FILED JUNE 10, 2025 In the Office of the Clerk of Court WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) ) No. 39581-2-III Respondent, ) ) v. ) ) CURTIS RAY PACK, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION ) Appellant. )
STAAB, J. — Following a bench trial on stipulated facts, the trial court found
Curtis Ray Pack guilty of two counts of first degree theft for taking down-payments on
contracts to build outbuildings and then failing to begin work or return the deposits. On
appeal, he raises numerous arguments, including a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence used to convict him of first degree theft. In support of this challenge, he argues
that our review is limited to the facts found by the trial court and whether the court’s
findings are supported by substantial evidence.
We disagree and reaffirm that our review of a challenge to the sufficiency of
evidence used to support a conviction following a bench trial is whether the evidence,
when viewed in a light most favorable to the State, is sufficient for any rational finder of No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
fact to find the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Under this standard,
the evidence here was sufficient to support the conviction for first degree theft.
Otherwise, we affirm, declining to address Pack’s unpreserved challenge to
restitution, and remand for the limited purpose of reconsidering fees and interest on
restitution.
BACKGROUND
After revoking a stipulated order of continuance (SOC), the trial court held a
bench trial on stipulated facts. The following facts are taken from the stipulated
evidence.
In December 2017, Mark Westcott contracted with Pack, doing business as
Millennium Construction Group, to have a steel building constructed on his property for
$21,207.28. This price included an estimated $595.00 to obtain the necessary permit
from the City of Pasco Community and Economic Development Department
(Department) and a down payment of $11,717.28. Pack told Westcott when they signed
the contract that he would begin work in January 2018 and that it would take
approximately 30 days to complete the project. Westcott gave Pack a check for the
required down payment the following week. In January, Westcott decided to increase the
size of the building. Pack told him that additional funds were required to proceed, and
Westcott gave Pack another check for $4,438.60.
2 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
Over the next few months, Westcott repeatedly texted and emailed Pack to check
on the status of the permit and the start date for the project. Pack consistently responded
that he was waiting on the Department or sick and unable to work. Westcott eventually
contacted the Department directly and received an email stating that the permit was
approved but had not been paid or picked up. Westcott forwarded the email to Pack and
inquired about why the permit had not been picked up. Pack responded that he was sick
but that he or his wife would pick up the permit the following day. Westcott continued to
inquire about the permit after several days. Pack continued to respond that he was sick
but promised on several different occasions that the permit would be picked up.
Westcott continued to contact Pack and request that he start the contracted work or
issue Westcott a full refund of his down payment. Pack continued to make promises that
he would have more information at a later date. After sending a text stating he would set
a time to meet with Westcott when he had more information about his illness, Pack
stopped all communications.
Westcott drafted a demand letter and sent it to Pack twice by certified mail and
once by email. Pack never responded. The permit was never picked up nor paid, no
work was done on the contracted project, and Westcott’s down payment was never
returned.
Six months after the contract was signed, Westcott hired legal counsel and filed a
complaint against Pack and Western Surety Co., Pack’s surety bond company. In May
3 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
2018, Westcott obtained a default judgment for $12,000.00 against Pack to reach Pack’s
bond proceeds only. Western Surety Co. paid Westcott the full amount and canceled
Pack’s surety bond.
In February 2018, two months after contracting with Westcott, Pack, entered into a
contract with James Carroll to build a pole building for $47,549.95. The price included
an estimated $600 to obtain a permit from the Department and a down payment of
$25,933.95. The next day, Carroll paid the required down payment with a check. That
was the last time Carroll saw Pack.
For the next two months, Carroll texted Pack to check on the status of the required
engineering and permit as well as the start date for the project. Pack responded with
several different answers, first that he was waiting on the engineer, then the county, that
he had gotten pneumonia in both lungs but was starting to feel better and it was nothing
that affected Carroll’s project schedule, and finally, that there was no news on the permit.
Carroll eventually contacted the Department to see why the permit had not been
approved and was told that the proper paperwork was not submitted. Carroll then worked
directly with the Department to get them the necessary paperwork, and the permit was
finally approved in May 2018. Carroll immediately notified Pack, but he never
responded. Carroll called and sent texts, emails, and letters to Pack requesting a refund
of his down payment but never received any response.
4 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
Later that month, Carroll sent a letter to Pack’s business address by certified mail
demanding the immediate return of his down payment, but it came back undeliverable.
Carroll attempted to call Pack on three occasions, but Pack never answered any calls.
Aside from filing the permit application, which did not contain all the necessary
information, Pack took no action to complete the contracted project. The permit was
never paid or picked up, and no materials, cite preparation, or other contracted work was
completed.
In June 2018, Carroll contacted the police and reported what he described as
Pack’s fraud and theft of his down payment to Officer Bradley Klippert. Carroll emailed
Officer Klippert a copy of Westcott’s affidavit filed in his civil suit against Pack, which
included details about Pack’s additional victims, including Lonnie Hill and Jeffrey
Tucksen.
Based on this information, Officer Klippert contacted Lonnie Hill, who told him
that he had been a victim of Pack’s “schemes” but did not want to file a report, nor did he
wish to pursue charges against Pack. Officer Klippert then spoke with Jeffrey Tucksen,
who stated he was also a victim of Pack’s schemes.
Officer Wakeman then contacted Tucksen at his residence for a more detailed
statement. In November 2017, approximately one month before Westcott contracted with
Pack, Tucksen entered into a contract with Pack, to construct a small building for
5 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
$32,021.07, and required a down payment of $17,483.94 due at acceptance. The
following day, Tucksen issued two separate checks at Pack’s request, each for $7,893.50.
Pack hired the necessary subcontractors to begin work on Tucksen’s contracted
work but failed to pay the subcontractors in full. Pack also purchased lumber and had it
delivered, but then Tucksen never heard from Pack again. He attempted to locate Pack
and sent him several messages, but Pack never responded. He also tried to locate Pack
through other contractors and suppliers but was unsuccessful. Tucksen stated that Pack
took approximately $7,000.00, which had not been used to complete the work.
Pack then sought other work after failing to complete the contracted work for
Westcott, Carroll, and Tucksen. In November 2018, Pack was offering contractor work
on Craigslist in the Tri-Cities area. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries
issued him an infraction and a $1,000 penalty for advertising when not registered as a
contractor, as required. In April 2019, Pack was issued another infraction and a $5,000
penalty for posting on Craigslist advertising that he was a “Contractor for Hire” in
Spokane when he was not registered as a contractor, as required.
The State charged Pack with two counts of theft in the first degree. The parties
eventually agreed to resolve the case by way of an SOC. The stipulated order continued
the case for 36 months. As part of the agreement, Pack waived most of his trial rights
and agreed to pay restitution by monthly installments of $1,189.23. The SOC provided
that if Pack complied with the terms the charges would be dismissed, but if he violated
6 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
the terms the court would revoke the order and hold a bench trial based on the evidence
submitted by the State. In addition, Pack stipulated to the following facts:
Defendant took $16,155.88 from Harold Westcott and did not perform any work and did not return his money, then three months later, took $26,656.35 from James and Dianna Carroll and did not perform any work and did not return their money.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 33.
Over the next several months, Pack made only one partial restitution payment of
$500. Eventually, the trial court found that Pack had breached the SOC by failing to
make the monthly restitution payments, revoked the stipulated order, and set the matter
for a stipulated facts trial. Based on the stipulated facts, the trial court found Pack guilty
on both counts. The court explained that it “did carefully look at the intent portion, and
unfortunately because of the lack of communication or the communications that there
were between the parties,” it found that the State met its burden of proof on the intent
element. Rep. of Proc. (RP) at 39.
The trial court’s amended findings of fact provide:
1. The Court adopts the previously filed stipulation to the police reports filed with the Court by the parties, which included 280 pages of reports, emails, purchase orders, checks, and Department of Labor and Industry documents. 2. In summary of that stipulation, Defendant was doing business as Millennium Construction, based out of Kennewick, and signed a contract with Harold Westcott to build a post frame building on Mr. Westcott’s property. On December 29, 2017, Mr. Westcott paid Defendant by check a down payment of $11,717.28, which was cashed that day at Numerica Credit Union. Subsequently, on January 16, 2018,
7 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
Mr. Westcott provided Defendant an additional check for $4438.60, which was cashed on January 18, 2018, at 4:47 PM at Numerica Credit Union. After cashing the checks, Defendant never began work on the project, never picked up or completed payment for the building permit, and eventually dropped all communication with Mr. Westcott. Nothing was built by Defendant and he never returned the deposited funds. While having not completed any work for Mr. Westcott, on February 22, 2018, James Carroll signed a contract with Defendant to build a pole barn on Mr. Carroll’s property over the next six weeks. James and Dianna Carroll provided Defendant a check for the down payment of $25,933.95, which was deposited by Defendant at 5:20 PM that day at Numerica Credit Union. No building was ever built, Defendant has not returned the down payment, and dropped all communication with Mr. Carroll. 3. The documents submitted included several incidents that supported the defendant had intent to deprive the owners of said property. This included the repeated promises of getting the work done, misrepresentations about obtaining the required paperwork, lack of communication with the parties once they requested a refund, and seeking out other work after failing: to complete work promised. Additional parties who could be classified as victims chose not to pursue charges.
CP at 14.
At sentencing, defense counsel argued that Pack was found indigent by the court
in November 2018, and that he remained indigent. Pack also personally stated that he
was indigent. In reference to Carroll and Westcott’s money, the court noted, “I just don’t
see that they’re going to get any of it back.” RP at 64. When discussing Pack’s report to
jail date, the court also stated, “I don’t believe that [Pack] has the ability to work right
now.” RP at 64. However, the trial court made no explicit finding that Pack was
indigent.
8 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
The court then declared it was going to strike the non-mandatory fees. However,
the court imposed the $500 victim penalty assessment (VPA), $200 criminal filing fee,
$100 DNA collection fee, and restitution. At the end of the hearing, the court found Pack
indigent for purposes of appeal.
Pack timely appealed.
ANALYSIS
1. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Pack contends the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for first
degree theft. As part of this challenge, he assigns error to the trial court’s finding that
Pack acted with intent to deprive his customers of their property. He also contends that
the State failed to prove that Pack obtained unauthorized control over the property of
another or did so by color or aid of deception. The State argues that the evidence was
sufficient for the trial court to conclude that each element of the crimes was proved.
As an initial matter, the parties disagree on the standard of review for this issue.
Pack contends that “following a bench trial, appellate review is limited to determining
whether substantial evidence supports the findings of fact and, if so, whether the findings
support the conclusions of law.” State v. Homan, 181 Wn.2d 102, 105-06, 330 P.3d 182
(2014). The State argues that when determining whether sufficient evidence supports a
conviction, the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the State to determine
whether any rational fact finder could have found the elements of the crime beyond a
9 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
reasonable doubt. State v. Green, 94 Wn.2d. 216, 221-22, 616 P.2d 628 (1980). Pack
replies, arguing that Homan is subsequent binding authority. We conclude that the
proper standard was articulated in Green.
In Green, our Supreme Court adopted the standard for reviewing sufficiency of the
evidence set by Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560
(1979). Green, 94 Wn.2d at 220 n.2. Under this test, a court considering a challenge to
the sufficiency of evidence is required to consider the entire record, in a light most
favorable to the State, to determine if any “rational trier of fact could have found guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. This standard was later affirmed in State v. Engel, 166
Wn.2d 572, 576, 210 P.3d 1007 (2009), and applied to challenges of evidence sufficiency
following a bench trial in State v. Salinas, 119 Wn.2d 192, 201, 829 P.2d 1068 (1992).
In Homan the court considered a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to
support a conviction following a bench trial. 181 Wn.2d at 105. Citing Engel, the court
held that it was required to “view the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution and determine whether any rational fact finder could have found the elements
of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. However, in the next sentence, the court
provides: “Specifically, following a bench trial, appellate review is limited to determining
whether substantial evidence supports the findings of fact and, if so, whether the findings
support the conclusions of law.” Id. at 105-06. The court goes on to define
“[s]ubstantial evidence” as “evidence sufficient to persuade a fair-minded person of the
10 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
truth of the asserted premise.” Id. at 106. Homan’s “substantial evidence” test has been
applied in several subsequent cases.1
In State v. Stewart, 12 Wn. App. 2d 236, 246, 457 P.3d 1213 (2020) (Dwyer, J.,
concurring), Judge Dwyer pointed out numerous reasons why the “substantial evidence”
test adopted in Homan is “inconsistent with the standard set forth in Jackson.” In State v.
Roberts, the court recognized that the proper scope and standard of reviewing the
sufficiency of evidence following a bench trial is unclear. 32 Wn. App. 2d 571, 588, 553
P.3d 1122 (2024). After quoting Judge Dwyer’s lengthy and persuasive concurring
opinion on why Green is the correct standard, the court went on the find the evidence
sufficient under either standard. Id. at 586-87, 589.
Here, Pack argues that we are bound by Homan, and our review is limited to the
court’s findings and whether “substantial evidence” supports those findings. It is true
that under “vertical stare decisis” we are bound by a higher court’s ruling. Presbytery of
Seattle v. Schulz, 10 Wn. App. 2d 696, 708, 449 P.3d 1077 (2019). But Homan is not the
last word on the correct standard. Instead, in State v. Bergstrom, the Supreme Court
reaffirmed that the correct standard for reviewing sufficiency of the evidence following a
1 See, e.g., State v. Hankel, No. 38573-6-III, slip op. at 3 (Wash. Ct. App. Dec. 6, 2022) (unpublished), https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/385736_unp.pdf; State v. Hovey, No. 38534-5-111, slip op. at 2 (Wash. Ct. App. June 8, 2023) (unpublished), https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/385345_unp.pdf; State v. Smith, 185 Wn. App. 945, 956-57, 344 P.3d 1244 (2015).
11 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
bench trial is set forth in Jackson and Green. 199 Wn.2d 23, 41 n.14, 502 P.3d 837
(2022).
In this case, we apply the standard established in Green and affirmed by
Bergstrom. When considering a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence, we review all
of the evidence in a light most favorable to the State to determine if any rational trier of
fact “ʻcould find the essential elements of the charged crime beyond a reasonable
doubt.’” Bergstrom, 199 Wn.2d at 41.2 To the extent our earlier decisions have applied
the “substantial evidence” standard, we disagree with those decisions. See Presbytery of
Seattle, 10 Wn. App. 2d at 707 (“Under ‘horizontal stare decisis,’ a court is not required
to follow its own prior decisions.”).
Pack contends that the State failed to produce sufficient evidence to prove two
elements of theft the means of committing the crime and Pack’s intent. As charged, the
State had to prove that Pack was guilty of two counts of first degree theft by either
“wrongfully obtain[ing] or exert[ing] unauthorized control over the property or services
of another,” or by using the “color or aid of deception to obtain control over the property
or services of another.” RCW 9A.56.020(1)(a), (b). Under either means the State was
also required to prove Pack obtained control of the property or services “with the intent to
2 Review for sufficiency of the evidence should be distinguished from challenges to the trial court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law. See State v. Head, 136 Wn.2d 619, 964 P.2d 1187 (1998) (The court’s “failure to enter written findings of fact and conclusions of law as required by CrR 6.1(d) requires remand.”).
12 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
deprive [the person] of [their] property or services.” Id. Finally, the State must prove the
property or services taken were valued at $5,000 or more. RCW 9A.56.030(1)(a).
With respect to the element of intent, the trial court found:
The documents submitted included several incidents that supported the defendant had intent to deprive the owners of said property. This included the repeated promises of getting the work done, misrepresentations about obtaining the required paperwork, lack of communication with the parties once they requested a refund, and seeking out other work after failing to complete work promised. Additional parties who could be classified as victims chose not to pursue charges.
Pack challenges this finding and argues that all of the events cited by the court in
support of this finding occurred after the exchange of money. Thus, he contends the
court’s findings fail to support the conclusion that Pack formed an intent at the time he
accepted money from Westcott and Carroll to deprive them of their money.
Pack’s argument rests on the premise that our review for sufficiency of the
evidence is limited to the evidence identified in the trial court’s findings. This argument
fails for two reasons. First, in its findings the court adopted the parties’ stipulation as
well as the 280 pages of evidence. In addition, as noted above, in reviewing a challenge
to the sufficiency of the evidence in a criminal case, we consider all of the evidence,
viewed in a light most favorable to the State, to determine if “any” rational trier of fact
could find the element proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319.
13 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
This is an objective standard. See Stewart, 12 Wn. App. 2d at 247 (Dwyer, J.
concurring). When reviewing evidence for sufficiency, we consider circumstantial
evidence as probative as direct evidence. State v. Goodman, 150 Wn.2d 774, 781, 83
P.3d 410 (2004).
Pack also contends that the trial court failed to make explicit findings that the State
proved either of the alternative means of theft.3 Specifically, Pack contends that there is
no evidence that he exerted unauthorized control over his customers’ money, noting that
the customers freely handed over their money under contracts that did not include any
limitations or reservations on how the money could be spent. Similarly, he also argues
there was no evidence of deception at the time the contracts were entered, pointing out
that the events relied upon by the trial court to find deception occurred after the money
was exchanged and merely demonstrate a contractor who unintentionally fell behind after
getting sick.
The State responds that the evidence was sufficient to prove both alternatives.
We conclude that the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to prove that Pack
used the color or aid of deception to convince Westcott and Carroll to make substantial
3 We disagree with Pack’s argument that in the absence of a specific finding, we must presume the State failed to sustain its burden, citing State v. Armenta, 134 Wn.2d 1, 14, 948 P.2d 1280 (1997). In Armenta, the court was reviewing a trial court’s finding on a motion to suppress. Id. at 13. Here we are reviewing the entire record for sufficiency of the evidence.
14 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
down payments on projects when Pack had no intention of providing the services
promised.4
The term “[b]y color or aid of deception” requires the State to prove “that the
deception operated to bring about the obtaining of the property or services.” RCW
9A.56.010(4). “Deception” occurs when a defendant knowingly “[c]reates or confirms
another’s false impression which the actor knows to be false” or “fails to correct
another’s impression which the actor previously has created or confirmed.” RCW
9A.56.010(5)(a), (b). Deception does not require an express misrepresentation; instead,
the statute focuses on the creation of false impressions. State v. Briejer, 172 Wn. App.
209, 218, 289 P.3d 698 (2012). “‘Deception’ includes a broad spectrum of conduct,
including ‘not only representations about past or existing facts, but also representations
about future facts, inducement achieved by means other than conduct or words, and
inducement achieved by creating a false impression even though particular statements or
acts might not be false.’” Id. (quoting State v. Casey, 81 Wn. App. 524, 528, 915 P.2d
587 (1996)). “ʻ[I]t is not necessary that deception be the sole means of obtaining the
property or services.’” Id.
4 Because we determine the evidence was sufficient to show an intent to obtain the money through color or aid of deception, we need not address the other alternative means charged in this case. See State v. Braun, 20 Wn. App. 2d 756, 782, 502 P.3d 884 (2022) (“Following a bench trial, when a single offense can be committed by alternative methods, a conviction may rest on proof that the crime was committed by any one of the means charged.”).
15 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
Intent may be inferred from conduct of the accused that “plainly indicates such
intent as a matter of logical probability.” Id. at 217.
The trial court found, and the evidence shows, that at the time Pack accepted
money from both Westcott and Carroll he was already behind on other projects and had
stopped working and communicating with those customers. One month before accepting
money from Westcott, Pack had accepted money from Jeffrey Tucksen on the promise to
build Tucksen a shed. Although Pack made a partial payment to a subcontractor and had
lumber delivered to the site on credit, Tucksen never heard from Pack again. Despite
Pack’s failing commitment to Tucksen, Pack entered into a new contract with Westcott,
promising to complete Westcott’s project by the end of January and accepting a large
down payment. Two months later, after falling further behind on Tucksen’s project, and
failing to complete any work on Westcott’s project, Pack entered into a new contract with
Carroll, and accepted another large down payment after assuring Carroll he could
complete the project in six weeks. He failed to perform any work on this project as well
and stopped communicating with Carroll.5
5 On appeal, Pack disputes the finding that he did not do any work, pointing out that he applied for a permit, suggesting that this act required additional preliminary work. But this argument is foreclosed by Pack’s stipulation in the SOC that Pack “took $26,656.35 from James and Dianna Carroll and did not perform any work and did not return their money.” CP at 33 (emphasis added).
16 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
This evidence supports an inference that Pack made promises to induce Westcott
and Carroll to hand over large down payments at a time when Pack did not have the
ability or the intent to follow through on his promises. In each case he gave the false
impression that he would be able to complete the projects within a particular time period.
In both cases, he failed to start the projects other than to submit incomplete applications
for permits before ceasing to communicate with the customers and failing to return the
down payments. While Pack contends that the evidence suggests a contractor who came
to realize his inability to complete these projects only after signing the contracts, we
disagree that this is the only reasonable interpretation of the evidence.
Viewing all of the evidence in a light most favorable to the State, we conclude that
any rational trier of fact could find that the State proved the elements of first degree theft
by color or aid of deception beyond a reasonable doubt in support of both convictions.
2. RESTITUTION
Pack contends that the restitution order does not reflect the parties’ actual damages
and that the amount is not supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Alternatively,
Pack contends that to the extent defense counsel was required to argue that the State did
not meet its burden to prove the actual damages, counsel was deficient for failing to do so
and the deficiency was prejudicial. The State argues that Pack not only failed to object
and should not be allowed to raise the issue for the first time on appeal, but that he also
explicitly agreed to the amounts and signed the SOC agreeing the amounts were proper.
17 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
A. Restitution Amount–Error Preservation
Generally, this court will “refuse to review any claim of error which was not
raised in the trial court.” RAP 2.5(a). Requiring error preservation through timely
objections “serves the goal of judicial economy by enabling trial courts to correct
mistakes and thereby obviate the needless expense of appellate review and further trials.”
State v. Lazcano, 188 Wn. App. 338, 356, 354 P.3d 233 (2015).
Pack failed to preserve any objection to the restitution amount. Pack signed the
SOC, explicitly agreeing to the restitution amounts. The SOC stated “the defendant shall
make full payment of $42,812.23 restitution.” CP at 32. It also stated that Pack
stipulated to the following facts at trial:
Defendant took $16,155.88 from Harold Westcott and did not perform any work and did not return his money, then three months later, took $26,656.35 from James and Dianna Carroll and did not perform any work and did not return their money.
CP at 33. Defense counsel stated on the record that the parties agreed with the terms set
forth in the stipulated order of continuance and that he reviewed them with Pack and
believed he understood the terms and conditions. When asked by the court if he had any
questions about the SOC, Pack stated, “No, I don’t. . . . I understood, and we went over
‘em really well actually.” RP at 4.
18 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
At the sentencing hearing on March 10, 2023, the court inquired about the dollar
figure at the bottom of the judgment and sentence form, to which the State explained that
it was the total of the two restitution amounts, plus other fees. And still, Pack made no
objection. Finally, Pack signed the judgment and sentence on March 10, 2023, again
explicitly agreeing to the restitution amounts of $16,155.88 to Westcott and $26,656.35
to Carroll. No objections regarding the restitution amounts were ever made.
The State contends that had Pack objected to the restitution amount at sentencing,
the State would have been able to supplement the record with additional evidence.
Because Pack failed to object to the restitution amounts, this alleged error is
unpreserved. Moreover, Pack does not argue that an exception to RAP 2.5(a) applies.
Thus, we decline to review the restitution issue.
B. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Alternatively, Pack contends, in one sentence, that defense counsel was deficient
for failing to raise the issue and that the deficiency was prejudicial:
To the extent defense counsel was required to argue the State did not meet its burden, this Court should find counsel was deficient for failing to do so, and that this deficiency was prejudicial. See State v. Hassan, 184 Wn. App. 140, 151-53, 336 P.3d 99 (2014) (where State did not sustain its burden of proof, failure to object to the amount of restitution was ineffective assistance).
Br. of Appellant at 21. The State makes no arguments in response.
19 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
We decline to address this argument as well. An appellant must provide an
“argument in support of the issues presented for review, together with citations to legal
authority and references to relevant parts of the record.” RAP 10.3(a)(6). “Passing
treatment of an issue or lack of reasoned argument is insufficient to merit judicial
consideration.” Holland v. City of Tacoma, 90 Wn. App. 533, 538, 954 P.2d 290 (1998).
3. LEGAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Pack contends the VPA, criminal filing fee, and DNA collection fee must be
struck from his judgment and sentence due to recent changes in the law and because he is
indigent. He also argues that this court should remand the case for the sentencing court
to consider whether restitution interest is appropriate due to his indigency. The State
concedes that the fees should be struck and agrees that remand is necessary for the trial
court to determine restitution in light of RCW 10.82.090(2). We accept the State’s
concession.
Because the determination of whether and to what extent interest should be
applied to the order on restitution is discretionary, we remand for a limited sentencing
hearing to address the legal financial obligations imposed in the judgment and sentence.
See RCW 10.82.090(2) (The court has discretion on whether “to impose interest on any
restitution the court orders.”).
20 No. 39581-2-III State v. Pack
We affirm Pack’s convictions, but remand for the limited purposes of
reconsidering the legal financial obligations including the discretion to impose interest on
the order of restitution.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW
2.06.040.
_________________________________ Staab, J.
WE CONCUR:
_________________________________ Lawrence-Berrey, C.J.
_________________________________ Cooney, J.