State v. Janise

570 P.2d 499, 116 Ariz. 557, 1977 Ariz. LEXIS 221
CourtArizona Supreme Court
DecidedOctober 5, 1977
Docket3860
StatusPublished
Cited by20 cases

This text of 570 P.2d 499 (State v. Janise) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Arizona Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Janise, 570 P.2d 499, 116 Ariz. 557, 1977 Ariz. LEXIS 221 (Ark. 1977).

Opinion

*558 GORDON, Justice.

This is an appeal from a conviction for second degree burglary, a violation of A.R.S. § 13-302. Appellant’s counsel submitted briefs as required by Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). Additionally, we have reviewed the entire record for error pursuant to the mandate of A.R.S. § 13-1715.

The relevant facts, which appear in the arresting officer’s report, show that appellant and Vern Miguel were observed as they approached a parked pick-up truck. Upon reaching the rear of the vehicle, appellant opened the door to the camper, reached in, and removed a twelve volt battery. The officers stopped the two suspects after they had proceeded about 100 yards along the nearby railroad tracks, and requested a production of identification. Appellant, unable to produce personal identification, claimed the vehicle belonged to him, the registration being in the glove compartment. The officers and suspects proceeded to the truck; however, after looking inside the glove compartment, appellant stated he could not locate the registration. At this point, the officers ran a check on the suspects and the vehicle. While waiting for the completion of the check, the officers inquired as to where appellant was taking the battery. “To get it charged,” was the response. With each additional question, appellant became more nervous. When one of the officers checked under the hood of the vehicle, discovering a good battery attached to the electrical system, appellant changed his story to one of selling the battery rather than having it recharged. When asked if he had the keys to the vehicle, appellant replied “his woman” had them. An officer then personally checked the glove compartment and found the vehicle registration, which did not indicate appellant as owner. Appellant then claimed he had purchased the vehicle from someone else, but could not remember their name nor where they lived. At this point, both suspects were advised of their Miranda 1 rights. After an officer indicated he would check whether appellant had purchased the vehicle, appellant stated “Okay if I tell the truth, will you give me a break? I’ll put the battery back.” “Just tell the truth,” was the reply. Appellant then admitted to the burglary, stating he intended to sell the battery. Nothing in the report indicated appellant was intoxicated at that time.

After pleading not guilty, appellant waived the preliminary hearing and agreed to submit the case to the court solely on the contents of the police report. He was found guilty, and placed on probation for five years. An appeal was filed, we take jurisdiction pursuant to 17A A.R.S. Supreme Court Rules, Rule 47(e).

Four issues were raised, or discerned by this Court:

(1) Whether the court’s failure to apprise appellant of the range of possible sentences violated his right of due process;

(2) Whether sufficient independent evidence of the corpus delicti existed to permit the use of appellant’s confession;

(3) Whether the trial court abused its discretion by not ordering evaluation and treatment of appellant pursuant to A.R.S. § 36-2027; and

(4) Whether the condition of probation prohibiting consumption of intoxicating liquor to an excess constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

Range of Sentence

The submission of the case for a determination based solely on the police departmental report containing appellant’s admission is, without question, tantamount to a plea of guilty. State v. Garcia, 115 Ariz. 535, 566 P.2d 683 (1977). Although the trial court complied with Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969), the record does not indicate appellant’s being informed of the range of possible sentences. This omission is fatal. State v. Hooper, 107 Ariz. 327, 487 P.2d 394 (1971); Rule 17.2, Rules of Criminal Procedure, 17 A.R.S. Accordingly, we *559 order the cause be remanded to the Superi- or Court and direct an evidentiary hearing be held to determine whether appellant was aware, prior to the submission, of the possible range of sentence. The trial court shall then report its findings of fact to this Court within 30 days of the issuance of the mandate.

Corpus Delicti

If, as is alleged, the police departmental report lacked sufficient independent evidence to warrant a reasonable inference that the crime charged was actually committed by some person, then appellant’s “confession” in the report could not be used. State v. Hernandez, 83 Ariz. 279, 320 P.2d 467 (1958). To be sufficient, the evidence must show (1) proof of a result, and (2) that someone is criminally responsible. However, only a reasonable inference of the corpus delicti must exist, it need not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before the confession may be considered. State v. Wilson, 113 Ariz. 145, 548 P.2d 23 (1976); State v. Hinkle, 26 Ariz.App. 561, 550 P.2d 115 (1976). The police officers witnessed appellant reach into the camper and remove a battery. When questioned, appellant was unable to demonstrate any indicia of ownership for the vehicle which was registered in another’s name. Appellant accedes entry was proven, and only questions whether the evidence is sufficient to create an inference of the requisite intent, “to commit grand or petty theft, or any felony * * A.R.S. § 13-302. Since intent may be shown by circumstantial evidence, such as by a subsequent criminal act, State v. Rood, 11 Ariz.App. 102, 462 P.2d 399 (1969); see also Gibson v. State, 25 Ariz. 236, 215 P. 729 (1923), the taking of another’s battery coupled with the entry is sufficient to infer the corpus delicti. State v. Flores, 9 Ariz.App. 502, 454 P.2d 172 (1969).

A.R.S. § 36-2027

A.R.S. § 36-2027 states, inter alia: “A.

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Bluebook (online)
570 P.2d 499, 116 Ariz. 557, 1977 Ariz. LEXIS 221, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-janise-ariz-1977.