Court Opinion

ID: 9947494
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-04 21:18:23.240776+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:26:30.511700
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                        DIVISION ONE

STATE OF WASHINGTON,
                                              No. 85339-2-I
                        Respondent.
                                              DIVISION ONE
        v.
                                              UNPUBLISHED OPINION
R.C.,

                         Appellant.

        PER CURIAM — On February 28, 2023, R.C. pleaded guilty to assault in the first

degree and robbery in the first degree. On March 29, 2023, the juvenile court imposed

a $100 crime victim penalty assessment (VPA) and DNA 1 collection fee as part of the

disposition order.

        R.C. filed an appeal challenging the imposition of the VPA and DNA fee. At the

time of R.C.'s adjudication, the law mandated imposition of a VPA and DNA fee.

Former RCW 7.68.035(1)(b); former RCW 43.43.7541.             While R.C.’s appeal was

pending, the legislature amended the law with respect to legal financial obligations,

which no longer authorizes the court to require juveniles to pay any legal financial

obligations apart from restitution. Laws of 2023, ch. 449 § 1; RCW 7.68.035(5)(a). The

legislature also amended the DNA statute to eliminate that fee. Laws of 2023, ch. 449 §

4; RCW 43.43.7541(2). Although the amendments did not take effect until after R.C.

was sentenced, our courts have held that the recent amendments to statutes governing

        1
            Deoxyribonucleic acid.
No. 85339-2-I/2

legal financial obligations apply retroactively to matters pending on direct appeal. See

State v. Ellis, 27 Wn. App. 2d 1, 16, 530 P.3d 1048 (2023). The State concedes that it

is appropriate to remand for the purpose of striking the VPA and DNA fee.

      Remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

                                  FOR THE COURT:

                                        -2-