State v. Doe

717 P.2d 83, 104 N.M. 107
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedFebruary 18, 1986
Docket8757
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 717 P.2d 83 (State v. Doe) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Doe, 717 P.2d 83, 104 N.M. 107 (N.M. Ct. App. 1986).

Opinion

OPINION

BIVINS, Judge.

Respondent, a juvenile, appeals from the trial court’s revocation of his probation. He raises two issues. First, whether the trial court violated respondent’s right to due process by revoking his probation, absent competent evidence that respondent had been informed of the condition of probation which he allegedly violated. Second, whether the trial court, by relying solely on hearsay evidence in revoking the probation, violated respondent’s due process rights of confrontation and cross-examination.

We reverse. Because we find the first issue dispositive, we do not discuss the second issue.

The standard of proof for probation revocation hearings in the children’s court is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. NMSA 1978, § 32-1-43 (Repl.Pamp.1981). Except as otherwise provided by the Children’s Court Rules of Procedure, the New Mexico Rules of Evidence govern all proceedings in the children’s court. NMSA, 1978, Child.Ct.R. 15 (Repl.Pamp.1982). The New Mexico Rules of Evidence, however, are inapplicable to proceedings granting or revoking probation. NMSA 1978, Evid.R. 1101(d)(2) (Repl.Pamp.1983). Rather, the determination of whether respondent violated the conditions of his probation must be “ ‘based on verified facts’ ”. State v. Vigil, 97 N.M. 749, 751, 643 P.2d 618, 620 (Ct.App.1982) (quoting from Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 92 S.Ct. 2593, 33 L.Ed.2d 484 (1972)).

Probation revocation, like parole revocation, is not part of the criminal process. Probationers, accordingly, are not guaranteed “the full panoply of rights” afforded to defendants in a criminal proceeding. Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. at 480, 92 S.Ct. at 2600. Nevertheless, in revocation proceedings, probationers maintain their due process rights. See id..; State v. Vigil.

The state sought to establish its case through the testimony of two witnesses. Mr. Jake Gonzales, respondent’s probation officer, testified that he had discussed with respondent the probation agreement and that respondent had initialled and signed the agreement. In part, the probation agreement required respondent “[to] obey the reasonable and proper orders and demands of [his] parents, guardian or custodian with whom [he] reside[s].” Mr. Gonzales also testified he explained to respondent that, as a condition of his probation, respondent was required to reside at the Hogares Group Home. Mr. Gonzales, however, could not remember whether he told respondent that even a temporary absence from the group home could result in a probation revocation.

The state also called Mr. Robert Sugar, director of the Substance Abuse Program, who testified that during “Phase I” of the program, the “standard procedure” is to distribute a packet of information to the residents. A member of the staff then discusses the rules and regulations with each resident. The rules and regulations were not introduced into evidence. Mr. Sugar testified, however, that one of the rules restricts a resident during Phase I to the program and to the home. He explained that there is absolutely no free time, and he defined free time as “leaving the premises on your own.”

Mr. Sugar, however, was not the staff person who delivered the packet of rulés and regulations to respondent, nor was he the staff person who discussed the requirements with respondent. The staff person, Mr. Ron Petty, who had the relevant personal knowledge, was available to testify but was “on his day off.” Mr. Sugar admitted, on cross-examination, he could not say that respondent ever received the packet or that any staff member discussed Hogares’ rules and regulations with respondent.

Respondent has a constitutionally protected liberty interest in his probation. Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778, 93 S.Ct. 1756, 36 L.Ed.2d 656 (1973); United States v. Dane, 570 F.2d 840 (9th Cir.1977). The trial court’s discretion, in probation revocation proceedings, thus, is tempered by due process considerations. Dane.

Respondent’s assertion that he had not been informed that a temporary absence from Hogares would work a probation violation raises the issue whether his probation was revoked without due process of law. As stated in Dane, “[i]t is an essential component of due process that individuals be given fair warning of those acts which may lead to a loss of liberty.” 570 F.2d at 843 (citations omitted). This is no less true whether the loss of liberty results from a criminal conviction or the revocation of probation. Id. The facts in Dane are similar to those before us. In that case the government sought to revoke defendant’s probation for violating a special condition of his probation, that he not trade, possess, or carry weapons, firearms, or explosives. There was no allegation that defendant, in that case, by handling weapons in Mexico, by having his personal weapons sent to him, and by engaging in armed instruction in Rhodesia, violated the laws of the United States or of any other country. In Dane there was conflicting proof as to whether the defendant ever had notice of the condition of probation which included a no-weapons condition. As here, there was no special condition in the judgment.

In addressing the due process requirement of fair warning, the Dane court drew a distinction between violations from which knowledge may be imputed and violations for which there must be a fair warning given. The court said:

As a general matter, formal conditions of probation serve the purpose of giving notice of proscribed activities. But a formal condition is not essential for purposes of notice. Courts have sustained the revocation of probation for criminal activity committed prior to the effective date of the conditions, United States v. Ross, 503 F.2d 940, 943 (5th Cir.1974), or where the defendant was not aware of the conditions, Tiitsman v. Black, 536 F.2d 678, 681-82 (6th Cir.1976). In such a case, knowledge of the criminal law is imputed to the probationer, as is an understanding that violation of the law will lead to the revocation of probation. On the other hand, where the proscribed acts are not criminal, due process mandates that the petitioner cannot be subjected to a forfeiture of his liberty for those acts unless he is given prior fair warning. Tiitsman v. Black, supra, 536 F.2d at 682; see United States v. Foster, 500 F.2d 1241, 1244 (9th Cir.1974); cf. Bouie v. City of Columbia, supra, 378 U.S. 347 [84 S.Ct. 1697, 12 L.Ed.2d 894]. Of course, where the warning is not contained in a formal condition, the record must be closely scrutinized to determine whether the defendant did, in fact, receive the requisite warning.

Id. at 843-44 (footnote omitted).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

State v. Sandlin
New Mexico Court of Appeals, 2023
State v. Salinas
New Mexico Court of Appeals, 2018
State v. Joshua M.
New Mexico Court of Appeals, 2012
State v. Baca
2004 NMCA 049 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 2004)
State v. Erickson K.
2002 NMCA 058 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 2002)
State v. TONY G.
909 P.2d 746 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1995)
State v. Davis
618 A.2d 557 (Connecticut Appellate Court, 1993)
State v. Lynn C.
748 P.2d 978 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1987)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
717 P.2d 83, 104 N.M. 107, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-doe-nmctapp-1986.