Court Opinion

ID: 1049291
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-08 19:47:14.64902+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:50:52.487236
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                          AT JACKSON
                        Assigned on Briefs September 14, 2010

               STATE OF TENNESSEE v. BRUCE FRANKS, JR.

               Direct Appeal from the Circuit Court for Hardin County
                 Nos. 8192, 8757, 9062    C. Creed McGinley, Judge

              No. W2010-00312-CCA-R3-CD - Filed November 18, 2010

The defendant, Bruce Franks, Jr., having presently pled guilty to thirty-eight counts
involving vandalism, theft, burglary, and criminal trespass, appeals the trial court’s denial
of his request for an alternative sentence and the trial court’s revocation of his probation in
two other cases. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

  Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgments of the Circuit Court Affirmed

A LAN E. G LENN, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which J.C. M CL IN and D. K ELLY
T HOMAS, J R., JJ., joined.

Guy T. Wilkinson, District Public Defender; and Richard W. DeBerry, Assistant District
Public Defender, for the appellant, Bruce Franks, Jr.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; J. Ross Dyer, Senior Counsel, Hansel
Jay McCadams, District Attorney General; and Ed N. McDaniel, Assistant District Attorney
General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

                                         OPINION

                                           FACTS

        In case number 8192, the defendant was indicted on November 25, 2002, on one
count of arson. The defendant pled guilty to the offense and on June 4, 2003, received a
sentence of three years with sixty days to be served in jail and the remaining two years and
ten months to be served on community corrections. The defendant appealed his sentence
to this court, and we affirmed. See State v. Bruce Franks, Jr., W2003-01673-CCA-R3-CD,
2004 WL 1918727, at *1 (Tenn. Crim. App. Aug. 27, 2004), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn.
Dec. 28, 2004).
       On February 7, 2007, a community corrections violation report was filed regarding
the defendant. According to the report, the defendant violated the terms of his community
corrections by being arrested for burglary of an automobile, testing positive for marijuana,
and failing to abide by curfew requirements. The defendant’s community corrections
sentence was revoked on March 24, 2008.

        Meanwhile, on November 19, 2007, the defendant was indicted in case number 8757
of two counts of burglary of an automobile. He pled guilty to both counts and on March 24,
2008, he was sentenced to one year on each conviction with the sentences to be served
concurrently and on probation. The court also placed the defendant on probation for his
prior arson conviction and ordered that his new one-year sentence be served consecutively
to his three-year sentence for arson.

        On April 8, 2009, a probation violation report was filed on the defendant. According
to the report, the defendant violated the terms of his probation by being arrested for thirty-
eight new charges and for using marijuana.

       On July 20, 2009, the defendant was indicted in case number 9062 on seven counts
of vandalism, five counts of theft of property, fifteen counts of burglary of a vehicle, eight
counts of burglary, two counts of aggravated burglary, and one count of criminal trespass.
The defendant pled guilty to all counts and received sentences ranging from eleven months,
twenty-nine days to five years. Pursuant to the plea agreement, all thirty-eight counts were
to be served concurrently for an effective sentence of five years but consecutively with his
sentences in the other cases.

       A hearing concerning the defendant’s request for an alternative sentence in case
number 9062 and the probation violation report in case numbers 8192 and 8757 was held
on January 7, 2010. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court found that the defendant was
not an appropriate candidate for alternative sentencing and that there was “overwhelming
evidence that [the defendant] violated the terms and conditions of his probation.”

                                        ANALYSIS

                                  I. Alternative Sentence

       The defendant first argues that the trial court erred in denying his request for an
alternative sentence, specifically community corrections or probation, in case number 9062.
When an accused challenges the length and manner of service of a sentence, it is the duty
of this court to conduct a de novo review on the record “with a presumption that the
determinations made by the court from which the appeal is taken are correct.” Tenn. Code

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Ann. § 40-35-401(d) (2006). This presumption is “conditioned upon the affirmative
showing in the record that the trial court considered the sentencing principles and all
relevant facts and circumstances.” State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991). The
presumption does not apply to the legal conclusions reached by the trial court in sentencing
the accused or to the determinations made by the trial court which are predicated upon
uncontroverted facts. State v. Butler, 900 S.W.2d 305, 311 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994); State
v. Smith, 891 S.W.2d 922, 929 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994); State v. Bonestel, 871 S.W.2d 163,
166 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993), overruled on other grounds by State v. Hooper, 29 S.W.3d
1, 9 (Tenn. 2000).

       In conducting a de novo review of a sentence, this court must consider (a) any
evidence received at the trial and/or sentencing hearing, (b) the presentence report, (c) the
principles of sentencing, (d) the arguments of counsel relative to sentencing alternatives, (e)
the nature and characteristics of the offense, (f) any mitigating or enhancement factors, (g)
any statistical information provided by the administrative office of the courts as to Tennessee
sentencing practices for similar offenses; (h) any statements made by the accused in his own
behalf; and (i) the accused’s potential or lack of potential for rehabilitation or treatment.
Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-103, -210 (2006); State v. Taylor, 63 S.W.3d 400, 411 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 2001). The party challenging the sentence imposed by the trial court has the
burden of establishing that the sentence is erroneous. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401 (2006),
Sentencing Commission Cmts.; Ashby, 823 S.W.2d at 169.

        Under the revised Tennessee sentencing statutes, a defendant is no longer presumed
to be a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing. State v. Carter, 254 S.W.3d 335, 347
(Tenn. 2008) (citing Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102(6) (2006)). Instead, the “advisory”
sentencing guidelines provide that a defendant “who is an especially mitigated or standard
offender convicted of a Class C, D or E felony, should be considered as a favorable
candidate for alternative sentencing options in the absence of evidence to the contrary.”
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102(6) (2006).

        To qualify for consideration for punishment in the community, an offender must meet
all of the following criteria:

              (A) Persons who, without this option, would be incarcerated in a
       correctional institution;

              (B) Persons who are convicted of property-related, or drug-or
       alcohol-related felony offenses or other felony offenses not involving crimes
       against the person as provided in title 39, chapter 13, parts 1-5;

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               (C) Persons who are convicted of nonviolent felony offenses;

             (D) Persons who are convicted of felony offenses in which the use or
       possession of a weapon was not involved;

             (E) Persons who do not demonstrate a present or past pattern of
       behavior indicating violence; [and]

              (F) Persons who do not demonstrate a pattern of committing violent
       offenses[.]

Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-36-106(a)(1) (2006). Under the “special needs” provision of the
statute, an offender who does not otherwise meet the criteria above “and who would be
usually considered unfit for probation due to histories of chronic alcohol or drug abuse, or
mental health problems, but whose special needs are treatable and could be served best in
the community” may be considered eligible for a community corrections sentence. Id. §
40-36-106(c) (2006).

       A defendant who receives a sentence of ten years or less is eligible for probation,
subject to certain exceptions. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-303(a) (2006). Even if eligible,
however, the defendant is not automatically entitled to probation as a matter of law. See
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-303(b). The burden is on the defendant to show the denial of
probation was improper. Id.; see also State v. Summers, 159 S.W.3d 586, 599-600 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 2004) (citing Ashby, 823 S.W.2d at 169); State v. Baker, 966 S.W.2d 429, 434
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1997) (stating that “[a] criminal defendant seeking full probation bears
the burden on appeal of showing the sentence actually imposed is improper, and that full
probation will be in both the best interest of the defendant and the public”).

       There is no bright line rule for determining when a defendant should be granted
probation. State v. Bingham, 910 S.W.2d 448, 456 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995), overruled on
other grounds by Hooper, 29 S.W.3d at 9-10. Every sentencing decision necessarily requires
a case-by-case analysis. Id. Factors to be considered include the circumstances surrounding
the offense, the defendant’s criminal record, the defendant’s social history and present
condition, the need for deterrence, and the best interest of the defendant and the public.
State v. Goode, 956 S.W.2d 521, 527 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997). Another appropriate factor
for a trial court to consider in determining whether to grant probation is a defendant’s
credibility or lack thereof, as this reflects on the defendant’s potential for rehabilitation. Id.
Also relevant is whether a sentence of probation would unduly depreciate the seriousness
of the offense. See State v. Davis, 940 S.W.2d 558, 559 (Tenn. 1997); Bingham, 910
S.W.2d at 456.

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      A trial court may deny alternative sentencing and sentence a defendant to
confinement based on any one of the following considerations:

             (A) Confinement is necessary to protect society by restraining a
       defendant who has a long history of criminal conduct;

              (B) Confinement is necessary to avoid depreciating the seriousness of
       the offense or confinement is particularly suited to provide an effective
       deterrence to others likely to commit similar offenses; or

              (C) Measures less restrictive than confinement have frequently or
       recently been applied unsuccessfully to the defendant.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(1) (2006). Furthermore, the defendant’s potential for
rehabilitation or lack thereof should be examined when determining whether an alternative
sentence is appropriate. Id. § 40-35-103(5).

       In denying an alternative sentence, the trial court first noted that the defendant
apparently suffered from a mental disability, but that “[h]e was found competent and that [an]
insanity defense would not be support[ed].” The court observed that the defendant
essentially committed “a crime wave,” and he also had prior felony convictions and
revocation of probation.

       We initially note that even if the defendant satisfied the requirements for community
corrections, it does not necessarily follow that community corrections was the most
appropriate sanction in this case. Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-36-106 establishes
only the eligibility requirements for community corrections. It does not create an entitlement
of freedom from confinement. The trial court retains the discretion to impose incarceration
in appropriate cases. Likewise, the defendant, although eligible, was not entitled to a
sentence of probation, and on appeal, it is the defendant’s burden to prove that the denial of
probation was improper.

      In this case, the record supports the trial court’s imposition of a sentence of
confinement because measures less restrictive than confinement had frequently and recently
been applied unsuccessfully to the defendant. The record shows that the defendant was
placed on community corrections for his arson conviction in June 2003, and after an
unsuccessful appeal, supervision began in February 2005. His community corrections was
revoked in March 2008 due to his arrest for burglary of an automobile, failing a drug screen,
and not observing curfew. The defendant was then placed on probation for all three
convictions. However, the defendant did not abide by the requirements of probation because

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he failed a drug screen and committed the thirty-eight crimes for which he now requests an
alternative sentence.

       The record shows that the defendant has recently, and on more than one occasion,
been given the opportunity to take advantage of measures less restrictive than confinement.
Yet, he failed to abide by the technical requirements and continued to pick up new charges.
Thus, the record supports the trial court’s denial of an alternative sentence.

                                II. Revocation of Probation

       The defendant argues that the trial court erred in revoking his probation in case
numbers 8192 and 8757. He asserts that “the [c]ourt should not have revoked his probation
due to his disability.”

        A trial court is granted broad authority to revoke a suspended sentence and to reinstate
the original sentence if it finds by the preponderance of the evidence that the defendant has
violated the terms of his or her probation and suspension of sentence. Tenn. Code Ann. §§
40-35-310, -311 (Supp. 2009). The revocation of probation lies within the sound discretion
of the trial court. State v. Shaffer, 45 S.W.3d 553, 554 (Tenn. 2001); State v. Harkins, 811
S.W.2d 79, 82 (Tenn. 1991); State v. Stubblefield, 953 S.W.2d 223, 226 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1997); State v. Mitchell, 810 S.W.2d 733, 735 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991). To show an abuse
of discretion in a probation revocation case, “a defendant must demonstrate ‘that the record
contains no substantial evidence to support the conclusion of the trial judge that a violation
of the conditions of probation has occurred.’” State v. Wall, 909 S.W.2d 8, 10 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1994) (quoting State v. Delp, 614 S.W.2d 395, 398 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980)). The
proof of a probation violation need not be established beyond a reasonable doubt, but it is
sufficient if it allows the trial court to make a conscientious and intelligent judgment.
Harkins, 811 S.W.2d at 82 (citing State v. Milton, 673 S.W.2d 555, 557 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1984)).

       The trial court is expressly authorized by statute to reinstate a defendant’s original
sentence upon a finding that the defendant has violated the terms of his or her probation. See
Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-310, -311 (2006); State v. Hunter, 1 S.W.3d 643, 646 (Tenn.
1999). Upon a finding that a violation has occurred, the trial court may, in its discretion,
either: (1) order incarceration; (2) order that the original entire probationary period begin
anew; or (3) extend the probationary period by up to two years. See Hunter, 1 S.W.3d at 644;
see also Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-310, -311(e), -308(c) (2006)).

       In revoking the defendant’s probation in case numbers 8192 and 8757, the trial court
found that there was “overwhelming evidence that [the defendant] violated the terms and

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conditions of his probation.” The trial court ordered that the defendant serve the four-year
sentence in the Department of Correction. Again, the defendant argues that the trial court
should not have revoked his probation because he has a “disability.” Even if this claim is
true, the court had no obligation to grant him another non-incarcerative sentence. To the
extent he is arguing that the record contains no substantial evidence to support the decision
of the trial court, we disagree. The record shows that the defendant was on probation for two
burglary of a vehicle convictions and an arson conviction when he committed the thirty-eight
new crimes to which he pled guilty. Based on the defendant’s clear violation of the terms
and conditions of his probation, we cannot conclude that the trial court abused its discretion
in revoking the defendant’s probation.

                                       CONCLUSION

         Based on the foregoing authorities and reasoning, we affirm the judgments of the trial
court.

                                                     _________________________________
                                                     ALAN E. GLENN, JUDGE

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