Court Opinion

ID: 2688552
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-01 14:50:35.100096+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:49:11.512951
License: Public Domain

FILED BY CLERK
                                                                      OCT 31 2012
                           IN THE COURT OF APPEALS                      COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                          DIVISION TWO
                               STATE OF ARIZONA
                                 DIVISION TWO

THE STATE OF ARIZONA,                           )   2 CA-CR 2012-0059
                                                )   DEPARTMENT B
                                  Appellee,     )
                                                )   OPINION
                    v.                          )
                                                )
KWAME ROY LOWERY,                               )
                                                )
                                 Appellant.     )
                                                )

           APPEAL FROM THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PIMA COUNTY

                              Cause No. CR20103550001

                          Honorable John S. Leonardo, Judge

                                     AFFIRMED

Thomas C. Horne, Arizona Attorney General
 By Kent E. Cattani, Joseph T. Maziarz,
 and Nicholas Klingerman                                                      Tucson
                                                               Attorneys for Appellee

Lori J. Lefferts, Pima County Public Defender
 By Michael J. Miller                                                          Tucson
                                                               Attorneys for Appellant

K E L L Y, Judge.

¶1           After a jury trial, appellant Kwame Lowery was convicted of failure to

register as a sex offender. On appeal, he argues the state did not present sufficient

evidence to support the jury’s verdict; the trial court committed fundamental error by
allowing a detective’s testimony interpreting Arizona’s sex offender registration statute,

A.R.S. § 13-3821; and the registration statute is facially unconstitutional and violates his

right to equal protection. We affirm.

                          Factual and Procedural Background

¶2            We view the facts in the light most favorable to upholding the conviction.

See State v. Abdi, 226 Ariz. 361, ¶ 2, 248 P.3d 209, 211 (App. 2011). In 2009, Lowery

was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in Michigan pursuant to Mich. Comp. Laws

§ 750.520e(1)(b) and required to register as a sex offender in that state.

¶3            On September 21 and October 5, 2010, law enforcement officers had

contact with Lowery in and around downtown Tucson. On one occasion, a detective

discovered paperwork in Lowery’s pocket indicating he had been in Tucson City Court

on August 31, 2010.      On October 6, Detective Cravatzo discovered Lowery was a

convicted sex offender required to register in Michigan. That day, he located Lowery in

downtown Tucson and interviewed him. Lowery told Cravatzo he had not registered in

Pima County because he “ha[d]n’t been here ten days yet,” as required by § 13-3821. He

stated he had been in Michigan “off and on” for the past year, and over the past five days

had been in Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Sierra Vista before returning to Tucson on

October 5.    Lowery also told Cravatzo he did not remember being in Tucson on

September 21—fourteen days earlier—when he had a contact with law enforcement.

¶4            Lowery was charged with failure to register as a sex offender. At the close

of evidence in his trial, Lowery made a motion for a judgment of acquittal pursuant to

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Rule 20, Ariz. R. Crim. P., arguing the state had provided insufficient evidence to support

a guilty verdict. The trial court denied the motion. Lowery was convicted as charged and

sentenced to a mitigated one-year term of imprisonment. This appeal followed.

                                        Discussion

Sufficiency of the Evidence

¶5            Lowery argues the trial court erred by denying his Rule 20 motion because

there was insufficient evidence he had “enter[ed] and remain[ed]” in Pima County for ten

days as required to support a conviction under § 13-3821(A). To determine whether

sufficient evidence supports a conviction, we evaluate whether “substantial evidence

supports the jury’s verdict[].” State v. Lopez, 230 Ariz. 15, ¶ 3, 279 P.3d 640, 642 (App.

2012). “‘Substantial evidence is proof that reasonable persons could accept as sufficient

to support a conclusion of a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Id., quoting

State v. Spears, 184 Ariz. 277, 290, 908 P.2d 1062, 1075 (1996); see also State v.

Arredondo, 155 Ariz. 314, 316, 746 P.2d 484, 486 (1987) (“To set aside a jury verdict for

insufficient evidence it must clearly appear that upon no hypothesis whatever is there

sufficient evidence to support the conclusion reached by the jury.”). The evidence may

be either direct or circumstantial. Lopez, 230 Ariz. 15, ¶ 3, 279 P.3d at 642.

¶6            As Lowery concedes, the state presented evidence he had been in Pima

County on August 31, September 21, October 5, and October 6, 2010—a period of time

spanning more than a month.          This constituted substantial evidence from which

reasonable jurors could conclude Lowery had remained in Pima County for at least ten

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days without registering as a sex offender. See id. And although Lowery testified he had

not remained in Pima County between those dates, the jury was free to discredit his

testimony. Walsh v. Advanced Cardiac Specialists Chartered, 229 Ariz. 193, ¶ 12, 273

P.3d 645, 649 (2012) (jury may discredit defendant testimony for various reasons,

including personal interest); see also State v. Anaya, 165 Ariz. 535, 543, 799 P.2d 876,

884 (App. 1990) (circumstantial evidence can support differing reasonable inferences).

Therefore, sufficient evidence supports Lowery’s conviction.

Detective Testimony

¶7           Lowery argues the trial court erred by permitting testimony from Cravatzo

interpreting § 13-3821 because (1) pursuant to Rule 702, Ariz. R. Evid., a witness may

not instruct the jury as to the proper interpretation of the law and (2) Cravatzo’s

interpretation of § 13-3821 was incorrect because he testified a person must register once

he has remained for ten days in the state, rather than in a particular county. Because he

failed to object to Cravatzo’s testimony in the trial court, we review solely for

fundamental, prejudicial error. See State v. Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, ¶¶ 19-20, 115

P.3d 601, 607 (2005). Fundamental error is “‘error going to the foundation of the case,

error that takes from the defendant a right essential to his defense, and error of such

magnitude that the defendant could not possibly have received a fair trial.’” Id. ¶ 19,

quoting State v. Hunter, 142 Ariz. 88, 90, 688 P.2d 980, 982 (1984). Lowery must prove

fundamental error occurred and “that the error in his case caused him prejudice.” Id.

¶ 20.

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¶8           Section 13-3821(A) states that persons required to register in Arizona must

do so “within ten days after entering and remaining in any county of this state . . . with

the sheriff of that county.” During trial, the state solicited the following testimony from

Cravatzo:

                   Q: According to your training and experience, . . .
             once you are here for ten days you have to register?

                    A: Yes, if you are traveling from another state, you
             have a ten day limit. . . .

                    Q: Now is that within a particular county or is that
             within the entire State of Arizona?

                    A: That’s      within       the   State   of    Arizona.

The state followed up by presenting hypothetical examples of a defendant moving

between counties in the state, and Cravatzo explained he would determine whether the

person was required to register based on his continuous presence in the state. Lowery did

not object. However, in his closing argument, Lowery argued:

                    [T]he law further says that you have to [register]
             within ten days after entering and remaining in Pima County.
             Well, Sierra Vista is not Pima County. Phoenix is not Pima
             County. Albuquerque is not Pima County.

                    So although yes, Phoenix and Sierra Vista are within
             the State of Arizona, they are all different counties and a
             person could easily travel between them in a period of ten
             days’ time.

The trial court instructed the jury the state was required to prove beyond a reasonable

doubt that Lowery had “failed to register with the sheriff within ten days after entering

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and remaining in Pima County.”           It also instructed the jury that “it is the Court’s

instructions on the law that control.”

¶9            Even if the trial court erred by allowing Cravatzo’s testimony, we do not

reach that issue today because Lowery has failed to establish he was prejudiced by any

error. Lowery argues we cannot conclude “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Cravatzo’s

testimony did not “contribute to the verdict.” That would describe accurately the state’s

burden had Lowery objected in the trial court. See Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, ¶ 18, 115

P.3d at 607. However, because he failed to do so, he bears an affirmative burden to

prove prejudice.    See id. ¶ 19.        This is “to encourage defendants to present their

objections in a timely fashion at trial, when the alleged error may still be corrected, and to

discourage defendants from reserving a curable trial error as a ‘hole card’” to be played

on appeal. State v. Davis, 226 Ariz. 97, ¶ 12, 244 P.3d 101, 104 (App. 2010), quoting

Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, ¶ 19, 115 P.3d at 607.

¶10           We presume the jury followed the trial court’s instruction and determined

the state had proven “the defendant failed to register with the sheriff within ten days after

entering and remaining in Pima County.” See State v. Newell, 212 Ariz. 389, ¶ 68, 132

P.3d 833, 847 (2006). Lowery has offered no evidence rebutting this presumption. See

State v. Munninger, 213 Ariz. 393, ¶ 14, 142 P.3d 701, 705 (App. 2006) (mere

speculation insufficient to show prejudice under fundamental error review). As discussed

above, the state provided evidence Lowery had been in Pima County on occasions

spanning more than ten days. And during closing argument, Lowery maintained the state

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was required to prove his presence in Pima County specifically, as stated in the

indictment and the jury instructions. Therefore, Lowery has failed to show any error was

so prejudicial that he “could not possibly have received a fair trial.” See Henderson, 210

Ariz. 561, ¶ 19, 115 P.3d at 607; see also Newell, 212 Ariz. 389, ¶¶ 68, 70, 132 P.3d at

847, 848 (improper testimony not prejudicial in part because jury properly instructed).

Equal Protection

¶11           Finally, Lowery argues § 13-3821 is facially unconstitutional because it

requires those who must register as sex offenders in other states to register in Arizona

“even when people who commit the same offense in Arizona are not required to register.”

He contends this violates his state and federal constitutional right to equal protection

because it treats disparately two similarly situated groups: those who commit an offense

outside Arizona and are required to register, and those who commit the same act inside

Arizona but are not required to register. We review the constitutionality of a statute de

novo, and we presume statutes are constitutional unless established otherwise beyond a

reasonable doubt. State v. Navarro, 201 Ariz. 292, ¶ 24, 34 P.3d 971, 977 (App. 2001).

Lowery did not raise this issue in the trial court, and so we review for fundamental error.

See Henderson, 210 Ariz. 561, ¶¶ 19-20, 115 P.3d at 607. “To obtain relief under the

fundamental error standard of review, [Lowery] must first prove error.” Id. ¶ 23.

¶12           Section 13-3821(A) provides in relevant part:

              A person . . . who has been convicted of . . . an offense
              committed in another jurisdiction that if committed in this
              state would be a violation or attempted violation of any of the
              following offenses . . . or who is required to register by the

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             convicting or adjudicating jurisdiction, . . . within ten days
             after entering and remaining in any county of this state, shall
             register with the sheriff of that county . . . .

Lowery contends his Michigan conviction does not establish a violation of any of the

offenses listed in § 13-3821 and therefore he is required to register in Arizona only

because he was required to register in Michigan. We agree. To prove his prior offense

“if committed in this state would [have been] a violation” of an Arizona offense, the

elements of the Michigan statute necessarily would have to prove the Arizona offense.

See State v. Kuntz, 209 Ariz. 276, ¶ 9, 100 P.3d 26, 29 (App. 2004).            However,

§ 750.520e(1)(b) prohibits conduct that would not require registration in Arizona—such

as sexual abuse against an adult. See § 13-3821 (requiring registration for sexual abuse

only when victim is minor); compare Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.520e(1)(b) (criminal

sexual conduct includes any “sexual contact” through force or coercion), with A.R.S.

§ 13-1406(A) (sexual assault requires “sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact” without

consent).1

¶13          “The state and federal equal protection guarantees are designed to secure

equal opportunity for those who are similarly situated.” Martin v. Reinstein, 195 Ariz.

293, ¶ 49, 987 P.2d 779, 795 (App. 1999); see also U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1; Ariz.

Const. art. II, § 13. The effects of the state and federal provisions “are essentially the

same.” State v. Bonnewell, 196 Ariz. 592, ¶ 15, 2 P.3d 682, 686 (App. 1999). However,

      1
       The relevant portions of these statutes have not changed since the date of
Lowery’s prior offense. See 2007 Mich. Sess. Laws, no. 163, § 520e; 1999 Ariz. Sess.
Laws, ch. 92, § 1.
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the right to equal protection does not prohibit all classifications, only those that are

unreasonable. Schecter v. Killingsworth, 93 Ariz. 273, 281, 380 P.2d 136, 141 (1963).

Unless it implicates a suspect classification or a fundamental right, we will uphold

legislation that is “‘rationally related to a legitimate government purpose.’” Navarro, 201

Ariz. 292, ¶ 25, 34 P.3d at 977, quoting Wigglesworth v. Mauldin, 195 Ariz. 432, ¶ 19,

990 P.2d 26, 32 (App. 1999); see also Governale v. Lieberman, 226 Ariz. 443, ¶ 13, 250

P.3d 220, 225 (App. 2011) (same standard applies to state constitutional provision).

¶14           Lowery urges us to examine the statute utilizing strict scrutiny review,

rather than rational basis review, because it implicates his fundamental right to travel by

“penaliz[ing] [him] for traveling to Arizona.” But nothing in § 13-3821 impedes an

offender’s right “to enter and to leave another State, . . . to be treated as a welcome visitor

rather than an unfriendly alien when temporarily present . . . [or] to be treated like other

citizens of that State” as a new permanent resident. See Saenz v. Roe, 526 U.S. 489, 500

(1999); cf. United States v. Shenandoah, 595 F.3d 151, 162-63 (3d Cir. 2010) (federal

Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act registration requirements do not implicate

right to travel), abrogated on other grounds by Reynolds v. United States, 132 S. Ct. 975

(2012). The statute does not prevent any person from entering the state, does not place

any requirements on short-term visitors, and applies to Arizona residents equally.

According to its plain language, any person in Arizona who must register in another state

is subject to the same requirements irrespective of how long they have resided in this

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state. See § 13-3821. Therefore, we evaluate the statute’s provision applying rational

basis review. See Navarro, 201 Ariz. 292, ¶ 25, 34 P.3d at 977.

¶15           In examining the purpose of the statute, we may consider either the

legislature’s stated goal or any hypothetical basis for its action. Governale, 226 Ariz.

443, ¶ 16, 250 P.3d at 225-26. Prior to 2005, a person was not required to register based

solely on another state’s requirement to do so.        Instead, § 13-3821 only required

registration based on a conviction in another jurisdiction when the offense “if committed

in this state would [have been] a violation or attempted violation” of an Arizona offense

requiring registration. 2004 Ariz. Sess. Laws, ch. 142, § 2. As mentioned above, to

make this determination, the trial court is limited to comparing the elements of the

respective statutes and prohibited from considering the factual basis underlying the

conviction. Kuntz, 209 Ariz. 276, ¶ 9, 100 P.3d at 29. As a result, even if the prior

conduct generally would have required registration under Arizona law, one could evade

registration if the elements of the respective statutes did not match. See id. ¶¶ 10-11

(defendant not required to register because some portions of Minnesota criminal sexual

conduct statute broader than Arizona sexual assault statute).

¶16           The legislative history of § 13-3821 suggests the legislature was attempting

to close this gap in the registration system when it amended the statute in 2005 to also

require registration of those “required to register by the convicting jurisdiction.” 2005

Ariz. Sess. Laws, ch. 176, § 1. The bill’s sponsor noted the change “close[d] a technical

loophole” in the law. H. Judiciary Comm. Minutes, 47th Leg., 1st reg. sess., (Ariz. Mar.

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31, 2005). As one supporter noted during a committee meeting, cases such as Kuntz

established that “[i]f the person had committed a heinous criminal sexual offense and the

elements did not match exactly with one of Arizona’s crimes, the person would not have

to register when they moved to Arizona.” Id.

¶17           As a practical matter, because statutes vary from state to state, registration

requirements based on other states’ convictions will be either over-inclusive or under-

inclusive unless an Arizona court re-examines the facts underlying each prior conviction

in the context of Arizona law.        However, to do so would essentially require an

impermissible “second trial concerning that crime.” Kuntz, 209 Ariz. 276, ¶ 9, 100 P.3d

at 29. And rational basis review does not require a perfect match between the treatment

of in-state and out-of-state acts. See Washburn v. Pima Cnty., 206 Ariz. 571, ¶ 28, 81

P.3d 1030, 1039 (App. 2003) (statute with rational basis not unconstitutional merely

because not made with “‘mathematical nicety, or because in practice it results in some

inequality’”), quoting Big D Constr. Corp. v. Court of Appeals, 163 Ariz. 560, 566, 789

P.2d 1061, 1067 (1990). Requiring those who must register in another jurisdiction to

register in Arizona is rationally related to the state’s legitimate interest in protecting its

communities by ensuring its registration scheme is not under-inclusive. See Martin, 195

Ariz. 293, ¶ 61, 987 P.2d at 798 (state has “significant interest” in protecting citizens

from dangerous individuals); see also State v. Henry, 224 Ariz. 164, ¶¶ 16-17, 228 P.3d

900, 905 (App. 2010) (intent of registration scheme to assist law enforcement and protect

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communities). Therefore, Lowery has not established that § 13-3821 is unconstitutional.

See Navarro, 201 Ariz. 292, ¶ 24, 34 P.3d at 977.

                                      Disposition

¶18          For the foregoing reasons, we affirm.

                                            /s/ Virginia C. Kelly
                                            VIRGINIA C. KELLY, Judge

CONCURRING:

/s/ Garye L. Vásquez
GARYE L. VÁSQUEZ, Presiding Judge

/s/ Philip G. Espinosa
PHILIP G. ESPINOSA, Judge

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