NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Electronically Filed Intermediate Court of Appeals CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX 14-OCT-2022 07:54 AM Dkt. 94 SO
NO. CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX
IN THE INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS
OF THE STATE OF HAWAI#I
STATE OF HAWAI#I, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. COURTNEY SHAWN WILKINS, Defendant-Appellant
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND CIRCUIT (CASE NO. 2CPC-XX-XXXXXXX(1))
SUMMARY DISPOSITION ORDER (By: Leonard, Presiding Judge, Hiraoka and Wadsworth, JJ.)
Defendant-Appellant Courtney Shawn Wilkins (Wilkins)
appeals from the June 26, 2019 Judgment; Conviction and Probation
Sentence; Terms and Conditions of Probation; Notice of Entry
(Judgment), entered by the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit
(Circuit Court).1
Wilkins asserts a single point of error on appeal,
contending that the Circuit Court erred in denying her September
24, 2018 Defendant's Motion to Suppress Statements and Evidence
1 The Honorable Rhonda I.L. Loo presided. NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Gathered in Violation of Defendant's Rights Under Article I,
Section 7 of the Hawai#i Constitution (Motion to Suppress).
After the Motion to Suppress was denied, Wilkins
entered a conditional plea of no contest to Entry of Animals
Without Inspection Prohibited, in violation of Hawaii Revised
Statutes (HRS) § 142-4 (2018),2 and Arrival Ports, in violation
of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Rule 4-29-5 (2018).3
2 HRS § 142-4 provides:
§ 142-4 Entry of animals without inspection prohibited. No animal shall be allowed to enter the State except after inspection by the department of agriculture and the issuance of a permit by the department to the consignee or owner; provided that no fees for inspection shall be charged, nor delays caused, concerning the landing of any domestic animal for which a certificate of health has been issued as prescribed by the Federal Cattle Contagious Disease Act. Every carrier, owner, or handler bringing animals into the State shall be required to present these animals to the department of agriculture for inspection. 3 HAR § 4-29-5 provides:
§ 4-29-5 Arrival ports. (a) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores which are subject to quarantine pursuant to section 4-29-9 or inspection pursuant to section 4-29-22 shall be landed at a port or airport on the island of Oahu or a port or airport approved by the department that has facilities and an agent designated by the department to process dogs and cats for entry. (b) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores to be quarantined at the quarantine station or to be inspected pursuant to section 4-29-22 who arrive at neighbor island ports or airports not approved by the department shall be shipped to the island of Oahu at the owner's expense on the first available aircraft. (c) To land a dog, cat, or other carnivore at a neighbor island port or airport approved by the department, the animal owner, shipper, or handler shall: (1) Meet the requirements of sections 4-29-8, 4-29-8.1, and 4-29-8.2 for direct airport release for each animal except that all required documents shall be submitted to the department no less than thirty days before the arrival date; (2) Submit a request for a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit to the department no less than thirty days before the arrival date; (continued...)
2 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Wilkins's plea was conditioned on her ability to appeal the
denial of the Motion to Suppress.
Upon careful review of the record and the briefs
submitted by the parties, and having given due consideration to
the arguments advanced and the issues raised, as well as the
relevant legal authorities, we resolve Wilkins's point of error
as follows:
Wilkins does not contend that she was subjected to a
custodial interrogation, which would require Miranda warnings.4
Rather, citing State v. Won, 137 Hawai#i 330, 372 P.3d 1065
(2015), Wilkins argues that the Circuit Court erred in concluding
that Wilkins's statements and physical evidence were obtained
through voluntary and consensual interactions. Wilkins bases
this argument on the assertions that (1) the Circuit Court did
not consider Wilkins's perception of the interactions, in light
of her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (2) no one told
3 (...continued) (3) Contract with an agent approved by the department to inspect and release each animal upon arrival; and (4) Possess a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit issued by the department for each animal. (d) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores arriving or landing at neighbor island ports or airports without a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit issued by the department shall be transported out of the State or quarantined and transported to the Honolulu International Airport at the carrier's expense on the first available aircraft. (e) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores aboard transiting private and commercial vessels are subject to section 4-29-7. 4 See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
3 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Wilkins that she had a right to refuse to speak with them and
provide them statements or documents.
Wilkins does not challenge any of the 90 findings of
fact (FOFs)5 or specifically point to any of the 30 conclusions
of law (COLs) set forth in the Circuit Court's December 24, 2018
[FOFs]; [COLs]; Order Denying Defendant's Motion to Suppress
Evidence and Statements (FOFs, COLs and Order).
As to Wilkins's first assertion, the FOFs clearly
demonstrate that the Circuit Court considered Wilkins's
perception of her interactions with various persons at the Maui
airport, where she entered the State of Hawai#i (State) with her
service animal, Riley. Riley did not have a valid rabies blood
test upon entry to the State. The FOFs also recognize Wilkins's
testimony regarding her perceptions and feelings when she was
contacted by and interacted with Dr. Richard Willer, a
veterinarian employed by the Department of Agriculture (Dr.
Willer). The FOFs specifically note, inter alia, that Wilkins
told Dr. Willer that she had PTSD. Thus, although the Circuit
Court did not find Wilkins's testimony to be credible, the record
does not support Wilkins's assertion that the Circuit Court
failed to consider Wilkins's perceptions as part of the totality
of the circumstances.
5 FOFs not challenged on appeal are binding. Kaho #ohanohano v. Haw. Dep't of Hum. Servs., 117 Hawai#i 262, 267, 178 P.3d 538, 543 (2008).
4 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Wilkins also asserts that none of the airline
employees, airport employees, nor the Department of Agriculture
employees that Wilkins interacted with, told Wilkins she could
refuse to talk to them. Thus, Wilkins points to Won and argues
(obliquely) that the Circuit Court erred in not specifically
addressing this lack of advisement. However, Won makes clear
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Electronically Filed Intermediate Court of Appeals CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX 14-OCT-2022 07:54 AM Dkt. 94 SO
NO. CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX
IN THE INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS
OF THE STATE OF HAWAI#I
STATE OF HAWAI#I, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. COURTNEY SHAWN WILKINS, Defendant-Appellant
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND CIRCUIT (CASE NO. 2CPC-XX-XXXXXXX(1))
SUMMARY DISPOSITION ORDER (By: Leonard, Presiding Judge, Hiraoka and Wadsworth, JJ.)
Defendant-Appellant Courtney Shawn Wilkins (Wilkins)
appeals from the June 26, 2019 Judgment; Conviction and Probation
Sentence; Terms and Conditions of Probation; Notice of Entry
(Judgment), entered by the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit
(Circuit Court).1
Wilkins asserts a single point of error on appeal,
contending that the Circuit Court erred in denying her September
24, 2018 Defendant's Motion to Suppress Statements and Evidence
1 The Honorable Rhonda I.L. Loo presided. NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Gathered in Violation of Defendant's Rights Under Article I,
Section 7 of the Hawai#i Constitution (Motion to Suppress).
After the Motion to Suppress was denied, Wilkins
entered a conditional plea of no contest to Entry of Animals
Without Inspection Prohibited, in violation of Hawaii Revised
Statutes (HRS) § 142-4 (2018),2 and Arrival Ports, in violation
of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Rule 4-29-5 (2018).3
2 HRS § 142-4 provides:
§ 142-4 Entry of animals without inspection prohibited. No animal shall be allowed to enter the State except after inspection by the department of agriculture and the issuance of a permit by the department to the consignee or owner; provided that no fees for inspection shall be charged, nor delays caused, concerning the landing of any domestic animal for which a certificate of health has been issued as prescribed by the Federal Cattle Contagious Disease Act. Every carrier, owner, or handler bringing animals into the State shall be required to present these animals to the department of agriculture for inspection. 3 HAR § 4-29-5 provides:
§ 4-29-5 Arrival ports. (a) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores which are subject to quarantine pursuant to section 4-29-9 or inspection pursuant to section 4-29-22 shall be landed at a port or airport on the island of Oahu or a port or airport approved by the department that has facilities and an agent designated by the department to process dogs and cats for entry. (b) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores to be quarantined at the quarantine station or to be inspected pursuant to section 4-29-22 who arrive at neighbor island ports or airports not approved by the department shall be shipped to the island of Oahu at the owner's expense on the first available aircraft. (c) To land a dog, cat, or other carnivore at a neighbor island port or airport approved by the department, the animal owner, shipper, or handler shall: (1) Meet the requirements of sections 4-29-8, 4-29-8.1, and 4-29-8.2 for direct airport release for each animal except that all required documents shall be submitted to the department no less than thirty days before the arrival date; (2) Submit a request for a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit to the department no less than thirty days before the arrival date; (continued...)
2 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Wilkins's plea was conditioned on her ability to appeal the
denial of the Motion to Suppress.
Upon careful review of the record and the briefs
submitted by the parties, and having given due consideration to
the arguments advanced and the issues raised, as well as the
relevant legal authorities, we resolve Wilkins's point of error
as follows:
Wilkins does not contend that she was subjected to a
custodial interrogation, which would require Miranda warnings.4
Rather, citing State v. Won, 137 Hawai#i 330, 372 P.3d 1065
(2015), Wilkins argues that the Circuit Court erred in concluding
that Wilkins's statements and physical evidence were obtained
through voluntary and consensual interactions. Wilkins bases
this argument on the assertions that (1) the Circuit Court did
not consider Wilkins's perception of the interactions, in light
of her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (2) no one told
3 (...continued) (3) Contract with an agent approved by the department to inspect and release each animal upon arrival; and (4) Possess a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit issued by the department for each animal. (d) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores arriving or landing at neighbor island ports or airports without a valid Neighbor Island Inspection Permit issued by the department shall be transported out of the State or quarantined and transported to the Honolulu International Airport at the carrier's expense on the first available aircraft. (e) Dogs, cats, and other carnivores aboard transiting private and commercial vessels are subject to section 4-29-7. 4 See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
3 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Wilkins that she had a right to refuse to speak with them and
provide them statements or documents.
Wilkins does not challenge any of the 90 findings of
fact (FOFs)5 or specifically point to any of the 30 conclusions
of law (COLs) set forth in the Circuit Court's December 24, 2018
[FOFs]; [COLs]; Order Denying Defendant's Motion to Suppress
Evidence and Statements (FOFs, COLs and Order).
As to Wilkins's first assertion, the FOFs clearly
demonstrate that the Circuit Court considered Wilkins's
perception of her interactions with various persons at the Maui
airport, where she entered the State of Hawai#i (State) with her
service animal, Riley. Riley did not have a valid rabies blood
test upon entry to the State. The FOFs also recognize Wilkins's
testimony regarding her perceptions and feelings when she was
contacted by and interacted with Dr. Richard Willer, a
veterinarian employed by the Department of Agriculture (Dr.
Willer). The FOFs specifically note, inter alia, that Wilkins
told Dr. Willer that she had PTSD. Thus, although the Circuit
Court did not find Wilkins's testimony to be credible, the record
does not support Wilkins's assertion that the Circuit Court
failed to consider Wilkins's perceptions as part of the totality
of the circumstances.
5 FOFs not challenged on appeal are binding. Kaho #ohanohano v. Haw. Dep't of Hum. Servs., 117 Hawai#i 262, 267, 178 P.3d 538, 543 (2008).
4 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Wilkins also asserts that none of the airline
employees, airport employees, nor the Department of Agriculture
employees that Wilkins interacted with, told Wilkins she could
refuse to talk to them. Thus, Wilkins points to Won and argues
(obliquely) that the Circuit Court erred in not specifically
addressing this lack of advisement. However, Won makes clear
that courts must consider the totality of the circumstances and
that "the constitution does not require that individuals be
expressly informed of their right to refuse a search, [but]
whether they were so informed remains a relevant factor in a
determination of whether consent was, in fact, free and voluntary
under the totality of the circumstances." Won, 137 Hawai#i at
342, 372 P.3d at 1077.
Wilkins does not challenge the factual bases or legal
conclusion that Wilkins did not have an actual subjective nor
objective expectation of privacy when she voluntarily boarded a
plane and entered a public airport, both of which adhere to
strict and heightened security measures. Wilkins makes no cogent
argument that a warrant was required prior to asking her for the
proper Department of Agriculture paperwork/permit when she
entered the State with a dog. Wilkins does not challenge the
Circuit Court's findings and conclusions that Wilkins was never
detained, handcuffed, seized, deprived of her freedom of action
in any significant way, by anyone, and/or threatened, coerced,
promised, or even questioned by Dr. Willer.
5 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER
Notwithstanding that Wilkins was not specifically told
that she could refuse to talk to, e.g., Dr. Willer, under the
totality of the circumstances, as reflected in the FOFs and COLs,
as well as all of the evidence presented at the hearing on the
Motion to Suppress, we conclude that the Circuit Court did not
err in concluding that Wilkins's statements were voluntary.
Therefore, we further conclude that the Circuit Court did not err
in denying the Motion to Suppress.
For these reasons, the Circuit Court's June 26, 2019
Judgment is affirmed.
DATED: Honolulu, Hawai#i, October 14, 2022.
On the briefs: /s/ Katherine G. Leonard Kevin O'Grady, Presiding Judge (Law Office of Kevin O'Grady, LLC), /s/ Keith K. Hiraoka for Defendant-Appellant. Associate Judge
Gerald K. Enrigues, /s/ Clyde J. Wadsworth Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Associate Judge County of Maui, for Plaintiff-Appellee.