Court Opinion

ID: 9515345
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:55:50.458032+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:28.311120
License: Public Domain

GILBERTSON, Chief Justice.
[¶ 1.] Petitioner Fred A. Bostick filed a habeas corpus petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel at his original trial in 1997. After a certificate of probable cause had been issued but before the habeas hearing was held, the Petitioner was paroled from the state penitentiary. The circuit court held Bostick’s parole mooted his right to seek habeas relief in the courts of South Dakota. Bostick appealed contending the conditions of his parole constituted custody and imposed a significant restraint on his liberty within the meaning of SDCL 21-27-1, and therefore he was entitled to seek habeas relief. Affirmed.
FACTS AND PROCEDURE
[¶ 2.] On May 5, 1997, Fred A. Bostick escaped while a prisoner at the Minnehaha County Community Corrections Facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Petitioner was charged with escape in violation of SDCL 22-11A-2, and subsequently convicted by a jury.1 On February 12, 1998, Petitioner was sentenced by the Honorable Judith Meierhenry to eight years in the state penitentiary.
[¶ 3.] In July 2001, Petitioner filed a pro se habeas action while in custody at the State Penitentiary. Attorney Steve Miller was appointed by the circuit court to assist Petitioner with his request for habeas relief. The State’s motion to dis*519miss the petition was granted by the circuit court, which then denied a certificate of probable cause. After appeal, this Court issued an order of limited remand, directing that Petitioner’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel be heard on the merits and decided.
[¶ 4.] In December 2003, prior to the habeas hearing, Petitioner was granted parole effective February 3, 2004. A hearing was held in circuit court to determine if Petitioner’s parole mooted his habeas action. The circuit court ruled the habeas action was mooted by Petitioner’s parole and dismissed the habeas petition.
[¶ 5.] After the circuit court’s dismissal of the habeas action on April 2, 2004, Petitioner requested a certificate of probable cause to appeal the circuit court’s ruling on the issue of mootness. This Court issued an order of limited remand, directing the circuit court to determine the issue of mootness. The sole issue on appeal is one of first impression in South Dakota:
Whether a formerly incarcerated inmate on conditional parole, but not physically confined to a particular facility, is “committed or detained, imprisoned or restrained of his liberty” within the meaning of SDCL 21-27-1 such that a habeas corpus action is not rendered moot.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
[¶ 6.] “Statutory interpretation and application are questions of law.” Block v. Drake, 2004 SD 72, ¶ 8, 681 N.W.2d 460, 463 (citing Steinberg v. State Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs, 2000 SD 36, ¶ 6, 607 N.W.2d 596, 599). We review conclusions of law concerning a writ of habeas corpus under the de novo standard, giving no deference to the lower court’s decisions. Jackson v. Weber, 2001 SD 30, ¶ 9, 637 N.W.2d 19, 22 (citing Jenner v. Dooley, 1999 SD 20, ¶ 11, 590 N.W.2d 463, 468).
[¶ 7.] We use statutory construction to discover the true intent of the legislature in enacting the law, which is ascertained primarily from the language used in the statute. State v. Myrl & Roy’s Paving, Inc., 2004 SD 98, ¶ 6, 686 N.W.2d 651, 653 (citing Martinmaas v. Engelmann, 2000 SD 85, ¶ 49, 612-N.W.2d 600, 611). We confine ourselves to the language used by the legislature in order to determine what the legislature said, rather than what the courts think it should have said. State v. I-90 Truck Haven Service, Inc., 2003 SD 51, ¶ 3, 662 N.W.2d 288, 290 (citing Martinmaas, 2000 SD 85, ¶ 49, 612 N.W.2d at 611). In doing so, we must attempt to give words their plain meaning and effect, and read statutes as a whole, as well as enactments relating to the same subject. Id.
ANALYSIS AND DECISION
[¶ 8.] Under the South Dakota habeas corpus statute, a petitioner is not entitled to a writ of habeas corpus unless the petitioner is “committed or detained, imprisoned or restrained of his liberty[.]” SDCL 21-27-1 (emphasis added).2 An appeal by a petitioner who is not committed, detained, imprisoned, or restrained of his liberty, is moot and we will not consider its merits. Moeller v. Solem (Moeller I), 363 N.W.2d 412, 414 (S.D.1985) (citing Application of Painter, 85 S.D. 156, 161, 179 N.W.2d 12, 14 (1970)). Mootness arises when an individual has finished serving his sentence and is discharged from prison or confinement. Ex parte Wilken, 22 S.D. *520135, 136, 115 N.W. 1075, 1075 (1908). Mootness also bars habeas relief when an individual is admitted to bail, as that individual is no longer in custody nor restrained of his or her freedom. Painter, 85 S.D. at 159, 179 N.W.2d at 13.
[¶ 9.] Mootness also precludes relief when a petitioner seeks to use the habeas remedy to challenge a prior conviction for which a sentence has been completed, as mootness cannot be overcome based on the possibility that a past criminal conviction may enhance the penalty for a future conviction. Moeller I, 363 N.W.2d at 414. This Court will “not hear any appeal on the assumption that the defendant will commit another crime and be imprisoned again[.]” Id. (quoting Maxwell v. State, 261 N.W.2d 429, 432 (S.D.1978)).
[¶ 10.] Petitioner argues that “restrained of his liberty” encompasses more than physical restraint. Petitioner contends the phrase should be read to include an individual on parole, as such a person is considered to be a prisoner and in custody under this Court’s interpretation of SDCL 23Á-27-36 in State v. Karp, 527 N.W.2d 912 (S.D.1995). In Karp, SDCL 23A-27-36 was used to enhance the third driving-under-the-influence conviction of a probationer, a subject unrelated to habeas relief. SDCL 23A-27-36 pertained to the enhancement of sentences for prisoners who committed crimes, (repealed 2004).3 The language of the statute itself noted that the definition of prisoner as used in SDCL 23A-27-36 was applicable only to that specific code section. Id.
[¶ 11.] The habeas statutory scheme is codified at SDCL Chapter 21-27. The purpose of the habeas corpus statutory scheme is to provide a process whereby persons illegally restrained of liberty may petition a court for release. SDCL 21-27-1; State v. Jameson, 52 SD 524, 527, 219 N.W.2d 118,119 (1928). No definitions for the terms “committed, detained, imprisoned or restrained of his liberty ” are provided within SDCL 21-27-1, or within Chapter 21-27. However, the statutory scheme in SDCL Chapter 21-27 references actual custody as the prerequisite for habeas relief. SDCL 21-27-3 provides in relevant part:
An application for a writ of habeas corpus shall be in writing and signed by the applicant or some person on his behalf, setting forth the facts concerning his detention and in whose custody he is detained, and shall be accompanied by a copy of the warrant of commitment or other documentary authority, if any, or by an affidavit that such copy has been demanded of the person in whose custody he is detained and by him refused or not given.
(emphasis added).
[¶ 12.] The habeas statutory scheme is replete with references to physical custody. See SDCL 21-27-3, SDCL 21-27-3.2, SDCL 21-27-9.1, SDCL 21-27-9.2, SDCL 21-27-11. SDCL 21-27-9.1 provides the manner in which a habeas writ may be served, noting that it may be served on the person to whom it is directed, “or with any of his subordinates who may be at the place where the applicant is detained.” (emphasis added). SDCL 21-27-9.2 provides the person to whom the writ is addressed “shall produce the body of the *521applicant before the court at the hearing of the cause of imprisonment or detainer.”
[¶ 13.] Petitioner argues that the federal habeas remedy at 28 U.S.C.A. § 2254(a), which utilizes the word “custody,” has been interpreted by the United States Supreme Court in Jones v. Cunningham as applicable to an individual on parole. 371 U.S. 236, 243-44, 83 S.Ct. 373, 377, 9 L.Ed.2d 285, 291 (1963).4 Petitioner also urges this Court to consider and follow those jurisdictions that have adopted an expansive view of the term “custody” in state habeas corpus remedies. See In re Azurin, 87 Cal.App.4th 20, 104 Cal.Rptr.2d 284 (2001); In re Horst, 270 Kan. 510, 14 P.3d 1162 (2000); Hoang v. State, 872 S.W.2d 694 (Tex.Crim.App.1993); Monohan v. Burdman, 84 Wash.2d 922, 530 P.2d 334 (1975); Staples v. State, 274 A.2d 715 (Me.1971); State ex rel Atkinson v. Tahash, 274 Minn. 65, 142 N.W.2d 294 (1966); Commonwealth ex rel Ensor v. Cummings, 420 Pa. 23, 215 A.2d 651 (1966); State v. Gray, 406 S.W.2d 580 (Mo.1966); Garnick v. Miller, 81 Nev. 372, 403 P.2d 850 (1965); Schooley v. Wilson, 150 Colo. 483, 374 P.2d 353 (Co.1962). However, an almost equal number of states have held the opposite, that a parolee is not restrained of his or her freedom so as to avail him or herself of the habeas remedy. See People ex rel Williams v. Morris, 44 Ill.App.3d 39, 2 Ill.Dec. 631, 357 N.E.2d 851 (1976); Sorrow v. Vickery, 228 Ga. 191, 184 S.E.2d 462 (1971); People ex rel Wilder v. Markley, 26 N.Y.2d 648, 307 N.Y.S.2d 672, 255 N.E.2d 784 (1970); Williams v. State, 42 Ala.App. 140, 155 So.2d 322 (1963), cert denied, 275 Ala. 702, 155 So.2d 323 (1963); McGloin v. Warden of Maryland House of Correction, 215 Md. 630, 137 A.2d 659 (1958); White v. Gladden, 209 Or. 53, 303 P.2d 226 (1956); State v. Ballard, 15 N.J.Super. 417, 83 A.2d 539 (A.D.1951), aff'd 9 N.J. 402, 88 A.2d 537 (1952); and Ex parte Davis, 11 Okla.Crim. 403,146 P. 1085 (1915).
[¶ 14.] Our state habeas remedy is not as broad as the federal habeas corpus remedy. Painter, 85 S.D. at 161, 179 N.W.2d at 14. Our remedy extends only as far as the language used by our legislature allows, as federal decisions on the application of the federal habeas statute do not control the interpretation of our state habeas remedy. Cowell v. Leapley, 458 N.W.2d 514, 517 (S.D.1990). We need not consider the broader language of other state habeas remedies in light of the narrower language used in our habeas statutory scheme. See Weisbeck v. Hess, 524 N.W.2d 363, 373 (S.D.1994) (holding because the language in a Massachusetts statute was different and broader than the language in the South Dakota statutory scheme, the precedential value of cases interpreting that statute was questionable).
[¶ 15.] In Rennich-Craig v. Russell, our most recent precedent in this area, we determined that a parolee physically confined to a nursing home for medicál assistance and care while on conditional parole was in “custody” for purposes of the habe-as statutory scheme. 2000 SD 49, ¶ 11, n. 4, 609 N.W.2d 123, 126. While incarcerated at the women’s state penitentiary, Ren-nich developed a debilitating illness that required greater medical care than that available at the penitentiary. Id. Ren-*522nieh’s sentence was commuted by the governor, conditioned on signing a parole agreement with the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Id. The parole agreement physically confined Rennich to a nursing home under the usual terms and conditions of parole.5 Id. However, in addition to the usual terms and conditions, Rennich was unable to physically depart the nursing facility to attend her habeas hearing without the court’s approval and transportation provided via the sheriff. Id. We held Ren-nich was “in custody and her liberty restrained by the State” and therefore her habeas petition was not moot. Id.
[¶ 16.] In the instant case, Petitioner is not physically confined to or restrained at a particular institution by the terms of his parole. Nor is Petitioner required to reside at a particular location as a part of his parole agreement. While there are several restrictions on his activities, Petitioner is not physically restrained under its terms.6 Lacking physical restraint, Petitioner cannot be said to be illegally restrained or illegally in the physical custody of any person, much less Douglas Weber, Warden of the South Dakota State Penitentiary.7
[¶ 17.] A writ of habeas corpus directed to Douglas Weber, Warden of the South Dakota State Penitentiary would have no effect upon Petitioner, as Weber cannot deliver Petitioner nor release him, as Petitioner is physically free to move about the community and select his own place of residence. See Rennich-Craig, 2000 SD 49, ¶ 30, 609 N.W.2d at 129 (Konenkamp, J., dissenting). Nor is there any legal process whereby Weber can compel Petitioner to appear before the habeas court. Petitioner’s appearance at his 2004 post-parole habeas hearing was by his own free will.
[¶ 18.] It is true that Petitioner is in the legal custody of the Board of Pardons and Paroles until the expiration of his sentence in February 2006. However, a parolee is not “imprisoned,” “detained” or “restrained” physically by the Board.8 Petitioner cannot be placed back in prison unless he violates the conditions of his parole. In the absence of actual physical custody of the Petitioner, the mere possibility that he may be returned to prison for violating his parole agreement is insufficient to invoke the extraordinary relief afforded by the habeas remedy.
[¶ 19.] While it may seem unfair and overly technical to require Petitioner to be returned to prison in order to avail himself of the habeas corpus remedy, this Court must interpret the laws as written and intended by the legislature. It is not for this Court to interpret our statutory code in a manner that comports with what this, or any other court,, think the code should say. See Myrl & Roy’s Paving, Inc., 2004 SD 98, ¶ 6, 686 N.W.2d at 653-54 (citation omitted).
[¶ 20.] We affirm.
*523[¶ 21.] KONENKAMP, Justice and WILBUR, Circuit Judge, concur.
[¶ 22.] ZINTER, Justice, concurs with a writing.
[¶ 23.] SABERS, Justice, dissents.
[¶ 24.] WILBUR, Circuit Judge, sitting for MEIERHENRY, Justice, disqualified.

. SDCL 22-11A-2 provides: "Any prisoner who escapes is guilty of a Class 4 felony.”

. SDCL 21-27-1 provides:
Any person committed or detained, imprisoned or restrained of his liberty, under any color or pretense whatever, civil or criminal, except as provided herein, may apply to the Supreme or circuit court, or any justice or judge thereof, for a writ of habeas corpus, (emphasis added).

. SDCL 23A-27-36, repealed in 2004, provided:
If any prisoner commits a crime, upon conviction, the sentence of the prisoner shall not commence to run until the expiration of the last sentence of his imprisonment. The term "prisoner” as used in this section includes every person in custody, under arrest, or under process of law issued from a court of competent jurisdiction, (emphasis added).

. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a) provides in relevant part:
The Supreme Court, a Justice thereof, a circuit judge, or a district court shall entertain an application for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court only on the ground that he is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States.
(emphasis added)

. SDCL 24-15-1.1 provides in relevant part that parole is "the discretionary conditional release of an inmate from actual penitentiary custody before the expiration of the inmate's term of imprisonment. The prisoner remains under the legal custody of the Department of Corrections until the expiration of the inmate’s term of imprisonment."

. Petitioner’s parole agreement requires advance approval from his probation officer prior to buying or driving an automobile, incurring debts, opening or using a checking account, changing employment or place of residence and pawning.

. Petitioner filed his habeas corpus petition as a civil action against Weber.

. A parolee is subject to limitations on the types of activities in which he or she may engage per SDCL 24-15-11.