Court Opinion

ID: 4557171
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-20 14:10:38.391915+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:40:09.927583
License: Public Domain

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Suleman Chapman,                               :
                Petitioner                     :
                                               :
              v.                               :
                                               :
Pennsylvania Board of                          :
Probation and Parole,                          :   No. 225 C.D. 2019
                  Respondent                   :   Submitted: June 19, 2020

BEFORE:       HONORABLE P. KEVIN BROBSON, Judge
              HONORABLE MICHAEL H. WOJCIK, Judge
              HONORABLE CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE FIZZANO CANNON                            FILED: August 20, 2020

              Suleman Chapman (Chapman) petitions for review from the January
15, 2019 order of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (Board)1 denying
Chapman’s request for administrative relief that challenged the revocation of his
parole and the recalculation of his maximum sentence date. Chapman is represented
by Tyler A. Lindquist, Esq. (Counsel), who asserts that the appeal is without merit
and seeks permission to withdraw as counsel. For the foregoing reasons, we grant
Counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm the order of the Board.
              On August 7, 2006, the Board released Chapman on parole from a state
correctional institution (SCI), where he was serving time on his original sentence of

       1
        Subsequent to the filing of the petition for review, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation
and Parole was renamed the Pennsylvania Parole Board. See Sections 15, 16, and 16.1 of the Act
of December 18, 2019, P.L. 776, No. 115 (effective February 18, 2020); see also Sections 6101
and 6111(a) of the Prisons and Parole Code, as amended, 61 Pa.C.S. §§ 6101, 6111(a).
15 to 30 years for aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary,
burglary, and theft. Certified Record (C.R.) at 8. When he was paroled, Chapman
had a maximum sentence date of April 16, 2021. Id. On August 5, 2010, the Board
detained Chapman when the Swissvale Borough Police Department arrested him on
new criminal charges. Id. at 22-31. On August 24, 2010, the Board released
Chapman from its detainer because the criminal charges against him were
withdrawn. Id. at 36.
             Over six years later, on February 7, 2017, the Board detained Chapman
again, when the Swissvale Borough Police Department arrested him on new criminal
charges. Id. at 37-39. The Magisterial District Judge set Chapman’s bail at $75,000,
which Chapman did not post. Id. at 38-39. Subsequently, the Board issued Chapman
a notice of charges to hold a detention hearing, but on February 14, 2017, Chapman
waived his right to representation by counsel and to the detention hearing. Id. at 40-
42. On March 24, 2017, the Board notified Chapman that it decided to detain him
pending disposition of his new criminal charges. Id. at 60.
             On December 19, 2017, Chapman was convicted of burglary,
aggravated assault, terroristic threats and two counts of simple assault. Id. at 69, 74.
Shortly thereafter, the Board issued Chapman a notice of charges and scheduled a
revocation hearing for January 30, 2018, based on his new criminal convictions. Id.
at 69. However, the Board did not conduct the revocation hearing because on
January 5, 2018, Chapman waived his right to the hearing and his right to counsel,
and he admitted to the new criminal convictions. Id. at 70-71. On March 15, 2018,
Chapman was sentenced to a period of 6 to 12 years’ confinement for his new
convictions. Id. at 103-04. On March 22, 2018, the Board notified Chapman of its
decision to recommit him as a convicted parole violator to serve 24 months’

                                           2
backtime at an SCI, when available. Id. at 86. On May 15, 2018, after Chapman
was returned to an SCI, the Board recommitted him to serve his backtime and
recalculated his maximum sentence date to November 3, 2032. Id. at 108, 111-12.
               Chapman challenged the Board’s March 22, 2018 and May 15, 2018
decisions by timely filing administrative remedies forms.2 Id. at 113, 115. In his
challenge of the March 22, 2018 decision recommitting him as a convicted parole
violator, Chapman argued that the Board erred when it did not hold a revocation
hearing and, in doing so, violated his constitutional rights. Id. at 113. Chapman
further challenged the May 15, 2018 decision recalculating his maximum sentence
date, arguing that the Board lacked authority to do so, violated his due process rights
and his right to protection from double jeopardy, and erred when it did not credit
him for time spent at liberty on parole. Id. at 115-122.
               On January 15, 2019, the Board issued a decision affirming the March
22, 2018 and May 15, 2018 decisions. Id. at 151. The Board explained:

                      First, you signed a form waiving your right to a
               revocation hearing and admitting that you were convicted
               of [b]urglary, [a]ggravated [a]ssault, [t]erroristic [t]hreats,
               and 2 counts of [s]imple [a]ssault . . . in violation of your
               parole on January 5, 2018. The waiver/admission form
               you signed specifically indicates that you chose to take
               said action of you[r] own free will, without promise, threat
               or coercion.       You also failed to withdraw the
               waiver/admission within the prescribed ten-day grace
               period. These facts demonstrate that you made the
               waiver/admission knowingly and voluntarily. In light of

       2
          Chapman filed his administrative remedies forms on April 20, 2018, and June 6, 2018,
respectively. C.R. at 113, 115. Chapman subsequently filed correspondence and additional
administrative remedies forms with the Board on October 26, 2018, and January 3, 2019. Id. at
124, 128. See 37 Pa. Code § 73.1(b)(3) (providing that “[s]econd or subsequent petitions for
administrative review and petitions for administrative review which are out of time under this part
will not be received”).
                                                3
               your waiver, you cannot now claim that the Board failed
               to provide you with a timely revocation hearing. . . .
               Therefore, the Board acted within its discretion in
               revoking your parole without conducting a revocation
               hearing.

                      Next, the Board recalculated your maximum
               sentence date to November 3, 2032 based on your
               recommitment as a convicted parole violator. The
               decision to recommit you as a convicted parole violator
               gave the Board statutory authority to recalculate your
               sentence to reflect that you received no credit for the
               period you were at liberty on parole. . . . The Board denied
               you credit for time at liberty on parole in this instance. The
               Board advised you of this potential penalty on the parole
               conditions you signed on August 4, 2006. You also had
               constructive notice of this potential penalty via the statute.
               Additionally, the ability to challenge the recalculation
               decision after it is imposed satisfies your due process
               rights. Therefore, the Board’s recalculation of your
               maximum sentence date did not violate any constitutional
               provisions, including double jeopardy. . . .

                      Finally, the decision on whether to grant or deny a
               convicted parole violator credit for time at liberty on
               parole is purely a matter of discretion. The Prisons and
               Parole Code[3] authorizes the Board to grant or deny credit
               for time at liberty on parole for certain criminal offenses.
               . . . However, there are certain offenses that are excluded
               from this. You committed an offense that is barred from
               awarding credit. Specifically, you were found guilty of
               [b]urglary – [o]vernight [a]ccomodations; [p]erson,
               present, [b]odily [i]njury [c]rime which is an offense
               excluded from awarding [credit for] street time. . . .
Id. at 150-51 (citations omitted).

      3
          61 Pa.C.S. §§ 101-7123.
                                             4
               On February 26, 2019, Chapman filed with this Court a pro se petition
for review challenging the Board’s decision, along with an application to proceed in
forma pauperis.4 By order dated March 7, 2019, this Court appointed counsel to
represent Chapman. On January 28, 2020, Counsel filed a motion to withdraw as
counsel, which included a no-merit letter.5 In his motion, Counsel represented that
he reviewed Chapman’s petition for review, researched the issues he raised, and,
based on his review, determined that all of Chapman’s claims are without merit.
Motion ¶¶ 2-3.
               In cases where counsel concludes that a petitioner’s appeal is meritless,
counsel may be permitted to withdraw if he satisfies the following requirements: (i)
he notifies the petitioner of the request to withdraw; (ii) he furnishes the petitioner
with a copy of a no-merit letter; and (iii) he advises the petitioner of his right to retain
new counsel and to raise any new points he might deem worthy of consideration.
Miskovitch v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole, 77 A.3d 66, 69 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2013); Hughes
v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole, 977 A.2d 19, 22 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2009). The no-merit
letter must detail: (i) the nature and extent of counsel’s review; (ii) each issue the
petitioner wished to have raised; and (iii) counsel’s explanation as to why those
issues are meritless. Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988); Zerby v.

       4
          Our scope of review of the Board’s decision denying administrative relief is limited to
determining whether necessary findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence, whether an
error of law was committed, or whether constitutional rights have been violated. Fisher v. Pa. Bd.
of Prob. & Parole, 62 A.3d 1073, 1075 n.1 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2013).
       5
          Counsel seeking to withdraw may file an Anders Brief or a no-merit letter. Anders v.
California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967) (explaining standards for withdrawal of appointed counsel). If
the petitioner has a constitutional right to counsel, then counsel should file an Anders Brief. In
cases where there is no constitutional right to counsel, i.e., an appeal from the Board’s decision to
recalculate a parolee’s maximum sentence date, this Court only requires a no-merit letter
explaining why the claim is meritless to support the motion to withdraw. Hughes v. Pa. Bd. of
Prob. & Parole, 977 A.2d 19, 25-26 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2009).
                                                 5
Shanon, 964 A.2d 956, 961 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2009). The no-merit letter must include
“substantial reasons for concluding that” a petitioner’s arguments are without merit.
Zerby, 964 A.2d at 962.         Once appointed counsel fully complies with these
requirements to withdraw, the Court independently reviews the merits of the
petitioner’s claims. Id. at 960.
              Here, Counsel met the technical requirements to withdraw. Counsel
served Chapman with a copy of the motion to withdraw, which included the no-merit
letter. See Certificate of Service filed 1/31/20. In the no-merit letter, Counsel
advised Chapman that if the motion to withdraw as counsel is granted, “you are free
to retain new counsel on your own, or proceed with this appeal pro se.” No-Merit
Letter at 4. On February 25, 2020, Counsel filed a certificate of service with this
Court certifying that he served a copy of this Court’s February 4, 2020 order on
Chapman. See Certificate of Service filed 2/25/20. The February 4, 2020 order gave
Chapman 30 days to obtain substitute counsel at his own expense, or to file a brief
on his own behalf to support his petition for review. Cmwlth. Ct. Order dated 2/4/20.
Upon review of the substance of the no-merit letter, Counsel summarizes the issues
raised by Chapman on appeal and addresses each of the issues by providing
references to the certified record and relevant law to support his conclusion that they
lack merit. No-Merit Letter at 1-4. We conclude that Counsel provided substantial
reasons to support his conclusion that Chapman’s arguments lack merit. We now
independently review the merits of Chapman’s claims.6
              First, Chapman contends that the Board erred when it found that he
waived his right to a revocation hearing and his right to be represented by counsel at

       6
         Chapman did not file a brief or retain substitute counsel as allowed by this Court’s
February 4, 2020 order. Subsequently, the Court ordered that Counsel’s motion to withdraw be
submitted on briefs along with the merits of the petition for review. Cmwlth. Ct. Order dated
6/17/20.
                                             6
that hearing because he was not “made aware of these important rights until he was
granted access to the law libraries” at the SCI. No-Merit Letter at 1; Petition for
Review (Petition) ¶¶ 6-8. Contrary to Chapman’s assertion, the certified record
shows that the Board did, in fact, notify him of these rights and that he waived them.
C.R. at 71.
              On January 5, 2018, Chapman signed a document entitled “Offender
Rights at Board Hearings,” which provided:

              The board conducts several types of hearings. Offenders
              have specific rights at each hearing, which are given to
              them verbally and in writing. At all board hearings,
              offenders have the right to disclosure of evidence in
              support of the violations charged against them. Offenders
              have the right to speak, have voluntary witnesses appear
              on their behalf and present affidavits and other evidence.
              Offenders have the right to cross-examine adverse
              witnesses. Offenders have the right to be represented by
              counsel, if an offender cannot afford counsel one will be
              appointed. There is no penalty for requesting counsel.
              Offenders may request a continuance of the hearing for a
              good cause.       The board will send notice of its
              determination either to the offender or to the counsel who
              represented the offender at the hearing.
Id. at 70 (emphasis added). This document further explained Chapman’s revocation
hearing rights by stating “[t]he [B]oard has scheduled a revocation hearing to
determine whether you should be recommitted as a convicted violator because of the
conviction(s) charged. You have a right to be heard by a panel.” Id. On the same
day, Chapman signed a “Waiver of Revocation Hearing and Counsel/Admission
Form,” which provided:

              I have been advised of my rights to a parole revocation
              hearing and counsel at that hearing. I have also been
              advised that there is no penalty for requesting counsel, that
                                            7
              free counsel is available if I cannot afford to retain
              counsel, and I have been provided the name and address
              of the local public defender. With full knowledge and
              understanding of these rights, I hereby waive my right to a
              parole revocation hearing and counsel at that hearing. I
              waive these rights of my own free will, without any
              promise, threat or coercion.
Id. at 71 (emphasis added). On the same form, Chapman “knowingly, intelligently,
and voluntarily” admitted that he was convicted of the new criminal charges. Id. at
69, 71. The form further provided that Chapman had 10 calendar days to withdraw
his admission. Id. at 71. Although Chapman indicated that he planned to appeal the
“wrongful conviction[s],”7 he did not deny the convictions nor did he retract his
admission within the 10-day period provided. Id. Given these facts, Chapman’s
claim that he was deprived of his right to a revocation hearing and to counsel is
without merit.
              Second, Chapman argues that the Board violated the United States and
Pennsylvania Constitutions’ prohibition against double jeopardy when it affirmed
the revocation of his parole because he cannot receive multiple punishments for the
same offense. No-Merit Letter at 1; Petition ¶¶ 4, 9. However, the double jeopardy
provisions of the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions do not apply to
parole revocation proceedings of the Board. Gundy v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole,
478 A.2d 139, 141 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1984). Moreover, in Gundy, this Court held that
there is no basis to support the conclusion that the Pennsylvania Constitution affords
more double jeopardy protection than that offered by the Fifth Amendment of the

       7
        On his Waiver of Revocation Hearing and Counsel/Admission Form, Chapman contested
his new convictions. C.R. at 71. Chapman noted on the form that he has been on parole since
March 30, 2006, he has worked at least two jobs, he has “never had any issues,” and he “will be
appealing [these] wrongful conviction[s].” Id.
                                              8
United States Constitution. Id. at 142. Therefore, Chapman’s claim that the Board
violated double jeopardy prohibitions when it revoked his parole is without merit.
               Finally, Chapman asserts that the Board erred when it failed to give him
credit for “all time served while being detained on the new charges and under its
warrant.” No-Merit Letter at 2; Petition ¶ 11. Chapman complains about the
“significant restraints” placed on his “liberty” while on parole “because of his
conviction and sentence,” and argues that these restraints8 are “enough to keep him
in ‘custody’” and cites cases to support his proposition that parole is “in legal effect
imprisonment.” Petition ¶ 11. Though Chapman’s argument is unclear, we agree
with Counsel that Chapman appears to be raising this claim in an effort to obtain
credit for the time he spent at liberty on parole from 2006 until his revocation in
2018. No-Merit Letter at 2.9
               Section 6138(a)(1)-(2) of the Prisons and Parole Code provides that if
the Board orders recommitment as a convicted parole violator, the parolee shall be
reentered to serve the “remainder of the term which the parolee would have been
compelled to serve had the parole not been granted” and “shall be given no credit
for the time at liberty on parole.” 61 Pa.C.S. § 6138(a)(1)-(2). The Board, however,
may, in its discretion, award credit to a convicted parole violator for time spent at
liberty on parole, unless the offender is convicted of certain offenses. 61 Pa.C.S. §
6138(a)(2.1). These offenses include a crime committed during the period of parole

       8
         For example, Chapman explains that the parole order confined him to a particular
community, house and job at the “sufferance of his parole officer,” and that he could not drive
without permission. Petition ¶ 10.

       9
          To the extent Chapman is asserting that he is entitled to credit for time spent incarcerated
on the Board’s detainer while awaiting sentencing on the new criminal charges, Chapman did not
raise this issue before the Board and, therefore, it is waived. Reavis v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole,
909 A.2d 28, 34 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2006) (providing that “[f]ailure to raise an issue before the Board
results in a waiver and precludes this Court’s review”).
                                                  9
that is a crime of violence as defined in Section 9714(g) of the Sentencing Code, 42
Pa.C.S. § 9714(g). Id. One such crime of violence expressly enumerated is burglary.
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9714(g) (defining “crime of violence” to include “burglary as
defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502(a)(1)”). Here, Chapman was convicted of several
crimes, including the crime of burglary pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502(a)(1)(i). C.R.
at 90. Because Chapman was convicted of a crime of violence, the Board could not
grant him credit for the time he spent at liberty on parole. Therefore, Chapman’s
assertion lacks merit.10
              Accordingly, we grant Counsel’s motion to withdraw as counsel and
affirm the order of the Board.

                                            __________________________________
                                            CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge

       10
            Chapman also contends that the Board erred when it permitted the introduction of
hearsay evidence and violated “the ethical obligations under the Pennsylvania Rules of
Professional Conduct.” No-Merit Letter at 2; Petition ¶¶ 10-11. As noted by Counsel, Chapman
fails to cite any facts or evidence to support his hearsay argument, No-Merit Letter at 2, and we
find the same problem with the alleged rules violation. As such, we agree with Counsel that these
assertions lack merit.
                                               10
         IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Suleman Chapman,                      :
                Petitioner            :
                                      :
           v.                         :
                                      :
Pennsylvania Board of                 :
Probation and Parole,                 :   No. 225 C.D. 2019
                  Respondent          :

                                 ORDER

           AND NOW, this 20th day of August, 2020, the motion to withdraw as
counsel filed by Tyler A. Lindquist, Esquire, is GRANTED, and the January 15,
2019 order of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole is AFFIRMED.

                                   __________________________________
                                   CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge