People v. Walker CA1/1

California Court of Appeal·Decided December 31, 2020·No. A155507·Unpublished

Opinion

Filed 12/31/20 P. v. Walker CA1/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION ONE

THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, A155507

v. (Contra Costa County TAMMY LOUISE WALKER, Super. Ct. No. 51802115) Defendant and Appellant.

Defendant was convicted of a number of charges, including two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, and driving on a suspended license. The jury also found true great bodily injury enhancements. The trial court imposed, but suspended execution of, a six-year prison sentence and placed defendant on probation subject to a number of terms and conditions, including that she wear a SCRAM device at all times, enter and complete a 12-to 18-month alcohol rehabilitation program, waive all credits for time served prior to sentencing, waive her right to appeal, and waive any objection to the court’s imposing the maximum, aggravated sentence for her DUI offenses. The court also made the requisite findings to support the aggravated term, stating as follows: “I’m going to make the finding that the

1 aggravated term in this case is the appropriate, and given the seriousness of the misconduct, the nature of the driving, the devastating nature of the lifetime injuries sustained by our [Highway Patrol] officer in the case, there is no question that this, especially given the history of the defendant, required the aggravated sentence.” The court had considerable reservations about placing defendant on probation and made it clear to her that if she failed, for any reason, to enter and complete the program, the court would revoke probation and remand her to state prison: “[Court]: . . . So, Miss Walker, you understand that I have a very difficult decision in front of me here?

“[Defendant]: Yes, your Honor.

“[Court]: And you understand that a big part of that decision depends on you, and your willingness and ability to be a successful patient in a treatment program on probation?

“[Defendant]: Yes. [¶] . . . [¶]

“[Court]: Do you also understand that in the future, if you violate probation, you’ll be back here sitting in the courtroom, probably with your family members[,] asking me to forgive your relapse, you understand that’s a likely scenario?

“[Defendant]: Yes, I understand.

“[Court]: And do you understand that if I were to give you a chance, that I will absolutely not give you a second chance, no matter how slight that relapse may be?

“[Court]: Okay. So that means if you go and you take some cough medication that’s not permitted under this program, and it gives a positive read on the SCRAM, you’ll be back here, and you will be

2 remanded to serve your six-year term. Do you understand it’s the slightest violation of any law, including the SCRAM program, including the rules of this treatment program?

“[Court]: Do you think you’re capable of doing that?

“[Defendant]: Yes, your Honor.”

“[Court]: . . . So I guess this is the time, Miss Walker, before I do this, that I want to make sure that you and I are on the same page, because I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings about when you come back here. Because you understand [the prosecutor] has said I’m making a big mistake by giving you this chance.

“He has said that I–I’m making a mistake, and he thinks that the mistake is going to show itself by you hurting someone. He might be right in this sense. I don’t think you will hurt someone, but I think he might be right that you might not ready to do this, and you might be required to do state prison time in the sense that you’re not going to take this program seriously, which will show itself to me by you not paying attention, or worse, by taking medications or alcohol. Do you understand what I’m saying?

“[Defendant]: Yes.

“[Court]: If you come back here and we find that there’s some kind of violations with the program rules, or you’ve consumed alcohol, no matter how traumatic your excuse is, you understand this sentence will be imposed?

“[Defendant]: Yes.”

Within weeks, the prosecution filed a petition to revoke defendant’s probation, alleging she had “not been accepted into the [rehabilitation] program.” Following a contested hearing, the court revoked and terminated probation and remanded defendant to serve her six-year prison sentence.

3 Defendant challenges the revocation of her probation and also challenges the fines and fees imposed for several reasons, including on the basis of People v. Dueñas (2019) 30 Cal.App.5th 1157 (Dueñas). We affirm the revocation of probation and execution of the suspended sentence. As to two of the fines, we reverse and remand for the trial court to identify their statutory basis; we otherwise also affirm the fines and fees. Revocation of Probation A decision to revoke probation involves two components: (1) a retrospective factual question whether the probationer has violated a condition of probation, and (2) a discretionary determination by the court whether the violation warrants revocation of probation and sentencing to prison. (Black v. Romano (1985) 471 U.S. 606, 611.) The court has discretion to revoke, modify, or continue probation as originally set, depending upon its analysis of the circumstances before it. (People v. Hawthorne (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 789, 792; Pen. Code, § 1203.2, subd. (b)(1).) The facts supporting a revocation of probation need only be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. (People v. Rodriguez (1990) 51 Cal.3d 437, 439 (Rodriguez).) But the evidence must support a conclusion the probationer willfully violated the terms and conditions of probation. (People v. Cervantes (2009) 175 Cal.App.4th 291, 295 (Cervantes).) A willful violation requires “ ‘simply a purpose or willingness to commit the act . . . ,’ without regard to motive, intent to injure, or knowledge of the act’s prohibited character. [Citation.] The terms imply that the person knows what he is doing, intends to do what he is doing, and is a free agent. [Citation.] Stated another way, the term ‘willful’ requires only that the prohibited act occur intentionally.” (In re Jerry R. (1994) 29 Cal.App.4th 1432, 1438.) “Where a probationer is unable to comply with a probation

4 condition because of circumstances beyond his or her control and defendant’s conduct was not contumacious, revoking probation and imposing a prison term are reversible error.” (Cervantes, supra, 175 Cal.App.4th at p. 295, id., at pp. 293, 295 [while in custody of immigration authorities probationer did not willfully fail to attend hearing]; accord People v. Zaring (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 362, 379 [probationer’s late court appearance due to unforeseen circumstances was not willful].) We review a factual finding that the defendant violated his or her probation for substantial evidence. Under this standard, we determine only whether, in view of the entire record, there is substantial evidence, contradicted or uncontradicted, to support the trial court’s decision. (People v. Kurey (2001) 88 Cal.App.4th 840, 848–849.) To be “ ‘substantial,’ ” evidence must be “ ‘of ponderable legal significance[,] reasonable in nature, credible, and of solid value.’ ” (People v. Johnson (1980) 26 Cal.3d 557, 576; People v. Cole (1994) 23 Cal.App.4th 1672, 1678.) We give great deference to the trial court and resolve all inferences and intendments in favor of the judgment. (Kurey, at pp.

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