Dickson v. State

903 P.2d 1019, 1995 Wyo. LEXIS 184, 1995 WL 567718
CourtWyoming Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 27, 1995
Docket94-257
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 903 P.2d 1019 (Dickson v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Wyoming Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Dickson v. State, 903 P.2d 1019, 1995 Wyo. LEXIS 184, 1995 WL 567718 (Wyo. 1995).

Opinion

THOMAS, Justice.

The dispositive issue in this case, which is not addressed by the parties, is the failure of the trial court to “[e]nter an adjudication of guilt and conviction,” as required by Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-301(c)(i) (1987), or an “adjudication as to each offense,” as required by Wyo. R.CRIM.P. 32(b)(1)(D). The other primary issue we address, because the dispositive issue is correctable, is whether, in invoking Wyo.Stat. § 7-13-301 (1987) in a criminal case, the trial court could require restitution as a condition of probation. Collateral issues are asserted including whether, if restitution properly was required, the record demonstrates a willful failure to pay restitution; whether the trial court had authority to impose consecutive periods of probation totaling more than five years; whether the district court had authority to impose consecutive periods of probation; and whether A1 Dickson (Dickson) had successfully completed the second of the consecutive periods of probation. Dickson argues from different possible scenarios, but we treat with the actual events of the case in upholding the Order Revoking Probation entered in the trial court. The record demonstrates Dickson’s probation revocation proceeding was commenced within the three-year period of probation imposed on the first count of the information filed against him; the revocation was valid; and other contentions made by Dickson are moot in light of what occurred. We reverse and remand the Order Revoking Probation for compliance with Wyo.Stat. § 7-13-301(c)(i) and Wyo.R.CRIM.P. 32(b)(1)(D), but we find no other error.

In his Brief of Appellant, Dickson states these issues:

I. Whether the district court exceeded its authority under W.S. 7-13-301 when it imposed a probationary term in excess of five years?
II. Whether the district court exceeded its authority under W.S. 7-13-301 when it imposed consecutive sentences of probation?
III. Whether the district court exceeded its authority under W.S. 7-13-301 when it imposed restitution as a condition of probation?
IV. Whether the district court’s finding that Appellant wilfully violated his restitution obligation was supported by sufficient evidence?
V. Whether the district court abused its discretion when it failed to credit Appellant with completion of the second probationary sentence?

The State of Wyoming sets forth only three issues in its Brief of Appellee:

I. Was the payment of restitution properly made a condition of Appellant’s probation?
II. Did the district court have sufficient evidence from which to reasonably conclude that Appellant had willfully failed to pay restitution?
III. Is correction of the district court’s initial probation order or its order of revocation required if Appellant’s probation was properly revoked, and should the district court’s initial order otherwise only be corrected so as to give effect to the parties’ plea agreement?

In January of 1987, Dickson was charged with three counts of making false statements in connection with the sale of securities in violation of Wyo.Stat. § 17-4-101(a)(ii) (1989) 1 and three counts of selling unregistered securities in violation of Wyo.Stat. § 17-L-107(a)(i) (1989). 2 The complaint re- *1021 fleeted Dickson had solicited approximately $1 million to be used for the operation of two existing oil wells, but he spent nearly all the money he raised in unrelated enterprises. In connection with the solicitations, he falsely represented that he was a fifty-percent investor in the operation. Each investor signed a “sales agreement” which constitutes a security under Wyoming law. Dickson was arraigned on the charges in the original information on February 13, 1987 and entered pleas of not guilty to all counts of the information. He negotiated a plea agreement and, pursuant to that agreement, on October 27,1987, he entered pleas of nob contendere to all four counts of an amended information, each charging the selling of an unregistered security in violation of Wyo.Stat. § ll-4r- 107(a)(i). The State, in accordance with the agreement, dismissed all other charges. The trial court deferred acceptance of this plea agreement pending completion of a presen-tence investigation and report.

At some point between the arraignment on the new charges and the sentencing, it appears an accord was reached that Dickson could be considered a first offender under Wyo.Stat. § 7-13-301 (1987). 3 In the course of the sentencing hearing on March 28, 1988, the trial court agreed to treat Dickson as a first offender under Wyo.Stat. § 7-13-301. The Judgment and Order of the Court which was entered provided for Dickson to be treated as a first offender and stated:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the nolo plea herein is accepted and not entered as to the crime charged in the Information filed herein and that sentencing in this matter shall be deferred and the Defendant placed on probation pursuant to W.S. 7-13-301, 1977 Republished Edition and the Defendant shall be permitted to go at large upon his own recognizance, UPON THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS, TO WIT:
1. The Defendant is placed on probation to and shall be under the supervision of the State Probation Officer * ⅜ *;
Said supervision may be transferred to the State of Texas if said supervision is accepted by the State under the Interstate Compact;
⅝ * * * * ⅜
2. The probation shall continue for a period of three (3) years as to each count, to be served consecutively, from the date first appearing on this Order or until further order of this Court hereinafter according to law;
*1022 3. The Defendant shall conform to the rules, regulations and conditions imposed by law, by the court, and by the Probation Officer and shall sign a Probation Agreement * ⅜ *;
⅜ ⅜ # sfs ⅜ ⅝:
5. The Defendant shall make complete restitution in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to be paid on a quarterly basis ($2,250.00) each quarter until paid in full, according to a plan of restitution and distribution, to be prepared by the Department of Probation and Parole and Defendant’s attorney, and to be submitted to the Court for approval;
* * ⅜ * * *

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Bluebook (online)
903 P.2d 1019, 1995 Wyo. LEXIS 184, 1995 WL 567718, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/dickson-v-state-wyo-1995.