State v. Chambers

138 P.3d 405, 36 Kan. App. 2d 228, 30 A.L.R. 6th 695, 2006 Kan. App. LEXIS 703
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kansas
DecidedJuly 21, 2006
DocketNo. 93,626
StatusPublished
Cited by24 cases

This text of 138 P.3d 405 (State v. Chambers) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Chambers, 138 P.3d 405, 36 Kan. App. 2d 228, 30 A.L.R. 6th 695, 2006 Kan. App. LEXIS 703 (kanctapp 2006).

Opinion

Buser, ].:

Brent K. Chambers appeals from the district court’s order that he register as a sex offender pursuant to the Kansas Offender Registration Act, K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4901 et seq. (KORA). Chambers also appeals from the district court’s restitution orders. We affirm in part and reverse in part.

Factual and Procedural Background

In December 2003, Chambers was charged in Butler County with two counts of burglary, two counts of misdemeanor theft, and one count of misdemeanor criminal damage to property. The information alleged in part that Chambers had entered two residences with the intent to commit theft and had stolen women’s lingerie.

Eight days later, Chambers was charged in another Butler County case with two counts of burglary to a dwelling with the intent to commit theft and had stolen women’s lingerie. Both cases were ultimately consolidated.

From the inception of the litigation, the State made clear its contention that “[t]his is a sexually motivated offense.” The State repeated its contention at the plea hearing in March 2004, advising the district court it would seek registration of Chambers as a sex offender pursuant to the KORA. Chambers pled guilty to the burglary counts, and the State dismissed the remaining misdemeanor counts. In stating the factual basis for his pleas, Chambers said he entered the residences to look for undergarments, he took all the “ladies underwear, undergarments” that he could find, and then went home. Because the parties could not agree on the sex offender [230]*230registration issue, the State indicated “the court will have to determine same at the time of sentencing.”

In April 2004, the State filed a “Notice of Allegation of Sexually Motivated Crime.” The State requested that “the Court, as trier of fact, hear evidence at time of sentencing to determine whether [Chambers] was sexually motivated when he committed the crimes of burglary beyond a reasonable doubt pursuant to K.S.A. 59-29al4 and/or K.S.A. 22-4901 et seq.”

The sentencing hearing was held in May 2004. Two witnesses testified in support of a finding that the crimes were sexually motivated. The first, Detective Tracy Burnett, testified on behalf of the State regarding his interview of Chambers following the offenses. During this interview, Chambers admitted he had stolen the undergarments in order to take them home and masturbate with them. Detective Burnett testified that masturbation was the only motive Chambers gave for the thefts.

A therapist, Jennifer Reid, LCSW, testified she had treated Chambers since 1999. Reid first met Chambers when he was admitted to an adolescent sex offender program “after he had perpetrated similar acts in Hutchinson.” Reid testified that Chambers had a number of diagnoses, including “[o]bviously ... a fetish disorder, which is the stealing of women’s undergarments.” Other diagnoses included “a voyeurism diagnosis,” an indication of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, somatoform disorder, impulse control disorder, a differential diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and personality disorder not otherwise specified.

Reid opined that Chambers’ behavior would not progress to more violent acts because “I’ve known [Chambers] for four or five years now and his arousal patterns have not changed, his fantasies have not changed, the material to which he masturbates has not changed, it’s pretty consistent.” Reid testified Chambers would need therapy “[t]wo years minimum. Likely forever.” She characterized the instant crimes as a relapse, saying, “It’s kind of like alcoholism; it’s going to have to be monitored forever.” Reid also stated Chambers has a history of not taking his medication, and [231]*231that “[h]e has to take his medication. He cannot go off of these unless it’s determined appropriate by the treatment team.”

When asked, “[Ajlthough these crimes are burglaries, you would agree that these are sexual in nature?” Reid answered, “Yes.”

The sentencing judge also took testimony from the victims on the amount of restitution. The victims gave the cost to replace the stolen lingerie, and they agreed with the State that it would be difficult to put a market value on used lingerie. One parent also testified to the installation of a $350 security system in their home because “we live across the street from this young man, and our 13-year-old will not stay home by herself anymore.”

The sentencing judge imposed a base sentence of 32 months’ imprisonment, but pursuant to the sentencing guidelines placed Chambers on a 24-month probation. In addition to conditions of probation, Chambers was ordered to pay a total of $1,225 in restitution, which included the cost of the security system installed by one of the victim families.

In July 2004, in a continuation of the sentencing hearing, the judge found Chambers’ crimes were sexually motivated and ordered that he register as a sex offender. Chambers appeals.

Constitutionality of K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4901 et seq. (KORA)

The KORA requires registration of offenders. K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4904(a)(l), (a)(3) and (a)(4). An “offender” includes any person defined as a “sex offender.” K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4902(a)(l) and K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4904(a)(l). A sex offender includes persons convicted of a “sexually violent crime.” K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4902(b). “Sexually violent crime” is defined in part by listing specific offenses which include, among other crimes, rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, criminal sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery. See K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4902(c)(l), (3), (4), and (10). Burglary is not specifically listed as a sexually violent crime under any of this statute’s provisions.

K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 22-4902(c)(14), however, includes as a sexually violent crime:

“[A]ny act which at the time of sentencing for the offense has been determined beyond a reasonable doubt to have been sexually motivated. As used in this sub-[232]*232paragraph, ‘sexually motivated’ means that one of the purposes for which the defendant committed the crime was for the purpose of the defendant’s sexual gratification.”

As noted earlier, the sentencing judge found beyond a reasonable doubt the burglaries Chambers committed were sexually motivated. Chambers argues that “[b]ecause K.S.A. 2003 Supp.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
138 P.3d 405, 36 Kan. App. 2d 228, 30 A.L.R. 6th 695, 2006 Kan. App. LEXIS 703, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-chambers-kanctapp-2006.