State v. Rollins

266 P.3d 1211, 152 Idaho 106, 2011 Ida. App. LEXIS 52, 2011 WL 2803621
CourtIdaho Court of Appeals
DecidedJuly 19, 2011
Docket37688
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 266 P.3d 1211 (State v. Rollins) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho 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. Rollins, 266 P.3d 1211, 152 Idaho 106, 2011 Ida. App. LEXIS 52, 2011 WL 2803621 (Idaho Ct. App. 2011).

Opinion

*108 GRATTON, Chief Judge.

Ronald W. Rollins, Jr. appeals his sentence imposed upon a guilty plea to grand theft, Idaho Code § 18-2403(1). Rollins argues that the district court erred by failing to order a psychological evaluation before sentencing and abused its discretion by imposing an excessive sentence. We affirm.

I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Rollins entered a welding business with a key that had been entrusted to him by the business owner’s sister. He took two pieces of welding machinery valued at approximately $7,750 to a pawn shop and received $600. Rollins spent the money on drugs. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Rollins pled guilty to grand theft and was released directly to a voluntary drug rehabilitation program. After entry of the guilty plea, the district court inquired about the need for an I.C. § 19-2524 evaluation, which allows courts to “order the defendant to undergo a substance abuse assessment and/or a mental health examination.” I.C. § 19-2524(1). Rollins’ attorney replied that the drug rehabilitation program would provide an evaluation that would assist the court in sentencing and a separate evaluation would not be necessary.

The presentence investigation report (PSI) summarized Rollins’ history of misdemeanor crimes: possession of alcohol by a minor; driving without privileges; failure to purchase a license; battery; two instances of petit theft; unlawful sale of prescription drugs; and two probation violations. Rollins also had charges of grand theft and forgery dismissed. As it related to investigating Rollins’ mental condition, the investigator reported that two attempts had been made to involuntarily commit Rollins’ mother, but both proceedings had been dropped. Rollins’ ex-girlfriend at the time of the investigation told the investigator that Rollins was a pathological liar, had stolen from her, had caused her severe financial difficulties, and possibly had mental health problems similar to his mother’s. Rollins stated to the investigator that he “would like a mental health evaluation.” Relating to his drug addiction, Rollins told the investigator that he had been addicted to pain medication for approximately eight years and that he desires to stop using drugs. The investigator concluded that Rollins’ criminal problems were attempts to support his drug habit and that he needed a controlled environment to address his addictions, thinking, and behavior. The investigator did not recommend that the court obtain a psychological evaluation for sentencing purposes.

At sentencing, Rollins l’equested a withheld judgment. The court imposed a unified sentence of five years with two years determinate and suspended the sentence, placing Rollins on supervised probation. Rollins appeals.

II.

DISCUSSION

Rollins claims the sentencing court erred by failing to order a psychological evaluation, and abused its discretion by imposing an excessive sentence.

A. Psychological Evaluation

Rollins argues the district court erred by failing to order a psychological evaluation prior to sentencing. Rollins contends that he requested an evaluation through the PSI. Alternatively, he asserts that the district court erred by failing to sua sponte order a psychological evaluation prior to sentencing.

In the PSI, the investigator wrote: “The defendant stated he has never had mental health counseling, never considered or attempted suicide, but reports that he feels anxiety and depression and would like a mental health evaluation. He stated that his mother has mental health issues with anxiety and depression.” (Emphasis added.) On appeal, Rollins characterizes this statement as a request for a psychological evaluation. The State asserts that the reference was in relation to treatment, not sentencing, and, moreover, does not constitute a motion or other proper request for a presentence psychological evaluation.

*109 While a presentenee investigator may recommend a psychological evaluation, Idaho Criminal Rule 32(d), the sentencing court is charged with deciding whether to order an evaluation. I.C. § 19-2522; I.C.R. 32(d). Idaho Criminal Rule 47 states:

An application to the court for an order shall be by motion. A motion other than one made during a trial or hearing shall be in writing unless the court permits it to be made orally. It shall state the grounds upon which the motion is made and shall set forth the relief or order sought. It may be supported by affidavit. Any written order entered shall be on a separate document.

Rollins, who was represented by counsel, did not file a motion with the district court requesting a psychological evaluation. This Court will not consider the statement Rollins made to the investigator as a motion, or any other request directed to the district court. Thus, Rollins’ argument on appeal that the district court erred by failing to grant his request for a psychological evaluation is without merit.

Rollins alternatively argues — for the first time on appeal — that the district court should have sua sponte ordered a psychological evaluation. This issue presents the question of appellate review of a district court’s failure to order a psychological evaluation when no request for, or objection to, the lack of such evaluation was made. We have held that a claim that the district court should have sua sponte ordered a psychological evaluation will be reviewed upon a showing of a manifest disregard of I.C.R. 32. Cf. State v. Jones, 132 Idaho 439, 442, 974 P.2d 85, 88 (Ct.App.1999) (“Where a defendant fails to request a psychological evaluation or object to the PSI on the ground that an evaluation has not been performed, a defendant must demonstrate that by failing to order a psychological evaluation the court ‘manifestly disregarded the provisions of I.C.R. 32.’ ”). A question arises regarding the status or appropriate use of the “manifest disregard” standard in light of the comprehensive fundamental error analysis set out in State v. Perry, 150 Idaho 209, 245 P.3d 961 (2010). As set forth below, Rollins can satisfy neither the manifest disregard nor the fundamental error standard and, therefore, we need not decide, in this case, whether the manifest disregard standard has continued vitality in light of Perry. We believe the question will be presented in a future matter and we will require briefing of the parties on the issue at that time. However, we take this opportunity to provide a brief review of the manifest disregard standard and its potential intersection with the fundamental error standards re-articulated in Perry.

The manifest disregard of Rule 32 standard can be traced to State v. Toohill, 103 Idaho 565, 566-67, 650 P.2d 707, 708-09 (Ct.App.1982). There, Toohill argued that his PSI was inadequate because the report did not provide a full analysis of his psychological condition or set forth a plan of rehabilitation.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
266 P.3d 1211, 152 Idaho 106, 2011 Ida. App. LEXIS 52, 2011 WL 2803621, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-rollins-idahoctapp-2011.