Court Opinion

ID: 2799396
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-05-07 20:14:00.255832+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:12:16.601517
License: Public Domain

Filed 5/7/15 P. v. Norman 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                                           NOT TO BE PUBLISHED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 This opinion has not been certified for publication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
                                                     (Sacramento)
                                                            ----

THE PEOPLE,                                                                                  C073736

                   Plaintiff and Respondent,                                     (Super. Ct. No. 10F01075)

         v.

JERRIN NORMAN,

                   Defendant and Appellant.

         The trial court found defendant Jerrin Norman in violation of probation, sentenced
him to six years in state prison, and imposed various fees and fines. On appeal,
defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion in imposing an upper-term
sentence in violation of California Rules of Court, rule 4.435(b)(1) (hereafter
rule 4.435(b)(1))1. He further contends, and the People concede, the restitution and

1 Rule 4.435(b)(1) provides: “(b) On revocation and termination of probation under
section 1203.2, when the sentencing judge determines that the defendant will be
committed to prison: [¶] (1) If the imposition of sentence was previously suspended, the
judge must impose judgment and sentence after considering any findings previously

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parole revocation fines (Pen. Code, §§ 1202.4, 1202.45) must be reduced to the statutory
minimum amounts in effect at the time of imposition of sentence.2
        Accepting the People’s concession as to the fines, we modify the judgment and
otherwise affirm the judgment as modified.
                   FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Underlying Crime
        On September 3, 2010, defendant was charged by amended complaint in case
No. 10F01075 with attempted murder (§§ 664/187, subd. (a)—count one), assault with a
semiautomatic firearm (§ 245, subd. (b)—count two), assault with a firearm (§ 245,
subd. (a)(2)—count three), discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling (§ 246—
count four), and two counts of possession of a concealable weapon (§ 12025,
subd. (b)(6)—counts six and seven). The complaint also alleged as to counts one, two,
three, four, and seven that defendant committed the offenses while released from custody
on a primary offense in case No. 08F08346 (§ 12022.1), and, as to all counts, that
defendant committed the offenses for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in association
with a criminal street gang (§ 186.22, subd. (b)(1)).
        On December 10, 2010, defendant entered a negotiated plea of no contest to one
count of possession of a concealable weapon (count six) and admitted the gang
enhancement in exchange for dismissal of all remaining charges and allegations against
him (including pending case No. 08F08346), and a stipulated grant of five years’ formal
probation, plus one year in county jail with credit for time served. The factual basis for

made and hearing and determining the matters enumerated in rule 4.433(c). [¶] The
length of the sentence must be based on circumstances existing at the time probation was
granted, and subsequent events may not be considered in selecting the base term or in
deciding whether to strike the additional punishment for enhancements charged and
found.” (Italics added.)
2   Unspecified statutory references are to the Penal Code.

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the plea was as follows: On October 3, 2008, while at a light rail station with his brother,
Darrin Norman, and other members of a criminal street gang known as the “Pay Me
Boys,” defendant was found to be in possession of a .38-caliber handgun.3
       At the January 7, 2011, sentencing hearing, the trial court suspended imposition of
sentence and placed defendant on five years’ formal probation, subject to various terms
and conditions. The court also imposed “minimum fines and fees.”
First Violation of Probation
       On April 5, 2011, the district attorney filed a petition for violation of probation
alleging defendant failed to obey all laws by making criminal threats (§ 422) and
committing domestic abuse (§ 273.5, subd. (a)) as alleged in case No. 11F02389.
       The hearing on the April 5 petition was heard concurrently with the jury trial in
case No. 11F02389. The jury acquitted defendant on the section 422 charge but was
unable to reach a verdict on the remaining charge. Nonetheless, the trial court found by a
preponderance of evidence that defendant violated the terms of his probation as alleged in
the April 5 petition.
       On December 2, 2011, the court revoked and reinstated probation subject to the
original terms and conditions, plus an additional year in county jail with credit for time
served.
Second Probation Violation
       On June 12, 2012, the district attorney filed a second petition for violation of
probation alleging, among other things, that defendant was found to be in possession of

3 With the exception of the other firearm possession charge that occurred on July 22,
2009 (count seven), the remaining charges against defendant stemmed from an incident
that occurred on May 23, 2009, involving codefendants Darrin Norman, Clayton
Brannon, and Johnny Lewis, none of whom is a party to this appeal.

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ammunition in violation of section 30305, subdivision (a). The trial court sustained the
petition.
       On March 5, 2013, the trial court terminated defendant’s probation and sentenced
him to the upper term of three years in state prison, plus a consecutive three-year term for
the gang enhancement, for an aggregate term of six years in state prison. In selecting the
upper term, the court stated as follows: “The Court selects the upper term given the
defendant’s poor performance on probation up to the last reinstatement of probation.
This period of probation is properly considered under People [v.] Black [(]2009[)]
176 Cal.App.4th 145 [(Black)].[4]
       “Further, the defendant’s poor performance on probation is properly considered
for both denial of probation and the imposition of the upper term pursuant to People [v.]
Bowen [(]1992[)] 11 Cal.App.4th 102].
       “The Court notes for the record that it is not considering the defendant’s failure to
comply with probation terms between the last reinstatement of probation and the last
revocation of probation. The Court does not consider this period pursuant to
[rule 4.435(b)(1)].”
       The court also imposed “mandatory fees in their minimum amounts,” including
“the standard restitution fine in its minimum amount . . . of $240 pursuant to Penal Code
Section 1202.4” and “[t]he same amount” pursuant to section 1202.45, stayed pending
successful completion of parole.
       Defendant filed a timely notice of appeal.

4   Relying on People v. Harris (1990) 226 Cal.App.3d 141 (Harris), the Court of Appeal
in Black recognized an exception to rule 4.435(b)(1) that allows the sentencing court to
“consider defendant’s performance on probation from the time it was originally granted
. . . until it was reinstated for the final time . . . .” (Black, supra, 176 Cal.App.4th at
p. 151.)

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                                       DISCUSSION
                                               I
                           Imposition of Upper-Term Sentence
       Defendant contends the trial court erroneously based its decision to impose the
upper term on events occurring after the initial grant of probation in violation of
rule 4.435(b)(1). Acknowledging his failure to object below, defendant asserts the issue
was not forfeited on appeal, but should we find otherwise, any failure to object was the
result of ineffective assistance of counsel. We conclude defendant forfeited his claim and
his attorney was not ineffective for failing to object.
       A defendant’s failure to object to the trial court’s sentencing determinations when
given a “meaningful opportunity” to do so forfeits the claim on appeal. (People v. Scott
(1994) 9 Cal.4th 331, 355-356 (Scott); see People v. de Soto (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 1, 7-8
[failure to impose a specific objection at sentencing forfeits claim on appeal].)
       A “meaningful opportunity” to object to the court’s sentencing determinations
occurs when, “during the course of the sentencing hearing itself and before objections are
made, the parties are clearly apprised of the sentence the court intends to impose and the
reasons that support any discretionary choices.” (Scott, supra, 9 Cal.4th at p. 356.) “The
parties are given an adequate opportunity to seek such clarifications or changes if, at any
time during the sentencing hearing, the trial court describes the sentence it intends to
impose and the reasons for the sentence, and the court thereafter considers the objections
of the parties before the actual sentencing. The court need not expressly describe its
proposed sentence as ‘tentative’ so long as it demonstrates a willingness to consider such
objections.” (People v. Gonzalez (2003) 31 Cal.4th 745, 752.)
       Here, judgment and sentencing occurred over the course of three days. The initial
proceedings took place on December 7, 2012, and December 21, 2012. While the record
on appeal does not include reporter’s transcripts for either of those proceedings, it does
include minute orders which reflect that on December 7, 2012, the trial court (J. Connelly

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presiding) announced its “tentative decision to reject probation[’s] recommendation and
sentence [defendant] to state prison,” and that on December 21, 2012, the court
(J. Connelly presiding) “stated . . . the history behind this continuing sentencing and the
Court’s intended decision,” “identified the legal issue surrounding this sentence re
[rule 4.435(b)]” and “cited [c]ounsel to [Black, supra,] 176 Cal.App.4th [at pages] 150-
151 and to [Harris, supra,] 226 Cal.App.3d 141.” The minute orders further reflect that
sentencing was continued to allow defendant the opportunity to obtain documents in
mitigation.
       At the final sentencing hearing on March 5, 2013, for which there is a reporter’s
transcript, the trial court (J. Sueyoshi presiding in light of J. Connelly’s retirement)
reiterated Judge Connelly’s previously stated intent to “deny probation and sentence the
defendant to the maximum time available under the law which is in this case up to seven
years.” Having considered the probation report, defendant’s written statement and
documents in mitigation, statements from defendant’s family members, and argument by
counsel for both parties, the court denied probation and sentenced defendant to the upper
term of three years for the principal offense, plus three years (the middle term) for the
enhancement. No defense objection is noted in the record.
       Defendant claims the alleged error “was clearly raised on December 21, 2012, and
clearly ruled upon at the time of sentencing,” and that an objection would otherwise have
been futile in light of the sentencing court’s reliance on Black, supra, 176 Cal.App.4th
145. The claim lacks merit. There is no indication in the record that defendant’s attorney
objected to Judge Connelly’s tentative decision to consider defendant’s prior performance
on probation in sentencing him “to the maximum time available under the law.” The
notation in the December 21, 2012, minute order reveals only that the court was relying
on Black and Harris for purposes of sentencing, not that defendant objected on those
grounds. And despite the opportunity to object to the court’s tentative decision during
the course of either of the December 2012 hearings or at any time during the more than

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two months before imposition of sentence on March 5, 2013, no such objection was
forthcoming from defense counsel.
         Defendant asserts any failure to object to the court’s consideration of his conduct
on probation in choosing the upper-term sentence was the result of ineffective assistance
of counsel. This claim also lacks merit.
         A defendant claiming ineffective assistance of counsel has the burden to show
(1) counsel’s performance was deficient, falling below an objective standard of
reasonableness under prevailing professional norms, and (2) the deficient performance
resulted in prejudice. (Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687-688, 691-692
[80 L.Ed.2d 674, 693-694, 696]; People v. Ledesma (1987) 43 Cal.3d 171, 216-218.)
That is, “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the
result would have been different.” (People v. Kelly (1992) 1 Cal.4th 495, 520.)
         Defendant cannot establish that his counsel provided ineffective assistance; the
trial court’s imposition of the upper term based on defendant’s poor performance on
probation prior to the last revocation was proper. Defendant was granted probation after
pleading no contest to possession of a concealable weapon and admitting a gang
enhancement. Here, as in Harris and Black, defendant had his original grant of probation
revoked and then reinstated. (Harris, supra, 226 Cal.App.3d at pp. 143-144; Black,
supra, 176 Cal.App.4th at pp. 148-149.) Here, as in Harris and Black, “the trial court
was entitled to consider defendant’s performance on probation from the time it was
originally granted . . . until it was reinstated for the final time . . . .” (Black, at p. 151; see
also Harris, at p. 147.) We decline defendant’s invitation to reject the holdings in those
cases.
                                                II
                         Imposition of Minimum Restitution Fines
         Defendant contends, and the People agree, that the trial court erred when, contrary
to its stated intent to impose only “mandatory fees in their minimum amounts,” it

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imposed a $240 restitution fine (§ 1202.4) and imposed but stayed a $240 parole
revocation fine (§ 1202.45). The parties also agree the fines should be reduced to $200.
We agree.
       Defendant committed his felony offense in 2008. The version of section 1202.4 in
effect at that time provided that the minimum restitution fine that could have been
imposed was $200. (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)(1); see People v. Martinez (2014)
226 Cal.App.4th 1169, 1189 [finding minimum restitution fine based on date of offense,
not date of sentencing].) Likewise, because section 1202.45 required that the amount of
the parole revocation fine imposed be “in the same amount as” the restitution fine
imposed pursuant to section 1202.4, subdivision (b), the minimum parole revocation fine
that could have been imposed was also $200.
       At the December 2010 plea hearing, the trial court stated it “could impose a
restitution fine of not less than $200 nor [sic] more than $10,000 . . . .” At the
March 2013 sentencing hearing, the court stated, “the standard restitution fine in its
minimum amount shall be imposed of $240 pursuant to Penal Code Section 1202.4,” and
imposed but stayed a parole revocation fine in the “same amount” pursuant to
section 1202.45. The court later reiterated that “[t]he only fees that are imposed are the
mandatory fees in their minimum amounts.”
       The court’s statements at the 2010 plea hearing clearly demonstrate that the
sentencing judge understood $200 was the applicable minimum restitution fine and
simply misspoke when, at the 2013 sentencing hearing, the judge stated “the standard
restitution fine in its minimum amount shall be imposed of $240.” Accordingly, we will
modify the judgment to reduce the restitution and parole revocation fines to $200 each.
                                      DISPOSITION
       The judgment is modified to reduce the restitution fine (§ 1202.4, subd. (b)) and
the corresponding parole revocation fine (§ 1202.45) from $240 to $200 each. As
modified, the judgment is affirmed. The trial court is directed to prepare an amended

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abstract of judgment reflecting the modification and to send a certified copy of said
amended abstract to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

                                                           RAYE              , P. J.

We concur:

        BLEASE              , J.

        BUTZ                , J.

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