Court Opinion

ID: 3195538
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-04-19 17:18:25.910667+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:36:25.609836
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                           Washington State
                                                                                           Court of Appeals
                                                                                            Division Two

                                                                                            April 19, 2016
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                          DIVISION II
 STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                 No. 47152-3-II

                                Respondent,

         v.

 SARAH JOCLYN OLIVAS,                                          UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                                Appellant.

       MAXA, J. – Sarah Olivas appeals her conviction of first degree murder, which was based

on her guilty plea. We hold that (1) the trial court had no obligation to address self-defense when

discussing Olivas’s guilty plea because Olivas presented no evidence of self-defense before or at

the guilty plea hearing, (2) there was a sufficient factual basis for the guilty plea because the

absence of self-defense is not an element of first degree murder and Olivas presented no

evidence of self-defense before or at the guilty plea hearing, and (3) the trial court erred in

imposing discretionary LFOs without determining Olivas’s ability to pay. We also exercise our

discretion and decline to award appellate costs to the State. Therefore, we affirm Olivas’s

conviction, but remand for a determination of her ability to pay discretionary LFOs.

                                               FACTS

       On July 17, 2014, Olivas and Patrick Frender were in Frender’s residence in Allyn along

with two others. Olivas became upset, paced back and forth, and went outside. She said, “I’m
No. 471523-II

gonna kill them all.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 42. A few minutes later, Olivas entered the house,

retrieved a shotgun from the back bedroom, said something to Frender, and aimed the shotgun at

him as he sat in a chair. Olivas then shot him in the face and head. Frender died from the

shooting.

       The State charged Olivas with first degree murder with a firearm enhancement. Olivas

agreed to plead guilty in exchange for the State dropping the firearm enhancement, agreeing not

to file a holdback charge for unlawful possession of a firearm, and agreeing to recommend a

standard range sentence.

       At the guilty plea hearing, Olivas explained that she had read the plea agreement,

understood every word of it, and did not need more time to talk with her attorney about it.

Olivas stated that she had gone over the elements of the offense with her attorney. She

confirmed that she understood the charge, that she was waiving her right to trial, and that she

could be sentenced to life in prison. Olivas also stated that she understood that the standard

range sentence was 271 to 361 months and that she would have 36 additional months of

community custody.

       In her guilty plea statement, Olivas stated in her own words what made her guilty of first

degree murder: “On July 17, 2014 in Mason County, Washington, I premeditated and

intentionally shot and killed Patrick Frender.” CP at 24. The trial court then asked, “Your

statement says on July 17, 2014 in Mason County, Washington, I premeditated and intentionally

shot and killed Patrick Frender. Is all of that true?” Report of Proceedings (RP) at 23. Olivas

replied, “It is, your Honor.” RP at 24. Olivas further stated that the shooting was not something

she had planned, but that she had been informed that raising the gun was premeditation and so

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she said she “guessed so” in response to whether the statement was true. RP at 24. She also

agreed when the trial court asked her whether there was “a moment in time, however short, that

you thought about it.” RP at 24.

       Olivas confirmed that pleading guilty was her own choice, that no one made promises to

her that were not in the written plea agreement, and that no one threatened her to get the guilty

plea. She also agreed that the trial court could consider the declaration of probable cause in

deciding if there was a factual basis for the plea. Based on this colloquy, the trial court entered a

finding that Olivas’s plea was “knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made,” that Olivas

“understands the charges and the consequences of the plea,” and that a factual basis for the plea

existed. CP at 24.

       At sentencing, Olivas claimed that she had been drugged and raped with a foreign object,

apparently by Frender. She claimed that on the day of the shooting Frender tied her up, that she

was in fear for her life, and that she was able to escape before the shooting occurred. Olivas did

not make any similar claims at her guilty plea hearing and no such claims were reported in the

declaration of probable cause.

       The trial court imposed a standard range sentence and imposed both mandatory and

discretionary LFOs. Olivas appeals.

                                            ANALYSIS

A.     VOLUNTARINESS OF GUILTY PLEA

       Olivas claims that her guilty plea was involuntary because the trial court did not inform

her that the State would have had the burden at trial to disprove a self-defense claim. We

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disagree because the trial court had no obligation to address self-defense when discussing

Olivas’s guilty plea.

          Due process requires that a guilty plea be accepted only upon a showing that the accused

understood the nature of the charge, the consequences of the plea, and entered the plea

intelligently and voluntarily. State v. A.N.J, 168 Wash. 2d 91, 117, 225 P.3d 956, 969 (2010). This

includes an awareness of possible defenses where the defendant makes known facts supporting

such a defense. State v. Haydel, 122 Wash. App. 365, 370, 95 P.3d 760 (2004). A defendant is

entitled to claim self-defense when she reasonably believes that she is about to be injured and

uses no more force than necessary to prevent the offense. RCW 9A.16.020(3); State v. Kyllo,

166 Wash. 2d 856, 863, 215 P.3d 177 (2009).

          In In re Personal Restraint of Montoya, the Supreme Court addressed whether the

defendant had made a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary plea when the defendant was unaware

of the burden of proof on the issue of self-defense. 109 Wash. 2d 270, 279, 744 P.2d 340 (1987).

The court held that because Montoya had not raised a self-defense claim and failed to present

any credible evidence to support one, the trial court had no obligation to inform Montoya about

the burden of proof on the issue of self-defense. Id. at 280. The court stated, “The trial court

certainly had no obligation to inform Montoya of the burden of proof on a purely hypothetical

claim.” Id. In State v. Haydel, Division One of this court rejected a similar argument because

the defendant had failed to present any evidence to support a self-defense claim. 122 Wash. App.

at 371.

          Here, nothing in the record shows that at the time Olivas entered her guilty plea she had

asserted a self-defense claim or presented any facts to support such a claim. Olivas’s only

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reference to self-defense occurred at sentencing several days later, after the trial court already

had accepted the guilty plea. As a result, the trial court had no obligation to inform Olivas when

she entered her guilty plea of the applicable burden of proof when a defendant claims self-

defense.

       Olivas does not assert any other basis to withdraw her plea as involuntary and fails to

make any showing that her plea was involuntary. As noted above, the trial court had an

extensive colloquy with her before finding that her plea was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent.

Olivas also stated that she had discussed her case in detail with her attorney, that she understood

the elements of her offense, and that she was entering her plea without any undisclosed promises

or coercion.

       We hold that Olivas’s claim fails because she cannot overcome the presumption that she

made her plea with a complete understanding of the nature and consequences of her plea.

B.     FACTUAL BASIS FOR GUILTY PLEA

       Olivas argues that the record did not provide a factual basis for the guilty plea because

there was no evidence of an absence of self-defense. We disagree.

       Due process requires that the trial court not accept a guilty plea unless it is satisfied that

there is a factual basis for the plea. State v. Codiga, 162 Wash. 2d 912, 922, 175 P.3d 1082 (2008);

CrR 4.2(d). To establish the factual basis, the trial court can rely on any reliable information that

has been made part of the record, including the prosecutor’s statement of the facts if they are

adopted by the defendant. Codiga, 162 Wash. 2d at 924. The evidence must be sufficient to

conclude that the defendant is guilty. In re Pers. Restraint of Cross, 178 Wash. 2d 519, 526, 309
P.3d 1186 (2013), cert. denied, 135 S. Ct. 1701 (2015).

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       The State charged Olivas with first degree premeditated murder under RCW

9A.32.030(1)(a). The elements of this crime are that the defendant “[w]ith a premeditated intent

to cause the death of another person, he or she causes the death of such person or of a third

person.” RCW 9A.32.030(1)(a). During the plea colloquy, Olivas averred that she understood

the elements of the offense and that she intentionally shot and killed Frender with premeditation.

This statement is sufficient to show a factual basis for first degree murder.

       Olivas seems to argue that the absence of self-defense is an element of first degree

murder that must be established in order to satisfy the factual basis requirement. However, the

absence of self-defense becomes an element that the State must prove only after the issue of self-

defense is properly raised. State v. McCullum, 98 Wash. 2d 484, 493-94, 656 P.2d 1064 (1983).

As noted above, at the time Olivas entered her guilty plea she had not asserted a self-defense

claim or presented any facts to support such a claim. Therefore, the trial court did not need to

include the absence of self-defense in its factual basis determination.

       We hold that a sufficient factual basis supported Olivas’s guilty plea to first degree

murder.

C.     LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

       Olivas argues that the trial court erred by failing to conduct an individualized assessment

of her present financial ability to pay before imposing discretionary LFOs as required under

RCW 10.01.160(3). The State concedes error, but argues that Olivas waived this issue by not

objecting below. We exercise our discretion to consider this issue, and hold that the trial court

erred in imposing discretionary LFOs.

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       Olivas did not object when the sentencing court failed to make an on the record

assessment of her present and future ability to pay before imposing LFOs. Despite this failure to

object, we have discretion to consider LFO challenges raised for the first time on appeal. State v.

Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d 827, 832, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).

       Here, the record indicates that the trial court found Olivas indigent at the time of trial.

At sentencing defense counsel represented that the victim had picked up Olivas while she was

hitchhiking and taken her in to live with him, which suggests that she had no stable home and

limited financial resources. The record indicates that Olivas suffered from mental health issues.

Finally, she was sentenced to 30 years in prison and she was 34 years old at the time of

sentencing. These circumstances provide a basis for us to consider Olivas’s LFO challenge on

appeal. In addition, the State concedes error. Therefore, there is no compelling reason not to

consider Olivas’s LFO challenge on appeal.

       Before imposing discretionary LFOs, the trial court must make an individualized inquiry

into the defendant’s present and future ability to pay. Blazina, 182 Wash. 2d at 838. As the State

concedes, the trial court did not make such an inquiry here. Therefore, the trial court erred in

imposing discretionary LFOs. We remand for the trial court to determine Olivas’s ability to pay

before imposing discretionary LFOs.

D.     APPELLATE COSTS

       Olivas filed a supplemental brief requesting that, if the State substantially prevails in this

appeal, we decline to impose appellate costs on her because she claims she is indigent. The State

argues that we should award appellate costs if the State properly files a cost bill. We exercise our

discretion and decline to impose appellate costs on Olivas.

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          Under former RCW 10.73.160(1) (1995), we have broad discretion whether to grant or deny

appellate costs to the prevailing party. State v. Nolan, 141 Wash. 2d 620, 626, 8 P.3d 300 (2000);

State v. Sinclair, 192 Wash. App. 380, 388, ___ P.3d ___ (2016). Ability to pay is an important factor

in the exercise of that discretion, although it is not the only relevant factor. Sinclair, 192 Wash. App.

at 389.

          As discussed in the LFO section above, it appears from the limited trial court record that

Olivas does not have the present ability to pay appellate costs and it is questionable whether she will

have the future ability to pay. In addition, she apparently has mental health issues that may hinder

her integration into society once she is released from prison. Under the specific circumstances of

this case, we decline to impose appellate costs on Olivas.1

                                             CONCLUSION

          We affirm Olivas’s conviction, but remand for a determination of her ability to pay

discretionary LFOs. And we decline to impose appellate costs on Olivas.

1
  Our determination is based on the record on appeal. Whether the trial court decides to impose
discretionary LFOs on remand will depend upon the trial court’s additional inquiry. Therefore,
the exercise of our discretion to not impose appellate costs should not affect the trial court’s
decision on the imposition of discretionary LFOs.

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

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW

2.06.040, it is so ordered.

                                                      MAXA, J.

 We concur:

 BJORGEN, C.J.

 SUTTON, J.

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