Court Opinion

ID: 2715306
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-06 17:20:59.661346+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:13:44.434138
License: Public Domain

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          IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                          No. 69640-8-1

                        Respondent,                           DIVISION ONE

                   v.

                                                              UNPUBLISHED OPINION
CARLOS BENITEZ, JR.,

                        Appellant.                            FILED: April 28, 2014

      Schindler, J. — Carlos Benitez Jr. challenges the October 26, 2012 court order

granting the postconviction motion of the State to amend findings of fact and

conclusions of law and the entry of a protective order preventing him from obtaining the

discovery file, law enforcement reports, and other investigative materials. Because the

State concedes that Benitez was entitled to notice of the motion and an opportunity to

be heard, we grant discretionary review and vacate the October 26, 2012 order.

                                                      FACTS

       In 2010, a jury found Carlos Benitez Jr. guilty of 17 counts involving the delivery

of drugs, unlawful firearm possession, and theft. The trial court imposed an exceptional

sentence downward of 368 months. On appeal, we affirmed. State v. Benitez, 172 Wn.

App. 1018, 2012 WL 6098271 (2012), review denied. 177 Wash. 2d 1003, 300 P.3d 415

(2013).
No. 69640-8-1/2

       In March 2011, while his appeal was pending, Benitez filed a postconviction

motion under CrR 4.7(h)(3). CrR 4.7(h)(3) allows defense counsel to release a

discovery file to the client "after making appropriate redactions which are approved by

the prosecuting authority or order of the court." Benitez was represented by trial

counsel at the hearing on the motion. Benitez's attorney informed the court that the

necessary redactions had been made.

      The State opposed the motion, citing safety concerns for the undercover officers

who worked on the case, the potential revelation of strategies used in undercover and

multiagency operations, and the ability of Benitez to disseminate the materials

throughout the prison. The prosecutor argued Benitez had a history of harassing and

threatening conduct, and redaction would not eliminate the concerns for the safety of

the undercover officers. The prosecutor asked the court to enter a protective order to

prevent Benitez from obtaining the discovery file.

       Citing a "huge threat to the community and agency safety," the trial court denied

the motion to release a copy of the discovery file to Benitez. The court also denied the

State's request for a protective order. On May 25, 2011, the court entered findings of
fact, conclusions of law, and an order denying "the defense request to release discovery

in its entirety." Benitez filed a timely notice of appeal but later moved for voluntary

withdrawal. On July 11, 2011, a commissioner of this court dismissed review.

       On October 25, 2012, the State filed a motion "to Clarify Court's Findings re:

Defense Post-Conviction Motion to Release Discovery." The State asked the court to

clarify thatthe 2011 order denying Benitez's motion for a copy ofdiscovery included
                                              2
No. 69640-8-1/3

"law enforcement reports and other investigative materials held by defense counsel, the

prosecuting attorney or other law enforcement."

       At the October 26 hearing on the State's motion, the prosecutor asserted that

Benitez had been frustrating the intent of the 2011 order by trying to obtain discovery

materials from other sources. Benitez's trial counsel was present at the hearing but

stated she was not representing Benitez and had not heard from him since July 2012.

Nonetheless, the attorney offered suggestions about clarifying the 2011 order.

       The court entered amended findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a protective

order under CrR 4.7(h)(4) "relating to any discovery materials, law enforcement reports

and investigative materials in the possession of defense counsel, the prosecuting

attorney or law enforcement."

       The record shows the State did not provide Benitez with notice of the motion to

clarify the 2011 order denying his request for discovery or of the hearing on October 26.

Benitez filed a timely notice of appeal of the October 26, 2012 amended findings of fact,

conclusions of law, and protective order.1

                                            ANALYSIS

       The State contends the October 26, 2012 order amending the prior discovery

order and for the first time entering a protective order under CrR 4.7(h)(4) is not

appealable as a matter of right because the order is neither a final judgment under RAP

2.2(a)(1) nor a final order affecting a substantial right under RAP 2.2(a)(13).

       1A commissioner referred to the panel the question of whether the challenged order was not
appealable as of right under RAP 2.2(a).
No. 69640-8-1/4

       Because discretionary review is warranted, we need not decide whether the

order is appealable as of right. See RAP 5.1(c). The undisputed record establishes the

trial court committed probable error by entering amended findings of fact, conclusions of

law, and a protective order without notice to Benitez or an opportunity for him to be

heard. We therefore grant discretionary review. See RAP 2.3(b)(2) (discretionary

review appropriate when superior court has committed probable error and the decision

substantially alters the status quo or substantially limits the freedom of a party to act).

       In his appeal, Benitez contends the October 26, 2012 order impermissibly

expanded the earlier order denying his motion for a copy of the discovery file by

prohibiting him from obtaining records from public agencies that are presumptively

available under the Public Records Act (PRA), chapter 42.56 RCW. Benitez argues the

protective order violated multiple provisions of the PRA and essentially constituted an

improper injunction.

       Although characterized as a request to "clarify" the previous order denying the

request for a copy of the discovery file, the State's motion arguably sought to expand

the scope of the 2011 order to encompass not only "discovery materials," but also "law

enforcement reports and other investigative materials." In addition, the court granted

the State's request for a protective order, relief that the court had denied in 2011.

       The State now concedes that Benitez was entitled to notice and an opportunity to

be heard on the motion to clarifythe 2011 order and entry of a protective order. Given

the substantive nature of the clarifications set forth in the October 26, 2012 order, we

agree and accept the State's concession that the order should be vacated. Because we
No. 69640-8-1/5

vacate the October 26, 2012 order, we do not address the arguments about the legal

effect of the specific language in the order or whether the order violated the provisions

of the PRA.

       We remand to vacate the October 26, 2012 order.

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WE CONCUR:

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