State v. Nelson

131 Wash. App. 175, 2005 Wash. App. LEXIS 3389
Court of Appeals of Washington·Decided November 22, 2005·No. No. 31969-1-II·Published·Cited by 1 cases

Opinion

¶1

Armstrong, J.

— The primary issue in this case is whether RCW 9.94A.500(1) requires the trial court to order and consider a presentence investigation report (PSI) prior to sentencing a defendant found guilty of failure to register as a sex offender.1 The defendant, Dennis Wayne Nelson, also appeals his conviction for failure to register as a sex offender, arguing insufficient evidence. We hold that the plain language of RCW 9.94A.500(1)2 does not require the trial court to order a PSI because failure to register as a sex offender is not a “sexual offense.” We also hold that the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction.

I. FACTS

¶2 The State charged Dennis Wayne Nelson with failure to register as a sex offender on or between July 18, 2003, and January 1, 2004. Nelson waived his right to a jury trial, the case proceeded to a bench trial on stipulated facts, and the trial court found Nelson guilty as charged.

[178] ¶3 At sentencing, the State requested that the trial court order a PSI, asserting that one was required under RCW 9-.94A.500(1) because failure to register qualified as a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030(38)(a)(i). Nelson argued that a PSI was not required because failure to register was not a sexual offense but rather a “status and reporting” offense. Report of Proceedings (RP) at 6-8. Agreeing with Nelson, the trial court refused to request a PSI and sentenced him to seven days, with credit for seven days’ time served.

¶4 The State appeals the trial court’s refusal to order and consider a PSI prior to sentencing Nelson.

II. ANALYSIS

¶5 RCW 9.94A.500(1) provides that the sentencing court “shall, at the time of plea or conviction, order the department [of corrections] to complete a presentence report before imposing a sentence upon a defendant who has been convicted of a felony sexual offense.” (Emphasis added.) The State argues, as it did below, that the trial court was required to order and consider a PSI because failure to register as a sex offender is defined as a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030(38).3 We disagree.

|6 This is a question of statutory interpretation, which we review de novo. State v. Ammons, 136 Wn.2d 453, 456, 963 P.2d 812 (1998). Our purpose is to ascertain and give effect to the legislature’s intent, giving terms their plain and ordinary meaning. State v. Bright, 129 Wn.2d 257, 265, 916 P.2d 922 (1996). In doing so, we avoid interpretations that are forced, unlikely, or strained. State v. Hendrix, 109 Wn. App. 508, 512, 35 P.3d 1189 (2001) (citing State v. Elgin, 118 Wn.2d 551, 555, 825 P.2d 314 (1992)). We give undefined statutory terms their common meaning unless the legislature intended otherwise. State v. Walls, 106 Wn. App. 792, 795, 25 P.3d 1052 (2001).

[179] ¶7 Chapter 9.94A RCW defines failure to register as a sex offender as a “sex offense.” RCW 9.94A.030(38); see also State v. King, 111 Wn. App. 430, 45 P.3d 221 (2002). Although the State recognizes that the term “sexual offense” is not statutorily defined, it concludes that the legislature intended the term to have the same meaning as “sex offense.” Br. of Resp’t at 4-5. But the State cites no authority and presents no argument supporting this conclusion.

¶8 Although the legislature defined the term “sex offense” in chapter 9.94A RCW, it chose to use the term “sexual offense” rather than “sex offense” in RCW 9-.94A.500(1).4 Thus, the legislature clearly had the term “sex offense” available to it but it chose to use a different, arguably narrower, term in this context. “Because the legislature chose different terms, we must recognize that a different meaning was intended by each term.” State v. Roggenkamp, 153 Wn.2d 614, 626, 106 P.3d 196 (2005). Had the legislature intended to require PSIs for all “sex offenses” it could have easily done so by using that term; we will not substitute the definition for a term it did not elect to use.

¶9 Webster’s Third New International Dictionary defines “sexual” as “of or relating to the sphere of behavior associated with libidinal gratification.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 2082 (1969). It further defines “libidinal” as “of or belonging to the libido,” and “libido” as “emotional or psychic energy derived from primitive biological urges,” “desire for sexual outlet or gratification,” or “lustful desire or striving.” Webster’s at 1304. Under these definitions, a “sexual offense” is an offense involving sexual [180] gratification. Failing to comply with a registration statute does not implicate sexual gratification. Thus, under this definition, the trial court did not err in refusing to request or consider a PSI prior to sentencing Nelson.

¶10 Furthermore, RCW 9.94A.500’s approach of specifying that PSIs are required only for certain classes of offenses suggests that part of its purpose was to ensure that the State’s limited resources are used in those cases that will benefit most from a PSI. Using the narrower term “sexual offense,” which refers to offenses of a sexual nature, rather than the broader term “sex offense” is consistent with this policy.

¶11 Accordingly, we conclude that RCW 9.94A.500(1) does not require a PSI for all “sex offenses,” and the trial court did not err.

III. SUFFICIENCY

¶12 Nelson also argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. Again, we disagree.

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State v. Nelson, 131 Wash. App. 175, 2005 Wash. App. LEXIS 3389 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005).

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