Court Opinion

ID: 2655771
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-03-06 19:18:19.92284+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:12:57.841386
License: Public Domain

Filed 3/6/14 P. v. Perez CA4/1
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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                    COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION ONE

                                           STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THE PEOPLE,                                                        D062876

        Plaintiff and Respondent,

        v.                                                         (Super. Ct. No. SCE320784)

TAMMI MILES PEREZ,

        Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, John M.

Thompson, Judge. Reversed in part, affirmed in part, and remanded with directions.

         Michael P. Goldstein, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant

and Appellant.

         Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney

General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General, William M. Wood, Meagan J.

Beale, and Felicity Senoski, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
       Tammi Miles Perez pleaded guilty to petty theft with three prior convictions in

violation of Penal Code1 sections 484 and 666, subdivision (a). The court imposed

various fees and fines, and sentenced Perez to a four-year split sentence, with two years

of local custody and two years of mandatory supervision. Perez appeals, contending: (1)

the criminal justice administration fee was unauthorized; (2) the administrative screening

fee exceeded the applicable maximum and the court abused its discretion by imposing the

fee without considering her ability to pay; (3) the court abused its discretion by imposing

the theft fine without considering her ability to pay; (4) the court abused its discretion in

setting the amount of the restitution fine without adequately considering her ability to

pay; and (5) the court abused its discretion in imposing alcohol-related conditions of

mandatory supervision.

                   FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

       On April 28, 2012, a loss prevention security guard at a Wal-Mart store in El

Cajon observed Perez enter the store. The security guard watched her conceal various

items in her purse as she walked through the store, and then leave the store without

attempting to pay for the concealed merchandise. After she was outside, the security

guard detained her. Police officers arrived, cited Perez, then released her. All of the

stolen merchandise, valued at $187.84, was recovered.

       Perez was charged with petty theft in violation of section 484 and petty theft with

a prior theft-related conviction in violation of section 666. (§§ 484, 666.) On August 6,

1      All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise specified.
                                              2
2012, she pleaded guilty to petty theft with three prior convictions and admitted she had

served one prior prison term.

       On September 4, 2012, the court sentenced Perez in accordance with her plea

agreement. The court ordered her to pay the following fees and fines: (1) a $154 criminal

justice administration fee (Gov. Code, § 29550.1); (2) a $25 administrative screening fee

(§ 1463.72); (3) a $38 theft fine (§ 1202.5); (4) a $960 restitution fine (§ 1202.4, subd.

(b)); (5) a $40 court security fee (§ 1465.8); and (6) a $30 Immediate Critical Needs

Account fee (Gov. Code, § 70373). The court sentenced Perez to a term of four years,

with two years of local confinement and two years of mandatory supervision. (Pen.

Code, § 1170, subd. (h)(5)(B).) The terms of mandatory supervision included alcohol-

related conditions.

       At the sentencing hearing, Perez requested that some of the fines imposed be

converted into volunteer work. She also objected to the alcohol-related conditions of

mandatory supervision. The court considered the requests but imposed the fees, fines,

and alcohol conditions as recommended by the probation department.

                                       DISCUSSION

                                              I

                                        Booking Fee

       Perez contends the court erred by imposing the $154 criminal justice

administration fee, also known as a booking fee, under Government Code section

2     The citation to section 1463.7 was presumably to section 1463.07, and for the
purposes of this opinion, we treat it as such.
                                              3
29550.1 because she was cited and released, not arrested, and the fee was therefore

unauthorized. The People agree the court erred by imposing a fee under Government

Code section 29550.1, and contend the judgment should be modified to reflect the

appropriate fee under Government Code section 29550, subdivision (f), imposed on

convicted individuals who are cited and released.

       Government Code sections 29550 and 29550.1 govern the imposition of booking

fees. (Gov. Code, §§ 29550, 29550.1.) Government Code section 29550.1 authorizes the

imposition of a criminal justice administration fee if a person is arrested and then

convicted of a criminal offense related to the arrest. (Gov. Code, § 29550.1.) Section

29550, subdivision (f), imposes a mandatory $10 citation processing fee for "each person

cited and released by any peace officer in the field or at a jail facility upon conviction of

any criminal offense . . . related to the criminal offense cited in the notice to appear."

(Gov. Code, § 29550, subd. (f).)

       In general, "only those claims properly raised and preserved by the parties are

reviewable on appeal." (People v. Scott (1994) 9 Cal.4th 331, 354 (Scott).) There is a

narrow exception to the waiver rule for unauthorized sentences that "could not lawfully

be imposed under any circumstance in the particular case." (Ibid.) "A claim that a

sentence is unauthorized . . . may be raised for the first time on appeal, and is subject to

judicial correction whenever the error comes to the attention of the reviewing court."

(People v. Dotson (1997) 16 Cal.4th 547, 554, fn. 6 (Dotson).) Further, "obvious legal

errors at sentencing that are correctable without referring to factual findings in the record

                                               4
or remanding for further findings are not waivable." (People v. Smith (2001) 24 Cal.4th

849, 852 (Smith).)

       The court ordered Perez to pay a booking fee of $154 under Government Code

section 29550.1 and she did not object to imposition of that fee. However, Government

Code section 29550.1 applies only to individuals who are arrested, and Perez was not

arrested. (Gov. Code, § 29550.1.) Therefore, the booking fee was unauthorized because

it could not lawfully be imposed in this case and is correctable without referring to

factual findings, so it can be raised for the first time on appeal. (Scott, 9 Cal.4th at

p. 354; Smith, supra, 24 Cal.4th at p. 852; Dotson, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 554, fn. 6.)

Government Code section 29550.1 does not apply to Perez and the $154 criminal justice

administration fee was improper.

       The People correctly point out that the appropriate booking fee in Perez's case is

set forth in Government Code section 29550, subdivision (f), which imposes a mandatory

$10 processing fee on conviction of a person cited and released but not arrested. (Gov.

Code, § 29550, subd. (f).) We conclude the abstract of judgment should be amended to

provide the proper $10 booking fee under Government Code section 29550, subdivision

(f), and the $154 criminal justice administration fee under Government Code section

29550.1 should be stricken.

                                               II

                                Administrative Screening Fee

       Perez contends the court erred by imposing the $25 administrative screening fee

because it exceeded the applicable fee allowed under section 1463.07. She further

                                               5
contends the court abused its discretion when it imposed the fee because it did not

consider her ability to pay. The People agree the court incorrectly imposed the $25

administrative screening fee, and argue the correct fee under section 1463.07 is $10. The

People further argue that Perez's abuse of discretion claim is forfeited because she did not

properly raise the issue of her ability to pay in the trial court.

       Section 1463.07 governs the imposition of administrative screening fees.

(§ 1463.07.) It imposes a $25 mandatory fee on each person arrested on conviction of a

criminal offense related to the arrest, and a $10 mandatory fee on each person cited and

released by a police officer on conviction of a criminal offense related to the crime for

which the person was cited. (Ibid.) The statute permits consideration of ability to pay,

stating "the court may determine a lesser fee than otherwise provided in this subdivision

upon a showing that the defendant is unable to pay the full amount." (Ibid.)

       A. The Amount of the Administrative Screening Fee

       The court imposed a $25 administrative screening fee on Perez. Perez did not

object to the fee during the sentencing hearing. However, we review the imposition of

the $25 administrative screening fee because it was unauthorized and failure to raise the

issue does not forfeit the claim on appeal. (Scott, supra, 9 Cal.4th at p. 354; Dotson,

supra, 16 Cal.4th at 554, fn. 6.)

       Perez was cited and released by police officers after she was caught shoplifting.

Accordingly, the appropriate fee under section 1463.07 is $10 because Perez was cited

and released. (§ 1463.07.) The imposition of the $25 fee applicable to persons arrested

was improper because Perez was not arrested. (Ibid.) We conclude the abstract of

                                                6
judgment should be amended to provide the appropriate $10 administrative screening fee

for persons cited and released under section 1463.07.3

       B. Ability to Pay Determination

       The court imposed the full administrative screening fee under section 1463.07,

which gives the court discretion to impose a lesser fee where there is a showing that the

defendant is unable to pay the full amount. (§ 1463.07.) Perez contends the court did not

exercise its discretion because it did not consider her financial circumstances when it

imposed the fee. The People argue Perez forfeited her claim because she did not

specifically object to the fee at the sentencing hearing.

       The administrative screening fee under section 1463.07 is mandatory, but the

court's consideration of a defendant's ability to pay the fee is discretionary. (§ 1463.07.)

Discretionary sentencing choices, including those requiring the trial court to consider the

defendant's ability to pay a fine, are not reviewable on appeal if the party did not raise the

objection in the trial court. (Smith, supra, 24 Cal.4th at p. 853; People v. Gibson (1994)

27 Cal.App.4th 1466, 1468 (Gibson).) To preserve a challenge to a fee or fine based on

ability to pay, a defendant must object in the trial court; failure to raise the issue waives

the right to contest it on appeal. (People v. Crittle (2007) 154 Cal.App.4th 368, 371;

Gibson, at pp. 1468-1469.)

       At the sentencing hearing, Perez made a general request that some of the fines

imposed be converted into volunteer work, but did not specifically object to the

3     The abstract of judgment should also be corrected to reflect the applicable section,
1463.07, not 1463.7.
                                               7
administrative screening fee. Her general request was insufficient to preserve the issue.

We conclude Perez waived her right to challenge the court's discretionary sentencing

decision to impose the fee in full without considering her ability to pay.

                                               III

                                           Theft Fine

          Perez contends the court abused its discretion by not considering her ability to pay

before imposing the $38 theft fine under section 1202.5.4 She contends the court should

have lowered the fine because of her financial situation. The People argue Perez

forfeited her claim because she did not object to the imposition of the theft fine at the

sentencing hearing.

          Section 1202.5 imposes a mandatory theft fine for individuals convicted of various

theft offenses, including petty theft. (§ 1202.5, subd. (a).) The statute provides for an

inquiry into a defendant's ability to pay, stating: "[i]f the court determines that the

defendant has the ability to pay all or part of the fine, the court shall set the amount to be

reimbursed and order the defendant to pay that sum to the county in the manner in which

the court believes reasonable and compatible with the defendant's financial ability."

(Ibid.)

          An issue requiring consideration of a defendant's ability to pay a fine cannot be

raised for the first time on appeal. (Gibson, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 1468.) A trial

4       The minutes include the theft fine imposed under section 1202.5, but the abstract
of judgment does not reflect the fine. The abstract of judgment should be corrected to
reflect this fine.
                                                8
court's failure to make a finding as to a defendant's ability to pay a theft fine does not

require reversal if the defendant did not raise the issue in the trial court. (People v.

Crittle, supra, 154 Cal.App.4th at p. 371.)

         The court imposed a $38 theft fine on Perez. At the sentencing hearing, Perez did

not specifically object to the imposition of theft fine, but she did ask if some of the fines

could be converted into volunteer work. She contends this general request was sufficient

to preserve the issue of the ability to pay the theft fine on appeal. We conclude Perez's

general request was insufficient to preserve the issue for review on appeal and Perez

waived her right to challenge the amount of the theft fine imposed by the court.

                                              IV

                                       Restitution Fine

         Perez contends the court abused its discretion by imposing a $960 restitution fine

without giving adequate consideration of her ability to pay.5 The People argue the court

acted within its discretion by setting the amount of the restitution fine within the statutory

range.

         Section 1202.4 governs the imposition of restitution fines. (§ 1202.4.) Where a

person is convicted of a crime, a court must impose a restitution fine "unless it finds

compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the

record." (§ 1202.4, subd. (b).) "A defendant's inability to pay shall not be considered a

compelling and extraordinary reason not to impose a restitution fine. Inability to pay

5      Perez's request for judicial notice of the San Diego County inmate worker pay in
detention facilities is denied.
                                               9
may be considered only in increasing the amount of the restitution fine in excess of the

minimum fine . . . ." (§ 1202.4, subd. (c).) The statute also dictates that the amount of

the fine will be set at the court's discretion and commensurate with the seriousness of the

offense, but within the range of $240 to $10,000 for a person convicted of a felony.

(§ 1202.4, subd. (b)(1).) If the court sets the amount of the fine in excess of the minimum

fine, "the court shall consider any relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the

defendant's inability to pay . . . ." (§ 1202.4, subd. (d).) "Consideration of a defendant's

inability to pay may include his or her future earning capacity. A defendant shall bear the

burden of demonstrating his or her inability to pay." (Ibid.)

       A defendant must object to a restitution fine at the sentencing hearing to preserve

the issue on appeal. (People v. Gamache (2010) 48 Cal.4th 347, 409.) A defendant

cannot "assert for the first time on appeal a procedural defect in imposition of a

restitution fine, i.e., the trial court's alleged failure to consider defendant's ability to pay

the fine." (Gibson, supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at p. 1468.) A "defendant's failure to object in

the trial court to the imposition of a restitution fine constitutes a waiver of the right to

complain thereof on appeal." (Gibson, at p. 1469.)

       Perez forfeited her objection to the restitution fine by not asserting it at the

sentencing hearing. (People v. Gamache, supra, 48 Cal.4th at p. 409; Gibson, supra, 48

Cal.App.4th at p. 1469.) Although Perez made a general request that the court convert

some of her fines into volunteer work, this request was not sufficiently specific to

preserve the issue of the calculation of the restitution fine on appeal. Additionally, the

court did not abuse its discretion in imposing the fine because it was within the statutory

                                                10
limit and Perez did not show her inability to pay. (§ 1202.4, subds. (b)(1) & (d).) The

record establishes that Perez is capable of being a productive member of society: she has

maintained employment in her recent past and obtained her GED and other certificates

while in prison. We conclude the court acted within its discretion in imposing the $960

restitution fine and Perez waived her right to challenge the amount of the restitution fine

on appeal.

       At the sentencing hearing the court ordered the defendant "to pay the fines and

fees set forth on page 12" of the probation report. Page 12 included the condition that

"the defendant pay an additional restitution fine pursuant to . . . [section] 1202.45 in the

amount of $960 to be stayed and remain so unless defendant's parole is revoked."

Defendant and the People at oral argument both agreed that this requirement is

unauthorized in this case involving mandatory supervision. We therefore strike

imposition of that restitution fine. However, the abstract of judgment does not include

that fine and no further action is required of the trial court in connection with the fine.

                                              V

                     Alcohol-Related Terms of Mandatory Supervision

       Perez contends the court abused its discretion by imposing the following alcohol-

related conditions of mandatory supervision: do not knowingly use or possess alcohol if

directed not to by the probation officer; attend self-help meetings if directed by the

probation officer; submit to any blood, breath or urine tests whenever requested by the

probation officer, law enforcement officer, or court-ordered treatment program; do not be

in places, except in the course of employment, where alcohol is the main item for sale;

                                              11
and participate in and bear all costs of a continuous alcohol monitoring device if so

directed by the probation officer. The People argue the trial court acted within its

discretion by imposing alcohol-related conditions of mandatory supervision because the

conditions are reasonably related to preventing future criminality.

       Section 1170 gives a court discretion to "suspend execution of a concluding

portion of the term selected in the court's discretion, during which time the defendant

shall be supervised by the county probation officer in accordance with the terms,

conditions, and procedures generally applicable to persons placed on probation . . . ."

(§ 1170, subd. (h)(5)(B)(i).) The sentencing court has broad discretion to decide whether

probation is suitable and under what conditions to "foster rehabilitation and to protect

public safety." (People v. Carbajal (1995) 10 Cal.4th 1114, 1120.) However, the

determination may not be arbitrary or exceed the bounds of reason, considering the

surrounding circumstances. (Id. at p. 1121.) A probation condition is invalid if it " ' "(1)

has no relationship to the crime of which the offender was convicted, (2) relates to

conduct which is not in itself criminal, and (3) requires or forbids conduct which is not

reasonably related to future criminality . . . ." ' " (People v. Olguin (2008) 45 Cal.4th

375, 379 (quoting People v. Lent (1975) 15 Cal.3d 481, 486.) All three prongs must be

met for a reviewing court to invalidate a probation condition. (Olguin, at p. 379.)

       The alcohol-related conditions restrict conduct that is not criminal, and Perez's

current crime was not alcohol-related. However, the record supports the conclusion the

conditions are reasonably related to preventing future criminality. The probation report

shows that Perez has numerous convictions for petty theft and other offenses starting in

                                             12
1988 and continuing to the present offence in 2012. Her offenses include being under the

influence of controlled substances and driving under the influence, and she has been

judicially determined to suffer from drug addiction. She told the probation officer that

she used LSD and PCP as a teenager, she smoked methamphetamine but stopped several

years ago; she used heroin and cocaine intravenously until 2008; she "was taking

methadone and had been clean for 3 1/2 years"; and she is on a waiting list to enter a drug

program offered at the jail. Specifically for alcohol, she told the probation officer that

she had "issues with alcohol consumption" from 1999 until 2004 when she stopped

drinking. Further, she stated she suffers from bipolar and other mental disorders for

which she takes psychotropic medications, although at the time of the current offense she

was not taking her medications "as instructed or in a consistent [manner]."

       The record reflects that Perez has faced serious substance abuse issues for many

years, including alcohol abuse, and she has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of ability to

refrain from committing petty theft and other offenses. Although she claims she has not

consumed alcohol since 2004 and may currently be free of illegal drug usage, the court

could reasonably assess that her past history of serious addiction, her mental disorder,

and her ongoing criminality warrants imposition of the alcohol-related conditions.

Because Perez is at risk for substance abuse, and alcohol use can decrease impulse

control and result in criminality, the court did not abuse its discretion by conditioning her

release on prohibitions and monitoring related to alcohol.

                                             13
                                      DISPOSITION

       The $154 criminal justice administration fee imposed under Government Code

section 29550.1 is stricken and replaced with a $10 fee under Government Code section

29550, subdivision (f). The $25 administrative screening fee imposed under section

1463.07 is stricken and replaced by a $10 fee. In all other respects, the judgment is

affirmed. The trial court is directed to amend the abstract of judgment to set forth the

provisions of this opinion and to forward a copy of the amended abstract of judgment to

the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

                                                                           McDONALD, J.

WE CONCUR:

HALLER, Acting P. J.

IRION, J.

                                            14