IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 85721-5-I
Respondent, DIVISION ONE
v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION FRANKLIN LOUIS HUTTON,
Appellant.
SMITH, C.J. — Franklin Hutton pleaded guilty to malicious mischief in the
second degree and agreed to pay restitution. At the restitution hearing, Hutton
requested that the court exercise its discretion and waive his restitution to the
insurance provider under RCW 9.94A.753. The court determined it did not have
discretion to take such action. The court also noted in its restitution order that it
could consider waiving restitution interest under RCW 10.82.090 only if the
principal of the restitution is paid in full. Hutton appeals.
FACTS
In 2019, Franklin Hutton pleaded guilty to malicious mischief in the second
degree for intentionally damaging Benjamin Alvarez’s vehicle. Hutton was riding
his bike and was “nearly run off the road” by Alvarez. 1 Hutton confronted Alvarez
in a parking lot while Alvarez was still in his car. Hutton used a knife to scrape
along the car and then unsuccessfully tried to puncture a tire. Hutton was
1 Respondent does not deny these facts, but simply refers to the events as a “road rage incident.” No. 85721-5-I/2
apprehended and arrested by police in a nearby parking lot shortly after the
incident.
Hutton entered into a plea deal with the State, pleading guilty to second
degree malicious mischief and agreeing to pay restitution. The court imposed
the low end of the standard range based of Hutton’s accountability and success
addressing the underlying causes of his behavior. The total amount of damages
was $5,759.37. The court also found Hutton indigent under RCW 10.01.160(3).
Three months later, at the restitution hearing, Hutton asked the court to
exercise its discretion and reduce his restitution based on his indigence under
the newly amended RCW 9.94A.753.2 Hutton asked the court to waive the
$4,759.37 covered by Allstate Insurance Company and limit his restitution to the
$1,000 deductible paid by Alvarez. The court declined the request, explaining:
“despite the fact that it says I have discretion, I don’t think I can exercise that
discretion unless you actually join the insurance company.” The court appeared
to believe that by not imposing restitution it would also be extinguishing any civil
claims of the insurance company. The court did note it had the ability to waive
interest, but in its order the court declined to waive interest, noting “[o]nly if the
principal of the restitution is paid in full may the court consider reducing or
waiving the interest.”
2 In January 2023 (eight months before Hutton’s restitution hearing), the legislature amended RCW 9.94A.753 to authorize the court to relieve a defendant from the obligation to pay restitution to an insurance provider. LAWS OF 2022, ch. 260, §§ 3, 26.
2 No. 85721-5-I/3
Hutton appeals the judgment and sentence, asserting the court erred
when it stated it did not have discretion to relieve Hutton from his obligation to
pay restitution to an insurance provider or assess whether restitution interest
should be waived.
ANALYSIS
Standard of Review
This court reviews statutory interpretations de novo. State v. Abdi-Issa,
199 Wn.2d 163, 168, 504 P.3d 223 (2022). First, the court must analyze whether
the language is ambiguous. State v. Delgado, 148 Wn.2d 723, 726-27, 63 P.3d
792 (2003). If the plain language of the statute is unambiguous, the inquiry ends.
State v. J.W.M., 1 Wn.3d 58, 86, 524 P.3d 596 (2023). The language of a statute
is unambiguous when only one clear interpretation can be drawn. Delgado, 148
Wn.2d at 727. If more than one reasonable interpretation can be drawn, the
court then looks to legislative history “ ‘as a further indication of legislative
intent.’ ” J.W.M., 1 Wn.3d at 86 (quoting State v. B.O.J., 194 Wn.2d 314, 323,
449 P.3d 1006 (2019)).
Restitution
Hutton contends that the court erred when it failed to recognize its
discretion to reduce restitution owed to an insurance provider. The State agrees
the court had discretion to reduce restitution but contends that the error was
harmless and the court was following the agreement of the parties.
A trial court's application of an incorrect legal analysis or other error of law
can constitute an abuse of discretion. State v. Tobin, 161 Wn.2d 517, 523, 166
3 No. 85721-5-I/4
P.3d 1167 (2007). Failure to exercise discretion is an abuse of discretion.
Kucera v. Dep 't of Transp., 140 Wn.2d 200, 224, 995 P.2d 63 (2000).
RCW 9.94A.753(3)(b) provides in relevant part: At any time, including at sentencing, the court may determine that the offender is not required to pay, or may relieve the offender of the requirement to pay, full or partial restitution and accrued interest on restitution where the entity to whom restitution is owed is an insurer . . . if the court finds that the offender does not have the current or likely future ability to pay. A person does not have the current ability to pay if the person is indigent as defined in RCW 10.01.160(3).
The statute further provides that any civil remedies are not limited by the court’s
determination of restitution. RCW 9.94A.753(9).
When notification is required, statutes identify such in the language. See
e.g., RCW 10.82.090(3)(c) (“The prosecuting attorney shall make reasonable
efforts to notify the victim entitled to restitution of the date and place of the
hearing.”) (emphasis added); RCW 9.94A.750(7) (“[A]n offender . . . may be
ordered by the sentencing court to give notice of the conviction to the class of
persons . . . affected.”) (emphasis added).
Hutton and the State agree that the court had the discretion to relieve
Hutton of the requirement to pay restitution to the insurance company without
joining the provider or giving notice. Nowhere in the plain language of
RCW 9.94A.753 does it require the insurance company to be joined or given
notice prior to the court exercising its discretion to relieve a defendant of
restitution obligations.
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 85721-5-I
Respondent, DIVISION ONE
v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION FRANKLIN LOUIS HUTTON,
Appellant.
SMITH, C.J. — Franklin Hutton pleaded guilty to malicious mischief in the
second degree and agreed to pay restitution. At the restitution hearing, Hutton
requested that the court exercise its discretion and waive his restitution to the
insurance provider under RCW 9.94A.753. The court determined it did not have
discretion to take such action. The court also noted in its restitution order that it
could consider waiving restitution interest under RCW 10.82.090 only if the
principal of the restitution is paid in full. Hutton appeals.
FACTS
In 2019, Franklin Hutton pleaded guilty to malicious mischief in the second
degree for intentionally damaging Benjamin Alvarez’s vehicle. Hutton was riding
his bike and was “nearly run off the road” by Alvarez. 1 Hutton confronted Alvarez
in a parking lot while Alvarez was still in his car. Hutton used a knife to scrape
along the car and then unsuccessfully tried to puncture a tire. Hutton was
1 Respondent does not deny these facts, but simply refers to the events as a “road rage incident.” No. 85721-5-I/2
apprehended and arrested by police in a nearby parking lot shortly after the
incident.
Hutton entered into a plea deal with the State, pleading guilty to second
degree malicious mischief and agreeing to pay restitution. The court imposed
the low end of the standard range based of Hutton’s accountability and success
addressing the underlying causes of his behavior. The total amount of damages
was $5,759.37. The court also found Hutton indigent under RCW 10.01.160(3).
Three months later, at the restitution hearing, Hutton asked the court to
exercise its discretion and reduce his restitution based on his indigence under
the newly amended RCW 9.94A.753.2 Hutton asked the court to waive the
$4,759.37 covered by Allstate Insurance Company and limit his restitution to the
$1,000 deductible paid by Alvarez. The court declined the request, explaining:
“despite the fact that it says I have discretion, I don’t think I can exercise that
discretion unless you actually join the insurance company.” The court appeared
to believe that by not imposing restitution it would also be extinguishing any civil
claims of the insurance company. The court did note it had the ability to waive
interest, but in its order the court declined to waive interest, noting “[o]nly if the
principal of the restitution is paid in full may the court consider reducing or
waiving the interest.”
2 In January 2023 (eight months before Hutton’s restitution hearing), the legislature amended RCW 9.94A.753 to authorize the court to relieve a defendant from the obligation to pay restitution to an insurance provider. LAWS OF 2022, ch. 260, §§ 3, 26.
2 No. 85721-5-I/3
Hutton appeals the judgment and sentence, asserting the court erred
when it stated it did not have discretion to relieve Hutton from his obligation to
pay restitution to an insurance provider or assess whether restitution interest
should be waived.
ANALYSIS
Standard of Review
This court reviews statutory interpretations de novo. State v. Abdi-Issa,
199 Wn.2d 163, 168, 504 P.3d 223 (2022). First, the court must analyze whether
the language is ambiguous. State v. Delgado, 148 Wn.2d 723, 726-27, 63 P.3d
792 (2003). If the plain language of the statute is unambiguous, the inquiry ends.
State v. J.W.M., 1 Wn.3d 58, 86, 524 P.3d 596 (2023). The language of a statute
is unambiguous when only one clear interpretation can be drawn. Delgado, 148
Wn.2d at 727. If more than one reasonable interpretation can be drawn, the
court then looks to legislative history “ ‘as a further indication of legislative
intent.’ ” J.W.M., 1 Wn.3d at 86 (quoting State v. B.O.J., 194 Wn.2d 314, 323,
449 P.3d 1006 (2019)).
Restitution
Hutton contends that the court erred when it failed to recognize its
discretion to reduce restitution owed to an insurance provider. The State agrees
the court had discretion to reduce restitution but contends that the error was
harmless and the court was following the agreement of the parties.
A trial court's application of an incorrect legal analysis or other error of law
can constitute an abuse of discretion. State v. Tobin, 161 Wn.2d 517, 523, 166
3 No. 85721-5-I/4
P.3d 1167 (2007). Failure to exercise discretion is an abuse of discretion.
Kucera v. Dep 't of Transp., 140 Wn.2d 200, 224, 995 P.2d 63 (2000).
RCW 9.94A.753(3)(b) provides in relevant part: At any time, including at sentencing, the court may determine that the offender is not required to pay, or may relieve the offender of the requirement to pay, full or partial restitution and accrued interest on restitution where the entity to whom restitution is owed is an insurer . . . if the court finds that the offender does not have the current or likely future ability to pay. A person does not have the current ability to pay if the person is indigent as defined in RCW 10.01.160(3).
The statute further provides that any civil remedies are not limited by the court’s
determination of restitution. RCW 9.94A.753(9).
When notification is required, statutes identify such in the language. See
e.g., RCW 10.82.090(3)(c) (“The prosecuting attorney shall make reasonable
efforts to notify the victim entitled to restitution of the date and place of the
hearing.”) (emphasis added); RCW 9.94A.750(7) (“[A]n offender . . . may be
ordered by the sentencing court to give notice of the conviction to the class of
persons . . . affected.”) (emphasis added).
Hutton and the State agree that the court had the discretion to relieve
Hutton of the requirement to pay restitution to the insurance company without
joining the provider or giving notice. Nowhere in the plain language of
RCW 9.94A.753 does it require the insurance company to be joined or given
notice prior to the court exercising its discretion to relieve a defendant of
restitution obligations. Because the court had discretion to relieve Hutton of the
4 No. 85721-5-I/5
restitution requirement but failed to exercise that discretion, we conclude that the
court erred.
While conceding that the court erred in interpreting its discretion to not
impose restitution, the State contends the error was harmless. A harmless error
is one made by the court that is “‘trivial, or formal, or merely academic, and was
not prejudicial to the substantial rights of the party assigning it, and in no way
affected the outcome of the case.’” State v. Havens, 171 Wn. App. 220, 224, 286
P.3d 772 (2012) (quoting State v. Wanrow, 88 Wn.2d 221, 237, 559 P.2d 548
(1977)). When a trial court fails to consider information it should have, the
harmless error analysis is not applicable. State v. Brown, 178 Wn. App. 70, 80–
81, 312 P.3d 1017 (2013) (“In the absence of [information], we can only
speculate as to . . . what effect that information might have had on the outcome.
Thus, we cannot assess the probability of a different outcome.”).
The court’s error was not harmless because the court failed to consider
information it should have. The State contends that by agreeing to “pay
restitution in full,” Hutton waived his right to ask the court to order that he pay a
lesser amount of restitution. But, the State does not provide any authority for this
assertion. No reason exists to believe Hutton waived his right to make the
request. Therefore, the court abused its discretion by failing to exercise its
discretion. In light of the current statute, the court erred in not considering
Hutton’s request to waive restitution to the insurance provider under
RCW 9.94A.753(3)(b).
5 No. 85721-5-I/6
Restitution Interest
Hutton asserts that the court erred when it did not recognize its discretion
to waive interest on restitution under RCW 10.82.090(2). The State agrees the
court had discretion to waive interest, but contends that the court was not
required to consider the statutory factors of RCW 10.82.090(3) on the record.
We agree with Hutton.
RCW 10.82.090(2) addresses waiving interest on restitution not yet
ordered, stating: “[t]he court may elect not to impose interest on any restitution
the court orders.” Before waiving interest, a court must consider a person's
indigence, funds and liabilities, mental health, victim's input, and the interest of
justice. RCW 10.82.090(2). RCW 10.82.090(3) addresses waiving the interest
on restitution already imposed: “[t]he court may, on motion by the offender,
reduce or waive the interest on legal financial obligations levied as a result of a
criminal conviction . . . only if the principal has been paid in full.”
The court noted in the restitution order that “[o]nly if the principal of the
restitution is paid in full may the court consider reducing or waving the interest.”
The language the court cites is from RCW 10.82.090(3)(b), which addresses
waiver of restitution on motion by the offender “levied as a result of a criminal
conviction.” The language of section (3)(b) concerns only previously imposed
restitution interest. Here, the court has not yet levied the restitution and,
therefore, the provision about payment in full is not applicable.
The State does not contend that the court should not have considered
RCW 10.92.090(2) generally, only that the court did not need to consider the
6 No. 85721-5-I/7
factors of RCW 10.82.090(2) because that analysis is only required if the court
determines not to impose interest on restitution. The State is likely correct that
the factors need not be considered if the court determines not to waive interest
on restitution, but that assumes that the court considered whether to impose
interest under RCW 10.82.090(2) at all, which it did not. The court did not reach
the issue because it believed it did not have the discretion to do so. But because
restitution had not yet been imposed, the court did have discretion to waive the
interest under RCW 10.82.090(2) and, therefore, should have applied the statute.
We conclude that it was error for the court not to have considered waiving
interest on restitution under RCW 10.82.090(2).
We vacate the restitution order and remand to the trial court for a new
restitution hearing to apply the current restitution statutes when determining
whether to impose restitution owed to Allstate Insurance Company and any
interest on restitution.
WE CONCUR: