Kulik, J.

WE CONCUR:

 orsmo, C:1.

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