United States v. Karla Chavarria

380 F. App'x 634

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: May 26, 2010
• Docket: 09-50076
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

MEMORANDUM ***

Karla Chavarria appeals the district court’s denial of her request for a continuance, as well as the district court’s decision not to hold a full competency hearing under 18 U.S.C. § 4241. The parties are familiar with the facts of this case, which we repeat here only to the extent necessary to explain our decision. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742, and affirm.

We review the district court’s decision to deny a continuance for abuse of discretion. United States v. Nguyen, 262 F.3d 998, 1002 (9th Cir.2001). Chavarria should have anticipated that incriminating post-arrest statements might be introduced at trial, even if not presented in the government’s case-in-chief. Furthermore, the grant of a continuance would not have provided access to any new evidence. Chavarria already possessed all relevant evidence, and was not prejudiced by the denial of a continuance. See United States v. Flynt, 756 F.2d 1352, 1358-59 (9th Cir.1985) (listing relevant factors).

We review the district court’s decision whether to hold a competency hearing for clear error. United States v. Warren, 984 F.2d 325, 328 (9th Cir.1993). A defendant need only “understand the nature of the proceedings and participate intelligently to the extent participation is called for.” Chavez v. United States, 656 F.2d 512, 518 (9th Cir.1981). Here, Chavarria correctly identified each party’s role in the proceedings against her. A court-appointed psy chiatrist found Chavarria “somewhat limited,” but competent. The district court therefore did not clearly err in declining to hold a full competency hearing under 18 U.S.C. § 4241.

Nor did the district court abuse its discretion in denying a continuance of sentencing. There is no evidence in the record that Chavarria was prejudiced by the district court’s decision. Furthermore, Chavarria did not diligently pursue a competency-related continuance, which she only requested after the district court denied a separate, unrelated request for a continuance.

Accordingly, the district court’s decision is AFFIRMED.

*** This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9 th Cir. R. 36-3.