February 4 2014
DA 12-0618
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
2014 MT 27
IN THE MATTER OF:
B.W.,
A Youth.
APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Thirteenth Judicial District, In and For the County of Yellowstone, Cause No. DJ 12-009 Honorable Susan P. Watters, Presiding Judge
COUNSEL OF RECORD:
For Appellant:
Wade Zolynski, Chief Appellate Defender; Kristen L. Larson, Assistant Appellate Defender; Helena, Montana
For Appellee:
Timothy C. Fox, Montana Attorney General; Katie F. Schulz, Assistant Attorney General; Helena, Montana
Scott Twito, Yellowstone County Attorney; Christopher Morris, Deputy County Attorney; Billings, Montana
Submitted on Briefs: November 13, 2013 Decided: February 4, 2014
Filed:
__________________________________________ Clerk Justice Patricia Cotter delivered the Opinion of the Court.
¶1 B.W. appeals a commitment order from the Montana Thirteenth Judicial District
Youth Court, Yellowstone County, which ordered him to pay $78,702.09 in restitution.
We reverse and remand.
¶2 A restatement of the dispositive issue on appeal is:
¶3 Did the Youth Court err in holding B.W. jointly and severally liable for the full
amount of restitution for damages when the State did not establish that B.W. was
criminally liable for the acts of the other youths?
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
¶4 Between December 22, 2011, and January 1, 2012, the Billings Police Department
responded to over 200 reports of vandalism. During this period, vandals shot the
windows out of homes and vehicles with air guns, struck vehicles with baseball bats, and
set two cars on fire. Local school resource officers led an investigation that indicated that
B.W., a sixteen-year-old male, had participated in the vandalism.
¶5 On January 23, 2012, the State filed a petition alleging that B.W. was a juvenile
delinquent for having committed the offense of criminal mischief, common scheme, a
felony, in violation of §§ 45-6-101 and 45-2-101(8), MCA. Other youths involved in the
vandalism were charged similarly. B.W. denied the State’s allegations at his initial
appearance. During a change of plea hearing in July, B.W. admitted to having committed
criminal mischief, common scheme. B.W.’s counsel questioned him at the hearing only
about his actions on December 22 and December 29, but specified that the actions were
2 “done in furtherance of a common scheme or as part of an action.” The Youth Court
accepted B.W.’s admission and change of plea.
¶6 On September 12, 2012, the Youth Court held a dispositional hearing. B.W. and
the county attorney presented arguments on the proper amount of restitution. B.W.
admitted to committing acts of vandalism on December 22 and December 29, and stated
that he had no knowledge of the events on the other dates. He argued he should be
accountable only for the amount of restitution from December 22 and December 29,
whereas the State argued he should be accountable for all damages occurring over the
eleven-day period. B.W. argued that:
[t]he State chose to charge it as they charged it. They could have charged it as a common scheme for him for the two nights that he was there, and then common scheme by accountability for the nights he was not, and then they would have had to have shown that he had knowledge. They charged it how they charged it, and we would simply ask that the youth be held accountable for those nights to which he was present, aware and participated.
¶7 The Youth Court did not inquire into the extent of B.W.’s assets or his prospects
for future earnings. In the youth probation report, the officer noted B.W. was employed
at a local pizzeria, was doing well in school, and had no history of legal troubles. The
report did not provide details concerning B.W.’s hours at the pizzeria or his wages.
¶8 After the hearing, the court entered a dispositional order adjudicating B.W. a
delinquent youth for having committed criminal mischief, common scheme, a felony.
The court also ordered B.W. to “pay restitution in the amount of $78,702.09 . . . in
monthly payments of not less than $150.00 . . . or 50% of his wages whichever is greater,
with the first payment due within 30 . . . days.” The Youth Court retained jurisdiction
3 over B.W. for restitution purposes until his twenty-first birthday. B.W. appeals from the
portion of the dispositional order that ordered him to pay $78,702.09 in restitution. This
figure represents the total damages sustained over the eleven-day vandalism spree.
¶9 B.W. contends on appeal that the only offenses for which restitution was
authorized were B.W.’s direct series of acts of criminal mischief on December 22 and
December 29. B.W. argues that In re K.E.G., 2013 MT 82, 369 Mont. 375, 298 P.3d
1151, a case regarding another Billings youth involved in the same spree of vandalism, is
distinguishable because the parties did not squarely address the applicable law, and that
our decision in K.E.G. “was manifestly wrong in interpreting the felony aggregation
provision of the criminal mischief statute to authorize criminal liability for the direct acts
of others.” B.W. also argues that at a minimum this case must be remanded for a
consideration of his ability to pay restitution.
¶10 The State counters that the Youth Court’s order should be affirmed, that K.E.G. is
directly on point, and that the State did not have to charge B.W. with accountability in
order to recover the aggregate restitution amounts when charging under criminal
mischief, common scheme. The State argues that B.W. failed to make a
contemporaneous objection concerning the calculation of restitution and thus waived
review of the issue.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
¶11 The appropriate measure of restitution is a question of law, which we review for
correctness. K.E.G., ¶ 9.
4 DISCUSSION
¶12 Did the Youth Court err in holding B.W. jointly and severally liable for the full
amount of restitution for damages when the State did not establish that B.W. was
¶13 As an initial matter, we conclude B.W. did not waive appeal of the restitution
calculations. “A defendant waives an objection and may not seek appellate review when
a defendant fails to make a contemporaneous objection to an alleged error in the trial
court.” State v. Paoni, 2006 MT 26, ¶ 16, 331 Mont. 86, 128 P.3d 1040 (citations
omitted). At the dispositional hearing, B.W. argued he should be held accountable only
for the amount of restitution from December 22 and December 29, and immediately
before the court adjourned, clarified: “And not to be beating a dead horse that has
already left the barn, when he did make his admissions, he only made admissions as to
the two nights.” These statements were sufficient to preserve the issue for appeal.
¶14 We also conclude that K.E.G. is factually indistinguishable from this case. K.E.G.
dealt with a youth involved in the same vandalism spree, and K.E.G., like B.W., argued
he should be liable only for the destruction done on the nights he had participated in the
vandalism. K.E.G., ¶ 11. In K.E.G., we determined that “the Youth Court was statutorily
authorized to impose restitution for the aggregate damages that resulted from that
common scheme during the time period charged” but remanded the case for a
consideration of K.E.G.’s ability to pay restitution. K.E.G., ¶¶ 14, 23. K.E.G. conceded
he was part of a larger common scheme, but argued that he was responsible for restitution
only for damage caused on the two evenings he was involved, and that “the joint and
5 several liability for restitution imposed under the criminal mischief statute should not be
applied to youthful offenders.” K.E.G., ¶ 11. However, K.E.G. did not argue, as does
B.W., that an individual can be held liable for the criminal conduct of another only when
acts of accountability or conspiracy are proven, or that § 45-6-101(4), MCA, does not
allow for aggregate restitution.
¶15 We are mindful “that courts should not lightly overrule past decisions,” but “stare
decisis is not a rigid doctrine that forecloses the reexamination of cases when necessary.”
Certain v. Tonn, 2009 MT 330, ¶ 19, 353 Mont. 21, 220 P.3d 384 (citation omitted).
Reexamination is necessary in this case because both K.E.G. and B.W. adamantly
insisted that they should be liable only for the damage done on the nights they were
present. We see no grounds for any factual distinction between the cases, and we find
B.W.’s arguments, presented here for the first time in this series of vandalism cases, to be
persuasive and dispositive. Thus, to the extent that we held K.E.G. was responsible for
restitution for damages from the entire eleven-day spree, our decision in K.E.G. is
overruled.
¶16 The Montana Youth Court Act states that a youth court may order restitution “in
appropriate cases.” Section 41-5-102(2)(c), MCA. When determining whether
restitution is appropriate, the youth court may consider a number of factors, “in addition
to any other evidence.” Section 41-5-1521(1), MCA. Such factors include “the age of
the youth, the ability of the youth to pay, the ability of the parents or guardians to pay, the
amount of damage to the victim, and legal remedies of the victim.” K.E.G., ¶ 12
(citations omitted). Once the youth court determines that restitution is appropriate, it may
6 order the youth to pay restitution “for damages that result from the offense for which the
youth is disposed.” Sections 41-5-1512(1)(d), -1513(1)(a), MCA.
¶17 In this case, as in K.E.G., the Youth Court determined that restitution was
appropriate, and that B.W. was jointly and severally liable pursuant to § 45-6-101(1)(a),
MCA, which provides that a person commits the offense of criminal mischief if the
person knowingly or purposely injures, damages, or destroys any property of another
without consent. B.W. admitted to committing the offense of criminal mischief pursuant
to a common scheme, which is “a series of acts or omissions motivated by a purpose to
accomplish a single criminal objective or by a common purpose or plan that results in the
repeated commission of the same offense.” Section 45-2-101(8), MCA. The “common
scheme” to which he admitted, however, was comprised solely of the two incidents in
which he participated.
¶18 Under Montana criminal law, an individual is responsible for his or her own
conduct. See e.g. §§ 45-2-202, 1-3-211, -217, MCA. One may be responsible for the
conduct of another only in limited circumstances. Section 45-4-102(1), MCA, imposes
criminal liability on a person who has agreed with another to the commission of an
offense. Sections 45-2-301 and -302, MCA, titled “Accountability for conduct of
another” and “When accountability exists,” describe those circumstances in which
liability may be based upon the conduct of another. Compiler’s Comments to
§ 45-2-301, MCA, at 157 (2012 Annotations). “A person is legally accountable for the
conduct of another when, either before or during the commission of the offense, and with
the purpose to promote or facilitate such commission, he solicits, aids, abets, agrees, or
7 attempts to aid another person in the planning or commission of the offense.” State v.
High Elk, 2006 MT 6, ¶ 25, 330 Mont. 259, 127 P.3d 432 (citing § 45-2-302(3), MCA).
The requisite elements for holding a person legally accountable for the conduct of
another under Montana’s accountability statues are that: (1) either before or during; (2)
the commission of an offense; (3) with the purpose to promote or facilitate such
commission; (4) the person solicits, aids, abets, agrees, or attempts to aid such other
person in the planning or commission of the offense. State v. Lyons, 254 Mont. 360, 363,
838 P.2d 397, 399 (quotation marks omitted; citation omitted). Mere presence, or failure
to disapprove or oppose criminal conduct, is an insufficient basis upon which to base a
finding of accountability for the criminal conduct of another. State v. Maetche, 2008 MT
184, ¶ 17, 343 Mont. 464, 185 P.3d 980 (quotation marks omitted).
¶19 This Court has held that accountability is not a separate offense from the crime for
which the actor assumes accountability but “is merely a conduit by which one is held
criminally accountable for the acts of another.” State v. Hatten, 1999 MT 298, ¶ 50, 297
Mont. 127, 991 P.2d 939 (citations omitted). The State is not required to set forth a
theory of accountability in an indictment or information but has the burden of proving
beyond a reasonable doubt the elements of accountability. State v. Tower, 267 Mont. 63,
67-68, 881 P.2d 1317, 1320 (1994); State v. Matz, 2006 MT 348, ¶ 15, 335 Mont. 201,
150 P.3d 367 (“The State has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt every
element of the offense charged, or any lesser-included crime within such charge . . . .”)
(citation omitted); State v. Doyle, 2007 MT 125, ¶ 55, 337 Mont. 308, 160 P.3d 516 (“In
order for the jury to convict Doyle of deliberate homicide by accountability, the jury
8 would have had to conclude that the State met its burden of proof of showing beyond a
reasonable doubt that Doyle: 1) had the purpose to promote or facilitate commission of
deliberate homicide; and 2) had aided or abetted Maestas and Day in the planning or
commission of deliberate homicide.”) (citations omitted); Maetche, ¶ 25 (holding a
reasonable trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Maetche was
accountable for criminal mischief).
¶20 The State did not establish the elements of accountability or conspiracy, and
indeed, maintains that it was not required to do so. The State contends there are other
means by which a person can be held criminally liable for the acts of another, such as
under the felony murder rule. B.W. distinguishes the felony murder and criminal
mischief statutes, noting the felony murder rule expressly attaches culpability to the
concept of legal accountability. Section 45-5-102(1)(b), MCA (“A person commits the
offense of deliberate homicide if: . . . (b) the person attempts to commit, commits, or is
legally accountable for the attempt or commission of [particular felony offenses] and in
the course of the forcible felony . . . the person or any person legally accountable for the
crime causes the death of another human being.”). The criminal mischief statute, on the
other hand, makes no provision for culpability by accountability.
¶21 In order to hold one accountable for the acts of another, the State must prove the
elements of accountability beyond a reasonable doubt. See Matz, ¶ 15; Doyle, ¶ 55. We
realize this case was resolved without a trial and B.W. pleaded guilty, but the State is still
required to establish accountability for the acts of others if it intends to hold a defendant
jointly and severally liable for damages inflicted by others. The State maintains that
9 establishing accountability in connection with crimes charged under the criminal mischief
statute is unnecessary. We disagree. The criminal mischief statute creates no such
provision or exception.
¶22 The State argues that § 45-6-101(4), MCA, grants the Youth Court authority to
aggregate damages without proving accountability or conspiracy. Section 45-6-101(4),
MCA, allows aggregation of amounts involved in offenses committed pursuant to a
common scheme in determining “pecuniary loss.” The State overstates the import of this
subsection. By its clear terms, the section merely allows amounts involved in criminal
mischiefs committed pursuant to a common scheme to be aggregated “in determining
pecuniary loss.” Section 45-6-101(4), MCA, provides no authority for aggregation for
purposes of assessing joint and several restitution in cases in which proof of
accountability or conspiracy is otherwise absent.
¶23 B.W. is correct that without evidence of accountability or conspiracy, he cannot be
held responsible for the acts of the other youths. Sections 45-6-101(1)(a) and
45-2-101(8), MCA, do not impose responsibility for the acts of others (see K.E.G., ¶¶ 47,
54 (McKinnon, J., dissenting)), nor does the evidence tend to support both common
scheme and accountability. There is nothing in the record to establish that B.W. aided,
abetted, or conspired in the commission of criminal mischief, common scheme, on nights
he was not present. B.W. did not own the air guns, baseball bats, or car used in the
vandalism. He did not participate in the shooting game or target a victim on the nights he
was not present, and there was no evidence that he aided others in the planning of the
vandalism spree.
10 ¶24 B.W. concedes that, given his acquiescence in the Youth Court, he can be held
liable for all damages caused on December 22 and December 29, whether all the damage
resulted from his direct actions or not. Thus, the court was authorized to impose a
restitution order of at most $5,851.12 (the total sum of damages from December 22 and
December 29).
¶25 The Dissent cites § 41-5-1402(1)(b), MCA, for the proposition that the petition
and supporting affidavit “adequately alerted the youth of the charge and the aggregate
damage that resulted.” It is evident that the affidavit attached to the petition in B.W.’s
case was used to support the petitions filed against all youths involved in the vandalism
spree. To that end, it does recite the aggregate damage done by all the youths on various
nights. Notably, the spreadsheet attached to the petition as an exhibit also lists incidents
of vandalism that occurred outside of the dates of the charged vandalism spree, ranging
from December 2, 2011, to January 8, 2012. Moreover, the affidavit reflects that from
the inception of the investigation B.W. admitted to damaging a vehicle and shooting a
gun with others involved in the spree on two nights only—December 22 and December
29.
¶26 While the affidavit did summarize the aggregate damage, nowhere in the petition
or the affidavit is there an indication that the State would seek to hold each youth—
regardless of the extent of his participation—jointly and severally liable for all the
damages inflicted by all the other boys on all the other nights or for damages inflicted
beyond the dates of the spree. Section 41-5-1402(1)(b)(iii), MCA, obligates the State to
“state the facts constituting the offense in ordinary and concise language and in a manner
11 that enables a person of common understanding to know what is intended.” B.W. did not
know when he admitted to the detective that he participated in the vandalism on two
nights that “what is intended” is that he be held responsible for tens of thousands of
dollars in damages inflicted by others while he was not present.
¶27 There was likewise no reference to an intent to impose joint and several liability
when the youth appeared in court for his change of plea. B.W.’s attorney asked him
whether he and a group of other juveniles inflicted property damage on the nights of
December 22 and December 29, and he agreed he had done so. The court then inquired:
“And on those two nights in question, were they done in furtherance of a common
scheme or as part of an action?” B.W. answered yes. As noted below, though B.W.
admitted to inflicting relatively little damage on the two nights, he conceded he could be
held liable for all damages inflicted by common scheme on the two nights in question, as
the court stated. He did not ever admit responsibility for the aggregate damage.
¶28 Although not articulated, the underpinning of the Dissent is that once a case is
charged and pleaded under common scheme, accountability for offenses in which one did
not participate is presumed and need not be proven, and aggregate restitution is
appropriate. We conclude as a matter of law that this is an erroneous interpretation of the
law, and the reason we issue this Opinion is to correct this misimpression. This case and
K.E.G. present an anomalous situation, in that they arise out of one vandalism spree, are
premised upon identical facts, and involve a hefty aggregate restitution order challenged
by both juveniles. The difference between the two cases is that, in the instant case, B.W.
concisely challenged the imposition of restitution on the grounds that charging a case
12 under common scheme does not render the defendant accountable for the crimes of others
in which he did not participate. To establish accountability, more is needed. As our
Opinion reflects, we agree with this argument.
¶29 We do not take lightly the substantial importance of stare decisis. However, we
see no principled way to reverse the order of restitution against B.W. and yet refuse to
overturn an identical order of aggregate restitution imposed upon K.E.G. Though these
parties posited different legal arguments in their respective appeals, both consistently
maintained in District Court and on appeal that they were involved in only two evenings
of vandalism and should not be held liable in restitution for the remaining events in
which they did not participate. Because we conclude that our decision here should in
fairness apply to the companion case, we overturn the result reached in K.E.G.
¶30 Given our determination that the Youth Court erred in holding B.W. jointly and
severally liable for the full amount of restitution for damages, we reverse and remand for
entry of a revised restitution order in accordance with this Opinion. However, we note
that, pursuant to K.E.G., the court on remand should consider B.W.’s ability to pay when
assessing restitution.
CONCLUSION
¶31 For the foregoing reasons, the Youth Court’s September 13, 2012 order is reversed
in part and remanded with directions to the Youth Court to hold a new restitution hearing.
/S/ PATRICIA COTTER
13 We concur:
/S/ MIKE McGRATH /S/ LAURIE McKINNON /S/ MICHAEL E WHEAT
Justice Beth Baker dissents.
¶32 Although I do not disagree with most of the general principles of law the Court
articulates in its Opinion, those principles do not apply in this case, just as they did not
apply in Matter of K.E.G. I do not believe there is sufficient justification to overrule
K.E.G. I would affirm the Youth Court’s determination that it had authority under the
facts of this case to impose restitution for the aggregate pecuniary loss occasioned by the
common scheme to which B.W. admitted. As the Court did in K.E.G., I would remand
for a new restitution hearing to consider B.W.’s ability to pay.
¶33 The petition in this case, filed January 23, 2012, alleged that B.W. was a
Delinquent Youth
for the reason that on or about December 22, 2011, to January 1, 2012, in Yellowstone County, Montana, he committed the following delinquent acts:
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF (COMMON SCHEME) (FELONY)
That from about December 22, 2011, to January 1, 2012, the Youth, [B.W.], knowingly or purposely injured, damaged, or destroyed property of another or public property without consent, and did so in a series of acts motivated by a purpose or plan which resulted in the repeated commission of the same offense or that affected the same person or persons or their property, to wit: the Youth with L.P. (born in October 1995), T.B. (born in April 1997), J.E. (born in July 1996), and/or J.E. (born in July 1996), damaged several vehicles, and the aggregated pecuniary loss is in excess of $1500.00; in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana; all of which is a violation of Sections 45-6-101 and 45-2-101(8), Montana Code Annotated, and against the peace and dignity of the State of Montana.
14 ¶34 Attached to the petition was an affidavit providing details about the entire
vandalism spree and information gathered by police detectives, together with a twelve-
page exhibit, comprising a spreadsheet listing each incident of vandalism alleged to have
been part of the common scheme, identifying the date, location, victim number, and the
property damaged. The affidavit included a list of the juveniles suspected to have
participated on each occasion, noting B.W.’s suspected participation on the dates of
December 22 and 29, and again listing all dates and suspected participants for the entire
common scheme charged. The petition set forth in substantial detail the facts of the
charged offense and adequately alerted the youth of the charge and the aggregate damage
that resulted. See § 41-5-1402(1)(b), MCA.
¶35 On July 18, 2012, B.W. and his counsel appeared before the Youth Court, at
which time counsel advised the court that B.W. was prepared “to withdraw his previously
entered denial and enter an admission to the petition.” The Youth Court questioned B.W.
as to whether he recalled the rights of which he previously had been advised and,
following his affirmative response, asked “whether you admit or deny the charge in the
Petition of Criminal Mischief, Common Scheme, Felony, alleged to have occurred on or
about December 22, 2011, to January 1st, 2012, in Billings, Yellowstone County,
Montana?” B.W. answered, “Yeah, admit, yes, Ma’am.” Following additional
questioning, the Court then asked B.W. to explain what he did “that makes you admit”
the charge. Counsel inquired of B.W. whether he went around Billings with a group of
other juveniles “on or about December 22nd and the 29th” and damaged property of
15 others. B.W. said “yes” and then agreed with his counsel that “those two nights in
question” were “done in furtherance of a common scheme or as part of an action.” After
several additional questions to ascertain the voluntariness of his plea and satisfaction with
counsel, the court accepted B.W.’s admission and the hearing concluded.
¶36 When the matter of restitution was argued at the disposition hearing, the Youth
Court acknowledged the significant amount of aggregate restitution and defense
counsel’s argument that the State “could have charged it differently.” The court noted,
however, that B.W. “pled to participating in criminal mischief, common scheme, from
December 22nd, 2011, to January 1st, 2012.” The court emphasized that “the important
thing is you’ve pled to the common scheme, meaning that you pled to being involved in a
crime of destroying other people’s property that was motivated by a purpose or plan, and
it resulted in the commission repeatedly of this same offense, and that is this criminal
mischief.”
¶37 Just as in K.E.G. (¶ 14), B.W.’s admission to the offense as charged is the reason
that the imposition of aggregate restitution was lawful in this case. The Court’s lengthy
discussion of notice and accountability is academic. B.W. had ample notice of the
charges and entered a plea to the inclusive dates charged in the common scheme. The
Court does not address the effect of the charging document that specifically alleged all
dates of the vandalism spree. The law is clear that, “where a defendant voluntarily and
knowingly pleads guilty to an offense, the plea constitutes a waiver of all
nonjurisdictional defects and defenses . . . .” State v. Kelsch, 2008 MT 339, ¶ 8, 346
Mont. 260, 194 P.3d 670. This includes complaints about the adequacy of the charge.
16 State v. Spreadbury, 2011 MT 176, ¶¶ 8-13, 361 Mont. 253, 257 P.3d 392. “The
reasoning is that a person pleading guilty is convicted and sentenced on his plea, not on
the evidence.” Kelsch, ¶ 8 (quoting State v. Turcotte, 164 Mont. 426, 428, 524 P.2d 787,
788 (1974)). Because of the specific dates charged and the admission to that charge,
proof of accountability was not required to hold B.W. responsible for the aggregate
offense. B.W.’s testimony at the plea hearing did not affect the charge he admitted, but
simply satisfied the Youth Court’s duty to “ascertain, from admissions made by the
defendant at the plea colloquy, that the acts of the defendant, in a general sense, satisfy
the requirements of the crime to which he is pleading guilty [or admitting].” State v.
Frazier, 2007 MT 40, ¶ 20, 336 Mont. 81, 153 P.3d 18.
¶38 In light of the fact that both youths were charged identically and both admitted the
offense as charged, the Court in my view has not justified why a reexamination of K.E.G.
is “necessary” and warrants reversing that case, decided less than a year ago. Of course,
“[c]ourt decisions are not sancrosanct . . . and stare decisis is not ‘a mechanical formula
of adherence to the latest decision[.]’” State v. Gatts, 279 Mont. 42, 51, 928 P.2d 114,
119 (1996) (citing Patterson v. MacLean Credit Union, 491 U.S. 164, 172, 109 S. Ct.
2363, 2370 (1989)). Still, ostensible “concerns for stability, predictability and equal
treatment” in the law (Formicove, Inc. v. Burlington N., Inc., 207 Mont. 189, 194, 673
P.2d 469, 472 (1983)) are ill-served by the decision today. The Court crafts a result to
address what is an issue only because the youth admitted to the offense as charged
instead of either negotiating an amended charge or putting the State to its proof of his
participation in the common scheme as charged.
17 ¶39 I concur with the decision to remand, but would do so for the sole purpose of
having the Youth Court impose a new restitution obligation after consideration of B.W.’s
ability to pay. I dissent from the Court’s holding that the Youth Court lacked authority to
impose restitution for the aggregate pecuniary loss resulting from the common scheme
charged in the petition.
/S/ BETH BAKER
Justice Jim Rice joins in the dissenting Opinion of Justice Baker.
/S/ JIM RICE