Court Opinion

ID: 9911224
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-19 18:13:01.236604+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:56:35.501551
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                       Washington State
                                                                                       Court of Appeals
                                                                                        Division Two

                                                                                      December 19, 2023

    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                         DIVISION II
 STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                              No. 57319-9-II

                        Respondent,

        v.                                                  UNPUBLISHED OPINION

 ANTHONY FILIPPINI

                        Appellant.

       PRICE, J. — Anthony Filippini appeals his conviction for hit and run (injury). Filippini

argues that the State’s amended information was deficient because, by not explicitly including the

requirement for drivers to provide insurance information in the event of an accident, it did not

contain all the essential elements of the crime. Filippini also argues that the to-convict jury

instruction violated his due process rights.

       We affirm.

                                               FACTS

I. BACKGROUND

       In January 2020, while passing a bicyclist with his car, Filippini struck the bicyclist’s

elbow. Filippini did not stop. At the next intersection, the bicyclist, Mark Kukich, caught up to

the car and angrily yelled and pounded his fist on the driver’s side window. Then, as Kukich

moved to the front of the car, Filippini moved forward, hitting the bicycle. Kukich was knocked
No. 57319-9-II

to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. Filippini immediately left the scene and drove

home.

        Shortly after the incident, law enforcement contacted Filippini at his home. Filippini

provided a statement and was arrested.

II. CHARGING DOCUMENT

        The State initially charged Filippini with hit and run (injury). Subsequently, the State filed

an amended information that added a charge of vehicular assault. With respect to the hit-and-run

charge, the amended information stated,

        That he, ANTHONY JAMES FILIPPINI, in the City of Vancouver, State of
        Washington, on or about January 7, 2020, did operate a vehicle which was involved
        in an accident which resulted in injury to another person, to wit: Mark Steven
        Kukich, and knowing that he had been involved in the accident the Defendant did
        fail to (a) immediately stop his vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto
        as possible, and/or (b) forthwith return to or remain at the scene of the accident and
        give required information, including his or her name, address, and vehicle license
        number, and display his or her vehicle driver’s license to any person struck or
        injured or the driver or any occupant of, or any person attending, any such vehicle
        collided with, and/or (c) render to any person injured in such accident reasonable
        assistance, including the carrying or making of arrangements for the carrying of
        such person to a physician or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that
        such treatment is necessary . . . .

Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 53 (emphasis added). The amended information did not specifically

mention the requirement, set forth in the hit-and-run statute, for the driver to provide their

“insurance company” and “insurance policy number.” RCW 46.52.020(3). Filippini did not object

to the form of the amended information.

III. TRIAL, JURY INSTRUCTIONS, AND VERDICT

        The case proceeded to a jury trial. The State called several witnesses and Filippini testified

in his own defense.

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No. 57319-9-II

       Following testimony, the trial court instructed the jury. The to-convict instruction, jury

instruction 16, described the elements of hit and run (injury) that the State needed to prove for a

conviction. Unlike the amended information, instruction 16 included a specific reference to the

requirement to provide insurance information. In addition, the last portion of the instruction

included the standard pattern language related to the jury’s consideration of the evidence when

making the decision to convict or to acquit. The instruction stated in full,

       To convict the defendant of Hit and Run, each of the following elements of the
       crime must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt:

       (1) That on or about January 7, 2020, the defendant was the driver of a vehicle;

       (2) That the defendant’s vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in injury to
       any person;

       (3) That the defendant knew that he had been involved in an accident;

       (4) That the defendant failed to satisfy his obligation to fulfill all of the following
       duties:

          (a) Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto
          as possible;

          (b) Immediately return to and remain at the scene of the accident until all duties
          are fulfilled.

          (c) Give his name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number and
          vehicle license number, and exhibit his driver’s license, to any person struck or
          injured or the driver or any occupant of, or any person attending, any vehicle
          collided with; and

          (d) Render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including
          the carrying or making of arrangements for the carrying of such person to a
          physician or hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment
          is necessary or such carrying is requested by the injured person or on his behalf;
          and

       (5) That any of these acts occurred in the State of Washington.

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No. 57319-9-II

       If you find from the evidence that each of these elements has been proved beyond
       a reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to return a verdict of guilty.

       On the other hand, if, after weighing all of the evidence, you have a reasonable
       doubt as to any one of these elements, then it will be your duty to return a verdict
       of not guilty.

CP at 115 (emphasis added); see 11A Washington Practice: Washington Pattern Jury Instructions:

Criminal 97.02, at 452-53 (5th ed. 2021) (WPIC). Filippini did not object to instruction 16.

       The trial court also gave instruction 5. Using the standard pattern language, the instruction

defined reasonable doubt, and it explained that the State carried the burden of proof and that the

defendant is presumed innocent:

       The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty. That plea puts in issue every element
       of each crime charged. The State is the plaintiff and has the burden of proving each
       element of each crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant has no burden of
       proving that a reasonable doubt exists [as to these elements [sic].

       A defendant is presumed innocent. This presumption continues throughout the
       entire trial unless during your deliberations you find it has been overcome by the
       evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.

       A reasonable doubt is one for which a reason exists and may arise from the evidence
       or lack of evidence. It is such a doubt as would exist in the mind of a reasonable
       person after fully, fairly, and carefully considering all of the evidence or lack of
       evidence. If, from such consideration, you have an abiding belief in the truth of the
       charge, you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt.

CP at 104; see 11 WPIC 4.01, at 98.

       The jury acquitted Filippini of the vehicular assault charge, but found him guilty of hit and

run (injury). The trial court sentenced Filippini to 60 days of work crew under the first time

offender waiver.

       Filippini appeals.

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No. 57319-9-II

                                            ANALYSIS

          Filippini appeals based on two arguments. First, he argues the amended information

omitted an essential element of the crime of hit and run (injury), and second, he argues the

to-convict instruction violated his due process rights because of the different wording related to

the jury’s consideration of the evidence for a conviction versus an acquittal. Each will be

addressed in turn.

I. SUFFICIENCY OF INFORMATION

          Filippini argues that because the amended information failed to explicitly identify the

requirement of exchanging insurance information, it omitted an essential element of the offense

and was, therefore, constitutionally deficient. We disagree.

          A. LEGAL PRINCIPLES

          Under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and article I, section 22 of

the Washington Constitution, charging documents must include all of the essential elements of the

charged crime. State v. Pry, 194 Wn.2d 745, 751, 452 P.3d 536 (2019). “ ‘An essential element

is one whose specification is necessary to establish the very illegality of the behavior charged.’ ”

State v. Zillyette, 178 Wn.2d 153, 158, 307 P.3d 712 (2013) (internal quotation marks omitted)

(quoting State v. Ward, 148 Wn.2d 803, 811, 64 P.3d 640 (2003)). The purpose of including all

essential elements in the charging documents is to inform the defendant of the nature of the alleged

crime that they “ ‘must be prepared to defend against.’ ” Id. at 158-59 (quoting State v. Kjorsvik,

117 Wn.2d 93, 101, 812 P.2d 86 (1991)). We review allegations of constitutional violations, such

as a deficient charging document, de novo. State v. Canela, 199 Wn.2d 321, 328, 505 P.3d 1166

(2022).

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No. 57319-9-II

       When a defendant challenges the sufficiency of the charging document at or before his

trial, we construe its language strictly. State v. Phillips, 98 Wn. App. 936, 940, 991 P.2d 1195

(2000). But if the defendant challenges the charging document for the first time on appeal, we

construe it liberally in favor of validity. Zillyette, 178 Wn.2d at 161. In liberally construing the

charging document, we use the two-prong standard developed in Kjorsvik. 117 Wn.2d at 105-106.

Under this standard, we determine (1) whether the necessary elements appear in any form, or by

fair construction, on the face of the document and, if so, (2) whether the defendant can still show

prejudice from the inartful language. See Zillyette, 178 Wn.2d at 162 (citing Kjorsvik, 117 Wn.2d

at 106 (“The standard of review we here adopt will require at least some language in the

information giving notice of the allegedly missing element(s) and if the language is vague, an

inquiry may be required into whether there was actual prejudice to the defendant. The second

prong—allowing the defendant to show that actual prejudice resulted from inartful or vague

language—affords an added layer of protection to a defendant even where the issue is first raised

after verdict or on appeal.”)).

       B. APPLICATION

       Filippini argues that the amended information violated his constitutional rights because it

did not expressly specify “insurance information.” Appellant’s Opening Br. at 10.

       To establish the crime of hit and run (injury), the statute requires, in relevant part:

       (1) A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury to . . . any
       person . . . shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as
       close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to, and in every event remain
       at, the scene of such accident until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of
       subsection (3) of this section . . . .

       ....

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No. 57319-9-II

       (3) [T]he driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to . . . any
       person . . . shall give his or her name, address, insurance company, insurance policy
       number, and vehicle license number and shall exhibit his or her vehicle driver’s
       license to any person struck or injured or the driver or any occupant of, or any
       person attending, any such vehicle collided with and shall render to any person
       injured in such accident reasonable assistance . . . .

       ....

       [(4)](b) Any driver covered by the provisions of subsection (1) of this section
       failing to stop or comply with any of the requirements of subsection (3) of this
       section in the case of an accident resulting in injury is guilty of a class C felony,
       and upon conviction, is punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.

RCW 46.52.020 (emphasis added).1

       According to Filippini, providing insurance information regarding the driver’s “insurance

company [and] insurance policy number” is an essential element of the crime of hit and run

(injury). Appellant’s Opening Br. at 9 (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted).

Filippini argues that specifying insurance information is critical because a driver’s failure to

provide any of the required pieces of information can lead to conviction.

       The State responds that because the crime of hit and run (injury) is described with

alternatives, providing insurance is not an essential element of the crime.

       Here, because Filippini is challenging the sufficiency of the information for the first time

on appeal, we liberally construe the amended information in favor of validity with the use of

Kjorsvik’s two-pronged standard of review. 117 Wn.2d at 105-106.

1
 Case law has also added a mens rea component—specifically that the driver knew they were in
an accident. State v. Sutherland, 104 Wn. App. 122, 130, 15 P.3d 1051 (2001).

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No. 57319-9-II

       Assuming, without deciding, that providing insurance information is an essential element

of the crime of hit and run (injury),2 we start with the first prong and ask whether the necessary

element (providing insurance information) appears in any form, or by fair construction, on the face

of the charging document. Zillyette, 178 Wn.2d at 162. While it is true the words “insurance

company” and “insurance policy number” did not appear on the face of the amended information,

the document did reference “required information.” CP at 53. This clearly is a reference to the

insurance information, albeit in a “vague or inartful” form. Kjorsvik, 117 Wn.2d at 111.

       Having concluded the reference to insurance information was included, albeit vaguely, we

move to the second prong—whether Filippini can show prejudice from this lack of clarity in the

amended information. Id. at 106, 111; see also Zillyette, 178 Wn.2d at 162. This is where his

claim plainly fails. Filippini has not attempted to show any prejudice from the vagueness of the

reference to the insurance information. Indeed, under these facts, it would be hard to imagine how

such an argument would go.

       Consider a hypothetical situation where a defendant initially stops after an accident but

after providing some information, quickly leaves the scene after being pressed for insurance

information. There, a better argument could be made for prejudice if the charging document was

vague about the specifics of what information was required. But, in this case, Filippini left the

scene of the incident without any interaction with Kukich, much less any exchange of information.

Under these circumstances, there would be no practical relevance to the charging document’s lack

2
  As noted, the State argues that the requirement of providing insurance information is not an
essential element of the crime.

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No. 57319-9-II

of specificity about the insurance obligation to Filippini’s notice of the charges or preparation for

trial. Thus, Filippini cannot show prejudice under the second prong of the Kjorsvik standard.

       Under a liberal construction, the amended information sufficiently charged the elements of

the crime of hit and run (injury). Filippini’s claim fails.

II. HIT AND RUN TO-CONVICT JURY INSTRUCTION

       Filippini next argues that the trial court’s to-convict instruction violated his right to due

process because of the different language used for conviction versus acquittal. We decline to reach

this unpreserved claim.

       A. LEGAL PRINCIPLES

       We may decline to review claims of error that the defendant did not raise in the trial court

unless the claimed error is “manifest error affecting a constitutional right.” RAP 2.5(a)(3). This

exception “does not permit all asserted constitutional claims to be raised for the first time on

appeal.” State v. Kirkman, 159 Wn.2d 918, 934, 155 P.3d 125 (2007). Rather, “[w]e look to the

asserted claim and assess whether, if correct, it implicates a constitutional interest as compared to

another form of trial error.” State v. O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d 91, 98, 217 P.3d 756 (2009).

       After determining whether the alleged error is of constitutional magnitude, we look to

whether the error is manifest. Id. at 99. Error is manifest under RAP 2.5(a) if the appellant can

show actual prejudice, demonstrated by a “ ‘plausible showing by the [appellant] that the asserted

error had practical and identifiable consequences in the trial of the case.’ ” Id. (alteration in

original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Kirkman, 159 Wn.2d at 935). Permitting

review of all unpreserved errors that implicate constitutional rights, “ ‘undermines the trial process,

generates unnecessary appeals,’ ” and wastes judicial resources. State v. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d

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No. 57319-9-II

322, 333, 899 P.2d 1251 (1995) (quoting State v. Lynn, 67 Wn. App. 339, 344, 835 P.2d 251

(1992)).

       Jury instructions must adequately convey to the jury that the State has the burden of proving

every element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt under the due process clause of the

Fourteenth Amendment State v. Imokawa, 194 Wn.2d 391, 396, 450 P.3d 159 (2019). When a

defendant challenges the adequacy of specific jury instructions regarding the State’s burden of

proof, we review the challenged jury instructions de novo in the context of the instructions as a

whole. Id.

       B. APPLICATION

       Filippini argues that the to-convict instruction violated his right to due process because the

jury was given two different evidentiary review standards, with the standard for conviction being

less stringent than the standard for acquittal. Filippini points to the following phraseology

differences used in instruction 16 (and in the pattern instruction):

       If you find from the evidence that each of these elements has been proved beyond a
       reasonable doubt, then it will be your duty to return a verdict of guilty.

       On the other hand, if, after weighing all of the evidence, you have a reasonable
       doubt as to any one of these elements, then it will be your duty to return a verdict
       of not guilty.

CP at 115 (emphasis added).

       From this different phraseology, Filippini argues that the trial court essentially

differentiated between conviction and acquittal in how jurors were to examine the evidence.

Filippini contends that the language heightens the burden for an acquittal; that is, because an

acquittal could only flow from weighing all of the evidence, but a conviction merely requires a

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No. 57319-9-II

finding from the evidence, a reasonable juror could or might believe that conviction was

permissible on a less stringent review of the evidence.

       Critically, however, Filippini did not object to the to-convict instruction at trial. As a result,

even if Filippini’s claim conceivably implicates a constitutional interest, we may nonetheless

decline to review it if the error was not manifest. RAP 2.5(a)(3); O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d at 99.

       Here, even assuming the language of instruction 16 is constitutional error, Filippini makes

no attempt to demonstrate that the error is manifest. Filippini’s argument that a reasonable juror

might believe that conviction was permissible on a less stringent review of the evidence is purely

speculative. And such a possibility seems especially remote given that a companion instruction,

instruction 5, clearly defined reasonable doubt and explained the State’s burden and the

presumption of innocence. See State v. Weaver, 198 Wn.2d 459, 467, 496 P.3d 1183 (2021) (jurors

are presumed to follow the court’s instructions and read the instructions as a whole). Filippini fails

to show that the mere possibility a juror might read some significance into the slight difference in

language found in instruction 16 had any plausible practical and identifiable consequences in the

trial. O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d at 99. As a result, Filippini has failed to show actual prejudice.

       Therefore, even assuming the claimed error affects a constitutional right, we conclude that

Filippini has failed to demonstrate that the error is manifest. Accordingly, we decline to reach

Filippini’s unpreserved challenge to instruction 16.

                                           CONCLUSION

       We hold there was no error in the amended information and we decline to reach Filippini’s

unpreserved claims about the to-convict instruction. We affirm.

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No. 57319-9-II

        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.

                                                    PRICE, J.
 We concur:

 GLASGOW, C.J.

 CHE, J.

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