P. v. Rios

Annotate this Case

Download PDF

Filed 3/16/11 CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION* IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT THE PEOPLE, F059673 Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super. Ct. No. MF007940A) v. FLORENCIO RIOS, OPINION Defendant and Appellant. APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Kern County. Stephen P. Gildner and Jerold L. Turner, Judges. Peggy A. Headley, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant. Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Attorney General, Dane R. Gillette, Chief Assistant Attorney General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Julie A. Hokans and Peter W. Thompson, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent. * Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.1105(b) and 8.1110, this opinion is certified for publication with the exception of part II of the Discussion. Judge Gildner heard the suppression motion brought pursuant to Penal Code section 1538.5; Judge Turner imposed sentence. Following denial of his suppression motion (Pen. Code,1 § 1538.5), appellant, Florencio Rios, pleaded no contest to possessing a firearm after being previously convicted of a violent offense (§ 12021.1, subd. (a); count 1) and resisting or obstructing a peace officer (§ 148, subd. (a)(1); count 2). He admitted to having been previously convicted of four serious or violent felonies (§§ 667, subds. (c)-(j), 1170.12, subds. (a)(e)) and having served four prior prison terms (§ 667.5, subd. (b)). Sentenced to prison for 25 years to life plus three years and ordered to pay various fines and fees, he now appeals, claiming his suppression motion was wrongly denied and that, because section 12021.1 has been replaced by section 12021, the trial court lacked fundamental subject matter jurisdiction and so the judgment is void. For the reasons that follow, we conclude that Rios s Fourth Amendment rights were not violated, and that he cannot raise the statutory claim because he failed to obtain a certificate of probable cause. Accordingly, we affirm. We publish to address Rios s contention that his suppression motion should have been granted because (1) the prosecution failed to prove the scope and precise terms of the search condition of the juvenile probationer in whose residence Rios was present, and (2) Rios s detention and pat search breached the limited power and authority conferred on probation officers under California law. I. MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE It is settled that a trial court hearing a motion to suppress evidence acts as the finder of fact. Under standard principles of appellate review, we uphold its factual findings, whether express or implied, if they are supported by substantial evidence. (Cf. People v. Johnson (1980) 26 Cal.3d 557, 578.) We then exercise our independent judgment and measure the facts, as found by the trier, against the constitutional standard 1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise stated. 2. of reasonableness to determine whether the search and seizure were lawful. (People v. Lawler (1973) 9 Cal.3d 156, 160.) A. Factual Background Evidence adduced at the hearing on the motion shows that on July 14, 2007, Kern County Deputy Probation Officer Terry Michael Morris was assigned to the High Risk Juvenile Supervision Unit. At approximately 9:30 that morning, he and five other probation officers went to a residence on C Street in Rosamond, where juvenile probationer R.R. resided. Before going to that location, Morris had reviewed R.R. s juvenile record, and so was aware that the conditions of R.R. s probation included orders not to associate with gang members and search terms. In addition, during a home visit by officers on May 11, 2007, R.R. had admitted being under the influence of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia and gang tagging had been found in the house. Upon arriving at R.R. s home on July 14, one of the officers knocked and announced they were from probation, and someone let them in. Morris was the third officer to enter, whereupon he made contact with Rios, who was sitting on a couch to the right of the front door. When Morris asked who he was, Rios responded that he had just gotten there and was not doing anything. Morris asked Rios s name and address, whether he was on probation or parole, and his purpose for being in the residence; Rios s response to each question was that he was not doing anything. The answer was often accompanied by an expletive directed at Morris. Given the heat of the day, Morris found it unusual that Rios was wearing layers of clothing. In addition, Rios had a tattoo over one eyebrow that read One Way In, One Way Out, and a tattoo of three dots on the web of one hand. Based on his training and experience, Morris believed these to be gang related. 3. As Morris moved to be in front of Rios, Rios turned his body away and leaned forward slightly.2 Each time Morris took a step further in front of him, Rios leaned forward farther, pushing his right forearm against his waist and turning his shoulder away from Morris. When Morris asked him not to do that and informed him that he was being detained and that Morris was going to check his identification through the sheriff s department, Rios turned his back to Morris and leaned his upper body down on the couch with his right arm pressed against his stomach. Based on everything he had noticed, including Rios s clothing, evasiveness, and mannerisms, Morris believed Rios was trying to hide a weapon. Morris asked Rios to please stand up and allow Morris to pat him down for Morris s safety. Rios responded, Fuck you, I am not doing anything, man. Believing Rios had a weapon and concerned for his own safety and that of the other officers, Morris grabbed Rios s left hand and twisted his wrist. He repeatedly ordered Rios to the ground, but Rios kept saying, Fuck you, I am not doing anything, and attempting to pull away. Another officer helped Morris take Rios to the ground and handcuff him. Rios was face down on the floor but kept turning his upper body, making it difficult for Morris to pat him down. Morris stood him up and started patting him down; Rios leaned forward suddenly and a handgun wrapped in a blue bandanna fell out of the front of his shirt area. Morris then discovered a switchblade on Rios. B. Analysis At the hearing on the suppression motion, the People conceded that there was no arrest or search warrant for Rios at the relevant time, and no evidence was presented that the probation officers possessed any kind of warrant with respect to R.R. or his residence. Because the physical entry of the home is the chief evil against which the wording of 2 Perhaps 20 to 30 seconds elapsed between when Morris entered the house and when Rios hunched over slightly. 4. the Fourth Amendment is directed, [i]t is a basic principle of Fourth Amendment law that searches and seizures inside a home without a warrant are presumptively unreasonable. (Payton v. New York (1980) 445 U.S. 573, 585-586, fns. omitted.) This principle extends to warrantless entries. (Illinois v. Rodriguez (1990) 497 U.S. 177, 181.) Because the officers here lacked a warrant, the People bore the burden of establishing, by a preponderance of the evidence, an exception to the warrant requirement. (People v. Camacho (2000) 23 Cal.4th 824, 830; People v. Jordan (1990) 217 Cal.App.3d 640, 645; see Lego v. Twomey (1972) 404 U.S. 477, 488-489.) Consent constitutes such an exception. (Illinois v. Rodriguez, supra, 497 U.S. at p. 181.) The People presented evidence that R.R., who resided at the residence in which the search and seizure took place, was subject to a search condition of probation, which constitutes advance consent. (See People v. Bravo (1987) 43 Cal.3d 600, 605 (Bravo).) At the suppression hearing, Rios did not challenge the entry into the residence, but instead limited his challenge to his detention after entry. On appeal Rios now argues, however, that because the prosecution failed to prove the precise terms of R.R. s warrantless search condition, the warrantless entry, and resulting detention and pat search of Rios, violated the Fourth Amendment. But Rios cannot now challenge the lawfulness of the entry on appeal because he made no objection to it in the trial court. (See People v. Scott (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 405, 410-411.) Accordingly, we assume the officers entry into R.R. s residence was lawful, and we examine the extent to which Rios can challenge what took place after the entry.3 We address Rios s ability to take issue with R.R. s conditions of probation in our discussion of ineffective assistance of counsel, post. There was no evidence that the probation officers were targeting Rios when they went to R.R. s residence, or that they used the fact R.R. was on probation as an excuse to enter in order to arrest Rios. (See People v. Scott, supra, 17 Cal.App.4th at p. 411, fn. 6.) 3 5. 1. Fourth Amendment rights are personal and may not be vicariously asserted. (Rakas v. Illinois (1978) 439 U.S. 128, 133-134.) [A] court may not exclude evidence under the Fourth Amendment unless it finds that an unlawful search or seizure violated the defendant s own constitutional rights. [Citations.] And the defendant s Fourth Amendment rights are violated only when the challenged conduct invaded his expectation of privacy rather than that of a third party. [Citations.] (United States v. Payner (1980) 447 U.S. 727, 731.) A defendant bears the burden of establishing a legitimate expectation of privacy in the area searched. (People v. McPeters (1992) 2 Cal.4th 1148, 1172, superseded by statute on another point as stated in Verdin v. Superior Court (2008) 43 Cal.4th 1096, 1106-1107; People v. Madrid (1992) 7 Cal.App.4th 1888, 1895-1896.) Being legitimately on the premises, without more, is insufficient. (Rakas v. Illinois, supra, 439 U.S. at pp. 143, 148; People v. Koury (1989) 214 Cal.App.3d 676, 686.) In the present case, we can reasonably infer that Rios was legitimately on the premises, since he was seated inside on a couch when officers entered and there was no evidence that whoever gave admittance to the officers complained about his presence. Beyond this, however, there was no suggestion Rios was anything more than a casual, temporary visitor.4 Therefore, he had no legitimate expectation of privacy. Accordingly, he failed to establish that his own Fourth Amendment rights were violated by a search of the residence, and so he cannot now challenge that search. (People v. Rivera (2007) 41 Cal.4th 304, 308, fn. 1.) 4 In his written motion to suppress, Rios asserted that he was the brother-in-law of R.R. s mother. The motion was not evidence, however (People v. Scott, supra, 17 Cal.App.4th at p. 408, fn. 2), and status as a family member would not automatically afford Rios a legitimate expectation of privacy in the residence (see In re Rudy F. (2004) 117 Cal.App.4th 1124, 1135). 6. 2. Rios can, however, challenge the seizure (detention) and search of his person, which led to discovery of the firearm.5 (People v. Hannah (1996) 51 Cal.App.4th 1335, 1340 (Hannah).) The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable seizures. (People v. Celis (2004) 33 Cal.4th 667, 673.) A seizure occurs whenever a police officer by means of physical force or show of authority restrains the liberty of a person to walk away. [Citations.] Whether a seizure has taken place is to be determined by an objective test, which asks not whether the citizen perceived that he was being ordered to restrict his movement, but whether the officer s words and actions would have conveyed that to a reasonable person. [Citation.] Thus, when police engage in conduct that would communicate[] to a reasonable person that he was not at liberty to ignore the police presence and go about his business, there has been a seizure. [Citations.] (Ibid.) Rios does not address precisely when he was detained, instead apparently assuming that a detention occurred upon the probation officers entry into the residence. The issue is not necessarily clear cut, and the People made no concession on this point at the suppression hearing. There was no evidence Rios was directed to remain seated (compare Hannah, supra, 51 Cal.App.4th at p. 1338) or that any of the officers had their weapons drawn, assuming they were, in fact, armed (compare People v. Glaser (1995) 11 Cal.4th 354, 361, 363 (Glaser)). Mere questioning does not constitute a seizure. (Florida v. Bostick (1991) 501 U.S. 429, 434.) Morris only told Rios that he was being detained when Rios kept turning away from Morris and was starting to lean over. On the Using the outmoded terminology of standing (see People v. Ayala (2000) 23 Cal.4th 225, 254, fn. 3 [directing that mention of standing should be avoided when analyzing Fourth Amendment claim]), the People initially claimed in their written response to the suppression motion that Rios could not contest the search and seizure involved in the present case. At the hearing, however, they conceded that he had standing with respect to his person and personal effects. 5 7. other hand, Morris was standing in the doorway through which Rios apparently would have had to exit had he desired to leave. Although Morris seems to have been the only officer in the same room as Rios, a fairly large number of probation officers had entered the residence. In addition, Morris continued to question Rios even though Rios made it clear he did not want to answer. For purposes of our analysis, we will assume that, taking into account all of the circumstances, the officers conduct would have communicated to a reasonable person, from the time of entry, that he or she was not at liberty to ignore the officers presence and go about his or her business; hence, a detention occurred. (Florida v. Bostick, supra, 501 U.S. at p. 437.) In Michigan v. Summers (1981) 452 U.S. 692, 705 (Summers), the United States Supreme Court held that a search warrant founded on probable cause carries with it the limited authority to detain the occupants of the premises while the search is conducted. In Glaser, supra, 11 Cal.4th 354, the California Supreme Court declined to adopt a blanket approval of detentions in the course of searches pursuant to warrant. (Id. at pp. 373-374.) Instead, the court held: When, in the course of initiating a search under warrant of a private residence for illegal drugs or related items, police officers encounter on the premises a person whose identity and connection to the premises are unknown and cannot immediately be determined without detaining the person, the officers may constitutionally detain him or her for the period of time required and in the manner necessary to make those determinations and to protect the safety of all present during the detention. If the person is determined to be an occupant of the home to be searched, he or she may be detained, pursuant to Summers, for the duration of the search. [Citation.] If the person is determined not to be an occupant, further detention is proper only if justified by other specific, articulable facts connecting him or her to the criminal activity suspected to be occurring on the premises or establishing a danger to the officers if the person is released. (Id., at p. 374.) 8. In Hannah, supra, 51 Cal.App.4th 1335, officers went to an apartment to search for a juvenile who was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant. When they entered, the defendant and another male were seated in the living room. One officer, who remained in the living room while another officer looked for the juvenile, asked the men to remain seated, then questioned them about their identities, relationship to the person who had answered the door, and why they were there. Within a few minutes of entering, the officer saw signs that the defendant was under the influence of drugs and attempted to arrest him. When the defendant tried to flee, a struggle ensued. A search of the defendant s person turned up drugs. (Id. at p. 1339.) After analyzing the pertinent law, especially Glaser and Summers (Hannah, at pp. 1344-1347), we concluded: The nature of the intrusion upon defendant was minimal. Balanced against this was the governmental interest in obtaining information, preventing a suspect from evading the police, and ensuring the safety of the police officers involved. Considering the totality of the circumstances, the initial detention of defendant was reasonable and legal. (Id. at p. 1347.) In People v. Matelski (2000) 82 Cal.App.4th 837 (Matelski), officers went to a residence to conduct a probation search of a probationer who had failed a drug test. As they arrived, they saw the defendants walking out the front door. One officer ordered the defendants to come over, whereupon the officers explained that a term of the resident s probation prevented him from associating with convicted felons. The defendants were asked for their names and dates of birth; when it was determined that both had outstanding arrest warrants, both were arrested and drugs were found. At the suppression hearing, the defendants argued that they were not engaged in any criminal activity when they were detained, and that the officers had no facts indicating even a suspicion of criminal activity. The People responded that it was reasonable to detain the defendants to 9. determine if they were convicted felons in order to ascertain whether the probationer was in violation of his probation conditions. (Id. at pp. 841-842.)6 Relying primarily on Glaser and Hannah, the appellate court balanced the extent of the intrusion against the governmental interests justifying it, and concluded that the detentions were constitutionally reasonable. (Matelski, supra, 82 Cal.App.4th at p. 849.) The court noted that the detention was brief about 15 minutes and that there was no particular embarrassment or stigma attached to it because it was not viewed by the public. (Id. at pp. 849-850.) Although there was no need to determine the defendants connection to the premises, there was a need to determine defendants connection to the probationer because the probationer was prohibited by his general terms of probation from consorting with convicted felons. (Id. at p. 850.) Moreover, the court concluded, [s]ecurity demands that the persons in the home at the time of the officers arrival remain there until the officers have completed their investigation. (Ibid.) The court noted that, although the officers had neither an arrest nor a search warrant, they were not acting randomly, but were conducting a valid search of the home of a probationer who had failed a drug test. ¦ Since the probationer waived his Fourth Amendment rights, the officers were properly able to enter the premises to search it without a warrant. (Id. at p. 851.) Once properly on the premises, the officers could briefly detain others present to determine their identity. (Id. at p. 852.) In our view, Matelski is factually similar and legally persuasive. Although the probation officers in Rios s case had no arrest or search warrant, they were conducting a valid home visit to a probationer who had violated his probation in the recent past. They had the right to enter and search for him, he was subject to gang and drug conditions, and 6 In its recitation of the facts and arguments related to the suppression motion, the Court of Appeal in Matelski occasionally refers to the resident as a parolee, rather than a probationer, and to parole conditions. It is clear from the court s analysis, however, that the resident was on probation. 10. Rios had what reasonably appeared to be visible gang tattoos on his face and hand. Under the circumstances, they could briefly detain him to ascertain his identity and relationship to the probationer and the probationer s residence. 3. Rios does not contend that Matelski was wrongly decided or does not apply. Instead, he argues that he could not be lawfully detained merely because he was a visitor in a juvenile probationer s home, unless the probation officers were lawfully present inside the home due to the juvenile s warrantless search condition. Accordingly, he concludes, the People had to prove the scope and precise terms of R.R. s probation conditions, and they presented insufficient evidence in this regard. Recognizing that defense counsel did not argue in the trial court that the warrantless entry violated the Fourth Amendment on this basis, Rios says he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because of this failure.7 The burden of proving ineffective assistance of counsel is on the defendant. (People v. Pope (1979) 23 Cal.3d 412, 425.) To secure reversal of a conviction upon the ground of ineffective assistance of counsel under either the state or federal Constitution, a defendant must establish (1) that defense counsel s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, i.e., that counsel s performance did not meet the standard to be expected of a reasonably competent attorney, and (2) that there is a reasonable probability that defendant would have obtained a more favorable result absent counsel s shortcomings. [Citations.] A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. [Citation.] (People v. Cunningham (2001) 25 7 Because the issue concerns ineffectiveness of counsel in the course of a motion brought pursuant to section 1538.5, we will address it without requiring a certificate of probable cause (see § 1237.5; People v. Workman (1989) 209 Cal.App.3d 687,692-694). We express no opinion on whether a certificate of probable cause would be required under the circumstances of another case. 11. Cal.4th 926, 1003; see generally Strickland v. Washington (1984) 466 U.S. 668, 687694.) The following testimony was presented on the issue at the suppression hearing: Q [by the prosecutor] Prior to going to that location had you reviewed [R.R.] s juvenile record? A [by Deputy Probation Officer Morris] Yes, I had. Q Were you aware of the terms of his probation? A Yes. Q And, to your recollection, what were those terms? A [R.R.] was on an early release program and so the Judge imposes every term and condition possible during that short time period, a furlough program similar to being on parole, so you have drug orders, orders not to associate with gang members, stolen property, weapons, spray marking, marking devices. Q And THE COURT: Were those search terms, sir? The stolen property THE WITNESS: Yes, as well as drug orders. THE COURT: Did the search term include drug orders? THE WITNESS: Yes, it did. THE COURT: All right. Rios observes that search conditions come in various forms and scopes. In support of his argument that a bare reference to a search term is insufficient, he points to Bravo, supra, 43 Cal.3d 600. At page 606 of that opinion, the California Supreme Court stated: Law enforcement officers who rely on search conditions in probation orders, the probationer himself, and other judges who may be called upon to determine the lawfulness of a search, must be able to determine the scope of the condition by reference to the probation order. 12. Bravo concerned the interpretation of a probation condition, specifically whether a condition expressly authorizing a search with or without a warrant could be construed as permitting a search without reasonable cause to believe the probationer was currently involved in criminal activity. (Bravo, supra, 43 Cal.3d at p. 602.) The court rejected the argument that a pre-consent to search carried a reasonable cause requirement. It did not deal with the type of sufficiency-of-the-evidence argument that is before us, and we do not read it as requiring the People to prove the scope and precise terms of a probation condition before a warrantless entry pursuant to such a condition can be found lawful. In short, Bravo is distinguishable and does not stand for the proposition that the evidence presented in this case with respect to the search condition was insufficient. Rios argues that it was possible the search term did not cover R.R. s residence. Morris testified, however, that the judge had imposed every term and condition possible. The trial court implicitly found this testimony to be credible. [E]very term and condition possible is inconsistent with a search condition limited to, for example, the probationer s person. Rios also points out that warrantless search conditions are not always lawful for a juvenile probationer. For example, a minor cannot be made subject to an automatic search condition; instead, such condition must be tailored to fit the circumstances of the case and the minor. (In re Binh L. (1992) 5 Cal.App.4th 194, 203; see Welf. & Inst. Code, § 730, subd. (b).) A search condition cannot be made a term of informal supervision under Welfare and Institutions Code section 654 or 654.2. (Derick B. v. Superior Court (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 295, 298.) Here, the evidence was uncontradicted that R.R. was on an early release program that was a furlough program similar to being on parole. R.R. clearly was not subject to some form of mere informal supervision. Moreover, even if we were to assume that his search condition was unlawfully imposed on him, we know of no authority that permits one person to challenge the legality of the conditions of another person s probation. 13. The established principle is that suppression of the product of a Fourth Amendment violation can be successfully urged only by those whose rights were violated by the search itself, not by those who are aggrieved solely by the introduction of damaging evidence. ¦ [Citation.] (United States v. Padilla (1993) 508 U.S. 77, 81-82.) This is because [a] person who is aggrieved by an illegal search and seizure only through the introduction of damaging evidence secured by a search of a third person s premises or property has not had any of his Fourth Amendment rights infringed. [Citation.] And since the exclusionary rule is an attempt to effectuate the guarantees of the Fourth Amendment, [citation], it is proper to permit only defendants whose Fourth Amendment rights have been violated to benefit from the rule s protections. [Citation.] (Rakas v. Illinois, supra, 439 U.S. at p. 134, fn. omitted.) Furthermore, any illegality in the probation condition itself would be attributable to the court that imposed the condition, and not to the probation officers. (See People v. Miller (2004) 124 Cal.App.4th 216, 224.) [W]hether a search is reasonable must be determined based upon the circumstances known to the officer when the search is conducted. (People v. Sanders (2003) 31 Cal.4th 318, 334.) As far as the officers in the present case knew, R.R. was subject to numerous terms and conditions, including search. Since R.R. was on an early release program and not some form of minimal supervision, we would not expect a probation officer to question the judgment of the court that imposed a search condition. (See Illinois v. Krull (1987) 480 U.S. 340, 349-350.) Under such circumstances, application of the exclusionary rule to suppress evidence would be unwarranted. (See ibid. [no application of exclusionary rule where officer acted in objectively reasonable reliance on statute later declared unconstitutional]; United States v. Leon (1984) 468 U.S. 897, 920-922 [no application of exclusionary rule where officer acted in objectively reasonable reliance on search warrant later found to be invalid]; People v. Miller, supra, 124 Cal.App.4th at pp. 222, 223-225 [evidence seized by law enforcement officers not to be suppressed if officers relied on objectively reasonable 14. justification at time of seizure; facially-valid, court-imposed probation condition justifies search even if guilty plea resulting in probation grant vacated subsequent to search]; but see People v. Willis (2002) 28 Cal.4th 22, 35, 38-39 [exclusionary rule applies where source of error that led to unconstitutional search was part of law enforcement team].) Rios s claim that the prosecution failed to prove the scope and precise terms of R.R. s probationary search term, hence the officers entry into R.R. s residence and detention of Rios were unlawful, lacks merit. It follows that trial counsel s failure to argue the issue did not deprive Rios of the effective assistance of counsel. (See People v. Frye (1998) 18 Cal.4th 894, 989, disapproved on another ground in People v. Doolin (2009) 45 Cal.4th 390, 421, fn. 22; People v. McPeters, supra, 2 Cal.4th at p. 1173.) 4. Having concluded Rios was lawfully detained, we proceed to the legality of the search of his person. When an officer is justified in believing that the individual whose suspicious behavior he is investigating at close range is armed and presently dangerous to the officer or to others, the officer may take necessary measures to determine whether the person is in fact carrying a weapon and to neutralize the threat of physical harm. (Terry v. Ohio (1968) 392 U.S. 1, 24.) This is so regardless of whether the officer has probable cause to arrest the individual for a crime. (Id. at p. 27.) The officer need not be absolutely certain that the individual is armed; the issue is whether a reasonably prudent [person] in the circumstances would be warranted in the belief that his safety or that of others was in danger. [Citations.] And in determining whether the officer acted reasonably in such circumstances, due weight must be given, not to his inchoate and unparticularized suspicion or hunch, but to the specific reasonable inferences which he is entitled to draw from the facts in light of his experience. [Citation.] (Ibid., fn. omitted.) In short, the officer must be able to point to specific and articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those facts, reasonably warrant the intrusion. (Id. at p. 21.) 15. In the present case, Morris was dealing with a probable gang member who was overly dressed for the weather, belligerently refused to answer his questions or cooperate with him, and continued to make evasive movements even after Morris asked him to stop. According to Morris s testimony which, as previously noted, was credited by the court hearing the suppression motion, Morris believed, based on all these factors, that Rios was trying to hide a weapon. Concerned for his safety and that of the other probation officers at the residence, Morris asked Rios to stand up and allow Morris to frisk him; it was only after Rios refused that Morris used force. Under the circumstances, we conclude Morris acted reasonably. He was not required to await an overt act of hostility before acting to neutralize the threat he reasonably perceived. (See People v. Thurman (1989) 209 Cal.App.3d 817, 823.) The pat search was lawful. (See Terry v. Ohio, supra, 392 U.S. at p. 27.) 5. Rios says, however, that the detention and pat search breached the limited power and authority conferred on probation officers under California law. He says that while peace officers may sometimes detain visitors while conducting a probation search, a juvenile probation officer is granted full peace officer powers only in five statutorily specified circumstances. Since none of those circumstances applied to his situation, the argument runs, the detention and search violated the Fourth Amendment s proscription against unreasonable searches and seizures, and so suppression is required. (See People v. Horvath (1982) 127 Cal.App.3d 398, 402-403.) Although probation officers have broad powers with respect to those over whom they exercise supervisory authority (Cabell v. Chavez-Salido (1982) 454 U.S. 432, 445446), it is undisputed that Rios was not on probation at the time of the detention and search. Welfare and Institutions Code section 283 limits probation officers to the powers and authority conferred by law upon peace officers listed in Section 830.5 of the Penal Code. Section 830.5 designates specified persons as peace officers whose 16. authority extends to any place in the state while engaged in the performance of the duties of their respective employment and for the purpose of carrying out the primary function of their employment or as required under enumerated statutes dealing with states of emergency and mutual aid between state agencies and political subdivisions. Under subdivision (a) of section 830.5, probation officers are such peace officers; however, their authority extends only (1) To conditions of ¦ probation by any person in this state on ¦ probation. [¶] (2) To the escape of any ¦ ward from a state or local institution. [¶] (3) To the transportation of persons on ¦ probation. [¶] (4) To violations of any penal provisions of law which are discovered while performing the usual or authorized duties of his or her employment. [¶] (5) To the rendering of mutual aid to any other law enforcement agency. In the present case, although Rios was not on probation, Morris and the other officers were acting within the scope of their authority under section 830.5, subdivision (a)(1) with respect to R.R. This authority included the right to detain Rios (see Matelski, supra, 82 Cal.App.4th 837) and, under the situation as it developed, to frisk him for weapons (see Terry v Ohio, supra, 392 U.S. 1). Accordingly, the illegal firearm was discovered while Morris was performing the authorized duties of his ¦ employment. (§ 830.5, subd. (a)(4).) Rios s contrary argument fails. To hold otherwise would mean that juvenile probation officers could not detain or investigate anyone on the same premises as the juvenile probationer, no matter the circumstances or officer safety issues, unless they were accompanied by police or other law enforcement officers. We decline to give section 830.5, subdivision (a) such a limited, unreasonable reading. 17. II.* SECTIONS 12021 AND 12021.1 As previously described, Rios pleaded no contest to a violation of section 12021.1, subdivision (a). For the first time on appeal, he says that because section 12021.1 has been replaced and superseded by section 12021, it no longer sets forth a substantive offense; hence, the trial court lacked fundamental subject matter jurisdiction to accept the no contest plea, the judgment is therefore void, and the plea must be vacated. If Rios is correct that the trial court lacked fundamental subject matter jurisdiction, then the judgment is indeed void, and it matters not that the issue was not raised in the trial court. (People v. Vasilyan (2009) 174 Cal.App.4th 443, 449-450 (Vasilyan); People v. Ramirez (2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 1412, 1422; see People v. Wallace (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 1699, 1704.) There is an insurmountable procedural impediment to our reaching the merits of the claim, however: Rios s notice of appeal states only that the appeal is based on the sentence or other matters occurring after the plea and on the denial of a motion to suppress evidence; more importantly, Rios failed to request and obtain a certificate of probable cause. Section 1237.5 provides, in pertinent part: No appeal shall be taken by the defendant from a judgment of conviction upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, ¦ except where both of the following are met: [¶] (a) The defendant has filed with the trial court a written statement, executed under oath or penalty of perjury showing reasonable constitutional, jurisdictional, or other grounds going to the legality of the proceedings. [¶] (b) The trial court has executed and filed a certificate of probable cause for such appeal with the clerk of the court. California Rules of Court,8 rule 8.304, implements section 1237.5. (People v. Mendez (1999) 19 Cal.4th 1084, 1095 (Mendez) [discussing predecessor rule 31(d)].) * See footnote, ante, page 1. 18. Under section 1237.5 and rule 8.304(b)(1), the Court of Appeal generally may not proceed to the merits of the appeal, but must order dismissal thereof, unless the defendant has filed a statement of certificate grounds with his or her notice of appeal. (Mendez, supra, at p. 1096.) If the defendant does not file the required statement or if the superior court denies the certificate of probable cause, the appeal is inoperative. (Rule 8.304(b)(3).) Under rule 8.304(b)(4), however, the Court of Appeal may proceed to the merits of the appeal if the defendant has based his appeal solely on noncertificate grounds [viz., the denial of a motion to suppress evidence or grounds that arose after entry of the plea and do not affect the plea s validity (rule 8.304(b)(4)(A), (B))] and has filed a notice of appeal so stating . ¦ (Mendez, supra, at p. 1096.) If the defendant s notice of appeal contains a statement under [rule 8.304(b)](4), the reviewing court will not consider any issue affecting the validity of the plea unless the defendant also complies with [rule 8.304(b)](1). (Rule 8.304(b)(5), italics added.) This is because the presence of a notice of appeal stating noncertificate grounds does not supply the absence of a statement of certificate grounds and a certificate of probable cause. [Citations.] (Mendez, supra, at pp. 1096-1097.) In sum, the defendant may not obtain review of certificate issues unless he has complied with section 1237.5 and rule [8.304(b)(1)]. (Mendez, supra, at p. 1097; People v. Brown (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 356, 360.) Issues going to the validity of a guilty or no contest plea require compliance with section 1237.5. (People v. Buttram (2003) 30 Cal.4th 773, 781.) Even where the appeal challenges the sentence imposed after a plea, if the challenge is in substance a challenge to the validity of the plea, the appeal is subject to the requirements of section 1237.5 and rule 8.304. (Buttram, supra, at pp. 781-782; cf. People v. Corban (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 1111, 1115-1117.) 8 All references to rules are to the California Rules of Court. 19. There can be no doubt that Rios s challenge to section 12021.1 is an issue that goes to the validity of his plea. He does not contend otherwise. Rather, he relies on the fact that a judgment void for lack of subject matter jurisdiction may be attacked at any time. This does not mean, however, that if the issue is raised on appeal, compliance with section 1237.5 is unnecessary. (See People v. Smith (1985) 171 Cal.App.3d 997, 10001001 [that statute of limitations is jurisdictional does not mean issue may be raised on appeal without compliance with § 1237.5].) Rios is seeking to assert a jurisdictional ground going to the legality of his conviction. It thus falls within the express requirements of section 1237.5. (See People v. Jerome (1984) 160 Cal.App.3d 1087, 1094-1095 [holding that defendant s failure to obtain probable cause certificate barred claim that crime to which he pled guilty was legally impossible to commit].) Nothing in the language of section 1237.5 distinguishes between grounds based on an alleged lack of fundamental jurisdiction and an alleged act in excess of jurisdiction. Rather, [c]laims regarding the illegality of the judgment, whether on jurisdictional or other grounds, are precisely the types of claims which are covered by Penal Code section 1237.5 and require a certificate of probable cause. A judgment entered on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere is ¦ not reviewable on the merits. [Citations.] After such a plea the only issues which may be considered on appeal are those based upon the constitutional, jurisdictional, or other grounds going to the legality of the proceedings and those only when the statutory requisites of Penal Code section 1237.5 are fulfilled. [Citation.] (People v. Jones (1995) 33 Cal.App.4th 1087, 1092.) Rios observes that in Vasilyan, the Court of Appeal held that a 1994 no contest plea was subject to collateral attack in 2007. (Vasilyan, supra, 174 Cal.App.4th at pp. 446, 450.) He argues that this means he can challenge his current no contest plea, on the ground of lack of subject matter jurisdiction, without a probable cause certificate. Since a judgment that is void for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is subject to direct or collateral attack at any time, his contention runs, it makes no sense to impose upon direct 20. appeal a more stringent requirement (obtaining a certificate of probable cause) than would be required to raise the issue by means of a motion to vacate the judgment, as occurred in Vasilyan. Because Vasilyan did not involve a direct appeal, it is distinguishable from Rios s situation.9 Whatever the logic to his argument, the Legislature, through section 1237.5, and the Judicial Council, through rule 8.304, have determined that certain prerequisites are required before an appeal may be taken following a guilty or no contest plea, the purpose being to discourage and weed out frivolous or vexatious appeals following such pleas. (People v. Earls (1992) 10 Cal.App.4th 184, 190.) It is not this court s place to ignore or excuse those requirements where they so clearly apply. Given our conclusion, Rios asks that we treat his argument as a petition for writ of habeas corpus. (See People v. Jerome, supra, 160 Cal.App.3d at p. 1095 & cases cited.) We decline to do so. Our Supreme Court has expressly stated that section 1237.5 is to be applied in a strict manner. (Mendez, supra, 19 Cal.4th at p. 1098.) The provision lays down a condition precedent to the taking of an appeal within its scope. [Citation.] It is a general legislative command to defendants. [Citation.] It is not an authorization for ad hoc dispensations from such a command by courts. [Citation.] Indeed, it effectively precludes dispensations of this sort, which are squarely contrary to its terms [citations]. (Ibid.)10 Understandably, given the posture in which the case arose an appeal from the denial of a motion to vacate the judgment (Vasilyan, supra, 174 Cal.App.4th at p. 446) the opinion contains no discussion of section 1237.5. 9 10 As Rios notes in his reply brief, the People have not addressed his claim that a certificate of probable cause is unnecessary, or that this court has the option of treating the matter as a petition for writ of habeas corpus. Because the question of appealability goes to our jurisdiction, however, we are required to consider it, even on our own motion. (People v. Miller (2006) 145 Cal.App.4th 206, 212; cf. In re Chavez (2003) 30 Cal.4th 643, 653.) To the extent the People s omission may be viewed as a tacit concession, we decline to accept it. 21. In view of our conclusion that a certificate of probable cause was required but not obtained, we do not address Rios s claim that section 12021.1 has been replaced and superseded by section 12021, such that there is no substantive section 12021.1 crime and the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.11 11 In anticipation of a later habeas corpus petition, we note that were we to reach the issue of sections 12021 and 12021.1 on the merits, we would reject this contention. Nowhere does section 12021 state that it repeals, replaces, or supersedes section 12021.1. In order for there to be an implied repeal, it is not enough that there is conflict or substantial overlap between the two statutes. Instead, [n]otwithstanding the [fn. contd.] presumption against repeals by implication, repeal may be found where (1) the two acts are so inconsistent that there is no possibility of concurrent operation, or (2) the later provision gives undebatable evidence of an intent to supersede the earlier provision. [Citations.] (Professional Engineers in California Government v. Kempton (2007) 40 Cal.4th 1016, 1038, italics added.) In order for the second law to repeal or supersede the first, the former must constitute a revision of the entire subject, so that the court may say it was intended to be a substitute for the first. [Citations.] (Ibid., italics added.) The courts are bound, if possible, to maintain the integrity of both statutes if the two may stand together. [Citation.] (In re Thierry S. (1977) 19 Cal.3d 727, 744; cf. Gov. Code, § 9608.) It is impossible to discern, from the series of what might loosely be termed haphazard amendments to section 12021, undebatable evidence of an intent on the part of the Legislature to supersede or replace section 12021.1. This is especially true in light of the inclusion, in subdivision (a) of section 12021.1, of the phase, Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 12021 . ¦ Regardless of whether this phrase is insufficient to resolve conflict between the two statutes (see California Correctional Peace Officers Assn. v. Department of Corrections (1999) 72 Cal.App.4th 1331, 1337-1338), it evinces a legislative intent that both remain viable. Finally, Rios s no contest plea admit[ted] all matters essential to the conviction (People v. Perry (1984) 162 Cal.App.3d 1147, 1152), and is deemed to constitute a judicial admission of every element of the offense charged. [Citation.] (People v. Jerome, supra, 160 Cal.App.3d at p. 1096.) A crime or public offense is an act committed or omitted in violation of a law . ¦ (§ 15, italics added.) It is not the number given the statute under which the act falls. Under California law, an accusatory pleading must contain, inter alia, a statement of the public offense charged (§ 950), and is sufficient even if it does not contain the specific code section (see § 952). Here, the second amended information charged that Rios willfully and unlawfully owned or had in his possession and under his custody or control a firearm that was specified by brand and caliber, and that he had previously been convicted of violent offenses that [fn. contd.] 22. DISPOSITION The judgment is affirmed. _____________________ Franson, J. WE CONCUR: _____________________ Wiseman, Acting P.J. _____________________ Cornell, J. were specified by code section, date, court, and docket number. The charged conduct which Rios s plea admitted fell within the provisions of subdivision (a)(1) of section 12021, as well as subdivision (a) of section 12021.1, the statute stated in the information. Rios does not claim otherwise. Even if we assume the charge should have been brought under section 12021 and not section 12021.1, it does not mean the information failed to state a public offense or that Rios was convicted of a nonexistent crime; the conduct that Rios admitted remains a public offense and there is no suggestion he was misled as to the charge against him. Under the circumstances, the fact the information referred to section 12021.1 instead of section 12021 is immaterial. (See, e.g., People v. Ramirez (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 992, 999 [mistake in designating statute on which charge is based is immaterial unless defendant is misled thereby]; People v. Jackson (1961) 191 Cal.App.2d 296, 303 [if acts constituting offense are sufficiently stated, information is sufficient even where wrong statute number is included]; People v. Papayanis (1950) 101 Cal.App.2d Supp. 918, 923 [if act charged is crime under both state statute and local ordinance, local ordinance has no validity, but act remains a public offense under state statute; complaint that alleged defendant committed the act states public offense even though complaint refers to ordinance instead of statute as basis for prosecution].) As the United States Supreme Court has said, It is wholly immaterial what statute was in the mind of the District Attorney when he drew the indictment, if the charges made are embraced by some statute in force. (Williams v. United States (1897) 168 U.S. 382, 389.) Since the Legislature s intent clearly was not to decriminalize Rios s conduct, Rios is not entitled to relief. (See People v. Colbert (1988) 198 Cal.App.3d 924, 928-929.) 23.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.