Court Opinion

ID: 9781672
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-30 17:04:46.482188+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:13:07.303358
License: Public Domain

Filed 8/30/23 P. v. Tveretinov CA3
                                           NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

                IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
                                      THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                                      (El Dorado)
                                                            ----

 THE PEOPLE,                                                                                   C097766

                    Plaintiff and Respondent,                                   (Super. Ct. No. P21CRF0477)

           v.

 MICHAEL TVERETINOV,

                    Defendant and Appellant.

         Defendant Michael Tveretinov appeals from a restitution order following his
convictions for unlawfully taking or driving a vehicle and fleeing a pursuing peace
officer in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Appellate
counsel filed a brief raising no arguable issues under People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal. 3d
436 and asking this court to conduct an independent review of the record to determine
whether there are any arguable issues on appeal. Because this is not defendant’s first
appeal as a matter of right, we are not required to independently review the record in

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these circumstances. (See, e.g., People v. Delgadillo (2022) 14 Cal.5th 216, 226; People
v. Flores (2020) 54 Cal.App.5th 266, 268.) However, our discretionary review of the
record reveals no meritorious issues. We therefore affirm the restitution order.
                                     BACKGROUND
       In July 2021, defendant and another man stole a Toyota Tacoma owned by
William Alvarado and a “tiny home” owned by Susan Hanrhan from a storage facility on
Latrobe Road in El Dorado County. Two days later, the Tacoma was observed at
defendant’s residence and a traffic stop was initiated after he drove the truck away. A
high-speed chase ensued and defendant was ultimately arrested. The truck was returned
to Alvarado, but had significant damage. The tiny home was not recovered.
       In August 2022, defendant entered no contest pleas to one count of unlawfully
taking or driving a vehicle and one count of fleeing a pursuing peace officer in willful or
wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property; he also admitted an allegation that
he was previously convicted of a strike offense within the meaning of the Three Strikes
law. In accordance with the plea agreement, additional charges were dismissed and
defendant was sentenced to a stipulated sentence of four years eight months (32 months
for the evasion offense, plus 16 months for the unlawful taking or driving, plus eight
months previously imposed for an unrelated offense in a Sacramento County case).
       In November 2022, a contested victim restitution hearing was held. Defendant’s
presence was waived pursuant to Penal Code section 977.1 At the hearing, the
prosecution presented testimony from Hanrhan regarding the value of her tiny home. The
prosecution also presented testimony from Alvarado regarding the extent of the damage
done to his Tacoma. Alvarado’s testimony was corroborated by documentary evidence.

1 Further statutory references are to the Penal Code.

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At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court ordered victim restitution to Hanrhan in
the amount of $70,000 and to Alvarado in the amount of $7,595.25.
       Defendant timely appealed from the victim restitution order.
                                       DISCUSSION
       As mentioned, defendant’s appointed counsel has filed an opening brief setting
forth the facts of the case and asking this court to conduct an independent review of the
record to determine whether there are any arguable issues on appeal. (People v. Wende,
supra, 25 Cal.3d 436.) Counsel advised defendant of his right to file a supplemental brief
within 30 days of the date the opening brief was filed. More than 30 days elapsed, and
defendant has not done so. Having exercised our discretion to independently review the
record in this case, we conclude there are no arguable errors favorable to defendant.2
       Where a “victim has suffered economic loss as a result of the defendant’s conduct,
the court shall require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or victims in an
amount established by court order, based on the amount of loss claimed by the victim or
victims or any other showing to the court.” (§ 1202.4, subd. (f).) “ ‘ “A victim’s
restitution right is to be broadly and liberally construed.” [Citation.] “ ‘When there is a
factual and rational basis for the amount of restitution ordered by the trial court, no abuse
of discretion will be found by the reviewing court.’ ” [Citations.]’ [Citation.]” (People
v. Baker (2005) 126 Cal.App.4th 463, 467.)
       Here, at the restitution hearing, defendant did not dispute that Hanrhan and
Alvarado were victims of defendant’s conduct, or that they suffered economic loss as a
result thereof. In addition to their testimony, the trial court also properly considered
documentary evidence. (See § 1203.1d, subd. (d).) The trial court’s restitution order was

2 Where Wende review is not required, “the decision to conduct independent review is
solely up to the discretion of the Courts of Appeal.” (People v. Delgadillo, supra,
14 Cal.5th at p. 233, fn. 6.)

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based on the total loss of Hanrhan’s tiny home and its contents, and the damage done to
Alvarado’s Tacoma, as a result of defendant’s crimes. No evidence was presented to
dispute the reliability, amounts, or relevance of the documents considered by the trial
court. Nothing in the record suggests the trial court abused its discretion by admitting the
evidence or by ordering defendant to pay restitution in the amounts ordered. We shall
therefore affirm the victim restitution order.
                                       DISPOSITION
       The victim restitution order is affirmed.

                                                         /s/
                                                     HORST, J.

We concur:

    /s/
HULL, Acting P. J.

   /s/
MAURO, J.

 Judge of the Placer County Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice pursuant to
article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.

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