Court Opinion

ID: 1034032
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-07-16 22:45:29.530402+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:23.285977
License: Public Domain

r 9L D
                                                                                          COURT  OF' PPEALS
                                                                                                MVI, JO! 11
                                                                                                   S
                                                                                         2013 JUL [
                                                                                                    6           44
                                                                                         ST T           SIiGT
                                                                                         BY
                                                                                                Cc t    Y

     IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                            DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                    No. 42179 8 II
                                                                                  - -

                                Respondent,

        MA

CHRISTOPHER ISRAEL SAUNDERS,                                      UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                                       ellant.

        JOHANSON, A. .
                  J.
                   C             Christopher Israel Saunders appeals his jury trial conviction and
                                  —

sentence for failure to   register   as a sex    offender.' He argues that the trial court erred when it

denied his motion to dismiss based on CrR 4. speedy arraignment and CrR 3. time -for trial
                                           1                             3            -

violations. In a pro se Statement of Additional Grounds for Review ( SAG), asserts that (1).
                                                                         he
the trial court erred when it denied his second motion to dismiss for time -fortrial violations in
                                                                                -

which he challenged several continuances, 2) trial court violated his constitutional speedy
                                          ( the

trial rights, 3)the trial court erred in not allowing him access to standby counsel when he
              (

elected to proceed to trial pro se, 3) trial court erred in allowing the State to present evidence
                                    ( the

    Former RCW 9A. 4.
               13 0( )(
                 4 b)        OF 2008, ch. 230, § 1).
                      6 LAWS (
2
    RAP 10. 0.
          1
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

of his previous convictions for failure to register as a sex offender, ( the evidence was
                                                                       4)

insufficient to support his conviction, and (5) total sentence exceeds the statutory maximum
                                               his

for the offense. Finding no reversible error, we affirm.

                                                    FACTS

                                             1. BACKGROUND

       Saunders is    a sex   offender   required   to   register. In December 2009, he registered as a

transient with the Pierce     County Sheriff's Department. Because he was a transient, he was

required   to   report weekly.   Former RCW          9A. 4.LAWS OF 2008, ch. 230, § 1).
                                                     b)
                                                     130(
                                                        6)(
                                                        4             (

Saunders registered as required until March 17, 2010,but he failed to report on or after March

       At this same time, Saunders was also on community custody supervision following a

previous failure to register conviction. As a condition of his community custody, he was not to
consume     any   drugs.   On March 22, after a March 18 urine sample tested positive for

methamphetamine, the Department of Corrections (DOC)issued a warrant for Saunders's arrest.

Officers arrested Saunders on May 6. The next day, the DOC transported him to a DOC facility

in Snohomish County. The Snohomish County Superior Court found that Saunders had violated

his community custody requirements and sentenced him to 150 days of confinement in DOC

custody; he served this time in Snohomish County.

        Meanwhile, on June 10, Pierce County charged Saunders with failing to register as a sex

offender based on his failure to report on March 24. On June 11, the deputy prosecutor obtained

a bench warrant for Saunders's arrest and entered the warrant into the Law Enforcement Support

                                                         2
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

Agency database. The DOC placed a hold on Saunders for transport to Pierce County for

arraignment immediately upon the completion of his 150 day Snohomish County confinement.
                                                       -

       Saunders was transported back to Pierce County on August 17. The trial court arraigned

Saunders    on   the failure to   register charge   on   August 18. The trial court scheduled a pretrial

conference for August 31, an omnibus hearing for September 23, and the jury trial for October

11, 2010.

                  II. SEPTEMBER 23,2010 CONTINUANCE; FIRST MOTION TO DISMISS

       At the September 23 omnibus hearing, Saunders's counsel requested a continuance to

allow him to prepare for trial and to prepare a motion to dismiss addressing time for trial and

speedy -arraignment      issues that Saunders had raised.           Saunders   objected.   The trial court

continued the October 11 trial to November 15.                Saunders refused to sign the September 23,

2010 order continuing trial.

       On October 6, Saunders filed a pro se motion to dismiss alleging speedy arraignment and

time -for trial violations. Defense counsel filed a similar motion a week later. Saunders and his
           -

counsel both argued that the State had failed to exercise due diligence in bringing him to
arraignment or to trial within the time limits set by CrR 3. and CrR 4. .
                                                           3          1

       At a hearing, the trial court considered both motions and heard from both defense counsel
and Saunders. The trial court denied the motion to dismiss and entered the following written

conclusions of law:

                   1. The Court finds that CrR 3. is the applicable rule for examining
                                                   3
       defendant's claim of denial of right to speedy trial.
                 2.   The Court finds that, as the defendant was being held in the
       Snohomish County Department of Corrections facility to serve a sentence on a
       violation of supervision conditions, he was not considered to be detained in jail or

                                                          3
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

         subjection [sic] to conditional release with regard to the above captioned matter,
         pursuant to State v. Thompson 57 Wn. App. 688, 790 P. d 180 (1990)[, d sub
                                                                   2              aff'
         nom State v. Greenwood, 120 Wn. d 585, 845 P. d 971 (1993)].
                                       2              2
                3.     The Court reviewed both State v. Huffineyer 145 Wn. d 52, 32
                                                                         2
         P. d 996 (2001) and State v. Thompson Id.,
           3                                           and found Thompson to be more
         analogous to the above captioned matter on the basis that Thompson pertained to
         a defendant serving a sentence in another county on an unrelated matter, instead
         of being held in another county awaiting sentencing on an unrelated matter as in
         Huffineer

Clerk's Papers (CP)at 76. .

       III ADDITIONAL CONTINUANCES; MOTION TO DISMISS FOR SPEEDY TRIAL VIOLATIONS

         Between November.15 and December 16, the trial court granted four more continuances
at the State and/ r defense counsel's requests; Saunders objected to each continuance and
                o

refused to   sign   any of the orders   continuing the trial . On January 3,2011, the trial court allowed

the State to amend the charges, expanding the period during which Saunders did not report to

March 24, 2010 through May 6,2010.

         On January 4, 2011, Saunders filed a pro se motion to dismiss for time -for trial and
                                                                                      -

speedy trial violations, objecting to the continuances the trial court granted on September 23,
        -

2010; November 15, 2010; December 7,2010; December 13, 2010; and December 16, 2010. He
asserted that these continuances violated his CrR 3. time -for trial and state and federal
                                                   3            -

constitutional   speedy trial rights.
                         -               The trial court   subsequently granted three   more   continuances.

3
    Several different judges granted these continuances.

4 We describe the individual continuances in more detail below.
5
    Again,we describe these continuances in more detail below.

                                                       El
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

         The trial   began   on   May 9, 2011.   On the first day of trial, the trial court granted

Saunders's request to represent himself.         But the trial court denied Saunders's request for

standby counsel.

         After the trial court granted Saunders the right to proceed pro se, Saunders argued his

January 4,2011 motion to dismiss. Although Saunders did not refer to any specific continuance,

he argued that "all of the said continuances" were improper under CrR 3. and the state and
                                                                       3

federal constitutions.       Verbatim   Report of Proceedings ( VRP) May 10, 2011)
                                                                     (                   at     52.   In

response, the State discussed the continuances granted on the following days: 1)
                                                                              ( September 23,

2010; 2)
      ( November 15, 2010; 3)
                           ( December 7, 2010; 4)
                                               ( December 13, 2010; 5)
                                                                    ( December 16,

2010; ( )January 3, 2011; ( )March 24, 2011; and (8)May 5, 2011. Saunders, however,
      6                   7

clarified that he was not challenging the January 3, 2011 and March 24, 2011 continuances,

which were based on a key witness's unavailability due to medical issues.

         The trial court denied Saunders's    January 4, 2011 motion   to dismiss.   The trial court

found that each continuance at issue was in the interest of the administration of justice and that

Saunders had failed to articulate any actual prejudice to his ability to present his defense.

                                   IV. TRIAL, CONVICTION, SENTENCING

         At trial, the State presented testimony and documentary evidence that, after first

registering as transient, Saunders had reported weekly but that he did not register after March 24,

6
    We describe Saunders's motion for stand by counsel in more detail below

                                                    5
     No. 42179 8 II
               - -

     201 0. The State presented copies of Saunders's weekly registration forms from December 30,
          7

     2009, through March 17, 2010. The next registration form the State presented was dated June

     19, 2010, which stated that Saunders was then "incarcerated" and was in the DOC's custody in

     Snohomish County. VRP (May 10, 2011) at 146; Ex. 17. The June 19, 2010 registration form

     also noted that Saunders had last registered on March 17 as a " ransient"in Pierce County. VRP
                                                                   t

     May 10, 2011) at 146; Ex. 17. The record custodian testified that Saunders's sex registration
                                                                                   "

     packet" did not contain any documents -showing that he had registered between March 17 and

     June 19. VRP ( ay 10, 2011)at 147 48.
                  M                    -

             Detective Curtis Wright of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office testified that he had

     investigated Saunders's registration status when the "sex offender unit" contacted him after
     Saunders failed to    register   on     March 24.      VRP ( May   10, 2011)   at   15. , 163. During his
                                                                                           9

     investigation, the last registration form Detective Wright found was Saunders's March 17

     registration. On cross -examination, Saunders questioned Detective Wright about whether he was
             of Pierce                       losing        misplacing anyone's registration paperwork.    The
     aware               County's     ever            or

     detective responded that this did happen but that such occurrences were rare. He also testified
     that the county also provided the registrant with a "card" so the registrant would also have

I"   proof' of registration if the county lost or misplaced any records. VRP (May 10, 2011)at 166.

     7 The trial court also admitted copies of previous judgments and sentences showing that Saunders
     had previously been convicted for failing to register as a sex offender five times before March
     24, 2010. Saunders did not object to the admission of this evidence.

                                                              G'l
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

        Saunders's supervising community corrections officer (
                                                             CCO),
                                                                 Jeffery T. Haberman, also

testified for the State. CCO Haberman testified that Saunders had been registered as a transient

and that he had been required to report weekly. On March 18, Saunders gave a urine sample that

tested positive for methamphetamine and then "failed to report to the [DOC]."
                                                                            VRP (May 10,

2011) at 172. When CCO Haberman checked with Pierce County, it informed him that Saunders

had last registered on March 24, and was "due back to register"on March 31 because he was still

registered   as   transient.   VRP (May   10, 2011) at 173. Haberman testified that as of April 1,

Saunders was not compliant with his registration requirement.

        Saunders, the sole defense witness, testified that he had registered on March 24, 2010,

and that he had then reported that he then had an address and was no longer transient. Saunders

further testified that if he had not been registered as a transient, he would have been required to

report every six months rather than weekly. He asserted that the county had lost his March 24

registration showing that he was no longer a transient, but the only proof he offered was his

CCO's testimony. On cross -examination, Saunders admitted that he did not have a "card"from

the county showing that he had registered on March 24,2010. VRP (May 11 2011)at 202.

         The jury found Saunders guilty of failing to register as a sex offender. The trial court
sentenced Saunders to 57 months' confinement and 0 to 36 months of community custody.

Saunders appeals his conviction and sentence.

8
    CCO Haberman testified that he could not recall who had told him that Saunders was still
registered as a transient after March 17, 2010, because it was " uch a long time ago."
                                                               s                      VRP (May
10, 2011)at 173.

                                                   7
No. 42179 8 II .
          - -

                                            ANALYSIS

 1. FIRST MOTION TO DISMISS FOR UNTIMELY ARRAIGNMENT AND TIME -FOR TRIAL VIOLATION
                                                                   -

       Relying on State v. Striker, 87 Wn. d 870, 557 P. d 847 (1976), State v. Greenwood,
                                         2             2             and

120 Wn. d 585, 845 P. d 971 ( 1993),
      2             2              Saunders first argues that the trial court erred when it

denied his first motion to dismiss    on   speedy arraignment    and time -for trial
                                                                                -       grounds.   He

contends that because the State did not demonstrate good faith and a diligent effort to locate and

obtain him for trial, his constructive arraignment date was 14 days after the State filed the

information, his CrR 3. time -for trial period expired 90 days after that, and, thus, the September
                      3            -

23, 2010 continuance was untimely because it occurred 105 days after the State filed the

information. We disagree.

                                     A. Standard of Review

       We review a trial court's decision on a motion to dismiss for abuse of discretion. State v.

Michielli, 132 Wn. d 229, 240, 937 P. d 587 (1997).A trial court abuses its discretion when the
                 2                  2

court's decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or for untenable

reasons; a trial court also violates this standard if it applies the wrong legal standard. State v.

Dixon, 159 Wn. d 65, 76, 147 P. d 991 (2006);
             2                3             State v. Hudson, 150 Wn. App. 646, 652, 208

P. d 1236 (2009).We review de novo whether a trial court incorrectly applied a court rule to a
 3

particular set of facts, because this is a question of law. State v. Kindsvogel, 149 Wn. d 477,
                                                                                       2

480, 69 P. d 870 (2003);
         3             State v. Thomas, 146 Wn. App. 568, 571, 191 P. d 913 (2008),
                                                                    3             review

denied, 165 Wn. d 1046 (2009); also State v. Bobenhouse, 143 Wn. App. 315, 322, 177 P. d
              2              see                                                     3

    2008) We review the
209 (     ("                 application                   trial rules de
                                                       for - ]
                                           of the [time-                            aff'd,166 Wn. d
                                                                            novo. "),           2

881, 214 P. d 907 (2009).In addition, we may affirm the trial court on any ground the record
          3

                                                  L
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

supports. State v. Costich, 152 Wn. d 463, 477, 98 P. d 795 (2004);
                                  2                 3             State v. Ginn, 128 Wn.

App. 872, 884 n. , 117 P. d 1155 (2005),
               9        3              review denied, 157 Wn. d 1010 (2006).
                                                            2

         B. Striker Greenwood Superseded; Arraignment and First Continuance Timely
                    /

       Saunders's argument focuses on the StrikerlGreenwood rule:

                 As construed in .    Striker and .          Greenwood, former CrR 3. [2001]
                                                                                    3
       imposed a constructive arraignment date 14 days after the State filed an
       information if there was an unnecessary delay in bringing a defendant before the
       court. Under Striker/Greenwood, a delay was unnecessary if the defendant was
       amenable to process and the State failed to exercise due diligence to bring the
       defendant before the court. [ State       v. Hudson, 130 Wn. d 48, 54, 921 P. d 538
                                                                  2                2
       1996).]

State v. Rafay, 168 Wn. App. 734, 769, 285 P. d 83 (footnotes omitted),review denied, 176
                                            3

Wn. d 1023 (2012),
  2              petition for cent. filed, No. 12 10772 (U. . June 05, 2013). But the 2003
                                                  -       S

amendments to the CrR 3. time - trial rules
                       3      for -                         expressly preclude employing constructive

commencement dates that are not provided by the plain language of the rule and supersede the

StrikerlGreenwood constructive arraignment rule. See State v. Olmos, 129 Wn. App. 750, 755-

56, 120 P. d 139 (2005) ( mendments to rules superseded the constructive arraignment
         3              a

principles in Striker and Greenwood);see also Rafay, 168 Wn. App. at 769 n.2; State v.
                                                                          3

Rookhuyzen, 148 Wn. App.394, 395, 200 P. d 258 (2009) ( " 2003 amendments to CrR 3.
                                       3              The                         3

and 4. eliminated the judicially created doctrine of constructive arraignment the Striker
     1                                                                        —

9
  CrR 3. ( provides that "[ he allowable time for trial shall be computed in accordance
      a)(now
          4)
          3                       t]
with this rule.  If a trial is timely under the language of this rule, but was delayed by
circumstances not addressed in this rule or CrR 4. , the pending charge shall not be dismissed
                                                 1
unless the defendant's constitutional    right   to   a   speedy   trial   was   violated." Additionally,   CrR
h)
3. (
 3 provides that "[ o case shall be dismissed for time to trial reasons except as expressly
                  n]                                    - -
required by this rule, a statute, or the state or federal constitution."

                                                      9
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

rule. "). Because     Saunders's argument relies on the now inapplicable StrikerGreenwood rule, his
                                                                                /
                 10
argument fails.

         Furthermore, Saunders does not show that either his arraignment or the September 23,

2010 continuance was untimely under the current rules. CrR 4. ( provides that when a
                                                           a)(now
                                                            1)
                                                            1

defendant is detained in jail,

         t] defendant shall be arraigned not later than 14 days after the date the
            he
         information or indictment is filed in the adult division of the superior court, if the
         defendant is ( )
                       i detained in the jail ofthe county where the charges are pending or
         ii) subject to conditions of release imposed in connection with the same charges.

Because Saunders was not detained in the Pierce County Jail until August 17 or subject to any

conditions of release related to the new charges, the 14 day arraignment period did not start until
                                                         -
            11
August   17.     The trial court arraigned Saunders on August 18; thus, his arraignment was clearly

timely under the applicable rule, and the September 23 continuance was clearly within the 60-

day time -for trial period. Accordingly, although we rely on different grounds than the trial court,
               -

Saunders has failed to show that the trial court erred when it denied his first motion to dismiss.

to Because we reject this argument on its merits, we do not address Saunders's related ineffective
assistance of counsel claim. Additionally, to the extent Saunders also addresses this argument in
his SAG, we do not address those arguments separately.
11
     Furthermore, CrR 3. (
                      v)
                      a)(provides:
                       3)(
                       3
       Detained in jail"means held in the custody of a correctional facility pursuant to
       the pending charge. Such detention excluded any period in which a defendant is
       on electronic home monitoring, is being held in custody on an unrelated charge or
       hold,or is serving a sentence of confinement.
Because Saunders was being held in Snohomish County on an unrelated charge and was serving
a sentence of confinement, the time from the date the State filed the information for the instant
charge until he was transferred to Pierce County is excluded.

                                                   10
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

                 II. SECOND MOTION TO DISMISS FOR TIME-
                                                      FORTRIAL VIOLATIONS
                                                         -

       Next, in his pro se SAG, Saunders asserts that the trial court erred when it denied his

January 4, 2011 motion to dismiss for time -for trial violations, in which he challenged multiple
                                                 -

continuances under CrR 3. . This argument also fails.
                        3

                                    A. Standard of Review

       As we stated above, we review a trial court's decision on a motion to dismiss for an abuse

of discretion. Michielli, 132 Wn. d at 240. A review of the trial court's decision on Saunders's
                                2

January 4, 2011 motion requires us to evaluate the continuances granted on the following dates:

1)September 23, 2010; 2)
                      ( November 15, 2010; 3)
                                           ( December 7, 2010; 4)
                                                               ( December 13, 2010;

5)
 December 16, 2010; and (6)May 5,2011.

       A trial court may grant a motion to extend time for trial when ( ) parties agree to the
                                                                      1 the

extension in writing and the agreement is signed by the defendant; or (2)upon motion of the

court or any party, the continuance is required in the administration of justice and the defendant

will not be prejudiced in the presentation of his or her defense. CrR 33( )( court
                                                                      1),
                                                                        f 2). the (
                                                                            If

grants the continuance in the administration of justice, it must state its reason for granting the

continuance on the record. CrR 3. ( review a trial court's decision to grant or to deny
                               f)(
                                2).
                                3 We

a CrR 3. motion for continuance for abuse of discretion. State v. Williams, 104 Wn. App. 516,
       3

520 21, 17 P. d 648 (2001).CrR 3. excludes properly granted continuances from the time for-
    -       3                   3                                                      -

trial period. CrR 3. (
                  e)(
                   3).
                   3

                              B. September 23, 2010 Continuance

       On September 23, 2010, the State and defense counsel moved to continue the trial from

the original October 11 trial date to allow defense counsel to prepare a motion to dismiss based

                                                11
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

on a speedy arraignment speedy trial issue that Saunders had advised defense counsel he wanted
                        /

to   pursue.   Saunders objected to the continuance, apparently because he considered his

arraignment to have been untimely. The trial court continued the trial to November 15.

        When the trial court reset trial for November 15, 2010, the time - trial period was
                                                                         for -

extended to December 15, 2010. See CrR 3. (
                                       b)( Although the trial court marked the box on
                                        5).
                                        3

the order continuing trial that stated that the continuance was "upon agreement of the parties

pursuant to CrR 3[.] also noted that the continuance was to allow counsel additional
                f)(
                 1),"
                 3(it

time to prepare for trial and for the defense to file a motion to dismiss. CP at 7.

        To the extent the trial court granted the continuance because it was an agreed to
                                                                                       -

continuance under CrR        3. ( erred. CrR 3. (
                              3 it
                             f)(
                              1),            f)(
                                              1)
                                              3 provides that continuances may be

granted if the parties agree to them in writing, but such agreements must be signed by the

defendant. Saunders did not sign this continuance and, in fact, objected to the continuance. But

the record and the reasons for the continuance the trial court stated in the order continuing trial

demonstrate that the trial court also granted the continuance in the administration of justice, to

allow counsel to prepare and to allow the defense to file a motion to dismiss.

        It is not   a   manifest abuse of discretion for    a   court to   grant   a   continuance ...   to allow

defense counsel more time to prepare for trial, even over defendant's objection, to ensure

effective   representation   and   a   fair trial."   Williams, 104 Wn. App. at 523 .( iting State v.
                                                                                     c

Campbell, 103 Wn. d 1, 15, 691 P. d 929 (1984),
                2               2             cent. denied, 471 U. . 1094 (1985)).
                                                                 S               Here,

defense counsel requested additional time to address issues Saunders himself had raised. And

Saunders did not articulate how this continuance would prejudice his presentation of his defense.

Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting this continuance and extending the

                                                       12
No.42179 8 II
         - -

trial date to November 15, 2010.          Given this continuance, the allowable time for trial was

extended to December 15, 2010, 30 days after the end of the excluded period. CrR 3. (
                                                                                 b)(
                                                                                  5).
                                                                                  3

                                  C. November 15, 2010 Continuance

         On November 15, 2010, the State and substitute defense counsel moved to continue the

trial to December 7,based on defense counsel's unavailability because he was on military leave.

Saunders objected to the continuance, apparently because he wanted the trial court to consider

what he believed was a meritorious motion to dismiss based on an untimely arraignment. The

trial court refused to hear the motion to dismiss at that time and continued the trial to December

7, 2010; Saunders refused    to   sign   the continuance. The trial court based this continuance on

                                                                       12
defense counsel's   unavailability   due to Army Reserve    obligations.    CP at 47. When the trial

court continued the trial to December 7, the time -for trial period was extended to January 6,
                                                        -

2011. See CrR 3. (
              b)(
               5).
               3

         Although there is no case law directly addressing whether counsel's military reserve

requirements can justify a continuance, it is well established that a trial court can grant a

continuance to accommodate counsel's scheduled vacations. See State v. Torres, 111 Wn. App.

323, 331, 44 P. d 903 (2002),
              3             review denied, 148 Wn. d 1005 (2003).Because accommodating
                                                 2

required military service is undoubtedly at least equally important as accommodating a vacation,

and Saunders once again did not articulate how this continuance would prejudice his presentation

12
     The trial court also noted that defense counsel was unavailable because of a furlough. The
record does not support this portion of the finding, but the record supports the finding that
counsel was unavailable because of military service.

                                                    13
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

of his defense, we hold that trial court did not err in granting this continuance and extending the

time -for trial expiration date to January 6,2011. CrR 3. (
           -                                           b)(
                                                        5).
                                                        3
                               D. December 7,2010 Continuance

       On December 7, substitute counsel for the State and defense counsel moved for another

continuance. Counsel asserted that (1) State's counsel was unavailable because she was in
                                      the

another trial that day; and (2)defense counsel needed to leave the state immediately to attend to

a family member who had "collapsed" in another state. VRP (Dec. 7, 2010) at 3. As he had

previously, Saunders objected to the continuance, apparently because he wanted the trial court to

consider his motion to dismiss based on an untimely arraignment. The trial court continued the

trial until December 13, 2010, and found that (1)the parties were in agreement, and (2)the

continuance was in the administration of justice because the deputy prosecutor was in another

trial and defense counsel would be unavailable. Saunders refused to sign the continuance.

       Although the trial court erred in finding the parties were in agreement because Saunders

did not sign the continuance or agree to it,the record supports the trial court's finding that the

continuance was appropriate to accommodate the deputy prosecutor's being in another trial and

defense counsel's family medical emergency. See State v Cannon, 130 Wn. d 313, 326 27, 922
                                                                      2            -

P. d 1293 (1996) holding two extensions proper where deputy prosecutor occupied in another
 2                (

trial);State v. Jones, 117 Wn. App. 721, 729, 72 P. d 1110 ( 2003) court may grant a
                                                  3                (

continuance to accommodate unavailable or unforeseen circumstances such as defense counsel's

13
  Furthermore, even if the trial court erred in granting the continuance, the new December 7,
2010 trial date was within the time - trial period established by the September 23, 2010
                                      for -
continuance.

                                                 14
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

illness),
        review denied, 151 Wn. d 1006 (2004). Additionally, Saunders did not articulate any
                             2

prejudice   that this short   delay      would   cause.    Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in granting this short continuance and extending the time -for trial expiration date to
                                                                           -

January 13, 2011. CrR 3. (
                      b)((
                       5).
                       3
                                    E. December 13, 2010 continuance

       On December 13, 2010, the State again moved for a continuance because the deputy

prosecutor   was   still in trial   on   another matter.        The trial court found "good cause" for the

continuance and reset the trial date to December 16. VRP (Dec. 13,                  2010) at   3.   Saunders

objected to the continuance, apparently because he believed his motion to dismiss had merit, and

he refused to sign the continuance. Again, the trial court did not err in granting this continuance

because this short continuance was appropriate to accommodate the deputy prosecutor's need to

be in another trial and Saunders did not articulate any prejudice this short delay would cause.

Cannon, 130 Wn. d at 326 27. This continuance extended the time -for trial expiration date to
              2          -                                            -
                     s
January 16, 2011.1

14
  Furthermore, as with the previous continuance, even if the trial court erred in granting the
continuance, the new December 13, 2010 trial date was within the time -fortrial period
                                                                                  -
established by the September 23, 2010 continuance.

is Because this continuance and the September 23, 2010 continuance, which reset the time for-
                                                                                         -
trial period expiration date to December 15, 2010, were proper, the trial court would have
properly extended the time -for trial period to January 16, 2011, regardless of whether the
                                 -
November 15, 2010 or December 7,2010 continuances were proper.

                                                          IRI
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

                                    F. December 16,2010 continuance

         On December 16, 2010,the State and defense counsel moved for a continuance to March

1, 2011, based on (1)the unavailability of jurors over the.last two weeks in December; ( )
                                                                                       2
                                                                                      16 ; (
defense counsel's       "
                      prescheduled furlough          time"rendering him unavailable            3)numerous older

failure to register cases" assigned to defense counsel and State's counsel in January; and (4)the

deputy prosecutor's prescheduled vacation from mid -
                                                   February through mid-
                                                                       March. VRP (Dec.

16, 2010)at 2, 5. Saunders objected to the continuance, asserting that court congestion was not a

valid   reason   to violate his   speedy   trial   right.17 The trial court continued the trial to January 3,

2011, with a new time -for trial expiration date of March 2, 2011. Saunders refused to sign the
                            -

continuance.

         On the continuance order, the trial court noted that the continuance was based on the

agreement of the parties under CrR 3. ( But it also stated that the reason for the
                                   f)(
                                    1).
                                    3

continuance was that defense counsel was unavailable because of a furlough. Again, because

Saunders did not agree to the continuance, the trial court erred in finding that this was an agreed

to continuance under CrR 33( )(reasons stated in the continuance and the hearing
                         1).
                           f But the

records show that the trial court also continued the trial in the administration of justice to

accommodate defense counsel's unavailability due to his furlough. The record also shows that

Saunders never asserted that this delay would prejudice his ability to present his defense.

16
     Defense counsel stated that the furlough was based on county budget considerations.

17 Saunders may have believed there were other grounds for not granting the continuance, but the
trial court would not allow him to address the court directly and the above reason was the only
reason defense counsel articulated.

                                                          16
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting this continuance.

Furthermore, the new January 3, 2011 trial date was within the time -for trial period established
                                                                          -

in the December 13, 2010 continuance, so any potential error was harmless.18
                               G. January 3,2011 and March 24, 2011 continuances

          On January 3, 2011, within the time -for trial period established in the November 15,
                                                    -

2010 continuance, the State moved for another continuance based on the State's law enforcement

officer witness's unavailability due to surgery. The trial court granted the continuance, setting

the trial for March 24, 2011, and extending the time -fortrial expiration date to April 24, 2011.
                                                          -

Saunders objected to the continuance, asserting that the witness was unnecessary, and refused to

sign the continuance order. On March 24, the State moved for another continuance because the

witness    was   still   recovering    from surgery.   The trial court granted the continuance, in the

administration of justice, and continued the trial to May 5, 2011; resetting the time -for trial
                                                                                            -

expiration date to Monday, June 6, 2011. Saunders objected to the continuance and refused to

sign the continuance order.

          Saunders       did    not   however, challenge    the   January 3,   2011   or March 24, 2011

continuances in his January 4,2011 motion to dismiss; and at the May 10, 2011 hearing on that

motion he clarified that he was not challenging these continuances. Furthermore, even if he had

18
   We note that the continuance states that the new expiration date for time to trial would be
March  2, 2011. CrR 3. (
                      b)( extends the time -fortrial expiration date to 30 days after the
                           5)
                           3                           -
excluded period, which would be February 2, 2011, not March 2, 2011, as the trial court
indicated. But, because the trial court continued the trial again on January 3, 2011, and March
24, 2011, to accommodate a witness's medical condition and Saunders does not object to those
continuances, this error is harmless.

                                                       17
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

challenged these continuances, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting

these continuances to accommodate a witness's surgery and recovery.

                                  H. May 5,2011 Continuance

       Finally, on May 5, 2011, the court moved to continue the trial to May 9, based on

courtroom   unavailability.   Saunders objected to the continuance and refused to sign the

continuance order.     It is not clear whether Saunders challenged this final continuance.

Nevertheless, this continuance was well within the time -for trial period established in the March
                                                              -

24, 2011 continuance; and the trial started May 9, 2011, which was also within the June 6, 2011

time -for trial period established in the March 24,2011 continuance.
           -

       Because the trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting these continuances, the trial

court also did not err in denying Saunders's January 4,2011 motion to dismiss for CrR 3. time-
                                                                                       3

for trial violations. Accordingly, this argument fails.
     -

                               III. CONSTITUTIONAL SPEEDY TRIAL

        Saunders also appears to .assert in his SAG that holding his trial nine months after his

arraignment violated his federal and state constitutional rights. We disagree.

                                      A. Standard of Review

        Both the United States Constitution and the Washington Constitution provide a criminal

defendant with the right to a speedy public trial. U. .CONST. amend. VI;WASH. CONST. art. I, §
                                                    S

22. Our state constitution "requires a method of analysis substantially the same as the federal

Sixth Amendment analysis and does not afford a defendant greater speedy trial rights."State v.

Iniguez, 167 Wn. d 273, 290, 217 P. d 768 (2009).We review de novo constitutional speedy
               2                  3

trial claims. Iniguez, 167 Wn. d at 280.
                             2

                                                 18
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

                                B. Constitutional Speedy Trial Standards

         A defendant's constitutional rights to a speedy trial attach when a charge is filed or an

arrest is made, whichever occurs first. State v. Corrado, 94 Wn. App. 228, 232, 972 P. d 515,
                                                                                     2

review   denied,   138 Wn. d 1011 ( 1999). Some
                         2                              pretrial delay is often "inevitable and wholly

justifiable,"
            Doggett v. United States, 505 U. . 647, 656, 112 S. Ct. 2686, 2693, 120 L. Ed. 2d
                                           S

520 (1992), any "inquiry into a speedy trial claim necessitates a functional analysis of the
          and

right in the particular context of the case."Barker v. Wingo, 407 U. . 514, 522, 533, 92 S. Ct.
                                                                   S

2182, 2188, 2193 94, 33 L. Ed. 2d 101 ( 1972) delay
                 -                            (                was "well   over   five years ").   As first

articulated by the United States Supreme Court in Barker, we consider: 1) length of pretrial
                                                                       ( the

delay, 2) reason for delay, 3) defendant's assertion of his or her right, and (4)
       ( the                ( the                                                prejudice

to the defendant. 407 U. .at 530.
                       S

         But to trigger this analysis, the defendant must first demonstrate that the "interval

between accusation and trial has crossed the threshold dividing ordinary from `presumptively

prejudicial' delay." Doggett, 505       U. . at 651 52 (
                                         S          -  quoting     Barker,   407 U. . at 530 31).We
                                                                                  S          -

consider the duration of pretrial custody, the complexity of the charges, and the extent to which a

case involves a reliance on eyewitness testimony. Iniguez, 167 Wn. d at 292 (citing Barker, 407
                                                                 2

U. . at 531).
 S

                                      C. Presumptively Prejudicial

          In Iniguez, our Supreme Court found "presumptive[]prejudic[e]" upon a delay of
                                                                      based

more     than   eight months.   167 Wn. d at 291 92.
                                      2          -         The court found it important that (1)the

defendant had remained in custody throughout this period; 2) charges against him were not
                                                          ( the

complex; and (3)such a lengthy delay "could result in witnesses becoming unavailable or their

                                                   19
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

memories fading,"
                thus impairing his defense. Iniguez, 167 Wn. d at 292. The court took pains
                                                           2

to note that this eight month delay was, however, just beyond the bare minimum needed to
                        -                         "

trigger the Barker inquiry."Iniguez, 167 Wn. d at 293.
                                           2

       Here, as in Iniguez, Saunders remained in custody pending trial, the charges against him

were not complex, and the length of the delay was similar. But although the State's case against

Saunders rested in part on eyewitness testimony, it also rested largely on documentary evidence.

At best, there was some danger that some witnesses' memories would fadein fact, Saunders
                                                                       —

now argues that the delay contributed to his CCO's being unable to remember what county

employee had told him that Saunders had last registered on March 24, 2010, rather than March

17, 2010. The record reveals that the CCO's memory had faded and that he attributed this, at

least in part, to the amount of time that had passed before trial. Thus, it appears that Saunders

has met the threshold requirement for bringing his constitutional speedy trial claim, and we now

turn to the four -
                 pronged Barker test.

                                        D. Barker Test

       First, we consider the length of pretrial delay. Barker, 407 U. . at 530. The State filed
                                                                     S

the charges on June 10, 2010, and the State arraigned Saunders on August 18, 2010,just short of

nine months before the trial. Given the simple charges, this much delay appears excessive and

weighs in favor of Saunders. But we must also look to the reasons for this delay. Barker, 407
U. . at 530.
 S               Here, as discussed above, the trial court granted several continuances to

accommodate not only the State, but also Saunders himself (by allowing Saunders and his

counsel extra time to file motions, accommodating defense counsel's need for time to prepare,

and allowing for defense counsel's absence due to military service obligations). Additionally, a

                                               20
No.42179 8 II
         - -

substantial part of the delay, from January 3, 2011, through May 5, 2011, was to accommodate a

witness's surgery and recovery.          Given these continuances, the reasons for the delay do not

weigh in favor of Saunders.

       We next turn to whether Saunders asserted his constitutional right to speedy trial.

Barker, 407 U. .at 530. The record clearly shows that Saunders objected to every continuance,
             S

but the basis of his objections seems to have rested almost entirely on his initial claim that his

arraignment was untimely under the criminal rules of procedure. Given, as we discuss above,

that the basis of most of his objections was incorrect, this factor is at best neutral.

       Finally, we      examine whether the         delay prejudiced Saunders.      Because Saunders was

apparently   in   custody   the entire time the   case was   pending,19 he was obviously subject to pretrial

incarceration and to anxiety and worry. He has also shown that his CCO may have had some

memory issues because of the            length of    the   delay.   Thus the prejudice prong weighs in

Saunders's favor to some degree. But because there was also strong documentary evidence that

Saunders had failed to register on March 24, 2010, or that if he had registered on March 24,

2010, he had still registered as a transient, that prejudice is not particularly strong.

        Taken as a whole, the totality of the circumstances leads us to conclude that Saunders's

constitutional speedy trial rights were not violated. The factors that weigh in his favor are the

length of the delay and, possibly, prejudice, but these factors almost always weigh in the

defendant's favor. Given that we hold that the continuances were all justified ( nd that Saunders
                                                                               a

19
  Although nothing in the record specifically states that Saunders was in custody the entire time
before trial, his judgment and sentence shows that the trial court credited him with 269 days for
time served.

                                                        21
No.'
  42179 8 II
        - -

did not later object to the longest delay, which was needed to accommodate the witness's

surgery), find this factor dispositive. Accordingly, this argument also fails.
        we

                      IV. ADMISSION OF PREVIOUS JUDGMENT AND SENTENCES

         Saunders next asserts in his SAG that the admission of the prior judgment and sentences

showing that he had several previous failure to-
                                             - register convictions was improper and

prejudicial.   But Saunders failed to    object   to this evidence.   Accordingly, he has failed to

preserve this issue for review. RAP 2. ( also State v. Gresham, 173 Wn. d 405, 432 33,
                                    a);
                                     5 see                            2            -

269 P. d 207 (2012)evidentiary errors under ER 404( ) not constitutional errors).
     3              (                             b are

                                      V. NO STANDBY COUNSEL

         Saunders also asserts in his SAG.that he "believe[s] [
                                                            his] rights were violated by `not'

being allowed stand by counsel." SAG (Statement of Facts Supporting Case Law) at 8. This

argument also fails.

         Criminal defendants have a constitutional right to waive counsel's assistance and

represent themselves at trial. State v. DeWeese, 117 Wn. d 369, 375, 816 P. d 1 ( 1991). In
                                                       2                  2

certain circumstances, a pro se defendant may be entitled to have standby counsel provide

technical assistance in the courtroom. Although appointing standby counsel at the defendant's

request should be encouraged, this right is not absolute. DeWeese, 117 Wn. d at 379; State v.
                                                                         2

Christensen, 40 Wn. App. 290, 297 n. , 698 P. d 1069, review denied, 104 Wn. d 1003 (1985).
                                   2        2                              2

We review the lower court's refusal to appoint standby counsel for abuse of discretion. Accord,

Locks v. Sumner, 703 F.d 403, 407 08 ( th Cir.), denied, 464 U. .933 (1983).
                      2           - 9         cent:           S

         Here, after the trial court allowed Saunders to proceed pro se, it asked him whether he

wanted    standby   counsel.   After speaking with defense counsel, Saunders stated that he would

                                                   22
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

like standby counsel who could assist him if he had questions about procedures, needed advice

about questioning witnesses, or needed assistance with other matters. But nothing in the record

shows that Saunders ever indicated he needed other standby counsel assistance during the course

of the trial.    The trial court fully examined Saunders about his need for standby counsel and

determined that the only potential area he may need assistance in was in questioning defense

witnesses.      But it also found that because the only potential defense witness was Saunders

himself, no assistance would be required; thus, the trial court denied the motion for standby

counsel.     Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing

Saunders's request for stand by counsel.

                                            VI. SUFFICIENCY

          In much of Saunders's SAG, he appears to assert that the evidence was insufficient to

support his conviction because (1) State did not prove that he did not register on March 24,
                                  the

2010; and (2) evidence established that he had changed his residential status on March 24,
             the

2010, so he was not required to register on a weekly basis after that date. Again, we disagree.

          Evidence is sufficient to support a conviction if,when viewed in the light most favorable

to the State, it permits any rational trier of fact to find the essential elements of the crime beyond

a   reasonable doubt. State    v.   Kintz, 169 Wn. d 537, 551, 238 P. d 470 (2010). A claim of
                                                 2                  3               "`

insufficiency    admits the truth of the State's evidence "' and all reasonable inferences that a trier

of fact   can   draw from the evidence.    Kintz, 169 Wn. d at 551 (quoting State v. Salinas, 119
                                                        2

  2                  2                Circumstantial evidence and direct evidence are
Wn. d 192, 201, 829 P. d 1068 ( 1992)).

equally reliable. State v. Thomas, 150 Wn. d 821, 874, 83 P. d 970 (2004),
                                         2                 3             abrogated in part

on other grounds by Crawford v. Washington, 541 U. . 36, 124 S. Ct. 1354, 158 L. Ed. 2d 177
                                                 S

                                                   23
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

2004).We defer to the trier of fact on issues of conflicting testimony, credibility of witnesses,

and the persuasiveness of the evidence. Thomas, 150 Wn. d at 874 75.
                                                      2          -

          Taking the facts in the light most favorable to the State, we note that the State presented

evidence that, at best showed that Saunders registered on March 24, 2010, but that when he did

so, he registered as a transient. Because the State's evidence also showed that Saunders was still

a    transient, he   was      required   to   report again   a   week later and that he failed to do   so.   This

evidence is sufficient to support the conviction. Although Saunders testified that his March 24,

2010 registration also changed his transient status, his testimony was the only evidence of this, ,

and the jury was not required to believe him. Accordingly, this argument fails.
                                              VII. NO SENTENCING ERROR

          Finally, Saunders asserts in his SAG that his total sentence, including his community

custody,    exceeds the maximum sentence allowed for his offense.                    The trial court sentenced

Saunders to 57 months of confinement and 0 to 36 months of community custody. But because

Saunders's underlying felony sexual offense, second degree child rape, was a felony sex offense

as defined in former RCW 9A. 4. failure to register was a class B felony, with a
                         a),
                         130( 0)(
                            1
                            4  this

statutory maximum of 10 years (120 months) . The maximum Saunders could serve under his

current sentence imposed by the trial court is 93 months, well under the statutory maximum.

Accordingly, this argument fails.

20
  We recognize that Saunders's previous convictions for failure to register as a sex offender
were class C felonies, but the legislature amended RCW 9A. 4.to increase this failure to-
                                                       130   4                             -
register offense     to   a   class B   felony   in 2008. See LAWS OF    2008, ch. 230 § 1.

                                                             24
No. 42179 8 II
          - -

       We affirm.

       A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports,*
                             but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW

040,
2.6.it is so ordered.
  0

                                                              Johans6A,
We
     concur

               Hunt, J.

I con ur in the result o ly:

              Quinn -Brintnall, J.

                                             25