Court Opinion

ID: 2765471
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-30 21:02:08.195278+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:27:24.312581
License: Public Domain

Filed 12/30/14 In re D.P. CA1/5
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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

                                       FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION FIVE

In re D.P., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
THE PEOPLE,
         Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                     A139184
v.
D.P.,                                                                (Alameda County
                                                                     Super. Ct. No. SJ13020736)
         Defendant and Appellant.

         D.P. (Minor) appeals from a dispositional order entered in a proceeding under
Welfare and Institutions Code section 602. The juvenile court found true an allegation
that Minor, then aged 16, had committed second degree robbery. The court declared
Minor a ward and committed him to Camp Sweeney.
         Minor’s sole claim on appeal is that statements he made to a police detective, as
well as a letter he wrote at the detective’s suggestion, should have been excluded because
they were obtained in violation of his rights under Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S.
436 (Miranda). We affirm because Minor has failed to provide an adequate record.
Even if Minor’s claims had been properly presented, however, they would be meritless.
                                FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
         On December 29, 2012, two masked men robbed a liquor store in Palo Alto. The
store clerk could not see the face of either man but could see from the skin showing

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through the eye holes of the masks that both men were African-American. After the clerk
put money and liquor in the gunman’s backpack, the two men fled.
       On the evening of January 5, 2013, a Palo Alto woman reported to police that her
vehicle had been carjacked. The car was later stopped on El Camino Real, and was
occupied by Minor, Michael Holt, and Amador Rivera. The three were arrested and cell
phones were seized from Minor and Rivera. Both phones were searched for their
contents. Text messages from Rivera’s phone showed that on the night of the liquor store
robbery, Rivera and Minor were at Holt’s house, a short distance from the liquor store. A
review of the phone’s pictures disclosed a photo of Rivera and Minor, who was wearing
red shoes and a black Nike jacket and holding a bottle of vodka and cash. Surveillance
video from the liquor store showed that the robber who entered first was wearing red
shoes and a similar jacket. The vodka Minor was holding was the same brand (“X-
rated”) stolen from the liquor store. A search of Minor’s cell phone yielded a photo of
Minor holding a gun.
       Based on this information, Palo Alto Police Detective Nicolas Martinez obtained
search warrants for the Oakland home of Minor’s father, where Minor lived, and the
home of Minor’s grandmother, with whom he also stayed. Detective Martinez arrested
Minor at school on February 15, 2013, at 9:15 a.m. Minor was carrying a gray backpack
similar to that carried by the first robber in the store’s surveillance video.
       Minor was taken from class, handcuffed, and placed in a police car, where he was
advised of his Miranda rights. Martinez did not question Minor at that time but drove
with Minor to the home of Minor’s father. Minor waited in the car while Detective Cole
Ghilarducci searched the residence. Ghilarducci found a pair of red Nike shoes and a
black Nike jacket. Detective Martinez then drove Minor to the Palo Alto Police
Department, arriving about 10:30 a.m.
       Questioning began about 11:00 a.m. in the interview room and ended about 1:00
p.m. Detective Martinez gave Minor a bottle of water and offered Minor food before
questioning. The first portion of the interview lasted until about 11:45 a.m., when Minor
was given food from McDonald’s. The lunch break lasted until 12:15 p.m., after which

                                               2
questioning resumed. The interview ended about a half hour later. In total, Minor was
questioned for about one hour.
       During the initial questioning, Detective Martinez spent about 20 minutes asking
Minor about his family. At some point Martinez asked for an “explanation” of the
robbery. Minor responded, “I want to hear it from you first.” Martinez replied, “that’s
not the way this is gonna work.”
       Detective Martinez continued to question Minor. After the detective told Minor
that Rivera was in custody, there was a five-minute silence. When Martinez asked if
Minor would give a statement, the latter replied, “ ‘I honestly don’t want to talk about
this[.]’ ” When the detective said he knew what happened that night but wanted to hear it
from Minor, the latter said, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Detective Martinez asked why
he did not want to talk about it, and Minor replied, “[be]cause I don’t.”
       About 10 minutes later, Detective Martinez asked who planned the robbery.
Minor twice said he “still [did not] want to talk about it[.]” When the detective told
Minor the judge could put him in “YA,” Minor said, “I don’t want to talk about it[.]”
Questioning was then suspended for lunch. Minor was left alone in the unlocked room,
unhandcuffed.
       When questioning resumed after lunch, Detective Martinez asked Minor “what he
had to say[.]” Minor responded, “he wanted to see what [the detective] had first[.]”
Martinez again told Minor “that’s not the way it worked,” and the detective again talked
about Minor’s school and family. Detective Martinez referred to Minor’s Christmas
vacation and asked whether Minor socialized with “Mike” during that period. Minor
answered that he could not remember. When Detective Martinez asked whether they had
gone to the liquor store, Minor said, “yes, we did[.]” Asked for more details, Minor
again said he did not want to talk about it.
       Detective Martinez commented that it appeared to him that “two guys” went into
the liquor store, robbed the place “at gun point,” and “took off with money and
alcohol[.]” Minor said that “it had sounded funny to hear [him] say that,” but insisted he
was not the one who had robbed the liquor store.

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       After Martinez asked whether DNA samples found at the store would match him,
Minor began to make incriminating statements. Minor admitted he had gone to the liquor
store with Rivera on December 29, 2012. Minor insisted that the robbery was the “only
one he did[.]” He said he drank some of the alcohol and sold some of it. At Detective
Martinez’s request, he wrote a letter of apology to the clerk of the liquor store.
       A juvenile wardship petition (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 602) filed on February 19,
2013, in Santa Clara County Superior Court alleged Minor had committed second degree
robbery. (Pen. Code, §§ 211-212.5, subd. (c)). On April 5, 2013, after a contested
jurisdictional hearing, the juvenile court sustained the allegations of the petition. The
court ordered the matter transferred to Alameda County for disposition.
       At the contested disposition hearing on April 4, 2013, Minor’s counsel challenged
the admissibility of Minor’s letter of apology and statements to Detective Martinez.
Counsel argued the letter and statements were elicited in violation of Miranda. After
hearing Detective Martinez’s testimony regarding his interview with Minor and
reviewing a compact disc containing an audio recording of the interview, the juvenile
court denied Minor’s request to suppress the statements. It concluded Minor’s
“statements provided were pursuant to properly issued Miranda warnings” and that “the
statement was given freely and voluntarily without any indications of coercion”
considering “the totality of the circumstances[.]”
       On May 29, 2013, the juvenile court declared Minor a ward and ordered him
placed in Camp Sweeney subject to various terms and conditions of probation. On July
10, 2013, Minor filed timely notice of appeal.
                                        DISCUSSION
       Minor contends the trial court should have suppressed his admissions to Detective
Martinez and his letter of apology, because they were allegedly obtained in violation of
his rights under Miranda. His argument has two parts. Minor first claims Martinez
improperly continued to question him after he invoked his right to remain silent. Minor
also contends that the circumstances under which the admissions were obtained violated
the requirement that the confession be freely and voluntarily given. We reject these

                                              4
arguments, because Minor has failed to provide us with a record adequate to demonstrate
error.
I.       The Record Is Inadequate to Demonstrate Prejudicial Error.
         The juvenile court admitted in evidence a compact disc containing an audio
recording of Detective Martinez’s interview with Minor. There was no transcript of the
interview, and the court had no information about what transpired other than the CD and
Martinez’s testimony. In arguing Minor’s admissions should be suppressed, defense
counsel urged the juvenile court to listen to the CD and draw inferences about whether
Minor’s confession was truly voluntary. Counsel asked the court to “listen to the audio
recording” which counsel characterized as “a very important piece of evidence” in
deciding whether Minor’s statements were admissible.
         The juvenile court later explained it had “paid particular attention to the CD
containing the interview of [M]inor that’s the subject of the Miranda challenge posed by
the defense.” The court made clear its ruling on the Miranda issue was heavily
dependent upon its review of the CD. Based “upon review of the information and the
evidence[,]” the juvenile court was satisfied there had been no Miranda violation and that
Minor’s statement “was given freely and voluntarily without any indications of
coercion[.]”
         In this court, both Minor and the Attorney General agree we may conduct an
independent review of the juvenile court’s ruling because the evidence is undisputed.
The Attorney General explains that “[w]here an interview is recorded, the facts
surrounding the admission or confession are undisputed and this court applies
independent review.” This is certainly true in cases in which the record on appeal
contains a recording of the interview. (See, e.g., People v. Duff (2014) 58 Cal.4th 527,
556 [Supreme Court itself reviewed transcript and videotape of defendant’s
interrogation].) In this case, however, while Minor’s opening brief acknowledges the
juvenile court listened to the CD containing the interview with Detective Martinez, the
CD itself has not been transmitted to this court. (Cf. Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.224
[procedure for transmitting exhibits to appellate court].)

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       As the party challenging the judgment, it is Minor’s burden to show error. (People
v. Leonard (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 465, 477-478, fn. 6.) In the absence of the recording
of the interview—a recording upon which the juvenile court expressly relied—we must
apply the presumption of correctness and affirm the order before us. (Ibid.) We cannot
simply assume the missing exhibit would undermine the judgment. (Western Aggregates,
Inc. v. County of Yuba (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 278, 292.) Because the record before us
is insufficient to demonstrate prejudicial error, we are constrained to reject Minor’s
arguments.1
II.    Minor’s Claim that Detective Martinez Improperly Continued to Question Him
       After He Invoked His Right to Remain Silent Was Not Asserted Below.
       There is an additional reason we cannot reach Minor’s contention that Detective
Martinez should have ended the interview after Minor invoked his right to remain silent.
This argument is not properly before us because it appears no such objection was raised
below.2 Before the juvenile court, Minor contended his incriminating statements should
be suppressed only because they had not been voluntarily made. He did not argue
Martinez should have discontinued the interview after he invoked his right to remain
silent. The California Supreme Court has made clear that Miranda-based objections to
the admissibility of statements must be specific. (People v. Holt (1997) 15 Cal.4th 619,
666-667 [Evid. Code, § 353 requirement of specific objection applies to Miranda-based
objections].) Miranda claims not raised in the trial court may not be asserted on appeal.
(People v. Williams (2010) 49 Cal.4th 405, 435 (Williams) [elements of Miranda claims
not raised in trial court are forfeited on appeal].)

1
  Although the parties’ briefs do not address the adequacy of the record, we may decide
the issue without requesting further briefing. (See People v. Neilson (2007) 154
Cal.App.4th 1529, 1532-1534 (Neilson) [provision of adequate record on appeal is “a
procedural and substantive requirement on the part of any party . . . asserting a position
on appeal” and thus Gov. Code, § 68081 does not require briefing of issue of inadequate
record].) We are not required to afford litigants the opportunity to address the issue of an
inadequate record even when the lack of record is a ground for affirmance of the
judgment. (Neilson, at p. 1534.)
2
  Minor’s opening brief cites to nothing in the record indicating this objection was
presented to the juvenile court.

                                               6
III.   Minor’s Voluntariness Argument Is Not Meritorious.
       On the limited record before us, Minor’s voluntariness argument is unavailing. He
argues that because of his age, the voluntariness of his confession must be given
heightened scrutiny. Although a juvenile’s age, sophistication, experience with the
criminal justice system are factors to be considered, and courts are especially careful in
dealing with juvenile confessions, Minor’s age alone did not render him incapable of
making a voluntary confession. (See, e.g., People v. Lessie (2010) 47 Cal.4th 1152, 1169
[16-year-old who was no longer in school capable of voluntarily waiving Miranda
rights]; People v. Lewis (2001) 26 Cal.4th 334, 384 [13-year-old boy with paranoid
schizophrenia gave voluntary confession]; People v. Thomas (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th
987, 1012-1013 [15-year-old murder suspect’s confession held voluntary even though
psychologist opined he was mildly mentally retarded and suffered from attention deficit
and hyperactivity disorder].) Minor was 16 years old at the time of the interview, and
Detective Martinez repeatedly stated Minor’s behavior, questions, and knowledge were
more like those of an adult offender than a juvenile. (See People v. Nelson (2012) 53
Cal.4th 367, 382 [noting 15-year-old defendant “appeared confident and mature”].)
Thus, contrary to Minor’s contentions, there is nothing in the record to suggest that he
“lacked the emotional capacity” to resist what he calls “Martinez’[s] sustained pressure
and coercion.” (See People v. Lessie, supra, 47 Cal.4th at p. 1169.)
       This leads us to Minor’s claim that Detective Martinez obtained admissions from
him through the use of promises, threats, and deception. Coerced or involuntary
confessions are those “obtained by physical or psychological coercion, by promises of
leniency or benefit, or when the ‘totality of the circumstances’ indicates the confession
was not a product of the defendant’s ‘free and rational choice.’ ” (People v. Cahill
(1993) 5 Cal.4th 478, 482, fn. 1.) “Coercive police activity is a necessary predicate but
does not itself compel a finding that a resulting confession is involuntary.” (People v.
Bradford (1997) 14 Cal.4th 1005, 1041.) In addition, the police misconduct and the
challenged statement must be linked by proximate causation. (People v. Benson (1990)
52 Cal.3d 754, 778.)

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       Minor claims Martinez implied he would be treated more leniently if he confessed.
Noting it was Friday, Detective Martinez told Minor he could be released before
Monday, but said, “it all depends on you[.]” Minor interprets this comment as a promise
of early release in exchange for his confession. Such a brief statement, made at the very
outset of questioning and well before Minor made any admission, does not qualify as an
inducement. (See People v. Musselwhite (1998) 17 Cal.4th 1216, 1236-1237 [detective’s
statement that he wanted record to show defendant’s “ ‘degree of cooperation’ ” was too
brief to be inducement and “ ‘convey[ed] no suggestion of any benefit in exchange for
defendant’s “cooperation” ”].) There was no promise or threat, and the most that might
be said is that the detective suggested it would be better for Minor to cooperate. This
kind of advice does not render Minor’s confession involuntary. (See In re Shawn D.
(1993) 20 Cal.App.4th 200, 210 [advice or exhortation by police that it is better for
accused to tell the truth does not make confession involuntary].)
       Minor also argues Detective Martinez used deception to convince him to confess.
Minor concedes, as he must, that the police are not prohibited from using deceptive
tactics. (See People v. Smith (2007) 40 Cal.4th 483, 505 [citing cases].) Although
Martinez falsely told Minor he had already talked to Rivera and Holt, such a ruse does
not render Minor’s confession involuntary. (Frazier v. Cupp (1969) 394 U.S. 731, 739
[officer falsely told suspect his accomplice had been captured and had confessed]; People
v. Jones (1998) 17 Cal.4th 279, 299 [detective’s implication that “he knew more than he
did or could prove more than he could” was permissible and did not make confession
involuntary].)
       Finally, Minor contends Detective Martinez threatened him by saying the juvenile
court would place him in the juvenile prison facility if he did not confess. To begin with,
Minor makes this argument by citing to a portion of the reporter’s transcript that reflects
his trial counsel’s interpretation of what Martinez told him. Martinez did not agree with
that interpretation. In any event, a statement regarding the possible consequences of a
defendant’s conduct is not necessarily coercive. (See People v. Jones, supra, 17 Cal.4th
at p. 298 [detective’s statement to defendant that his answers could affect the rest of his

                                              8
life was true and did not indicate coercion].) And in this case, even if it were construed
as coercive, it failed, for Minor responded to Detective Martinez’s statement by saying he
did not want to talk about it. (See Williams, supra, 49 Cal.4th at p. 443 [references to
death penalty and police deception did not overcome defendant’s will because defendant
exhibited no distress and “remained able to parry the officers’ questions”].)
       For all these reasons, the juvenile court did not err in concluding that Minor’s
confession was voluntary.
                                       DISPOSITION
       The judgment is affirmed.

                                                        _________________________
                                                        Jones, P.J.

We concur:

_________________________
Simons, J.

_________________________
Bruiniers, J.

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