Court Opinion

ID: 4910310
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-10 22:05:11.973962+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:13:23.849253
License: Public Domain

Filed 9/10/21 In re J.M. CA4/2

                           NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for
                                 publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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

                                        FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                      DIVISION TWO

 In re J.M., a Person Coming Under the
 Juvenile Court Law.

 THE PEOPLE,
                                                                          E075111
          Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                          (Super.Ct.No. INJ1800063)
 v.
                                                                          OPINION
 J.M.,

          Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. Elizabeth Tucker,

Temporary Judge. (Pursuant to Cal. Const., art. VI, § 21.) Affirmed.

         Marilee Marshall, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and

Appellant.

         Matthew Rodriquez, Acting Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant

Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, Michael Pulos, Kathryn

Kirschbaum and Juliet W. Park, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.

                                                              1
       The juvenile court found defendant and appellant, J.M. (minor), in violation of the

terms of his probation and committed him to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

Minor contends the court erred by failing to address his special educational needs prior to

committing him to the DJJ. We affirm.

                I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND1

       A.     Paragraph 2, First Petition Subsequent

       On December 6, 2017, minor entered the sliding glass door at the rear of a

residence and stole approximately $188 worth of medical marijuana, three porcelain

figurines, earbuds, a wireless speaker, a colored pipe, two medication prescriptions,

cellphone headphones, and a number of other items. Minor admitted committing the

burglary.

       B.     Paragraph 3, First Petition Subsequent2

       On January 16, 2018, someone entered another residence and stole several bottles

of alcohol, a laptop, a cordless drill, two gaming consoles, four wireless game controllers,

several video games, two speakers, an iPod touch, an iPad, and a box containing the

victim’s deceased dog’s ashes. Minor denied committing the burglary; however, video

       1  Minor turned himself in on February 22, 2018, after his coparticipant was
arrested; he admitted committing the crime for which his coparticipant was arrested but
also admitted committing several prior crimes as well. After further investigation,
defendant admitted to committing additional crimes. Thus, the People filed three
separate petitions as more offenses came to light. For ease of understanding, we present
the offenses in chronological order.

       2 The court later dismissed paragraph 3 of the first petition subsequent upon the
People’s motion.

                                             2
on minor’s cellphone had a “‘Geo Tag,’” which reflected his phone was two residences

away from the burglarized home on the day and at the time of the burglary. The phone

also had a video of minor’s coparticipant standing in front of a smashed rear door at the

same time.

       C.     Paragraph 1, First Petition Subsequent

       On February 1, 2018, minor kicked in the doggy door of a residence and shattered

its glass door; he entered the residence and opened all of the kitchen cabinets. He left the

garage door open.

       D.     Paragraph 4, First Petition Subsequent

       On February 13, 2018, minor entered a convenience store, wearing a mask, and

pointing what appeared to be a handgun at the clerk. He demanded money and yelled,

“‘I’ll blow your brains out.’” He got away with $500.

       E.     Paragraph 5, Initial Petition

       On February 16, 2018, minor entered another convenience store, armed with what

appeared to be a handgun, and got away with approximately $116 from the register.

Minor admitted getting away with an unknown amount of money.

       F.     Count 1, Second Petition Subsequent

       On February 16, 2018, minor entered a gas station, pointed what appeared to be a

black handgun at the clerk, and said: “‘Give me the fucking money. I have nothing to

lose, I’ll blast you!’” Minor left with $100 and two bottles of wine. Minor admitted

committing the robbery.

                                              3
       G.     Paragraphs 2 and 3, Initial Petition

       On February 21, 2018, around 12:47 p.m., minor participated in the robbery of two

victims’ backpacks.

       H.     Paragraph 4, Initial Petition

       At 1:42 p.m., on February 21, 2018, minor participated in another armed robbery

of a victim’s bag. Minor admitted being the one who pointed the gun at the victim.

Officers later recovered a check in the victim’s name from minor’s coparticipant’s car.

       I.     Paragraph 1, Initial Petition

       On February 21, 2018, around 7:59 p.m., minor robbed a pizza delivery man,

taking $200 and a large pizza; minor had what appeared to be a handgun. The victim

reported that he saw a vehicle circling the parking lot, but he did not know if it was

involved in the robbery.

       J.     Further Facts

       An officer stopped a vehicle in the vicinity of the robbery of the pizza delivery

man, which matched the description of a vehicle reported to be involved in a series of

recent robberies. The officer “could smell a strong odor of marijuana and alcohol”

emanating from the vehicle. He observed a wine bottle and beer can on the floorboard.

While the officer was issuing a ticket to the driver for having an open container, the

driver opened the glove box to retrieve her registration; the officer observed what

appeared to be a prescription medication container; he confirmed the pill inside was

Xanax and placed the driver under arrest for possession of a controlled substance without

a prescription. (§ 11375, subd. (a)(2).)

                                              4
       While taking an inventory of the vehicle, officers located an airsoft pistol and a

check issued to the victim of the robbery alleged in paragraph 4 of the initial petition.

That victim positively identified the driver as the getaway driver; the victim also

identified one of the other individuals in the car as being involved in the robbery.

       Minor later turned himself in and admitted to being responsible for the robbery of

the pizza delivery man and the four prior robberies, which made up the remaining

allegations in the initial petition. Minor told the officer the “handgun” used in the

robberies was an airsoft BB gun. Minor directed the officer to where minor had disposed

of the BB gun; the officer found an airsoft gun, which was “large enough to resemble a

9mm handgun,” without the orange safety tip.

       Minor reported that he had committed the first robbery because his dogs were

detained at the humane society, and he needed $340 to get them out. He said he obtained

$340 from the first robbery, which he used to get his dogs out. Minor said he

blackmailed the driver to participate in the robberies by telling her he was going to

release nude pictures of her if she refused. He reported that the Xanax pills and alcoholic

beverages found in the vehicle belonged to him.

       Minor was enrolled in the 10th grade. He had 27 unexcused absences, 20 tardies,

and three days of suspension for the school year. Minor reported drinking three times

weekly and using marijuana daily. Minor had been living with a friend’s mother; he had

no contact information for his father.

                                              5
       On February 23, 2018, the People filed a Welfare and Institutions Code

section 6023 petition, alleging minor had committed five robberies by force or fear. (Pen.

Code, § 211, ¶¶ 1-5.) On February 26, 2018, the court detained minor in juvenile hall.

       Further investigation revealed additional crimes committed by defendant. On

March 21, 2018, the People filed a subsequent petition alleging minor had committed

three burglaries (Pen. Code, § 459, ¶¶ 1-3) and a robbery (Pen. Code, § 211, ¶ 4) in

addition to the allegations in the original petition. On April 18, 2018, the People filed a

second, subsequent petition alleging minor had committed an additional robbery. (Pen.

Code, § 211, count 1.)

       In a report filed June 1, 2018, the probation officer noted minor had been expelled

from one school district on June 13, 2017, which he had attended for one year but had

only earned six units out of a possible 60. Minor admitted he behaved poorly and was

very defiant. He said his behavior was due to having attention deficit hyperactivity

disorder (ADHD), which he was diagnosed with in fourth grade and for which he had

been taking medication. When asked, minor responded that he had never been referred

for an independent education plan (IEP).

       Minor said he was having tough times because his father and stepmother were

getting a divorce and had lost their home. Minor’s mother abandoned him when he was

15 months old. Minor had been seeing a therapist once weekly since he was detained.

The therapist stated there was nothing negative to report, and minor was not taking any

       3 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless
otherwise indicated.

                                              6
prescribed medication. Minor was also participating in a voluntary therapy program

designed for incarcerated youth. He alleged he had been sexually molested by his

father’s cousin when he was a small child. Minor had a dependency history, which

included a substantiated allegation of general neglect by father in 2016.

       During a search of minor’s room on February 1, 2018, officers discovered several

items of “light” tagging. On the same day, minor was involved in a physical fight in

which he defended himself from an aggressor. However, on March 22, 2018, minor was

involved in two other fights, in at least one of which he was the aggressor.

       Minor reported that at some point, his father had been arrested for domestic

violence; his stepmother obtained a restraining order against his father, which resulted in

minor being unable to visit his father. A record’s check reflected that father was charged

with battery and child endangerment, but he pled guilty to misdemeanor battery. (Pen.

Code, § 242.) Father was granted 36 months’ summary probation; however, his

probation was revoked for failing to enroll in a domestic violence class. Father was cited

and released but failed to appear. A bench warrant was issued and remained active.

Minor reported running away from home twice thereafter.

       The interagency placement screening committee identified minor’s “‘treatment

needs . . . as individual counseling, grief counseling, self-esteem training, family

counseling, behavioral health services, drug treatment, anger management, victim

awareness, impulse control, peer issues, sexual abuse treatment, and [educational] credit

recovery.’” The committee believed placement in a secured facility, such as the DJJ, was

warranted because minor’s “‘identified problems and treatment [could not] be adequately

                                              7
addressed by conventional private placement programs and support by probation field

services.’” Considering all aspects of minor’s personal history, the offenses, and the

committee’s recommendation, the probation officer recommended minor be committed to

the DJJ, where he would “be afforded the opportunity to address his trauma, lack of

school credits, victim awareness, and various other programs.” On June 18, 2018, the

court appointed a doctor to conduct a confidential psychotherapist examination of minor.

       At the hearing on July 16, 2018, the People moved to dismiss paragraph 3 of the

first subsequent petition, which the court granted. Minor admitted the remaining

allegations in all three petitions. The court found the allegations true. Minor waived the

confidentiality of the psychologist’s report so the probation department, the People, and

the court could consider the report at the contested dispositional hearing.

       In his evaluation, the psychologist reported that minor had denied ever having an

IEP. Minor also reported that “he was treated with Adderall for ADHD from about

age nine to 14.” He stopped taking the medication, even though it was helpful, because

he felt tired all the time and “‘wasn’t myself.’” Minor “had multiple counselors on and

off having to do with behavior problems at school.” However, minor believed the

counseling was unhelpful, and he stopped attending when he was 13 or 14 years old.

Nonetheless, minor was being treated by mental health staff while in juvenile hall.

       The psychologist noted that “[i]t appeared [minor] had benefited from the

structured nature of the program” in juvenile hall; minor had “considerable anxiety about

the course of his life, given abandonment by both parents”; and “[h]e obsessively dwelled

                                             8
on being abandoned by both parents.” Minor’s father said minor had never had an IEP

and father would provide minor’s school records to the psychologist, but he never did.

       The psychologist summarized by noting that minor “had been diagnosed [with]

ADHD but had not been provided with any . . . special programming for his learning

disorder.” He never had an IEP: “This would likely have reduced emotional stress on

him, which would likely have reduced [his] acting out behavior. He did not receive any

psychiatric evaluations, as a change in medication, which had been prescribed by a

pediatrician, might have reduced impulsivity and [his] acting out behavior. He suffered

from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder but did not receive any treatment for this.” The

psychologist recommended minor receive intense psychotherapy, a psychiatric

evaluation, be placed in a substance abuse program, and stated that he “very much needs

an [IEP] and relevant special services for his learning disorder and associated behavior

problems.”

       On October 9, 2018, minor’s counsel filed a memorandum of points and

authorities in support of minor’s proposed dispositional plan. Minor’s counsel argued a

community based, out-of-home placement would best suit minor’s needs.

       At the dispositional hearing on December 10, 2018, minor’s father testified he and

minor had been in counseling since minor was a child. Minor had been seeing a therapist

for between three and four years. Father said, “[W]e got behind [in the] IEP’s. We

couldn’t schedule enough appointments to . . get everything back on track.” When father

referred to “programs,” he was speaking of “individual educational programs.” Minor

was in an IEP “because he has attention deficit. He was born with it, ADHD, the

                                             9
hyperactivity, you know, on top of his new things. which are all triggering things to go all

haywire with his trauma, that he’s experiencing P.T.S.D.” The IEP was “dealing solely

with [minor’s] ADHD.” “[W]e’re rolling into . . . different IEPs.” The school district

was trying to schedule continued appointments with minor, but minor was incarcerated.

       Father left minor in Palm Springs while he was working in Pasadena so that minor

could continue at his school, in his programs, and in his extracurricular activities. Father

left him with a “mentor,” who was later hit and killed by a vehicle; minor then went to

stay with a friend. Father requested minor be released to his custody. He was willing to

cooperate with the probation department and its recommendations.

       After argument by counsel, the court asked minor’s counsel if there were “any

treatments that DJJ offers that would be suitable for the minor that he would not get in

another placement?” Defense counsel responded that minor could get all the treatment he

needed in placement. The People responded that the DJJ had a number of programs,

which would be beneficial to minor, including at least one of which was better than any

program minor could receive in placement. The probation officer said that “some of the

programs at DJJ are just more intensive and the personnel . . . are better trained to address

his needs as opposed to” placement.

       The court noted that the nature and number of crimes minor committed were

“disturbing”; minor appeared to be the leader of a group of juveniles who committed the

crimes. The court observed that minor’s behavior in juvenile hall was “substandard.”

Although the crimes minor committed were less impulsive than those it regularly saw,

they were sophisticated.

                                             10
       The court also noted several mitigating factors including minor’s lack of a prior

record, his ADHD, his witnessing his mentor’s death, his motive to get his dogs back, the

lack of physical injuries to any of the victims, his abandonment by his mother, and his

sexual molestation. The court found there were no services in the DJJ, which minor

could not obtain in placement. The court observed that minor had already been in

custody for almost 10 months and had never been given a chance on any kind of

probation.

       The court placed minor on probation in a youth treatment and education center

(YTEC) to be released to the custody of father upon graduation. However, the court

warned minor: “If you fail, if you get into fights, if you don’t do what you have to do and

follow the guidelines of Probation, nothing will stop you from being sent to” the DJJ.

       In the detention reports filed September 18, 2019, the probation officer reported

minor had committed a violation of the conditions of his wardship by physically

assaulting another youth without provocation. A section 777 petition was filed alleging a

violation of minor’s probation based on the assault. On September 19, 2019, the court

detained minor on the petition.

       On December 16, 2019, a memorandum regarding disposition was filed, reporting

minor had been placed on safety watch multiple times for self-harm and suicidal

behavior, he was disruptive, and he continued to be involved in fights and show

aggressive behavior. The probation officer noted that minor was “not identified as a

student with special needs.” The interagency placement screening committee believed

that minor’s needs could not be addressed by conventional private placement programs,

                                            11
and minor should be placed in a secured facility, such as the DJJ. The probation officer

opined that minor was “no longer amenable to probation services.” Minor’s “continued

violent behavior suggests he remains a serious risk to the community and demonstrates

he is in need of a highly structured and well-supervised environment.” The probation

officer recommended placement with the DJJ. On the same date, minor admitted the

truth of the allegation that he had violated his probation.

       On December 19, 2019, the court held the contested dispositional hearing.

Minor’s counsel argued that a DJJ placement was inappropriate, in part, because minor

still had not been medicated for his ADHD: “The minor’s situation is such that he has a

disability, which is ADHD, and that he needs medication for that. Once he was placed at

YTEC, I was assuming that . . . medication would be prescribed, it was. The minor

indicated that he didn’t want to take the medication. Although, . . . I have since informed

him that that’s probably the reason why he’s having a lot of these difficulties in school

and some of the [problems] that had occurred while he was at YTEC.”

       The court observed, “[A]s far as the ADHD is concerned, that most likely did have

a negative effect on [minor] in his ability to . . . monitor his behavior.” However,

“[minor] certainly has the right to not seek treatment, but that’s a willing choice. And if

there’s consequences that come from the choices that he made, then that’s partly why we

are here. [¶] It’s very significant to me . . . that after approximately nine months at

YTEC there’s still serious . . . issues going on with [minor]. [¶] I think at this time . . .

it’s very clear that less restrictive alternatives are not appropriate and they are not going

to be effective . . . . [¶] . . . [¶] I do think there’s substantial evidence that the programs

                                               12
that are described here in this report, that are offered at DJJ, would be beneficial, I do

think that that is in his best interest at this point.”

       Father continuously interrupted the judge, at one point saying, “We have a

complete IEP for him out there.” The court ruled: “[A]t this time, I am going to follow

the recommendation, as contained in this report. He will be continued as a ward of the

Court. He will be committed to the Division of Juvenile Justice.” “And just so it’s clear

for the record, . . . I do find that based on the evidence included in these two reports that

the less restrictive alternatives are inappropriate and will not be effective for him.” The

court ordered a mental evaluation of minor and urged him to take any prescribed

medication.

                                        II. DISCUSSION

       Minor contends the court erred by failing to address his special educational needs,

specifically, his ADHD diagnosis and the need for an IEP, prior to committing him to the

DJJ. The People contend minor forfeited any failure of the court to address his special

education needs by failing to object on that basis at either of his dispositional hearings

and by failing to request an IEP at either hearing. We hold that the court acted within its

discretion in committing minor to the DJJ.

       “When determining the appropriate disposition in a delinquency proceeding, the

juvenile courts are required to consider ‘(1) the age of the minor, (2) the circumstances

and gravity of the offense[s] committed by the minor, and (3) the minor’s previous

delinquent history.’ [Citations.] Additionally, ‘there must be evidence in the record

demonstrating both a probable benefit to the minor by a [DJJ] commitment and the

                                                 13
inappropriateness or ineffectiveness of less restrictive alternatives.’ [Citation.] ‘A

juvenile court’s commitment order may be reversed on appeal only upon a showing the

court abused its discretion.’” (In re Jonathan T. (2008) 166 Cal.App.4th 474, 484-485.)

       “‘The appellate court reviews a commitment decision for abuse of discretion,

indulging all reasonable inferences to support the juvenile court’s decision.’ [Citation.]

‘A DJJ commitment is not an abuse of discretion where the evidence demonstrates a

probable benefit to the minor from the commitment and less restrictive alternatives would

be ineffective or inappropriate.’ [Citation.] ‘Although the DJJ is normally a placement

of last resort, there is no absolute rule that a DJJ commitment cannot be ordered unless

less restrictive placements have been attempted.’” (In re A.R. (2018) 24 Cal.App.5th

1076, 1080-1081.)

       Here, the court considered all the relevant factors prior to committing minor to the

DJJ. At the outset, the court noted it had read the dispositional memorandum filed

December 16, 2019, as well as the previous dispositional memorandum filed June 1,

2018. The court noted that the previous dispositional memorandum had similarly

recommended a commitment to the DJJ. The court indicated it had also read the

reporter’s transcript from the previous dispositional hearing.

       Those memoranda and the previous hearing transcript reflect minor’s age, the

circumstances and gravity of minor’s offenses, and his previous delinquency history. The

previous court expressly indicated that the nature and number of minor’s offenses were

“disturbing.” That court also noted minor’s lack of a previous delinquency record, but

when placing minor in a placement facility, it specifically warned minor that if he got

                                             14
into fights “nothing will stop you from being sent to” the DJJ. Thus, the court had

already afforded minor a less restrictive placement despite recommendations to the

contrary.

       Despite minor’s initial placement in a less restrictive environment and the court’s

warning not to engage in physical altercations, minor continued to have behavioral issues.

The court expressly found that a less restrictive placement would not be effective for

minor, and the programs at the DJJ would benefit him. The court’s order committing

minor to the DJJ was within its discretion.

       Minor contends the court should have addressed minor’s special educational

needs, specifically minor’s diagnosis of ADHD and the need for an IEP, prior to

committing him to the DJJ. The People contend minor forfeited any failure of the court

to address his special education needs by failing to object on that basis at either of his

dispositional hearings and by failing to request an IEP at either hearing. We agree with

the People that minor forfeited the issue of whether the court should have ordered an IEP.

Regardless, the court’s order committing minor met minor’s educational and mental

health needs.

       “[C]ourts have repeatedly held that a party’s failure to object forfeits appellate

review . . . in juvenile proceedings.” (In re M.V. (2014) 225 Cal.App.4th 1495, 1508.)

“A commitment decision, especially a decision involving a minor with multifarious

complex problems . . . cannot be driven by one problem.” (In re Joseph H. (2015)

237 Cal.App.4th 517, 543.) “Providing a child with an appropriate education is part of

the treatment and rehabilitative services provided by [the DJJ], so any commitment to

                                              15
such a facility necessarily includes services for any special educational needs [citation],

among other important considerations. The minor’s special education needs [do] not

trump other factors the court [is] required to weigh in making its commitment decision.”

(Id. at pp. 543-544, fn. omitted.)

       Here, at neither dispositional hearing did minor’s counsel request the court order

an IEP. Thus, minor forfeited the issue. Nevertheless, as the People note, section 1120,

subdivision (b), requires the DJJ to “assess the educational needs of each ward upon

commitment and at least annually thereafter until released on parole.” Thus, regardless

of whether an IEP had been ordered, the DJJ would provide minor with an appropriate

education. (In re Joseph H., supra, 237 Cal.App.4th at pp. 543-544.)

       Similarly, as to minor’s ADHD, the record is replete with attempts by the

probation department to address minor’s mental health issues. However, minor

repeatedly declined to take his medication as prescribed. As the court observed, “[Minor]

certainly has the right to not seek treatment, but that’s a willing choice. And if there’s

consequences that come from the choices that he made, then that’s partly why we are

here.” The probation department outlined plans to treat minor’s mental health issues if

minor were committed to the DJJ. Moreover, the court’s order of a mental evaluation of

minor ensured that minor’s mental health issues would be addressed by the DJJ.

       Minor cites In re Angela M. (2003) 111 Cal.App.4th 1392 (Angela M.) for the

proposition that we must reverse the commitment order and remand so that the juvenile

court can order an IEP. In Angela M., a doctor had diagnosed the minor with bipolar

disorder and ADHD; the doctor “reported ‘she must undergo an IEP . . . assessment.”

                                             16
(Id. at p. 1395.) The juvenile court ordered the minor committed to the California Youth

Authority, now the DJJ. (Id. at p. 1396.) Pursuant to former California Rules of Court,

rule 1493(d)(5),4 which required that the court consider the educational needs of the child

when declaring the minor a ward of the court, the appellate court remanded the matter “to

permit the juvenile court to make proper findings, on a more fully developed record,

regarding [the minor]’s educational needs.” (Angela M., at p. 1399; see id. at pp. 1397-

1398.)

         “Angela M. stands for the proposition that where the juvenile court is on notice

that special attention to a minor’s educational needs is appropriate, the court must make

adequate findings on a sufficient record as to whether the minor has special educational

needs before it commits the minor to DJJ.” (In re I.V. (2017) 11 Cal.App.5th 249, 259.)

However, in the instant matter, “the court expressly considered [minor’s] needs,

particularly his need for greater structure and support,” in ordering a mental evaluation.

(Id. at p. 259; see Angela M., supra, 111 Cal.App.4th at p. 1399.) Unlike in Angela M.,

here, a “more fully developed record” is not required. (Angela M., at p. 1399.)

         Moreover, Angela M. relied on California Rules of Court, former rule 1493(d)(5),

which required juvenile courts to “consider the educational needs of the child” when

declaring a child a ward of the court. The current rule has no such requirement. (See

Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.790(h)(5).) Thus, Angela M. is distinguishable in that it

         The court erroneously cited to nonexistent “rule 1493(e)(5).” (Angela M.,
         4
supra, 111 Cal.App.4th at p. 1398.)

                                              17
applied a rule that no longer exists. The court’s order committing minor to the DJJ was

within its discretion.

                                   III. DISPOSITION

       The judgment is affirmed.

       NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

                                                             McKINSTER
                                                                                          J.
We concur:

RAMIREZ
                         P.J.

FIELDS
                           J.

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