Court Opinion

ID: 3171233
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-01-21 17:10:07.646977+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:57:49.416499
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                      JANUARY 21, 2016
                                                                  In the Office of the Clerk of Court 

                                                                 WA State Court of Appeals, Division III 

            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON 

                               DIVISION THREE 

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                           )
                                               )          No. 32696-9-111
                       Respondent,             )
                                               )
       v.                                      )
                                               )
JONATHAN EDWARD KUHLMAN,                       )         UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                               )
                       Appellant.              )

       FEARING, J. -    A jury convicted Jonathan Kuhlman of rape in the second degree,

two counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor with sexual motivation,

and communication with a minor for immoral purposes. On appeal, Kuhlman challenges

the length of his sentence. In particular, he objects to the trial court's use of sexual

motivation sentence enhancements to increase the length of his sentence. We reject

Kuhlman's contentions. We also affirm the trial court's imposition of legal financial

obligations.

                                           FACTS

       Charges against Jonathan Kuhlman arise from his unnerving contact with two
No. 32696·9·111
State v. Kuhlman

underage girls in Benton City. In October 2012, Kuhlman, then age forty, began

communications on Facebook with Amelia, then age fourteen. Amelia is a fictitious

name. Amelia was a freshman at Kiona-Benton High School in Benton City. Amelia

told Kuhlman that she was sixteen.

       In his messages, Jonathan Kuhlman encouraged Amelia to skip school and smoke

marijuana with him. On October 22, 2012, Kuhlman arranged to meet Amelia before

school and smoke marijuana. Kuhlman retrieved Amelia as she walked toward high

school. As Kuhlman drove Amelia toward an orchard, he loaded a pipe with marijuana,

handed the pipe to Amelia, and told her "to take a hit." 1 Report of Proceeding (RP) at

185. The two smoked marijuana from the pipe during the short trip to the orchard.

During the drive, Amelia informed Kuhlman that she was fourteen years old.

       As the two parked in the orchard, Jonathan Kuhlman lowered his pants to his

knees, grabbed the back of Amelia's head, and plunged her head toward his penis.

Amelia pulled her head back. Kuhlman then placed his hands inside Amelia's shirt.

Amelia removed Kuhlman's hand and insisted that he cease touching her. Kuhlman next

deposited his hand in Amelia's shorts. He massaged Amelia's pubic region and inserted

his fingers inside her vagina. Amelia again insisted that Kuhlman stop and declared her

intention to leave. She shoved Kuhlman and ran toward school. As she fled, Kuhlman

yelled to Amelia to keep silent about his conduct.

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No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

       In July 2013, Jonathan Kuhlman met Bertha, then age fifteen. Bertha is an

invented name. Bertha was then between her freshman and sophomore years of high

school at Kiona-Benton High School in Benton City. Kuhlman gave Bertha a ride home

and inserted his phone number into her phone. On July 19,2013, Bertha sent Kuhlman

text messages from a friend's phone. Kuhlman and Bertha added each other to their

respective Facebook pages.

       As the texting continued, Bertha told Jonathan Kuhlman that she was sixteen years

of age. Kuhlman asked Bertha when she last engaged in sex and whether she considered

a "blow job" sex. 1 RP at 121. Kuhlman opined that Bertha was bisexual and described

bisexuality as "hot." 1 RP at 121. When Bertha responded that she last engaged in sex

on June 28, Kuhlman replied: "sounds like too long. You don't have a steady booty

call." 1 RP at 121. The textative Kuhlman added: "[m]ust not been any good, huh?"

followed by "[w jell, if it's been a month, shit I got to have it four or five times a week."

1 RP at 122. Bertha texted: "So I take it you're good." 1 RP at 123. Kuhlman responded

"Yeah" and "Well, one way to find out." 1 RP at 123.

       Bertha and Jonathan Kuhlman arranged by Facebook to meet. Kuhlman retrieved

Bertha from summer school and drove her to an orchard. Kuhlman yanked down his

pants and asked her for oral sex. Bertha complied and then engaged in vaginal sex with

Kuhlman. At the end of the encounter, Kuhlman handed Bertha a bag of marijuana and

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No. 32696-9-111
State v. Kuhlman

returned her to school.

                                       PROCEDURE

       In its second amended information, the State of Washington charged Jonathan

Kuhlman with five crimes: (1) one count of rape in the second degree of Amelia, (2) in

the alternative to count one, rape of a child in the third degree of Amelia, (3) distribution

of a controlled substance to a person under the age of eighteen with sexual motivation

with regard to Amelia, (4) distribution of a controlled substance to a person under the age

of eighteen with sexual motivation with regard to Bertha, and (5) one count of

communication with a minor for immoral purposes with regard to Bertha.

       The jury found Jonathan Kuhlman guilty of rape in the second degree, which

verdict mooted the third degree rape charge. The jury also found Kuhlman guilty on the

three remaining charges, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a person

under the age of eighteen with sexual motivation and one count of communication with a

minor for immoral purposes.

       The State of Tennessee previously convicted Jonathan Kuhlman of five crimes.

Washington State earlier convicted Kuhlman of three crimes. At sentencing, the State

argued that Jonathan Kuhlman had an offender score of fourteen for the second degree

rape conviction with a standard range of 21 0-280 months. The State contended that

Kuhlman sustained a score of eleven for each conviction for distribution of a controlled

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No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

substance to a person under the age of eighteen, with a standard range of 100 to 120

months each. Finally, the State maintained that Kuhlman merited an offender score of

fourteen for the communication with a minor conviction, with a standard range of 51 to

60 months.

       The State also contended that Jonathan Kuhlman's convictions for distribution of a

controlled substance to a minor constituted sex offenses due to the sexual motivation

enhancement. The State therefore sought to impose sexual motivation enhancements of

eighteen months' additional confinement for each conviction, or thirty-six months total.

In the end, the State argued that the statutory minimum amount of time that Kuhlman

must serve in this case is 246 months, 210 months for count I, plus 36 months for the

sexual motivation enhancements.

       Jonathan Kuhlman objected to the State's calculation of his offender score. He

argued that the court should not increase the number of points for the distribution

charges, nor add thirty-six months for the same sentence enhancement. Kuhlman argued

"that's essentially a double whammy." Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Aug. 5,

2014) 15.

       Because Jonathan Kuhlman challenges his legal financial obligations, we also

review the facts and procedure relating to the imposition of the obligations. Prior to the

sentencing decision, the trial court reviewed a presentence investigation report and

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No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

Kuhlman's criminal history. The presentence investigation report found:

               [w]ith his record of self-employment, it does not appear Mr.
       Kuhlman will have any barriers to obtaining future employment beyond his
       registration requirements and conditions ofsupervision. . . . He listed his
       current wage or salary of $80,000 a year from his lawn care business. And
       ... he runs a marijuana depositorylbusiness for profit.

Clerk's Papgers (CP) at 98. The presentence investigation report also stated that

Kuhlman supports himself, his girlfriend, her two children, and their child in

common. The report disclosed that Kuhlman stated, during an interview, that he is

not subject to any child support order for a daughter, but, according to a personal

information questionnaire, an order demands he pay child support for his daughter

in the amount of $179 a month. He claims he actually pays a higher amount of

$350 monthly. Kuhlman denied receiving public assistance, disability payments,

financial assistance from family, unemployment,   o~   any other income.

       The presentence report did not list any monetary obligations of Jonathan

Kuhlman. The report declared that Kuhlman posted $30,000 bail, but the report

did not divulge whether Kuhlman paid $30,000 in cash or obtained a bail bond.

Throughout the criminal proceedings in superior court, Kuhlman retained private

counsel.

      The trial court calculated Jonathan Kuhlman's offender score as nine plus and

sentenced Kuhlman to a minimum of246 months' confinement as requested by the State.

                                             6

No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

The sentence represented the minimum sentence of 210 months for the crime with

longest penalty, rape in the second degree, plus an additional thirty-six months for the

sexual motivation enhancements attended to the two crimes of distribution of a controlled

substance.

       The trial court also imposed $1,956 in legal financial obligations, $1,156 of which

were discretionary costs. The trial court did not check the box for the boilerplate finding

that Kuhlman had the ability or likely future ability to pay his financial obligations. The

trial court made no inquiry about Kuhlman's financial situation during sentencing.

Kuhlman did not object to the trial court's imposition of legal financial obligations.

                                 LAW AND ANALYSIS

       Jonathan Kuhlman challenges the length of his sentence and the trial court's

imposition of legal financial obligations. We affirm the length of the sentence and

decline to address Kuhlman's challenge to the financial obligations.

                             Sexual Motivation Enhancement

       Before addressing the major issue on appeal, we address the question of Jonathan

Kuhlman's offender score. Kuhlman may complain that the trial court imposed an

offender score of fourteen, instead of eleven, on the rape and communication with a

minor for immoral purposes convictions. The trial court may have done so by counting

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No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

convictions for the distribution of controlled substances to a minor as three points

because the charges were considered sexual crimes upon the jury's findings of sexual

motivation. The State contends that the offender score is irrelevant since Kuhlman

reached the maximum score of nine plus no matter whether the court imposes the three

points.

          We agree with the State's position that the dispute as to the offender score does

not impact Jonathan Kuhlman's sentencing because his offender score is nine plus

regardless. Therefore, we do not resolve the dispute. Principles ofjudicial restraint

dictate that if resolution of another issue effectively disposes of a case, we should resolve

the case on that basis without reaching the first issue presented. Wash. State Farm

Bureau Fed'n v. Gregoire, 162 Wn.2d 284,307, 174 P.3d 1142 (2007); Hayden v. Mut.

ofEnumclaw Ins. Co., 141 Wn.2d 55,68, 1 P.3d 1167 (2000).

          Although Jonathan Kuhlman advocates for a reduction in his offender score, we

recharacterize his request as one to exclude the sexual motivation enhancements from

lengthening his conviction for second degree rape. Kuhlman wishes to reduce his

sentence from 246 months to 210 months by claiming the sexual motivation

enhancements may not be added to a conviction for the sexual offense of rape. We

disagree. We hold that the trial court must impose the enhancements to Kuhlman's

conviction for rape because, by statute, the enhancements must be applied to all

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No. 32696-9-111
State v. Kuhlman

convictions in the same prosecution.

      The trial court bases a sentence imposed on a criminal defendant by the crime of

conviction and an offender score established by applying RCW 9.94A.525, a section of

the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981, ch. 9.94A RCW. The Washington Legislature has

enacted numerous sentencing mandates, factors, and enhancements that increase the

punishment meted on a convicted defendant after the trial court calculates a minimum

sentence based on the offender score. One such enhancement is for sexual motivation

when committing a crime. To that end, RCW 9.94A.535 reads:

             The court may impose a sentence outside the standard sentence
      range for an offense if it finds, considering the purpose of this chapter, that
      there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional
      sentence.

             (3) Aggravating Circumstances-Considered by a Jury-Imposed
      by the Court
             Except for circumstances listed in subsection (2) of this section, the
      following circumstances are an exclusive list of factors that can support a
      sentence above the standard range.

            (t) The current offense included a finding of sexual motivation
      pursuant to RCW 9.94A.835.

(Emphasis added.) RCW 9.94A.030 defines "sexual motivation" as:

              (47) "Sexual motivation" means that one of the purposes for which
      the defendant committed the crime was for the purpose of his or her sexual
      gratification.

      Not all crimes qualify for the sexual motivation enhancement. Under RCW

                                             9

No. 32696-9-111
State v. Kuhlman

9.94A.535(3)(t), we determine if a crime meets eligibility for the enhancement by the

language ofRCW 9.94A.835. The latter statute declares:

               (I) The prosecuting attorney shall file a special allegation of sexual
       motivation in every criminal case, felony, gross misdemeanor, or
       misdemeanor, other than sex offenses as defined in RCW 9. 94A. 030 when
       sufficient admissible evidence exists, which, when considered with the
       most plausible, reasonably foreseeable defense that could be raised under
       the evidence, would justifY a finding of sexual motivation by a reasonable
       and objective fact finder.
               (2) In a criminal case wherein there has been a special allegation the
       state shall prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the
       crime with a sexual motivation. The court shall make a finding of fact of
       whether or not a sexual motivation was present at the time of the
       commission of the crime, or if a jury trial is had, the jury shall, if it finds
       the defendant guilty, also find a special verdict as to whether or not the
       defendant committed the crime with a sexual motivation. This finding shall
       not be applied to sex offinses as defined in RCW 9. 94A. 03 O.

(Emphasis added.)

       Note that RCW 9.94A.835 exempts from the sexual motivation sentence

enhancement a "sex offense." This exemption makes sense because the crime is already

identified as being motivated, at least in part, by sexual desire. Sexual motivation is

already factored into the sex offense's sentence. If the enhancement applied, a

defendant's sentence would be impacted twice by his sexual intent, and the defendant

would suffer what Jonathan Kuhlman labels a "double whammy."

       We look to RCW 9.94A.030 for a definition, under the Sentencing Reform Act, of

a "sex offense."

                                             10 

No. 32696-9-II1
State v. Kuhlman

               (46) "Sex offense" means:
               (a)(i) Aftlony that is a violation ofchapter 9A.44 RCW [rape, child
       molestation, indecent liberties, voyeurism] other than RCW 9A,44.132
       [failing to register as sex offender];
               (ii) A violation ofRCW 9A.64.020 [incest];
               (iii) A felony that is a violation of chapter 9.68A RCW [sexual
       exploitation of children, communication with a minor] other than RCW
       9.68A.080;
               (iv) A felony that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW [anticipatory
       offenses], a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy
       to commit such crimes; or
               (v) A felony violation ofRCW 9A,44.l32(l) (failure to register [as a
       sex offender]) if the person has been convicted of violating RCW
       9A,44.132(l) (failure to register [as a sex offender]) [or 9A,44.130 prior to
       June 10, 2010,] on at least one prior occasion;
               (b) Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to
       July 1, 1976, that is comparable to a felony classified as a sex offense in (a)
       of this subsection;
               (c) A felony with a finding ofsexual motivation under RCW
       9. 94A.S35 or 13,40.135; or
               (d) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under
       the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a sex offense under (a)
       of this subsection.

(Emphasis added.) Rape should be considered more a crime of misogynistic violence and

brutal control than of sex, but RCW 9.94A.030 reads to the contrary. A legal quandary

arises from RCW 9.94A.030(46)(c) because the subsection encompasses in the definition

of a "sex offense" a nons ex offense with a finding of sexual motivation and RCW

9.94A.835 exempts from the sexual motivation enhancement "sex offenses." We return

to this statutory dilemma later.

       RCW 9.94A.533 lists the additional months for sentence enhancements based on

                                             11 

No. 32696-9-111
State v. Kuhlman

various aggravating circumstances, including crimes with sexual motivation. The statute

declares that eighteen months shall be added for a finding of sexual motivation. More

importantly, the statute demands the trial court to add the enhancement to a sexual crime,

for which the court convicts the defendant of another crime that merits the sexual

motivation enhancement. RCW 9.94A.533 reads, in relevant part:

             (1) The provisions of this section apply to the standard sentence
      ranges determined by RCW 9.94A.510 or 9.94A.517.

             (8)(a) The following additional times shall be added to the standard
      sentence range for felony crimes committed on or after July 1, 2006, if the
      offense was committed with sexual motivation, as that term is defined in
      RCW 9.94A.030. If the offender is being sentencedfor more than one
      offense, the sexual motivation enhancement must be added to the total
      period oftotal confinement for all offenses, regardless ofwhich underlying
      offense is subject to a sexual motivation enhancement. ...

             (ii) Eighteen months for any felony defined under any law as a class
      B felony or with a statutory maximum sentence of ten years, or both;

              (b) Notwithstanding any other provision oflaw, all sexual
      motivation enhancements under this subsection are mandatory, shall be
      served in total confinement, and shall run consecutively to all other
      sentencing provisions, including other sexual motivation enhancements, for
      all offenses sentenced under this chapter . ...
              (c) The sexual motivation enhancements in this subsection apply to
      all felony crimes;

(Emphasis added.) The State convicted Jonathan Kuhlman with two crimes carrying a

sexual motivation enhancement rendering a total enhancement of thirty-six months.

      Two of Jonathan Kuhlman's crimes fall within RCW 9.94A.030's categories of

                                           12 

No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

sex crimes, rape in the second degree and communication with a minor for an immoral

purpose. Our trial court added the sexual motivation sentence enhancements to the

sentence for second degree rape, nonetheless. Under Jonathan Kuhlman's circumstances,

one could conclude that the trial court in effect unlawfully imposed the sexual motivation

enhancements on a sex crime, rape. Nevertheless, under RCW 9.94A.533(S)(a), if the

offender is sentenced for more than one offense, the sexual motivation enhancement must

be added to the period of total confinement for all offenses, regardless of which

underlying offense is subject to a sexual motivation enhancement. The statute's plain

language directs such an application. We also note that, at sentencing, the defendant is

not simply sentenced disjointedly for discrete convictions, but sentenced in the aggregate

for all convictions. In this light, the trial court did not impose the sexual motivation

enhancements on Jonathan Kuhlman for a sex crime, but because of his other convictions

for nonsex crimes that entailed sexual motivation.

       We now return to our legislative conundrum. Jonathan Kuhlman argues that the

trial court could not have added the sexual motivation sentence enhancement because of

an ambiguity in RCW 9.94A.S35. To repeat, under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(f), we determine

if a crime qualifies for the enhancement by the language ofRCW 9.94A.S35. The latter

statute declares that a finding of sexual motivation "shall not be applied to sex offenses as

defined in RCW 9.94A.030." In tum, RCW 9.94A.030(46)(c) includes within "sex

                                             13 

No. 32696-9-111
State v. Kuhlman

offenses" "[a] felony with a finding of sexual motivation under RCW 9.94A.835." Thus,

according to Kuhlman, a nonsex crime with a sexual motivation enhancement transforms

into a sex crime, for which a sexual motivation enhancement may not be imposed. He

requests that we strike the sexual motivation enhancements.

       The State of Washington contends that an offense is not one with a finding of

sexual motivation until after the finding is made such that a charge with a request for

such a finding is not a sex crime at the charging stage. We do not address this argument

because the appeal can be resolved on other grounds.

       We recognize with Jonathan Kuhlman the inherent inconsistency resulting from a

juxtaposition ofRCW 9.94A.835 with RCW 9.94A.030(46)(c). We find this

inconsistency more of a circular or nonsensical anomaly or a legislative drafting error

than an ambiguity. Under the latter statute, one cannot receive a sexual motivation

sentence enhancement if found guilty of a sexual offense. The former statute defines a

sexual offense as including a felony in which the trier of fact finds a sexual motivation.

If one reads the language of both statutes literally, there can never be a sexual motivation

sentence enhancement, at least with felonies. Yet, the legislature particularly would wish

the enhancement to apply to felonies.

      Jonathan Kuhlman argues that RCW 9.94A.835, when read in light ofRCW

9.94A.030(46)(c), is ambiguous, and he asks us to apply the rule oflenity. Kuhlman cites

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No. 32696-9-111
State v. Kuhlman

State v. Hennings, 129 Wash. 2d 512, 522, 919 P.2d 580 (1996), which reads:

              This oversight renders the section inconsistent with its own terms.
       As a result, the law is ambiguous and judicial interpretation is appropriate.

In State v. Hennings, the high court addressed legislation that allowed the imposition of

restitution under two separate statutes, RCW 9.94A.l40 and RCW 9.94A.l42, up to one

hundred and eighty days after sentencing. The act further provided that its terms were

retroactive, but the retroactive provision referenced restitution only under RCW

9.94A.140. Restitution against both defendants on appeal was awardable only under

RCW 9.94A.142. Our high court decided to insert the second restitution statute under the

coverage of the retroactive section of the law so that the State's application for restitution

was timely. The court considered the legislation to include an inadvertent omission. The

court made no reference to the rule of lenity. The court holding harmed the defendants.

Thus, Hennings does not support Jonathan Kuhlman's contention.

       The State solves the inconsistency between the two statutes by arguing that RCW

9.94A.835 applies only to the prosecutor adding a charge of sexual motivation to another

crime, whereas, RCW 9.94A.030 applies to findings of sexual motivation. In response,

Jonathan Kuhlman argues that as soon as a sexual motivation allegation is made on a

felony, it becomes a sex offense, but that the statute specifically disallows the State to

add a sexual motivation allegation to a sex offense. We believe Kuhlman's reading of the

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No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

statutes to be the better reading. Nevertheless, we decline to accept Kuhlman's reading

for other reasons.

       Jonathan Kuhlman's interpretation of the two statutes would result in no sexual

motivation enhancements, at least in felonies where one would expect the enhancements

the most. Kuhlman's construction would render sexual motivation enhancements

nugatory and would void the provisions ofRCW 9.94A.533 and RCW 9.94A.535.

Statutes must be interpreted and construed so that all the language used is given effect,

with no portion rendered meaningless or superfluous. Citizens Alliance for Prop. Rights

Legal Fundv. San Juan County, 184 Wn.2d 428,440,359 P.3d 753 (2015); G-P Gypsum

Corp. v. Dep 't ofRevenue, 169 Wash. 2d 304, 309, 237 P.3d 256 (2010). The rule oflenity

will be applied only if the defendant's proffered alternative interpretation is reasonable.

See State v. Tili, 139 Wash. 2d 107, 115,985 P.2d 365 (1999). We find Kuhlman's reading

unreasonable. We also believe that the legislature may have inserted the inconsistent

language into RCW 9.94A.835 in order to ensure that the court does not apply the

enhancement twice to a nonsex crime with a sexual motivation enhancement.

                                Legal Financial Obligations

       Jonathan Kuhlman next contends that the trial court improperly required him to

pay legal financial obligations without considering his financial resources under RCW

10.01.160(3). He challenges the discretionary costs imposed by the court consisting ofa

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No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

a$60 sheriff service fee, $700 attorney fee, $146 witness fee, and $250 jury demand fee,

for a total sum of $1,156. Kuhlman does not challenge mandatory financial obligations

of a $500 victim assessment fee, $200 court costs, and a $100 DNA (deoxyribonucleic

acid) collection fee.

       Jonathan Kuhlman failed to object to the imposition of any legal financial

obligations at sentencing. Nevertheless, he argues that he can still challenge the

obligations for the first time on appeal, citing State v. Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d 827, 344 P.3d
680 (2015). The State does not argue against appellate review, but instead contends that

the trial court conducted the individualized inquiry required by Blazina. Whether we

decline review or reach the merits of Kuhlman's assignment of error, the outcome

remains the same. A presentence report showed that Kuhlman has the capability to pay

the obligations.

       RCW 10.01.160(3) provides:

              The court shall not order a defendant to pay costs unless the
       defendant is or will be able to pay them. In determining the amount and
       method of payment of costs, the court shall take account of the financial
       resources of the defendant and the nature of the burden that payment of
       costs will impose.

Courts may impose legal financial obligations if a defendant has or will have the financial

ability to pay them. RCW 10.01.160; RCW 9.94A.760(2); State v. Curry, 118 Wn.2d

911,914-16,829 P.2d 166 (1992).

                                            17
No. 32696-9-III
State v. Kuhlman

       In State v. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 831,839 (2015), our Supreme Court clarified

that RCW 10.01.160(3) requires a trial court do more than sign a judgment and sentence

with boilerplate language stating that it engaged in the required inquiry. Instead, the

"record must reflect that the trial court made an individualized inquiry into the

defendant's current and future ability to pay." Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 838.

       We must first decide whether to address this assignment of error since Jonathan

Kuhlman did not object to the imposition of legal financial obligations at sentencing.

RAP 2.5(a) provides, in relevant part: "The appellate court may refuse to review any

claim of error which was not raised in the trial court." With regard to unpreserved

challenges to financial obligations, our high court clarified: "A defendant who makes no

objection to the imposition of discretionary [legal financial obligations] at sentencing is

not automatically entitled to review." Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 832. "Each appellate court

must make its own decision to accept discretionary review." Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 835.

       As the State notes, the facts contained in the presentence investigation report

comport with the requirements of Blazina by including an investigation of Jonathan

Kuhlman's financial assets, income, and debts. The report stated that Kuhlman did not

receive any public assistance. The report also identified Kuhlman's income as $80,000

per year. He posted bail and hired a private attorney.

       Our trial court failed to check the box on Jonathan Kuhlman's judgment and

                                             18 

No. 32696-9-111
State v. Kuhlman

sentence, which box indicated Kuhlman had a present or future ability to pay legal

financial obligations. Nevertheless, given the wealth of evidence attesting to Kuhlman's

ability to pay and the trial court's statement on the record that it reviewed that

information before imposing financial obligations, this omission does not warrant the

court's review of the challenge.

                                         CONCLUSION

       We affirm the trial court's sentence imposed on Jonathan Kuhlman, including the

imposition of discretionary legal financial obligations.

       A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW

2.06.040.

                                           Fearing, J.     (J
WE CONCUR:

 ~~w
Siddoway, C.J.          ~.          If
                                   C)

  ,,"""r~ . . '3~, 

Lawrence-Berrey, J.
                                    j

                                              19