Court Opinion

ID: 9915057
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-01-04 16:01:50.958439+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:16:57.116850
License: Public Domain

NOTICE: NOT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
 UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL
                 AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.

                                    IN THE
             ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
                                DIVISION ONE

                     STATE OF ARIZONA, Respondent,

                                        v.

                ALEJO ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ, Petitioner.

                         No. 1 CA-CR 23-0313 PRPC
                              FILED 1-4-2024

    Petition for Review from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
                         No. CR2019-119395-001
                 The Honorable Kerstin G. LeMaire, Judge

                  REVIEW GRANTED; RELIEF DENIED

                                   COUNSEL

Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Phoenix
By Philip Casey Grove, Christine Davis
Counsel for Respondent

Robert J. Campos & Associates, P.L.C., Phoenix
By Robert J. Campos
Counsel for Petitioner
                    STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                         Decision of the Court

                      MEMORANDUM DECISION

Judge Daniel J. Kiley delivered the decision of the Court, in which Vice
Chief Judge Randall M. Howe and Judge Jennifer M. Perkins joined.

K I L E Y, Judge:

¶1           Alejo Alvarez Bojorquez seeks review of the superior court’s
summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief under Arizona
Rule of Criminal Procedure (“Rule”) 33.1. For the following reasons, we
accept review but deny relief.

              FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶2            In early 2019, Alvarez’s three step-granddaughters disclosed
that he had touched their breasts and genitals on various occasions from
2004 to 2019, when each was between 11 and 15 years old. Shortly
thereafter, the State charged Alvarez with ten felonies: five counts of
Molestation of a Child, class 2 felonies (Counts 3, 5 through 7, and 9); one
count of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a class 2 felony (Count 10); two
counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor under 15 years of age, class 3 felonies
(Counts 4 and 8); and two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor 15 years of
age or older, class 5 felonies (Counts 1 and 2). See A.R.S. §§ 13-1404, -
1405, -1410. Counts 3 through 10 were alleged to be Dangerous Crimes
Against Children under A.R.S. § 13-705.

¶3            Alvarez entered a plea agreement with the State in which he
pled guilty to three counts of Attempted Molestation of a Child, class 3
felonies (Counts 3, 5, and 9 as amended), each a Dangerous Crime Against
Children under A.R.S. § 13-705. The parties stipulated to consecutive
lifetime probation terms on Amended Counts 5 and 9 but made no
agreements on the sentence that could be imposed on Amended Count 3.
The plea agreement also stipulated “to judicial fact finding by
preponderance of the evidence as to any aspect or enhancement of
sentence.”

¶4           The Maricopa County Adult Probation Department’s
presentence report recommended that the court impose the presumptive
term of 10 years’ imprisonment on Amended Count 3 due to “the

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                     STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                          Decision of the Court

vulnerable nature of the victims, the defendant’s abuse of a position of trust
and the presumed harm done to the victims.”

¶5            In his sentencing memorandum, Alvarez urged the court to
grant him probation on Amended Count 3, asserting that, as “a 69-year-old
man” in declining health with “no prior felony convictions,” he was “not a
threat to the community.” Alvarez also urged the court to consider his
“remorse” as “a mitigating factor,” asserting that he “expressed deep
remorse from the onset of this case” and “was truly concerned with how
the victims felt.” He made clear, however, that “he did not agree with the
[victims’] accusations,” instead expressing regret “that the victims believed
he would purposely hurt them.”

¶6            The superior court began the sentencing hearing by noting it
had reviewed Alvarez’s memorandum, the presentence report, and letters
of support submitted on Alvarez’s behalf. The court also stated that it had
reviewed the results of a polygraph examination that Alvarez submitted for
the court’s consideration; the polygraph examiner reported no deception in
Alvarez’s statements denying any form of sexual contact with the victims.

¶7             The State recommended the presumptive term of
imprisonment in Amended Count 3, stating that the offenses involved
Alvarez’s abuse of multiple minor victims, severe harm to the victims, and
a violation of his position of trust. The State argued that these aggravating
factors outweighed any mitigating factors that the court may find. Two of
the victims addressed the court, expressing that Alvarez’s actions caused
them significant emotional harm and urging the court to sentence him to
prison. “He’s taken a lot from us individually,” one stated, adding, “It’s not
fair that he gets to live his every day life.”

¶8            Defense counsel argued against any incarceration, asserting
that Alvarez “accepted full responsibility” by entering the plea agreement
and “demonstrated remorse” by “stat[ing] that he was sorry” and
“indicating that he never meant any harm to any of his granddaughters.”
Defense counsel added that other mitigating factors, including Alvarez’s
advanced age, poor physical health, and lack of any prior felony
convictions, outweighed the aggravating factors and warranted giving
Alvarez a “chance” by granting him probation. The court also heard from a
member of Alvarez’s family, who attested to his good character and family
support.

¶9             Alvarez then addressed the court, stating, “The only thing
that I can say is ask for forgiveness from the girls if things are as they say. I

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                   STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                        Decision of the Court

never thought to touch them in an improper manner. If I did, it was never
my intention. It has never been my intention to harm children.”
Emphasizing that he “never tried to harm” his step-granddaughters,
Alvarez concluded by saying, “If I did touch them like they say, I repeat
again, I ask for their forgiveness.”

¶10           Before pronouncing sentence, the judge referred to her “17
years” of practicing “in juvenile court” and stated:

      One of the things I’ve learned frequently when it comes to
      interfamily sexual offenses is that these are generational. And
      the harm caused echoes one generation after another or, as we
      see in this case, one sister after another. And I am candidly
      concerned that there might have been others who have not
      come forward.

      Candidly, I was considering a mitigated sentence, but it does
      not appear that [Alvarez] truly understands the repercussions
      of his inappropriate behavior, criminal behavior with girls at
      a very tender age and the harm it would cause them, not only
      to them, but in their inability to have healthy future
      relationships.

      ***

      I am very cognizant of the decades of harm that the
      defendant’s action[s] ha[ve] caused.

¶11          The court imposed the presumptive term of 10 years’
imprisonment on Amended Count 3, followed by two concurrent lifetime
terms of probation on Amended Counts 5 and 9. See A.R.S. § 13-902(E).

¶12            Shortly after sentencing, Alvarez moved for resentencing
with a new judge or to withdraw from the plea agreement, arguing that the
sentencing judge erred by basing her sentencing decision on her “personal
worry” that “there might have been others who have not come forward”
and her conjecture, “not supported by the record,” that Alvarez did not
understand “the repercussions of his inappropriate behavior.” The State
opposed the motion, maintaining that the court acted within its broad
discretion in imposing the presumptive sentence on Amended Count 3. The
court denied the motion.

¶13          Alvarez filed a timely petition for post-conviction relief
(“PCR”), asking that his sentence “be vacated and that he be resentenced

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                     STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                          Decision of the Court

by another judge.” In support of his request, he alleged that the court
displayed “judicial bias” at sentencing and based its sentencing decision on
factors not supported by evidence. The court summarily dismissed the PCR
petition, finding no colorable claim for relief. The court specified that it had
“carefully reviewed all the materials submitted by the parties” before and
during sentencing and found the presumptive term of imprisonment to be
both appropriate and within the lawful range of potential sentences. The
court added that Alvarez’s sentence was “consistent with the
recommendations” from the State and presentence report writer. This
petition for review followed. We have jurisdiction under A.R.S. §§ 13-4031,
-4239(C), and Rule 33.16(a)(1).

                                 DISCUSSION

¶14         Alvarez argues that the superior court abused its discretion
by summarily dismissing his PCR petition.

¶15            A defendant raises a colorable claim for relief in a PCR
petition, and is therefore entitled to an evidentiary hearing, when “he has
alleged facts which, if true, would probably have changed the verdict or
sentence.” State v. Amaral, 239 Ariz. 217, 219-20, ¶¶ 10-11 (2016) (emphasis
omitted). If the defendant alleges facts that “would not have probably
changed the verdict or sentence,” the court must summarily dismiss the
PCR petition without a hearing. Id. at 220, ¶¶ 11-12; see also Ariz. R. Crim.
P. 33.11(a) (“If . . . the court determines that no . . . claim presents a material
issue of fact or law that would entitle the defendant to relief under this rule,
the court must summarily dismiss the petition.”). Absent an abuse of
discretion or error of law, we will not disturb the superior court’s ruling on
a PCR petition. State v. Gutierrez, 229 Ariz. 573, 577, ¶ 19 (2012).

  I.   Weighing Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

¶16           Alvarez asserts that he is entitled to be resentenced because
the sentencing court here “did not enumerate the aggravating and
mitigating factors on the record and did not balance the aggravating and
mitigating factors as required.”

¶17           A sentence within applicable statutory limits will not be
disturbed unless the court “fails to conduct an adequate investigation of the
facts” or otherwise acts in an “arbitrary [and] capricious” manner. State v.
Webb, 164 Ariz. 348, 355 (App. 1990). The sentencing court may “consider
all evidence and information presented at all stages of the trial, together
with all probation and presentence reports, or factors like the general moral
character of the defendant.” State v. Suniga, 145 Ariz. 389, 395 (App. 1985)

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                     STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                          Decision of the Court

(cleaned up). Although the court must consider all evidence that a
defendant presents in support of mitigation, the court need not find that a
claimed mitigating factor exists merely because the defendant presents
evidence to support it. See State v. Fatty, 150 Ariz. 587, 592 (App. 1986). Nor
must the court make its sentencing decision by comparing “the mere
numbers of aggravating or mitigating circumstances.” State v. Willcoxson,
156 Ariz. 343, 347 (App. 1987). Instead, the court determines the weight to
give to each of the aggravating and mitigating factors it finds. See State v.
Van Adams, 194 Ariz. 408, 421-22, ¶¶48-50 (1999). Moreover, the court is not
required to specify which aggravating and mitigating factors apply when it
imposes a presumptive sentence. See State v. Johnson, 210 Ariz. 438, 441, ¶
11 n.1 (App. 2005) (“[T]he trial court was not required to specify either
aggravating factors or mitigating factors in imposing presumptive
sentences . . . .”).

¶18          Here, the court reviewed and considered all documents
submitted before sentencing, including Alvarez’s mitigation materials and
the presentence report. The court also heard from several interested
parties—including Alvarez, two of the victims, and counsel—before
pronouncing sentence. After noting the significant harm he caused the
victims and questioning the sincerity of his claim of remorse, the court
imposed the presumptive sentence. See A.R.S. § 13-705(M). Nothing in the
record suggests that the court’s decision to impose the presumptive
sentence on Amended Count 3 was arbitrary, capricious, or based on an
inadequate investigation of the relevant facts. See Webb, 164 Ariz. at 354-55.

¶19             In support of his assertion that the court erred in “fail[ing] to
enumerate the aggravating and mitigating factors on the record,” Alvarez
cites State v. Bonfiglio, 231 Ariz. 371 (2013), and State v. Harrison, 195 Ariz. 1
(1999). Neither case supports his argument.

¶20           In Bonfiglio, the superior court imposed an aggravated
sentence after identifying both a statutorily-enumerated aggravating factor
and a non-enumerated aggravating factor. See 231 Ariz. at 372-73, ¶ 3. The
Arizona Supreme Court affirmed, holding that although a sentencing court
cannot properly impose an “aggravated sentence based solely” on a
non-enumerated aggravating factor, the court may properly impose an
aggravated sentence based in part on a non-enumerated aggravating factor
“as long as” it also finds a “specifically enumerated aggravating factor.” Id.
at 373-74, ¶¶ 9-11.

¶21         In Harrison, the superior court imposed an aggravated prison
term without clearly articulating the aggravating circumstances it found.

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                     STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                          Decision of the Court

See 195 Ariz. at 2-3, ¶¶ 4-7. The Arizona Supreme Court remanded for
resentencing, holding that “[A.R.S.] § 13-702 requires the judge to tell the
victim, the defendant, the appellate court, and the public what he or she
considered as aggravation and mitigation and why he or she imposed an
aggravated or mitigated sentence.” Id. at 4-5, ¶¶ 11, 17 (emphasis added).

¶22             Bonfiglio and Harrison address the findings that a court must
make when imposing an aggravated sentence. Nothing in either of those
cases conflicts with or undermines the well-established rule that when, as
here, “the presumptive sentence is imposed, no findings as to aggravation
or mitigation are required.” State v. Wideman, 165 Ariz. 364, 370 (App. 1990)
(citing State v. Bly, 127 Ariz. 370, 373 (1980)).

¶23           At oral argument, Alvarez asserted, for the first time, that the
10-year prison term the court imposed on Amended Count 3 amounts to an
aggravated sentence because the court could have placed him on probation
instead. Noting that the parties reached no sentencing agreements on
Amended Count 3, Alvarez contends that incarcerating a probation-eligible
defendant is tantamount to imposing an aggravated sentence.

¶24             Alvarez did not raise this argument in his PCR petition, and
so cannot raise it for the first time now. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 33.16(a)(1),
(c)(2)(B) (stating that a petition for review of “the trial court’s final decision
on a [PCR] petition” must contain, inter alia, “a statement of issues the trial
court decided that the defendant is presenting for appellate review”); see
also State v. Vera, 235 Ariz. 571, 573, ¶ 8 (App. 2014) (“[W]e ordinarily do not
consider issues on review that have not been considered and decided by the
trial court; this is particularly true when we are reviewing a court’s decision
to grant or deny post-conviction relief . . . .”).

¶25            In any event, Alvarez’s argument that probation should be
treated as the presumptive disposition upon conviction for a
probation-eligible offense is premised on the misapprehension that
probation is part of the range of sentence that may be imposed in a given
case. A grant of probation is not a sentence but the suspension of sentence,
Pickett v. Boykin, 118 Ariz. 261, 262 (1978), and so the imposition of a prison
term in lieu of probation does not constitute the aggravation of a sentence,
see also State v. Hernandez, 231 Ariz. 353, 355-57, ¶¶ 5, 10 (App. 2013)
(rejecting defendant’s challenge to court’s decision to impose prison
sentence instead of granting probation and noting that probation is “the
suspension of sentence” that may be granted in the discretion of the
superior court as “a sentencing alternative”) (citation omitted).

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                     STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                          Decision of the Court

¶26            Because Alvarez’s PCR petition failed to set forth facts that, if
true, would show that the court improperly weighed aggravating and
mitigating factors when it imposed the presumptive sentence, the court did
not abuse its discretion by summarily dismissing this claim. See Amaral, 239
Ariz. at 220, ¶ 11.

 II.   Lack of Remorse

¶27          Alvarez asserts that he is entitled to be resentenced because
the sentencing judge improperly “punished” him “for his alleged lack of
remorse.” “[E]ven if [he] was not truly sorry” and “still maintained” his
innocence, Alvarez argues, “the sentencing court could . . . not hold these
sentiments against [him].”

¶28              A court may not consider a defendant’s lack of remorse as an
aggravating factor. State v. Trujillo, 227 Ariz. 314, 317-18, ¶¶ 12, 15 (App.
2011). A defendant’s remorse may, however, be a mitigating factor,
provided, of course, that the court is “persuaded” that the defendant is
indeed remorseful. State v. Calderon, 171 Ariz. 12, 14 (App. 1991). On review,
this Court defers to the sentencing court’s determination of the defendant’s
“sincerity” in expressing remorse because that court is “in a far better
position . . . to evaluate [the defendant’s] demeanor.” State v. Sasak, 178 Ariz.
182, 189 (App. 1993); see also Fatty, 150 Ariz. at 592 (rejecting argument that
sentencing court “gave insufficient consideration” to defendant’s remorse
and noting that “the trial court is in the best position to consider whether
or not expressed remorse is sincere”).

¶29           Although Alvarez professed remorse, he persistently
maintained that he did not agree with the victims’ allegations and denied
intending “to touch [them] in an improper manner.” He couched his
apology in conditional terms, “ask[ing] for forgiveness from the girls if
things are as they say.” (Emphasis added.) Further, notwithstanding his
guilty pleas, he submitted favorable polygraph results to the court in an
apparent effort to bolster his claim of innocence. The sentencing court thus
acted within its discretion in finding Alvarez’s claim of remorse insufficient
to justify imposing a sentence less than the presumptive. See also State v.
Molina, 211 Ariz. 130, 138, ¶ 31 (App. 2005) (finding defendant’s statements
denying participating in assault on victim and claiming to feel “like a victim
because he was ‘not guilty’” constituted “reasonable evidence” from which
the sentencing court “could conclude that [defendant] lacked remorse for
his criminal actions”).

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                      STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                           Decision of the Court

¶30           Alvarez argues that the court not only erred in failing to find
remorse as a mitigating factor but “impermissibly considered” his lack of
remorse “as an aggravating factor.” Nothing but speculation supports this
assertion, and appellate courts “are unwilling to speculate as a basis for
reversal.” State v. Carlson, 202 Ariz. 570, 580, ¶ 33 (2002). And even if we
were willing to assume, despite the absence of support in the record, that
the court improperly found Alvarez’s lack of remorse to be an aggravating
factor, any alleged error in finding aggravating factors entitles the
defendant to no relief when, as here, the court does not impose an
aggravated sentence. See Bly, 127 Ariz. at 373. The superior court did not
abuse its discretion by summarily dismissing this claim for relief.

III.   Judicial Bias

¶31           Alvarez argues that he is entitled to resentencing because the
judge exhibited “serious bias against [him]” by basing her sentencing
decision “on her personal experience” instead of “on the facts presented.”
In support of this assertion, he cites the judge’s reference to her “17 years of
experience” practicing juvenile law and her comment about other potential
victims “who have yet to come forward.”

¶32             “Judicial officers are presumed to be free from bias or
prejudice.” Costa v. Mackey, 227 Ariz. 565, 571, ¶ 12 (App. 2011). To rebut
this presumption, the party seeking a judge’s disqualification or recusal
“must prove bias or prejudice by a preponderance of the evidence.” State v.
Carver, 160 Ariz. 167, 172 (1989). “Bias or prejudice means a hostile feeling,
ill will, undue friendship, or favoritism towards one of the litigants.” Id.
“Judicial rulings alone do not support a finding of bias or partiality without
a showing of an extrajudicial source of bias or a deep-seated favoritism.”
Stagecoach Trails MHC, L.L.C. v. City of Benson, 232 Ariz. 562, 568, ¶ 21 (App.
2013); see also Smith v. Smith, 115 Ariz. 299, 303 (App. 1977) (“[T]he bias and
prejudice necessary to disqualify a judge must arise from an extra-judicial
source and not from what the judge has done in his [or her] participation in
the case.”). Likewise, “opinions formed by the judge on the basis of facts
introduced or events occurring in the course of the current proceedings, or
of prior proceedings, do not constitute a basis for a bias or partiality motion
unless they display a deep-seated favoritism or antagonism that would
make fair judgment impossible.” Liteky v. United States, 510 U.S. 540, 555
(1994). “Thus, judicial remarks . . . that are critical or disapproving of, or
even hostile to, counsel, the parties, or their cases, ordinarily do not support
a bias or partiality challenge.” Id.; see also In re Guardianship of Styer, 24 Ariz.
App. 148, 151 (1975) (“The fact that a judge may have an opinion as to the

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                     STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
                          Decision of the Court

merits of the cause or a strong feeling about the type of litigation involved,
does not make the judge biased or prejudiced.”).

¶33             Alvarez did not establish, and the record does not show, that
the judge exhibited bias or prejudice at sentencing. The presentence report
recommended the presumptive sentence, as did the prosecutor. The victims
spoke in opposition of Alvarez’s request to be placed on probation. The
judge reviewed all relevant sentencing materials, listened to statements
from the parties, and lawfully imposed the presumptive sentence. The fact
that the judge decided to impose a term of imprisonment rather than
probation does not indicate a deep-seated antagonism toward Alvarez. See
Liteky, 510 U.S. at 555. Nor does the judge’s reference to her professional
experience with cases involving interfamily sexual abuse establish bias,
since judicial comments about the nature of the charged offense do not
establish bias toward the defendant. See State v. Menard, 135 Ariz. 385,
386-87 (App. 1982) (rejecting convicted arsonist’s claim that “the trial judge
should have disqualified himself from sentencing” after “express[ing]
strong feelings regarding arson and the threat the crime poses” and
reasoning that “[t]he trial court’s remarks were directed solely to the type
of litigation involved and were not illustrative of any bias the trial court had
toward appellant”). To the extent Alvarez is suggesting that he was entitled
to be sentenced by a judge with no relevant professional experience, we find
no basis for this suggestion. See, e.g., Barclay v. Florida, 463 U.S. 939, 948-50
(1983) (rejecting defendant’s challenge to sentence imposed by judge who
noted “his own experiences” in “explaining his sentencing decision” and
reasoning that “[i]t is neither possible nor desirable for a person to whom
the state entrusts an important judgment to decide in a vacuum, as if he had
no experiences”).

¶34              In support of his challenge to the sentencing judge’s
impartiality, Alvarez cites State v. Baum, 182 Ariz. 138 (App. 1995). In Baum,
the superior court found Baum had violated the terms of his probation by
failing to meet his reporting and payment obligations. Id. at 139. The judge
reinstated Baum on probation but warned that it would impose the
“maximum prison sentence” if he committed “a further violation.” Id.
When Baum again violated his reporting and payment obligations, the
court revoked his probation and imposed the maximum prison sentence,
telling him, “[M]aybe you don’t keep your word, but I do, sir.” Id. On
appeal, we held that the superior court erred by determining Baum’s
sentence “in advance” instead of considering the relevant aggravating and
mitigating factors. Id. at 140. We reasoned that the court applied a
“methodology” that “was contrary to law” by carrying out its “expressed
. . . intent to sentence [Baum] to the maximum aggravated term” upon his

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                    STATE v. ALVAREZ BOJORQUEZ
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next violation of the terms of his probation, without “consider[ing] all
pertinent mitigating and aggravating circumstances.” Id.

¶35           Baum is wholly inapposite. Nothing in the record suggests
that the court here made up its mind in advance about the sentence to
impose. On the contrary, the court expressly stated that it had initially
considered imposing a mitigated sentence but changed its mind based on
the information presented at the sentencing hearing. Nothing in Baum
entitles Alvarez to relief here.

                              CONCLUSION

¶36           Because Alvarez’s PCR petition failed to allege facts which, if
true, would entitle him to be resentenced, the court did not abuse its
discretion in summarily dismissing the petition. Accordingly, we grant
review but deny relief.

                          AMY M. WOOD • Clerk of the Court
                          FILED: AA

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