State Of Washington, V. Daniel Huston

• Court: Court of Appeals of Washington
• Decided: March 8, 2022
• Docket: 55206-0
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

Filed Washington State Court of Appeals Division Two

March 8, 2022

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DIVISION II

STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 55206-0-II

Respondent,

v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION

DANIEL LEE HUSTON,

Appellant.

WORSWICK, J. — Daniel Lee Huston failed drug court and was found guilty at a

stipulated facts bench trial. He appeals his convictions and sentence, arguing that (1) he did not

validly waive his right to a jury trial because the trial court failed to inform him of the “four

crucial facts” required in federal cases, (2) his jury trial waiver was not made knowingly,

intelligently, and voluntarily, and (3) the trial court erred in imposing supervision fees. We

disagree with Huston’s arguments, and we affirm his convictions and sentence.

FACTS

The State charged Huston with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, attempting to elude

a pursuing police vehicle, driving while license suspended in the first degree, and operating a

vehicle without ignition interlock device. At the time of the crimes, Houston was 32 years old

and had completed one year of college. Houston agreed to enter into drug court “to gain[ ] the

tools to . . . start over.” 1 Report of Proceedings (RP) (Oct. 11, 2019) at 8. Huston’s admission

into drug court was subject to terms and conditions outlined in a drug court contract. No. 55206-0-II

The drug court contract provided that Huston’s failure to comply with the program’s

terms or conditions would subject him to sanctions that included termination from the program.

The contract also stated:

If [Huston] is terminated from the program, [he] agrees and stipulates that the Court will determine the issue of guilt on the pending charge(s) solely upon the law enforcement/ investigative agency reports or declarations, witness statements, field test results, lab test results, or other expert testing or examinations such as fingerprint or handwriting comparisons, which constitute the basis for the prosecution of the pending charge(s). [He] further agrees and stipulates that the facts presented by such reports, declarations, statements, and/or expert examinations are sufficient for the Court to find [him] guilty of the pending charge(s).

Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 5.

Additionally, the contract provided:

Defendant acknowledges an understanding of, and agrees to waive the following rights:

a. The right to a speedy trial pursuant to [CrR] 3.3;

b. The right to a public trial by an impartial jury in the county where the crime is alleged to have been committed;

c. The right to hear and question any witness testifying against the defendant;

d. The right at trial to have witnesses testify for the defense, and for such witnesses to be made to appear at no expense to the defendant; and

e. The right to testify at trial.

CP at 5. Both Huston and his attorney signed the contract. Below the signatures, Huston and his

attorney checked two boxes stating that “[t]he defendant had previously read the entire Contract

above and understood it in full,” and “the defendant’s attorney had previously read the Contract

to [him] and the defendant understood it in full.” CP at 6.

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At the hearing, the trial judge conducted a colloquy about the drug court contract. During

the colloquy, Huston acknowledged he was familiar with the document, he had read the

document in full, he had gone over the document with his attorney, and that his attorney

answered all questions about his “case, this paperwork, [and] what Drug Court is going to mean

for [him].” 1 RP (Oct. 11, 2019) at 4. The judge then asked the following:

[D]o you understand, too, to obtain the potential benefit of a dismissal, you give up certain rights associated with your trial. And specifically, those rights that you are giving up are encompassed in paragraphs 16 through 231 of the Drug Court contract. And do you know what I’m talking about?

1 RP (Oct. 11, 2019) at 5. Huston responded “Yes, ma’am.” 1 RP (Oct. 11, 2019) at 6. The trial judge then asked

Do you understand that the matter would come back before me and we would hold what we call a stipulated facts bench trial, which means that I would simply read the police reports and other discovery associated with your case and determine whether or not you were guilty or not guilty based upon a reading of those materials? Do you understand that?

1 RP (Oct. 11, 2019) at 6. Huston responded “Yes, ma’am.” 1 RP (Oct. 11, 2019) at 6. Huston

then acknowledged that there are “enough facts in those materials for the court to find [him]

guilty.” 1 RP at (Oct. 11, 2019) at 6. The court concluded by saying

I find that Mr. Huston has read all of these documents in full and understands them; that he’s discussed all of this with [his attorney] and has had his questions answered, that he is knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily seeking entry into the Drug Court program, and I have signed your Drug Court contract.

1 RP (Oct. 11, 2019) at 9.

1 Paragraphs 16 through 23 contained waivers of various rights, including the rights listed above.

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A year after Huston’s admission to drug court, the trial court terminated Huston for

noncompliance with the drug court contract conditions. Huston had relapsed, overdosed, and

required hospitalization following the death of his father.

The trial court then held a stipulated facts bench trial. The court found Huston guilty of

possession of a stolen motor vehicle and operating a vehicle without ignition interlock device.2

The court sentenced Houston to 25.5 months in prison and ordered that Huston “pay supervision

fees as determined by [Department of Corrections]” as a condition of community custody. CP at

14-15.

Houston appeals.

ANALYSIS

I. JURY WAIVER

The right to a jury trial is protected by both the federal and state constitutions. U.S.

CONST. amend. VI; WASH. CONSt. art. I, §21 and §22. A defendant may waive his right to a jury

trial if he makes the waiver knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. State v. Benitez, 175 Wn.

App. 116, 128, 302 P.3d 877 (2013). We review a jury trial waiver de novo. State v. Ramirez–

Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. 233, 239, 165 P.3d 391 (2007). And, the State has the burden of

proving that the waiver was valid. Ramirez–Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. at 239.

2 The State dismissed the charge of attempting to elude, and the court found Huston not guilty of driving with license suspended.

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A. Gunwall Analysis and the “Four Crucial Facts”

Huston argues that we should engage in a Gunwall3 analysis and require trial courts to

inform defendants of “four crucial facts,” which are four characteristics of a jury trial that federal

courts have encouraged—as a matter of best practice—to advise defendants. We decline to do

so.

Under federal law, where a trial court has reason to suspect that a written waiver was not

voluntary, knowing, and intelligent, a valid waiver of the federal right a jury trial can only occur

if the court informs the defendant of “four crucial facts”: “(1) twelve members of the community

compose a jury; (2) the defendant may take part in jury selection; (3) jury verdicts must be

unanimous; and (4) the court alone decides guilt or innocence if the defendant waives a jury

trial.” United States v. Shorty, 741 F.3d 961, 966 (9th Cir. 2013). For example, a defendant’s

mental or emotional disability, low I.Q. (intelligence quotient), or language barrier may raise the

question of whether a waiver was made knowingly and intelligently.4 Shorty, 741 F.3d at 966-

68.

In contrast, Washington law requires only some “personal expression of waiver from the

defendant.” State v. Stegall, 124 Wn.2d 719, 725, 881 P.2d 979 (1994). No colloquy is required

for a valid waiver of the right to a jury. Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. at 240; Stegall, 124

Wn.2d at 728. We have repeatedly rejected calls to require “more” than this personal expression

3 State v. Gunwall, 106 Wn.2d 54, 720 P.2d 808 (1986). 4 Huston does not argue that factors that would give rise to requiring the four crucial factors exist here. Wash. Court of Appeals oral argument, State v. Huston, No. 55206-0 (Jan. 25, 2022), at 3 min., 13 sec., audio recording by TVW, Washington State’s Public Affairs Network, http://www.tvw.org.

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to find a valid waiver. See e.g., Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. at 240; Stegall, 124 Wn.2d

at 728; Benitez, 175 Wn. App. at 129. Huston does not provide a compelling reason as to why

we should deviate from well-established precedent.

Huston requests that we conduct a Gunwall analysis and argues that because

Washington’s constitution is more protective of a defendant’s right to a jury trial, Washington’s

constitution “requires courts to ensure that the defendant understands the ‘four crucial facts.’”

Br. of Appellant at 7 (quoting Shorty, 741 F.3d at 966). As we did in State v. Pierce, 134 Wn.

App. 763, 773, 142 P.3d 610 (2006), we decline to conduct a Gunwall analysis, and we reject

Huston’s argument that the Washington Constitution requires a trial court to advise a defendant

of the “four crucial facts” prior to accepting a jury waiver.

We note that this court has rejected this same argument multiple times. Pierce, 134 Wn.

App. at 773; Benitez, 175 Wn. App. at 119; State v. Brand, 55 Wn. App. 780, 788, 780 P.2d 894

(1989). Washington courts have previously determined that the right to trial by jury under

Washington’s state constitution is broader than the federal constitutional jury trial right. Pierce,

134 Wn. App. at 770. In Pierce, we held that “although Washington’s constitutional right to a

jury trial is more expansive than the federal right, it does not automatically follow that additional

safeguards are required before a more expansive right may be waived.” 134 Wn. App. at 773.

As the State correctly notes, it is not necessary for us to engage in a Gunwall analysis

because Huston’s argument conflates constitutional rights with the manner in which they may be

waived. Huston incorrectly assumes that if a right is more expansive, it necessarily follows that

the waiver of that right must be subject to additional procedural safeguards. However, the fact

that a right is more expansive does not correlate to requiring additional procedures to waive that

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right. Pierce, 134 Wn. App. at 773; Benitez, 175 Wn. App. at 127 (“the extent of protection

offered under the Washington constitution has no bearing on the legal standard for waiving the

right”).

The Gunwall factors establish whether a right is more expansive under the state

constitution, but they do not dictate the manner in which that right may or may not be waived.

Gunwall, 106 Wn.2d at 61. See State v. Hos, 154 Wn. App. 238, 250, 225 P.3d 389 (2010)

(holding that the right to a jury trial is of constitutional magnitude, while the manner waiving the

right is a procedural evidentiary issue).

Washington courts do not require the defendant to be notified of the “four crucial facts”

to render a jury waiver valid. Stegall, 124 Wn.2d at 725. Instead, our courts require a personal

expression of waiver from the defendant and consent by the court, taking the defendant’s

capabilities and experience into account. Stegall, 124 Wn.2d at 725; Ramirez-Dominguez, 140

Wn. App. at 245. Thus, Huston’s arguments fail.

B. Overruling Pierce

Huston argues that we should overrule Pierce because it is inconsistent with Supreme

Court precedent and the Washington Constitution. We disagree.

In Pierce, the defendant argued that his jury waiver was invalid because “a valid waiver

of the state constitutional right to a jury trial requires more than a valid waiver of the

corresponding federal right.” Pierce, 134 Wn. App. at 769. We declined Pierce’s invitation to

conduct a Gunwall analysis, holding that “[a]lthough Washington’s constitutional right to a jury

trial is more expansive than the federal right, it does not automatically follow that additional

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safeguards are required before a more expansive right may be waived.” Pierce, 134 Wn. App. at

773.

The analysis in Pierce is correct. Huston conflates the protections associated with a

constitutional right and the corresponding safeguards that must follow. Moreover, this principle

is consistent with our precedent. See Brand, 55 Wn. App. at 788; Stegall, 124 Wn.2d at 729

(holding that a waiver of the right to a jury trial is valid “on a showing of either (1) a personal

statement from the defendant expressly agreeing to the waiver, or (2) an indication that the trial

judge or defense counsel has discussed the issue with the defendant prior to the attorney’s own

waiver.”); State v. Trebilcock, 184 Wn. App. 619, 636, 341 P.3d 1004 (2014). We decline

Huston’s request to depart from Pierce.

C. Huston’s Waiver Was Made Knowingly, Intelligently, and Voluntarily

Huston briefly argues that even if the “four crucial facts” were not required, this record is

insufficient to show that his waiver was made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. We

disagree.

Washington law allows a defendant to waive a jury trial. Stegall, 124 Wn.2d at 723;

RCW 10.01.060; CrR 6.1(a). The defendant must waive his right knowingly, intelligently, and

voluntarily. Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. at 240. When determining whether a waiver

was made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily, we examine whether the defendant was

informed of his constitutional right to a jury trial, and we examine the facts and circumstances,

including the experience and capability of the accused. Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. at

240. “No colloquy is required for a waiver of the right to a jury; all that is required is a personal

expression of waiver by the defendant.” Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. at 240. A written

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waiver is strong evidence of the waiver’s validity. Ramirez-Dominguez, 140 Wn. App. at 240

n.10. When a record shows that the waiver occurred, we presume that a defendant waived his

jury trial right. Pierce, 134 Wn. App. at 771.

In this case, Houston signed a written waiver of his right to a jury trial. He orally agreed

to the waiver and indicated that he understood the written waiver. Huston also indicated that he

discussed the waiver with his attorney. Huston also orally agreed to a bench trial. And, he

indicated that he had no further questions and that all his questions about his waiver were

answered by his attorney. Additionally, the facts and circumstances do not warrant a finding that

the waiver was not made knowingly, intelligently, or voluntarily. Huston was 32 years old when

he waived his right to a jury trial, and he had completed one year of college. We presume the

validity of a written waiver, and nothing in the record indicates that Huston did not understand

the waiver or that he involuntarily waived his right.

Because the record shows that Huston made his waiver knowingly, intelligently, and

voluntarily, Huston’s argument fails and his waiver is valid.

II. COMMUNITY CUSTODY SUPERVISION FEE

Huston argues that his judgment and sentence should be amended to strike the provision

requiring him to pay community custody supervision fees because he is indigent. We disagree.

RCW 10.01.160(3) provides that “[t]he court shall not order a defendant to pay costs if

the defendant at the time of sentencing is indigent.”5 RCW 9.94A.760(1) provides that the

5 A determination of indigency must be made by the trial court through written findings. RAP 15.2(b). Although the judgment and sentence does not contain a finding that Huston was indigent, the trial court did find that Huston “lacks sufficient funds to prosecute an appeal,” CP at 32, and the parties agree that Huston is indigent. Thus, we presume his indigency.

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sentencing court cannot order an indigent defendant to pay “costs” as described in RCW

10.01.160. RCW 10.01.160(2) defines “costs” as follows: “Costs shall be limited to expenses

specially incurred by the state in prosecuting the defendant or in administering the deferred

prosecution program under chapter 10.05 RCW or pretrial supervision.” The community

custody supervision fees were imposed under RCW 9.94A.703, which states that “Unless waived

by the court, as part of any term of community custody, the court shall order an offender to

. . . [p]ay supervision fees as determined by the [Department of Corrections].” RCW

9.94A.703(2), (2)(d).

Community custody supervision fees are discretionary legal financial obligations (LFOs).

State v. Lundstrom, 6 Wn. App. 2d 388, 396 n.3, 429 P.3d 1116 (2018). However, community

custody supervision fees “do not meet the definition of a cost under RCW 10.01.160(2) because

they are not an expense specially incurred by the State to prosecute the defendant, to administer a

deferred prosecution program, or to administer pretrial supervision.” State v. Starr, 16 Wn. App.

2d 106, 109, 479 P.3d 1209 (2021). See State v. Spaulding, 15 Wn. App. 2d 526, 536, 476 P.3d

205 (2020) (holding that community supervision fees are not costs). “Instead, community

custody supervision fees are intended to cover post-conviction costs that will be incurred at a

later date to help fund the [Department of Corrections].” Starr, 16 Wn. App. 2d at 109. Because

supervision fees are not costs, the trial court did not err in imposing these costs against Huston.

Huston argues that we should overturn State v. Starr, 16 Wn. App. 2d 106, 109, 479 P.3d

1209 (2021) because it is incorrect and harmful. However, Huston has done nothing more than

identify conflicting court of appeals decisions. We decline to depart from Starr.

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Division I has concluded that the trial court may not impose supervision fees on indigent

defendants because they are discretionary. State v. Pervez, 15 Wn. App. 2d 265, 280, 478 P.3d

103 (2020). Conversely, Division II has held that a trial court may impose supervision fees on

indigent defendants. Starr, 16 Wn. App. 2d at 109; Spaulding, 15 Wn. App. 2d at 536. We are

not bound by the decision in Pervez, and we decline to follow its holding. We hold that the trial

court did not err in imposing community custody supervision fees.

We affirm Huston’s convictions and sentence.

A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW

2.06.040, it is so ordered.

Worswick, J. We concur:

Maxa, J.

Hull, J. Pro Tempore6

6 Judge Hull is serving as a judge pro tempore of the court pursuant to RCW 2.06.150.