People v. Baumann

176 Cal. App. 3d 67, 222 Cal. Rptr. 32, 1985 Cal. App. LEXIS 2923
CourtCalifornia Court of Appeal
DecidedDecember 13, 1985
DocketD001515
StatusPublished
Cited by76 cases

This text of 176 Cal. App. 3d 67 (People v. Baumann) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering California Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Baumann, 176 Cal. App. 3d 67, 222 Cal. Rptr. 32, 1985 Cal. App. LEXIS 2923 (Cal. Ct. App. 1985).

Opinion

Opinion

STANIFORTH, J.

Pursuant to a plea bargain, defendant Davida Baumann pled guilty to one of six counts of embezzlement charged in an information alleging each theft to be in excess of $200. In exchange for the plea, the *73 district attorney dismissed the five remaining counts. At the time the court accepted the plea, the court also took a Harvey waiver from Baumann. (People v. Harvey (1979) 25 Cal.3d 754 [159 Cal.Rptr. 696, 602 P.2d 396].)

A restitution hearing was conducted over several days at which witnesses, including Baumann, testified and evidence was taken on the issue of the extent of the victim’s, Jack Siggson, loss. At the conclusion of the hearing, Baumann was granted probation on condition, inter alia, she make restitution to the victim in the amount of $20,419.15.

Baumann appeals the order of restitution contending it is excessive in that it is based not only on the count to which she pleaded guilty or on the dismissed counts alleged in the information but on uncharged offenses as well. Baumann also contends the order of restitution is violative of various constitutional rights. We find none of Baumann’s contentions has merit and affirm the judgment and the condition of probation ordering restitution to the victim in the amount of $20,419.15.

Facts

Baumann was a bookkeeper for Siggson Enterprises, a building construction contracting firm owned by Jack Siggson. As bookkeeper, Baumann’s responsibilities included issuance of company checks. Baumann had Siggson sign the checks and Baumann then issued the checks using the company’s check protector. Baumann alone was responsible for issuing company checks. Siggson would often sign the checks in blank permitting Baumann to complete the name of the payee or fill in the amount of the check later.

On July 7, 1983, Siggson was contacted by his bank concerning insufficient funds in the company account to cover several outstanding checks issued by the company. Siggson conducted an audit of the company ledgers and discovered at least 75 checks had been issued by Baumann which showed (1) the face amount on some of the checks had been altered; (2) the balance of the account was inaccurate and failed to reflect the proper balance from check to check; and (3) checks had been paid to Dave Baumann’s Backhoe Company (a company owned and operated by Baumann’s husband, Dave) and such checks were unauthorized.

Siggson confronted Baumann. Initially, Baumann admitted embezzling about $2,000. Later, Baumann admitted taking over $3,000. Negotiations between Siggson, Baumann and their attorneys ensued and Baumann signed an agreement settling Siggson’s claims by agreeing to pay $12,313.82 to Siggson within two years. The agreement fell through, however, when Bau *74 mann’s husband refused to sign the agreement. Thereafter, Siggson contacted the district attorney’s office. On August 31, 1983, the six-count complaint was issued charging Baumann with embezzlements from her employer (Pen. Code, § 508) from March 1980 to September 1983.

Baumann pleaded guilty to count one in exchange for dismissal of the remaining five counts in the complaint. The change of plea form signed by Baumann shows she made a Harvey waiver as part of the bargain. The reporter’s transcript of Baumann’s felony change of plea confirms Baumann’s Harvey waiver. Specifically, the court asked Baumann:

“Do you agree then that I, as the sentencing judge, may consider your entire criminal history, the entire factual background of this case, including any unfiled, dismissed, stricken charges or allegations, and all the underlying facts thereof of this case in determining whether to grant you probation or imposing sentence upon you, ma’am?”
“The Defendant: Yes."

A probation report (Dec. 1, 1983) reflected the victim submitted 75 checks written by Baumann which were either unauthorized, altered, or made payable to Baumann’s husband’s business. The total loss claimed by the victim was approximately $25,000. The checks made payable to Dave Baumann’s Backhoe alone totalled $9,866.22. All of these checks were endorsed by Baumann. The probation report reported Baumann adamantly denied taking more than $3,600 from Siggson’s business. The report stated Baumann “feels that she could cooperate with probation, but only feels that she should be required to pay the $3600.”

A lengthy hearing as to the exact extent of the victim’s loss was conducted in February 1984. Several witnesses testified at the hearing, including both the victim and Baumann. Seventy-five checks were introduced into evidence to support the victim’s claimed loss of over $25,000. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court found the evidence substantiated a loss to the victim of $20,419.

Discussion

I

Baumann contends the restitution order made as a condition of probation was not authorized by her Harvey waiver because the waiver relates only to the dismissed counts in the complaint and because the term “resti *75 tution” is not specifically mentioned in the waiver. This contention is without merit.

Baumann argues restitution is not contemplated by her Harvey waiver because the waiver related to “sentencing” only and not to a condition of probation. Scrutiny of the exact language of Baumann’s waiver does not support this assertion. The court specifically advised Baumann the effect of the waiver would permit the sentencing judge to “consider [her] entire criminal history, the entire factual background of this case, including any unfiled, dismissed, stricken charges or allegations, and all the underlying facts thereof of this case in determining whether to grant [her] probation or imposing sentence upon [her].” (Italics added.) Thus the court specifically advised Baumann and Baumann specifically agreed unfiled charges related to the case could be considered by the court in determining whether to grant probation or impose sentence.

With respect tó Baumann’s argument restitution as a condition of probation was not contemplated by the waiver, we need only point out that probation as a sentencing alternative traditionally contains conditions. Penal Code section 1203, subdivision (a), defines probation as “the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence and the order of conditional and revocable release in the community. ” (Italics added.) (See People v. Municipal Court (1956) 145 Cal.App.2d 767, 771-772 [303 P.2d 375].)

Further, “[restitution as a condition of probation is favored by public policy both as a means of doing justice to the victim . . . and for rehabilitation of the offender.” (People v. Walmsley (1985) 168 Cal.App.3d 636, 639 [214 Cal.Rptr. 170].)

The sole authority cited by Baumann seeking to support her claim the Harvey

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
176 Cal. App. 3d 67, 222 Cal. Rptr. 32, 1985 Cal. App. LEXIS 2923, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-baumann-calctapp-1985.