State v. Jackson

829 P.2d 1136, 65 Wash. App. 856, 1992 Wash. App. LEXIS 231
Court of Appeals of Washington·Decided May 26, 1992·No. No. 25158-9-I·Published·Cited by 5 cases

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Jeffrey Quinton Jackson appeals the order of disposition entered in juvenile court finding him guilty of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), alleging that the court erred in ordering him to contribute [858] $50 to the interlocal drug fund. The case has been referred to a panel of judges for accelerated review pursuant to RAP 18.12. We reverse and remand for resentencing.

Facts

On October 19, 1988, a security officer employed by the Lake Shore Apartments in Seattle found Jackson sitting alone in a car on apartment property. The security officer was aware that Jackson was not allowed to be on apartment property and contacted police. Shortly thereafter, a Seattle police officer arrived at the scene and investigated the apparent criminal trespass violation. The police officer searched Jackson for weapons and found a white substance resembling cocaine.

Jackson was later charged by information with the crimes of possession of cocaine (count 1) and criminal trespass in the second degree (count 2). Following a fact-finding hearing, the juvenile court found Jackson guilty of count 1 and not guilty of count 2.

A disposition hearing was held on December 6, 1989. Jackson received a disposition within the standard range for the drug offense. The juvenile court also ordered Jackson to pay "$50.00 to the Interlocal Drug Fund within 60 days of this date". This appeal followed.

Decision

The sole issue presented on review is whether the juvenile court erred in ordering Jackson to pay $50 to the interlocal drug fund. Jackson contends that the court exceeded its statutory authority in ordering him to contribute to the interlocal drug fund under the Juvenile Justice Act of 1977 (JJA), which provides:

The provisions of chapters 13.04 and 13.40 RCW, as now or hereafter amended, shall be the exclusive authority for the adjudication and disposition of juvenile offenders except where otherwise expressly provided.

RCW 13.04.450.

Jackson relies on a line of cases discussing whether the victim's penalty assessment under RCW 7.68.035 applies to [859] proceedings in juvenile court.1 In State v. Q.D., 102 Wn.2d 19, 29, 685 P.2d 557 (1984), the court held that juvenile offenders may be ordered to pay the penalty assessment because RCW 7.68.035 "expressly and unambiguously provides for the application of the penalty in juvenile [proceedings]." The Court of Appeals reached similar results in State v. Sargent, 36 Wn. App. 463, 674 P.2d 1268 (1984) and State v. Anderson, 37 Wn. App. 157, 678 P.2d 1310 (1984). In both cases, the decision of the court was based on the fact that the Legislature had expressly authorized the imposition of the victim's penalty assessment in juvenile offense proceedings. Since there are no provisions in the JJA or any other statute which specifically authorize a juvenile court to require a juvenile offender to contribute to the drug interdiction fund, Jackson argues that this court should strike that financial obligation from his disposition.

The State on the other hand asserts that Jackson's reading of the JJA is too narrow and restricted. The State correctly points out that RCW 13.40.020(3)(a) permits the court to impose a fine which does not exceed $100 as part of community supervision.2 Since contributions to the interlocal drug fund are treated as a "court-ordered legal financial obligation" under RCW 9.94A030(10), the State argues that the term "fine" in RCW 13.40.020(3)(a) should be liberally [860] construed to encompass contributions to the interlocal drug fund. The State's argument is, however, flawed.

The State relies upon a definition of "court-ordered legal financial obligation" contained in the adult determinate sentencing scheme of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 (SRA). Although the State is correct when it states that interlocal drug funds are included within the statutory definition of "court-ordered legal financial obligation", the State fails to mention that "fines" are also specifically fisted as a financial obligation under the statute.3 "Where different language is used in the same connection in different parts of a statute, it is presumed that a different meaning was intended." State v. Roth, 78 Wn.2d 711, 715, 479 P.2d 55 (1971); see also Seeber v. State Pub. Disclosure Comm'n, 96 Wn.2d 135, 139, 634 P.2d 303 (1981). We must therefore presume that the Legislature intended "fines" and "interlocal drug funds" to have different meanings under the SRA.

As noted earlier, however, the juvenile court is expressly authorized to assess a fine as part of the disposition of juvenile offenders. The word "fine" is not defined in the JJA. If a term is not defined in a statute, the term is generally accorded its plain and ordinary meaning unless a contrary legislative intent is evident. Cowiche Canyon Conservancy v. Bosley, 118 Wn.2d 801, 828 P.2d 549 (1992). "Fine" is commonly understood to mean "[a] sum required to be paid as punishment or penalty for an offense". Webster's New World Dictionary (2d ed. 1976). Using this definition of [861] "fine", a monetary payment to the interlocal drug fund would appear to qualify as a proper financial penalty under the JJA.4 However, there is language in the JJA suggesting a contrary legislative intent.

RCW 13.40.200(4) provides:

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State v. Jackson, 829 P.2d 1136, 65 Wash. App. 856, 1992 Wash. App. LEXIS 231 (Wash. Ct. App. 1992).

829 P.2d 1136 (State v. Jackson) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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