STATE OF NEW JERSEY v. JAMES T. JOHNSON
Annotate this CaseNOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
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SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-0969-18T4
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
JAMES T. JOHNSON,
Defendant-Appellant.
______________________________
Argued March 3, 2020 – Decided March 30, 2020
Before Judges Yannotti and Firko.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Essex County, Indictment Nos. 17-09-2650
and 17-09-2652.
Cody Tyler Mason, Assistant Deputy Public Defender,
argued the cause for appellant (Joseph E. Krakora,
Public Defender, attorney; Cody Tyler Mason, of
counsel and on the briefs).
Barbara A. Rosenkrans, Special Deputy Attorney
General/Acting Assistant Prosecutor, argued the cause
for respondent (Theodore N. Stephens II, Acting Essex
County Prosecutor, attorney; Barbara A. Rosenkrans,
of counsel and on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant James T. Johnson appeals his conviction following a guilty
plea, for second-degree burglary in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2(a)(1), and
fourth-degree contempt, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9(b)(1) claiming the
factual basis for his guilty plea was inadequate. We agree, and reverse and
remand. Given our disposition, we need not reach the additional point defendant
raises.1
I.
We discern the following facts from the record. On January 25, 2017, a
final restraining order (FRO) pursuant to the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic
Violence Act 2 was issued and served upon defendant. The FRO directed
defendant not to have contact with M.S., 3 his ex-girlfriend, and mother of four
of his children.
On April 3, 2017, defendant went to his sister's house in Newark, where
he knew M.S. and their four children lived, to retrieve a speaker. Defendant
1
Defendant also contends the trial court erred when it denied his motion to
withdraw his plea under Rule 3:3-9(e).
2 N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 to -35.
3
We use initials to protect the identity of the victim and her family. R. 1:38-
3(c)(12).
A-0969-18T4
2
admitted he wanted to "chide" M.S. and "egg her" on. M.S. arrived at the
residence as defendant was leaving. The two became embroiled in a verbal
altercation. Defendant threatened to harm and inflict bodily injury upon M.S.
On September 26, 2017, defendant was charged with fourth-degree
contempt, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9(b) under Indictment No. 17-09-2650. On the same
date, defendant was charged with second-degree burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2,
and third-degree terroristic threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3(a), under Indictment No.
17-09-2652.
On July 5, 2018, after jury selection, defendant pled guilty to second -
degree burglary and fourth-degree contempt. In exchange for defendant's guilty
plea, the State agreed to recommend a four-year prison sentence, subject to the
No Early Release Act (NERA), N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2, and to dismiss the other
charges. At the outset of the plea colloquy, the prosecutor detailed the terms of
the agreement:
This is . . . a global offer. I'll begin with indictment 17-
09-[02652]. Pursuant to that indictment Mr. Johnson
will be pleading guilty to count one of that indictment
as charged. It's a second[-]degree burglary in violation
of [N.J.S.A.] 2C:18-2[(a)]1. All other counts of that
indictment are to be dismissed.
With respect to indictment 17-09-[02650] Mr. Johnson
will be pleading guilty to count one of that single count
A-0969-18T4
3
indictment. It's a fourth[-]degree contempt in violation
of [N.J.S.A.] 2C:29-9[(b)]1.
All other counts to be dismissed. . . . The State's . . .
recommendation is four years in the New Jersey State
Prison with eighty[-]five percent parole ineligibility.
We're also requesting no contact with the victim in this
matter.
Defense counsel voiced her concurrence with the recitation of the plea
agreement. Defendant was then questioned about his understanding of the plea:
[Defense Counsel]: Mr. Johnson[,] I'd like to draw your
attention back to April 3[], 2017. On that day were you
in the City of Newark in the County of Essex?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: Now, on that day you had an
ongoing relationship with a woman named [M.S.];
correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: And [M.S.] you actually have four
children with her, at least three for sure; right?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: And on that day you went over to
. . . [ ] Hunterdon Street which is a residence that does
not belong to you; correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: [The house on] Hunterdon Street as
far as you knew belonged to your sister . . . ; right?
A-0969-18T4
4
[Defendant]: [My sister]. Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: [Your sister]. Now, [your sister]
also had [M.S.] . . . living with her at the time and your
four children; correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: And so you went over there to get
a speaker and also you knew when you went over there
that [M.S.] had been living there with [your sister];
correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
....
[Defense Counsel]: So, now when you went to [the
house on] Hunterdon Street you went there knowing
that you weren't supposed to be there because [M.S.]
was going to be there; correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: And you went in there anyway and
the reason why you weren't supposed to be near [M.S.]
. . . is because there was a restraining order on you, a[n]
[FRO] directing you not to go anywhere within fifty
feet or a hundred feet . . . , anywhere in her vicinity;
correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: And you knew that and you went
there anyway; right? Because that --
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
A-0969-18T4
5
[Defense Counsel]: Was something you wanted to do
and also really to kind of egg her, and just kind of chide
her . . . to just be who you wanted to be?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: Okay. So, you had no license to go
into that location, you did not belong there, they did not
give you permission to go to that location. You went
there knowing [M.S.] was going to be there and that
she'd be upset by your presence; is this correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: So you entered into this . . .
property with the intent to really violate a contempt
order; right?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: You knew you had a restraining
order against you at the time?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
....
[Defense Counsel]: Now, during the course of your
being there . . . the kids were there, [M.S.] wasn't even
there when you got there; right . . . ?
[Defendant]: Yes.
[Defense Counsel]: But, as you were leaving [M.S.]
pulls up; right?
[Defendant]: Yes.
A-0969-18T4
6
[Defense Counsel]: And [M.S.] then begins hollering
and screaming at your . . . wife who's in the car with
your child; right?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
[Defense Counsel]: And at some point you got furious
with her and she was furious with you and you
threatened her; correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
....
[Defense Counsel]: [D]uring the course of the burglary
[M.S.] comes up and then while . . . you're in the house
when you know you're not supposed to be, you get into
a verbal altercation with [M.S.]?
[The court]: Okay . . . . [A]nd in the course of that
physical or verbal altercation did you threaten to hurt
her? To inflict bodily injury on [M.S.]?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
....
[Assistant Prosecutor]: Mr. Johnson[,]I know you said
you went to the property, you actually went inside the
house; is that correct?
[Defendant]: Yes, sir.
[Assistant Prosecutor]: Okay. And you knew that you
didn't have any permission to be inside that house; is
that right?
[Defendant]: Yes, sir.
A-0969-18T4
7
....
[Defense Counsel]: [H]e was aware that on April 3[]
there was a[n] [FRO]. He was not supposed to be
within . . . I think it's five hundred and fifty feet of
[M.S.] he went to that address knowing she was going
to be there or reasonably anticipating it because his four
kids were there.
[The court]: And you understand that and you agree to
that; correct . . . ?
[Defendant]: Yes, ma'am.
The court then questioned defendant directly about his understanding of
the plea. Defendant acknowledged the information in the plea form was
accurate, he had the opportunity to review the State's discovery, and he was
satisfied with his attorney's services. The trial court was satisfied defendant
provided a sufficient factual basis and accepted the plea.
On September 12, 2019, defendant moved to withdraw his guilty plea
under State v. Slater, 198 N.J. 145 (2009), claiming M.S. did not reside at his
sister's residence and that he had a restraining order against M.S., barring her
from contacting him or going to his sister's residence. On September 28, 2019,
the trial court heard oral argument on defendant's motion. The court denied the
motion finding that M.S. had not been served with defendant's restraining order
until approximately six weeks after the incident, and even if she had been served
A-0969-18T4
8
with defendant's restraining order, it did not invalidate her FRO against him.
Additionally, the court found that defendant made a "very strategic move" by
pleading guilty and limiting his sentencing exposure by almost two-thirds
because "right before trial[, defendant] knew exactly what the State's strengths
were."
After denying defendant's motion on September 28, 2019, the trial court
sentenced defendant in accordance with the plea agreement. On the fourth -
degree contempt charge, the court sentenced defendant to a prison term of one-
year and six months. On the second-degree burglary charge, the court sentenced
defendant to a prison term of four years, subject to NERA. The sentences were
to run concurrent to each other. The court also imposed fines and penalties.
On October 31, 2018, defendant filed a notice of appeal. On May 7, 2019,
we heard the appeal on the Excessive Sentencing Calendar (ESOA). On May 7,
2019, we affirmed the trial court's sentence stating that the issues on appeal
related solely to the sentence imposed, which we concluded was not manifestly
excessive or unduly punitive, and did not constitute an abuse of discretion.
Thereafter, defendant filed a petition for certification before our Supreme
Court. On October 2, 2019, the Court granted defendant's petition and
A-0969-18T4
9
summarily remanded the matter to us for briefing on the plenary calendar. State
v. Johnson, 239 N.J. 507 (2019).
Defendant presents the following argument on appeal: 4
POINT I
THE FACTUAL BASIS DID NOT ESTABLISH
THAT DEFENDANT IS GUILTY OF BURGLARY.
THE PLEA IS THUS INVALID AND REVERSAL IS
REQUIRED.
Defendant argues the factual basis for his plea was insufficient because
his admissions and the available record do not support his guilty plea for second-
degree burglary under N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2(a)(1).
II.
The State argues that defendant waived his challenge to the adequacy of
the factual basis elicited for his guilty plea because defendant did not raise the
issue below. The State notes "[i]t is a well-settled principle that . . . appellate
courts will decline to consider questions or issues not properly presented to the
4
The remaining point raised in defendant's brief, which we are not deciding, is:
POINT II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING
DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO WITHDRAW HIS
PLEA UNDER RULE 3:3-9(e).
A-0969-18T4
10
trial court when an opportunity for such a presentation is available . . . ." Nieder
v. Royal Indem. Ins., 62 N.J. 229, 234 (1973). Notwithstanding that principle,
we have routinely considered challenges to the sufficiency of the factual basis
for a defendant's guilty plea where the issue was not previously raised below.
See State v. Urbina, 221 N.J. 509, 527-28 (2015); State v. S.C., 289 N.J. Super.
61, 65 (App. Div. 1996) (considering, on direct appeal, a challenge to the
adequacy of a factual basis for a guilty plea); State v. Campfield, 213 N.J. at
218, 224 (213) (addressing the sufficiency of a factual basis on direct appeal).
In fact, while a defendant "most commonly" challenges the adequacy of
the factual basis for a guilty plea "by way of a motion to the trial court to
withdraw that plea, or on post-conviction relief, . . . a defendant may also
challenge the sufficiency of the factual basis for his guilty plea on direct appeal."
Urbina, 221 N.J. at 527-28 (internal citations omitted) (citing State v. Slater,
198 N.J. 145, 157 (2009); State v. D.D.M., 140 N.J. 83, 95 (1995); State v.
Butler, 89 N.J. 220, 224 (1982)). Here, defendant raised this issue before us
during the ESOA hearing, therefore, he did not waive his right to challenge the
sufficiency of the factual basis for his plea.
We consider de novo whether "the factual admissions during a plea
colloquy satisfy the essential elements of an offense." State v. Gregory, 220
A-0969-18T4
11 N.J. 413, 420 (2015); State v. Tate, 220 N.J. 393, 403-04 (2015). "[A] person
cannot be punished for violating a criminal statute unless he has been convicted
at trial or he has admitted his guilt through the entry of plea." Tate, 220 N.J. at
405. "[A]t a plea hearing, a judge must be satisfied that the defendant has given
a factual account that makes him guilty of the crime." Ibid. (citing R. 3:9-2).
When taking a guilty plea, a court is required to adhere to the procedure
set forth in Rule 3:9-2, which provides in pertinent part:
The court, in its discretion, may refuse to accept a plea
of guilty and shall not accept such plea without first
questioning the defendant personally, under oath or by
affirmation, and determining by inquiry of the
defendant and others, in the court's discretion, that there
is a factual basis for the plea . . . .
A court must be satisfied an adequate factual basis for the plea exists.
Campfield, 213 N.J. at 230. Each element of the offense to which a defendant
pleads guilty must be addressed during the plea colloquy. Id. at 231 (citing State
ex rel. T.M., 166 N.J. 319, 333-34 (2001); State v. Sainz, 107 N.J. 283, 293
(1987); Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, cmt. 1.3.2. on R. 3:9-2
(2020)). "The factual foundation may take one of two forms; defendant may
either explicitly admit guilt with respect to the elements or may 'acknowledge
[ ] . . . facts constituting the essential elements of the crime.'" Ibid. (citing Sainz,
107 N.J. at 293).
A-0969-18T4
12
Regardless which of the two forms is used to establish a factual
foundation, "[t]he trial court 'must be satisfied from the lips of the defendant
that he committed the acts which constitute the crime.'" Ibid. (quoting T.M.,
166 N.J. at 327); State v. Barboza, 115 N.J. 415, 422 (1989) (citation omitted).
The court may question others if they have relevant knowledge, see Pressler &
Verniero, cmt. 1.3.2. on R. 3:9-2, but ultimately the court must hear directly
from a defendant an admission of guilt on the elements of the crime or an
acknowledgement of facts constituting the essential elements of the crime , see
State v. Pineiro, 385 N.J. Super. 129, 137 (App. Div. 2006).
A proper factual basis must contain an "acknowledgement of facts that
meet 'the essential elements of the crime.'" Tate, 220 N.J. at 406 (quoting T.M.,
166 N.J. at 333). The essential elements of second-degree burglary require the
State to prove that defendant (1) entered a structure without permission; (2) had
a "purpose to commit an offense therein"; and (3) in the course of committing
the offense, "purposely, knowingly or recklessly inflict[ed], attempt[ed] to
inflict or threaten[ed] to inflict bodily injury on anyone . . . ." Model Jury
Charges (Criminal), "Burglary in the Second Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2(b))"
(rev. Mar. 14, 2016); N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2(b).
A-0969-18T4
13
"It is sufficient for purposes of the burglary statute that the offense
intended to be committed within the structure constitutes a crime of the fourth
degree." State v. Marquez, 277 N.J. Super. 162, 168 (App. Div. 1994) (citing
State v. Williams, 229 N.J. Super. 179, 183 (App. Div. 1988)). However, having
the purpose to "commit contempt of court by intrusion into the premises would
. . . not satisfy the criminal purpose requirement for burglary." Id. at 169. A
defendant "could only be convicted of burglary if his purpose upon entry . . .
was to commit a separate offense subsequent to his entry." Ibid.
Moreover, "the Legislature could [not] have intended that every entry
which violates a domestic violence restraining order, without other requisite
elements, constitutes the crime of burglary." Ibid. And, "the word 'therein' is
included within the statute 'to make it clear that the mere purpose to commit
criminal trespass by intrusion into the premises does not satisfy the criminal
purpose requirement for burglary.'" Ibid. (citation omitted).
An indispensable element of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2 is that a defendant
specifically intended to enter a structure without permission with a purpose to
commit an offense after entering. Although defense counsel questioned
defendant at the plea hearing about going to his sister's house to get a speaker,
knowing M.S. would be there, defendant never admitted he intended to commit
A-0969-18T4
14
the offense of burglary at the time of entry, a crucial omission. "'[M]ere entry
into [a residence] in violation of a domestic violence restraining order [i]s itself
[not] a sufficient basis to convict [defendant] of burglary' because burglary
requires proof of purpose to commit an offense once inside." State v. Robinson,
289 N.J. Super. 447, 455 (App. Div. 1996) (fourth and fifth alterations in
original) (quoting Marquez, 277 N.J. Super. at 169). Therefore, defendant's
intent upon entering his sister's residence in violation of his restraining order
cannot sustain his conviction for burglary.
Indeed, defendant's plea colloquy only established that he entered the
residence "with the intent to . . . violate a contempt order" and without
permission to enter the residence. Moreover, defendant's plea colloquy is devoid
of any facts that the speaker belonged to someone else, or that defendant had the
intent to deprive another of the use of the speaker.
We also note that the record also fails to support that defendant had the
purpose to terrorize M.S. A person is guilty of terroristic threats if "he threatens
to commit any crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another" or "he
threatens to kill another with the purpose to put [her] in imminent fear of death
under circumstances reasonably causing the victim to believe the immediacy of
the threat and the likelihood that it will be carried out." N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3(a) to
A-0969-18T4
15
(b). "Subsection (a) requires proof of a purpose to terrorize another; subs ection
(b) requires proof of a purpose to put the other in imminent fear of death." State
v. Conklin, 394 N.J. Super. 408, 412-13 (App. Div. 2007). "Proof of terroristic
threats . . . [is] measured by an objective standard." Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J.
394, 402 (1998).
Defendant admitted going to his sister's residence to "chide" M.S. and
threaten to hurt or inflict bodily injury upon M.S. during their verbal altercation.
But defendant himself never stated he had a purpose to terrorize M.S. or put her
in "imminent fear of death." Conklin, 394 N.J. Super. at 412-13; see also
N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3(b).
As during the plea colloquy defendant failed to admit to all of the elements
of second-degree burglary or acknowledge facts constituting the essential
elements of the crime, there is an inadequate factual basis to his plea.
Accordingly, the plea, the judgment of conviction, and the sentence are vacated.
The dismissed charges are reinstated, and defendant shall be allowed to re-plead
or proceed to trial. Campfield, 213 N.J. at 237 (citing Barboza, 115 N.J. at 420).
Reversed and remanded. We do not retain jurisdiction.
A-0969-18T4
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