Fogle v. Koster

382 S.W.3d 139, 2012 WL 3665800, 2012 Mo. App. LEXIS 1039
CourtMissouri Court of Appeals
DecidedAugust 28, 2012
DocketNo. WD 73815
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 382 S.W.3d 139 (Fogle v. Koster) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Missouri Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Fogle v. Koster, 382 S.W.3d 139, 2012 WL 3665800, 2012 Mo. App. LEXIS 1039 (Mo. Ct. App. 2012).

Opinion

JAMES EDWARD WELSH, Chief Judge.

The State appeals the circuit court’s judgment placing special conditions on the Department of Mental Health for the commitment of Michael Fogle as a sexually violent predator. The State first asserts that the court erred in recognizing an agreement between the State and Fogle. The State contends that it did not enter an agreement with special conditions in exchange for a stipulation of facts by Fo-[141]*141gle. Second, the State asserts that the circuit court lacked constitutional authority to place the special conditions on Fo-gle’s commitment. It contends that the Department of Mental Health has the constitutional authority to determine the care, control, and treatment of Fogle, not the circuit court. Third, the State asserts that the circuit court lacked statutory authority to place the special conditions on Fogle’s commitment. It contends that the Department of Mental Health has the statutory authority to determine the care, control, and treatment of Fogle, not the circuit court. Finally, the State asserts that, even if the circuit court did have the authority to place the special conditions on Fogle’s commitment, the conditions were not supported by substantial evidence and are against the weight of the evidence. As set forth below, because we find that there was no agreement between the State and Fogle for special conditions on Fogle’s care and treatment in exchange for a stipulation of facts and find that the circuit court lacked statutory authority to place conditions on Fogle’s care and treatment, we do not address points two and four on appeal. We reverse and remand the circuit court’s judgment.

Statement of Facts

The State filed a petition pursuant to the Sexually Violent Predator Act (“SVP Act”) to commit Fogle to a secure facility for care, control, and treatment. After a probable cause hearing, the circuit court determined that there was probable cause to proceed.

Fogle moved to dismiss the petition on the basis that the State failed to follow procedures required by section 632.483, RSMo Cum.Supp.2011, to file a commitment petition. The State’s petition relied upon and incorporated Dr. David Suire’s report that Fogle has a mental abnormality and is more likely than not to commit a sexually violent offense in the future. In his motion to dismiss, Fogle noted that Dr. Suire did not hold a Missouri-issued license to practice psychology at the time he prepared Fogle’s end-of-eonfinement report. Fogle claimed that section 632.483 requires the commitment process to be initiated by a finding from a Missouri-licensed psychologist. The court denied the motion to dismiss.

In lieu of a regular trial on the petition, Fogle stipulated to the facts that the State would otherwise be required to prove: that he had pleaded guilty to at least one “sexually violent offense,” as that phrase is defined in section 632.480(4), RSMo Cum. Supp.2011; that he suffers from a “mental abnormality” within the meaning of section 632.480(2); and that, as a result of his mental abnormality, he is more likely than not to commit predatory acts of sexual violence if not confined in a secure facility. § 632.480(5). Fogle, his counsel, and the State’s counsel signed the stipulation. In the stipulation, the parties specifically agreed that Fogle could reserve the right to appeal the contention related to the fact that Dr. Suire was not a Missouri-licensed psychologist as required by statute.

With Fogle’s consent, the circuit court held a brief commitment hearing by phone. Prior to the hearing, Fogle submitted a lengthy packet to the court, which he prepared himself, proposing certain conditions of confinement upon his commitment. The court then heard argument from counsel concerning treatment and management. Fogle’s counsel complained about treatment options at the Department of Mental Health (the “Department”) facility where Fogle would be held and requested special conditions. The State objected to Fogle’s request for special conditions and noted that Fogle failed to present evidence regarding treatment available at the facility.

[142]*142On the second day of the hearing, the court stated that it was inclined to order special conditions but that they “would be subject to challenge in the future.” Fogle stated that he understood. Fogle then confirmed under oath that he desired to stipulate that he qualified as a sexually violent predator and to stipulate to his commitment.

The court ordered that the Director of the' Department include in the care and treatment of Fogle many special conditions, such as the specific building, room number, and risk rating that Fogle should be assigned, as well as numerous art supplies not allowed to other committed persons. Thereafter,- the State appealed the special conditions set forth in the judgment and Fogle appealed the circuit court’s denial of his motion to dismiss. The two appeals were consolidated.1 On July 7, 2009, this Court remanded the matter back to the circuit court to join the Director of the Department as a party to the action. Additionally, this Court affirmed the denial of Fogle’s motion to dismiss. However, this Court did not consider the merits of the State’s claims regarding the special conditions.2

On remand, the Department called two witnesses to support their argument that the special conditions ordered by the court would put a financial and practical burden on the Department’s ability to effectively manage the Sex Offender Rehabilitation & Treatment Services (“SORTS”) program.3 They also testified to the disciplinary and treatment programs of SORTS. Fogle testified on his own behalf that his art supplies were important to him because he wanted to be able to sustain himself if he was ever released from the facility. Fogle also called an expert witness that testified that he did not believe the art supplies would interfere with Fogle’s treatment. The witness also testified that even though art may be therapeutic to Fogle, providing art supplies to Fogle may cause other committed persons in the facility to want certain privileges too.

The court found that in April of 2008 the State had entered into an agreement with Fogle that Fogle would receive special conditions in exchange for stipulating to facts that he met the statutory criteria for a sexually violent predator. The court found that the agreement was a valid and enforceable obligation of the State, and, consequently, the Department must comply with the special conditions contained therein. Furthermore, the court found that the Department failed to offer convincing evidence that the Agreement entered into by the State and Fogle constituted a financial or practical burden on its ability to effectively manage the SORTS program. The State appeals, claiming the court erred in finding that the State agreed to special conditions in exchange for Fogle’s stipulation. Additionally, the State claims that the court erred in ordering the special conditions, contending that the court lacked constitutional and statutory authority to order such conditions, that the order was not supported by substantial evidence, and that the court’s order was against the weight of the evidence.

I. The “Agreement”

In a court-tried case, a reviewing court will sustain the trial court’s judg[143]*143ment unless the judgment is not supported by substantial evidence, it is against the weight of the evidence, it erroneously declares the law, or it erroneously applies the law. Murphy v. Carrón,

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Related

Jones v. State
565 S.W.3d 704 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2018)
In re the Care & Treatment of Doyle
428 S.W.3d 755 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2014)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
382 S.W.3d 139, 2012 WL 3665800, 2012 Mo. App. LEXIS 1039, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/fogle-v-koster-moctapp-2012.