Price v. State

866 S.W.2d 606, 1993 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 172

Opinions

OPINION ON STATE’S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

PER CURIAM.

The offense is criminal mischief under V.T.C.A Penal Code, § 28.03(a)(1) and (b)(3), damaging tangible personal property (four billboards advertising cigarettes) resulting in pecuniary loss of $200 or more but less than $750; it is a Class A misdemeanor. The punishment is 75 days confinement in the Dallas County Jail.

I

A

The questions in this cause arise out of the initial deferred adjudication proceeding, memorialized in the Probation Order and Deferral of Adjudication of Guilt dated September 14,1990. Tr. 37.¹ The basic issue is intendment of the provision in Article 42.12, § 5(a), V.AC.C.P. (hereafter “§ 5(a)”), that the court “inform the defendant ... of the possible consequences ... of a violation of probation.” Our resolving conclusions and holdings are applicable only to deferred adjudication proceedings in misdemeanor cases.

Pursuant to a written plea bargain, when told of the charge and upon being asked for his plea, appellant responded, “I plead guilty, because I am guilty;” he confirmed that he did so “of [his] own free will.” The prosecutor outlined the agreement.² The judge pondered aloud that a Class A misdemeanor calls for punishment “of at least one year;” announcing that the court would follow terms and conditions of the bargain, the trial judge obtained appellant’s acknowledgment that a certain instrument was his judicial confession, and received it in evidence; the judge then informed appellant that “this will not be a final conviction unless you violate the terms of this probation during the coming 6 months,” and was assured that the assessed fine and costs would be paid that day. S.F. 2-4.

Among other conditions of probation, of course, was that appellant commit no offense against the laws of this State. On February 5,1991, the criminal district attorney filed his Amended Motion to Proceed with an Adjudication of Guilt. The motion alleged that on or about December 7, 1990, appellant committed two certain offenses involving a single complainant, to wit: criminal mischief and obstructing a highway. The motion to adjudicate was heard in consolidation with a jury trial on an information charging the same criminal mischief offense. Appellant was convicted of criminal mischief; the trial court proceeded to adjudicate guilt of appellant on the earlier criminal mischief charge. See Price v. State, 861 S.W.2d 913 (Tex.Cr.App. No. 0322-93, delivered September 22, 1993) (Clinton, J., dissenting).³

B

The court of appeals addressed “every issue raised and necessary for final disposition of the appeal.” Tex.R.App.Pro. 90. It reversed the conviction for reasons given in deciding the first point of error presented by appellant, that his plea of guilty was not made knowingly and voluntarily in that “the trial court failed properly to admonish him of the possible consequences of a violation of his deferred-adjudication probation” under § 5(a).⁴ Rejecting opposing contentions on the part of the State that appellant was not “entitled to these admonishments in this misdemeanor case” essentially in light of Empy v. State, 571 S.W.2d 526, at 529-530 (Tex.Cr.App.1978), the court of appeals sustained the first point of error based on three specific conclusions leading to its ultimate disposition reversing the conviction and remanding the cause. Price v. State, 846 S.W.2d 37 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1992).

II

The State now advances three grounds for review that basically attack the three specific conclusions of the court of appeals, viz:

(1) Its error in holding that the admonishment required by § 5(a) is applicable to misdemeanors.

(2) Its error in concluding that any failure to provide to this Defendant an admonishment pursuant to § 5(a) rendered this defendant’s plea of guilty involuntary.

(3) Its error in failing to apply to the facts of this case the harmless error standard set out in Tex.R.App.Pro. 81(b)(2).

We will treat those reasons seriatim in sub-parts A, B and C, respectively.

As already pointed out in note 1 ante, but apparently overlooked by all concerned parties, in 1985 the 69th Legislature merged former Article 42.13, the “Misdemeanor Adult Probation and Supervision Law,” § 3(d) of which authorized the deferred adjudication proceeding in misdemeanor cases, with Article 42.12 and repealed the former. Since 1985, Article 42.12, § 5(a) is, indeed, the sole authority for any court to grant deferred adjudication in a misdemeanor case.

Without equating “shall inform” with “shall admonish,” we hold that § 5(a) is manifestly applicable to pleas of guilty and nolo conten-dere in misdemeanor cases, particularly where, as here, the accused is personally before the court.⁵

Therefore, while it conducted an analysis responsive to the theory presented by the State, the court of appeals did not err in its conclusion on this point. The first ground for review is thus without merit.

From prior decisions of this Court so holding, the State points out that the trial court need not admonish “even felony defendants regarding probation,” citing Ex parte Williams, 704 S.W.2d 773 (Tex.Cr.App.1986) and Harrison v. State, 688 S.W.2d 497, 499 (Tex.Cr.App.1985). State’s Brief, at 13 (emphasis in original). However, those decisions were construing Article 26.13; it is applicable only to felony cases. Empy v. State, 571 S.W.2d 526, at 529-530 (Tex.Cr.App.1978). The general rule there is because “range of punishment” does not include probation, the trial judge does not have a mandatory duty to “admonish” an accused as to his eligibility for probation. Ex parte Williams, supra, at 775. On the other hand, the required “informational” function § 5(a) called for, attaches both to felony and misdemeanor cases alike.⁶

The State says that § 5(a) does not specify when in the plea proceeding the court must inform the accused of the possible consequences of violating probation — whether before the accused answers “guilty” or at some particular point thereafter; the State also emphasizes that § 5(a) does not condition acceptance of the plea on defendant’s receiving and understanding the information. State’s Brief, at 13.

For his part, appellant asserts the statute “unambiguously provides” the court must inform defendant “before taking the plea that is the predicate to deferred adjudication;” he argues that “the court must not only articulate the information but also inquire whether a defendant makes his plea -with a full understanding of the meaning of the plea.” Appellant’s Brief, at 5-6.

Neither party cites any case directly touching the precise question at issue, nor did the court of appeals; we have not found another dealing with a misdemeanor offense. We must start from scratch, keeping in mind what we must presume the Legislature knew when it amended § 5(a) in 1989, viz: that although most provisions of § 5(a) treat felony and misdemeanor cases similarly, other germane procedural statutes govern preliminary and underlying proceedings differently. Accordingly, we start with a review of relevant basic rules.

Although Article 26.01, V.A.C.C.P., provides that in “all misdemeanor cases punishable by imprisonment, there shall be an arraignment,” the legislative purpose was to provide a final opportunity for an indigent accused to obtain appointed counsel. Special Commentary — 1963. Thus an accused would be able to respond to functional inquiries of the trial judge and to state his plea upon advice and with aid of counsel. However, the constitutional requirement for appointment of counsel at arraignment or for trial does not apply where from a measure of the seriousness and gravity of the misdemeanor offense the trial judge is satisfied the court will not assess punishment of imprisonment. Moreover, after trial without counsel in a misdemeanor ease when only a fine is actually assessed the judgment is not void though the statute include imprisonment as a possible punishment. It follows, therefore, that neither must an arraignment be held in a deferred adjudication proceeding.

Conversely, unlike in a felony plea proceeding, when represented by counsel the accused need not to be present at any stage of a misdemeanor plea proceeding: counsel alone may waive trial by jury and make the plea of guilty for his client; the court may assess punishment, with or without evidence. Article 27.14, V.A.C.C.P. See, e.g., Ex parte Ross, 522 S.W.2d 214, at 222-223 (Tex.Cr.App.1975); Brown v. State, 507 S.W.2d 235, at 238 (Tex.Cr.App.1974) (plea admits every element of offense, thus court not required to hear evidence); Albrecht v. State, 424 S.W.2d 447, at 448 (Tex.Cr.App.1968) (plea acceptable without showing made voluntarily).⁷

An order deferring adjudication of guilt and placing defendant on “probation” under § 5(a) does not constitute a “conviction,” and such “probation” is not the functional equivalent of probation within contemplation of Article IV, § 11-A. Constitution of Texas, and Article 42.12, § 2(b), V.AC.C.P. But as statutorily authorized, deferred adjudication “probation” is constitutional under Article III, § 1. McNew v. State, 608 S.W.2d 166, at 171-172, and at 176 (Tex.Cr.App.1978, 1980). Failure to admonish a defendant of certain post-revocation and adjudication contingencies, however, does not violate rights to due process and effective assistance of counsel. Id., at 172-173. While it may be “better practice” to admonish as to consequences of deferred adjudication in a felony case, Article 26.13 does not require it. Id., at 177.⁸

3

Having reviewed pertinent rules and decisions, we now turn to examine the statute, particularly § 5(a), noting at the outset that since merger of misdemeanor probation into article 42.12, the only change later made was insertion of the two sentences at issue. See n. 4, ante.

In a misdemeanor ease, taking into account all statutory allowances discussed ante, Section 5(a) contemplates that the trial judge will conduct a deferred adjudication proceeding in chronological order of prescribed steps, viz:

first, receiving the plea;

second, hearing the evidence, if any;

third, finding whether the evidence, if any, substantiates guilt;

fourth, deferring further proceedings without adjudicating guilt;

fifth, placing defendant on probation.

At this point, as in the past, the judge would be justified in rendering for the court its order of deferral and probation, causing it to be reduced to writing and the clerk to memorialize the same by entering it in the minutes of the court. In fact, exactly that occurred in this cause. See n. 1, ante.

Although § 5(a) requires the court to “inform the defendant orally or in writing of the possible consequences ... of a violation of probation,” as the State notices, it fails to specify any place in the proceeding where the information should be given. Without indicating precisely when it should be done, the court of appeals recognized that permitting the court to put it in writing means, consistent with Article 27.14, the defendant need not be present in open court to receive such information. Price v. State, supra, at 40. We agree with the State and also with reasoning of the court of appeals in this respect.

That the court may provide the information pro forma also means defendant’s receiving it is not a condition precedent to a voluntary plea. We further conclude that the Legislature did not intend to require the information be provided as part and parcel of the proceeding prior to the court’s placing the defendant on probation in a misdemeanor case. Not only is it logical for the court to await its determination to place defendant on probation, but also we are unable to conceive of any policy considerations dictating that a defendant be cautioned of such possible consequences as requisite predicate for an otherwise voluntary plea which he need not be present to make. It is a perverse notion that a plea made voluntarily and knowingly somehow becomes “unintelligent” and thus “involuntary” because the judge failed to abuse a defendant of the idea that he would not be held accountable should he thereafter commit an offense against the laws of this State, that he could violate the law with impunity.⁹

Accordingly, in this misdemeanor case, we hold that when conducting a deferred adjudication proceeding under § 5(a), the trial court is not required to inform defendant prior to declaring an order placing defendant on probation, of possible consequences under § 5(b) of a violation of probation. Therefore, a failure to inform will not render an otherwise unobjectional plea involuntary. When and how the court subsequently conveys such information to defendant will necessarily depend on the circumstances of the defendant, and means of compliance are obviously matters within the informed discretion of the court.

Accordingly, we conclude the court of appeals erred in concluding that failure of the trial court to “admonish” appellant of “any consequences of a violation [et cetera] rendered his guilty plea involuntary.” Ground for review two is sustained.¹⁰

C

Given our determination of ground two, the issue presented in ground for review three is moot.

Ill

To recapitulate: Article 42.12, § 5(a), is applicable to misdemeanor cases, subject to basic procedural provisions governing proceedings in such cases, Article 27.14, for example; § 5(a) does not require the trial court to “inform the defendant ... of the possible consequences under Subsection (b) ... of a violation of probation” prior to ordering that he be placed on probation, so a failure to do so will not alone render his plea involuntary; means and manner of subsequently informing the defendant are matters within the informed discretion of the court.

We have thus addressed and resolved every issue the court of appeals deemed necessary for final disposition of the appeal in this cause by construing the statute in question. See 609-610, ante. The court of appeals did not find it necessary to reach appellant’s contention that his plea of guilty in this cause is “null and void as a matter of constitutional law.” Brief of Appellant, at 7-9. There he makes much the same argument and cites some of the same cases as Judge Baird does in his dissenting opinion here.

For the same reason the court of appeals also pretermitted addressing appellant’s second point of error, claiming denial of due process in later proceedings to adjudicate guilt and revoke probation. Price v. State, supra, at 41.

Therefore, the judgment of the court of appeals is reversed, and the cause is remanded to that court for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.

1 . The format of the order is similar to a judgment. It contains the usual preliminary recitations about appearances, waivers of arraignment and reading information and pleading “guilty;” it states considerations of the court in deferring adjudication and placing defendant on probation; it orders him placed on probation for six months under prescribed terms and conditions and pay the fine affixed instanter. The order shows over the signature of appellant that he received a copy thereof on the same day the judge signed it for the court, the day the plea proceeding was conducted.

Although the form order recites the proceeding was held under Article 42.13, § 3d(a), V.A.C.C.P., the facts are that in 1985 the Legislature reorganized statutes regulating probation and other post conviction matters, merged regulation of misdemeanor probation with felony regulations into Article 42.12, § 3d(a), and repealed former Article 42.13. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., Ch. 427, p. 1531, § 1 at 1533, § 3 at 1555, effective September 1, 1985. The significance of that merger to issues in this cause becomes apparent post.

At the heart of this controversy is a subsequent reorganization of Article 42.12. Inter alia, deferred adjudication was moved to § 5, and first inserted therein are the "informational" provisions implicated here. See Acts 1989, 71st Leg., Ch. 785, p. 3471, at 3500, § 4.17, effective September 1, 1989, except as otherwise provided.

All emphasis here and throughout is supplied by the writer of this opinion unless otherwise indicated.

2 . The essence of the agreement is that in exchange for his plea of guilty as charged, the trial court would defer adjudication of guilt and place appellant on probation for six months under certain terms and conditions including imposition of a fine of $100 to be paid instanter. Tr. 37.

3 . The transcript in this cause does not contain a judgment contemplated by law. There is a paper titled "Judgment and Sentence” bearing a notation: "Entered: February 22nd, 1991 Nun Pro Tunc [sic];” not otherwise dated, it states in pertinent part:

"On this day, this cause being again called, [the State and defendant and counsel being present] for the purpose of having sentence of the law pronounced in accordance with the judgment of conviction heretofore entered against him; and thereupon the Defendant was asked by the Court whether he had anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced against him, and he answered nothing in the record in bar thereof, whereupon the Court proceeded to pronounce sentence against him as follows: ****’’

Tr. 39.

"A judgment is the written declaration of the court signed by the trial judge and entered of record showing the conviction ... of the defendant.” Article 42.01, V.A.C.C.P. The judgment should reflect, among other prescribed matters, that “the defendant is adjudged guilty of the offense as found by ... the finding of the court, and that the defendant be punished in accordance with the court’s finding as to the proper punishment.” Id., item 8.

The record shows the trial court did adjudicate guilt and orally "rendered” judgment. III S.F. 648 ("I will proceed to adjudication and find the defendant, John Wiley Price, guilty on the charge of criminal mischief Moreover, there are "2/22/91” notations on the docket sheet reading: "Found allegations # 1 & # 2 true[.] Adjudicated Defendant guilty and assessed punishment at 75 days in jail.” Since September 1, 1981, however, neither constitutes a judgment under Article 42.01. Wilson v. State, 677 S.W.2d 518, at 522 (Tex.Cr.App.1984); cf. Jones v. State, 795 S.W.2d 199 (Tex.Cr.App.1990), rehearing denied, 797 S.W.2d 33 (Clinton, J„ dissenting at 34-35).

4 . As material here, § 5(a) states conditions and features under which courts may defer further proceedings, viz:

"... [W]hen in its opinion the best interest of society and the defendant will be served, the court may, after receiving a plea of guilty ..., hearing the evidence, and finding that it substantiates the defendant’s guilt, defer further proceedings without entering an adjudication of guilt and place the defendant on probation. The court shall inform the defendant orally or in writing of the possible consequences under Subsection (b) of this section of a violation of probation. If the information is provided orally, the court must record and maintain the court's statement to the defendant. In a felony case, the period of probation may not exceed 10 years. In a misdemeanor case, the period of probation may not exceed two years. The court may impose a fine applicable to the offense and require any reasonable terms and conditions of probation. * * * * ”

The issues here arise from the two sentences emphasized.

5 . Taking note of the fact that a misdemeanor defendant need not appear in court to plead guilty or nolo contendere, see Article 27.14, the court of appeals seemed to suggest that the court could inform an absent defendant of the consequences of violating probation in writing. Price v. State, supra, at 40.

6 . In that connection, we cannot agree with the State that "the admonishment required by § 5(a) is of the same character as the Article 26.13 warnings.” State's Brief, at 6. Indeed, more than idle curiosity prompts us to ponder the failure of the Legislature to require the trial court to admonish the defendant in a misdemeanor case along the lines of such statutory requisites specified for felony cases in Article 26.13. The matter is under recurring investigation, especially in light of constitutional implications. See generally Tatum v. State, 846 S.W.2d 324 (Tex.Cr.App.1993).

7 . We are aware that since September 1, 1991, one accused of a misdemeanor must make a written waiver in person in open court, with the consent and approval of the court and the prosecuting attorney, and may not then make it without retained or appointed counsel. Acts 1991, 59th Leg., Ch. 652, p. 2394, §§ 1, amending Article 1.13. However, the instant plea proceeding took place on September 14, 1990.

8 . As the McNew court pointed out:

"It is clear the procedure provided for deferred adjudication is different from the other types of probation provided by the statute, and it is clear the Legislature intended that after adjudication of guilt following deferred adjudication the assessment of punishment shall be as if the adjudication of guilt had not been deferred. We appreciate and understand appellant’s concerns, but any procedural changes are for the Legislature to consider, not this court."

Of course, appellant would contend the Legislature has now done so, and courts should follow suit. For one effort, see and compare De Leon v. State, 797 S.W.2d 186, at 188-189 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 1990), no PDR (in attempt to caution defendant of punishment court might assess on revocation of probation, judge made "simply a misstatement of the punishment range for the offense”).

9 . In McNew, supra, a felony case, counsel contended that the Legislature "never intended the ante to be raised after revocation and that 'probation' under the deferred adjudication of guilt should be treated like other probation cases.” He argued that under such judicial construction permitting such increase in punishment, attorneys would not allow their clients to plead guilty pursuant to a plea bargain involving deferred adjudication because:

"[A] defendant could be placed on deferred adjudication for the minimum term fixed as penalty for the offense charged and that after revocation of probation and adjudication of guilt the punishment could be assessed at the maximum term fixed as penalty for the offense charged. This permits the court to up the ante taking into consideration the offense or conduct made the basis of the revocation."

Id., at 176. The Court rejected the contention and argument for the reason that "the Legislature clearly intended that after adjudication the assessment of punishment shall be as if the adjudication of guilt had not been deferred," but then expressed its appreciation and understanding of those "concerns.” Id., at 177.

Perhaps similar concerns motivated the Legislature when it amended § 5(a) to require the trial court to inform a defendant of such consequences, among others. We believe though that such concerns in a felony case are not likely to be as weighty in misdemeanor case. Unlike the broad range of punishment up to life or 99 years for many felony offenses, the maximum punishment for a Class A misdemeanor is one year; moreover, § 5(a) permits a period of probation longer than the maximum, not to exceed two years.

In any event, our construction of § 5(a) will serve to effectuate the legislative mandate in the manner it provided and thus must have intended.

10 . The Court thus pretermits any consideration of ramifications of a failure to "inform” a defendant after the court renders its decision to place him on probation. We are satisfied, however, that such omission will have no retroactive effect vis a vis voluntariness of his prior plea.