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Washington Court of Appeals Holds Restitution Orders Invalid
The Washington state Court of Appeals held that restitution orders entered under the pre-1995 version of RCW 9.94A.142 are invalid if entered more than 60 days after sentencing and entered: (1) as an ex parte order, if the defendant objected, regardless of when the objection was made; or (2) after a hearing, if the defendant did not waive the right to appeal.
RCW 9.94A.142, as enacted in 1985, required that the amount of restitution due be determined at sentencing or within 60 days thereof. The statute was amended in 1995, extending that period to 180 days, allowing the court to continue the hearing beyond 180 days for good cause and prohibiting the court from reducing restitution orders due to a defendant's inability to pay.
The court of appeals consolidated several appeals of restitution orders entered under the pre-1995 version of RCW 9.94A.142. The state appealed trial court orders granting motions to strike restitution in five cases and two defendants appealed the denial of their motions to strike. Six of the restitution orders were entered as ex parte orders and the seventh was entered after a restitution hearing that defendant failed to attend. In all but two of the cases the restitution orders were entered more than 60 days after sentencing.
Relying on State v. Krall, 881 P.2d 1040 (1994), State v. Ryan, 899 P.2d 825 (1995) and State v. Moen, 919 P.2d 69 (>1996), the court observed that: (1) restitution must be accurately determined within 60 days of sentencing by a defendant's admission or acknowledgement, or by a preponderance of the evidence at an evidentiary hearing; (2) the state has the burden of proving the amount of restitution due and that burden may not be shifted to a defendant; and (3) the failure to object to an untimely ex parte restitution order does not preclude appellate review of the invalid order.
The court found that Moen was dispositive as to five of the defendants, holding that their ex parte restitution orders were invalid because "there was no determination of restitution for purposes of RCW 9.94A.142(1)" since the defendants "did not agree to the amount of restitution imposed by the ex parte orders and objected. They did not have notice of, or agree to, the ex parte restitution hearings or waive their presence at those hearings."
In the sixth case involving an ex parte order, the court noted that the defendant failed to object prior to filing his motion to strike restitution. However, citing Ryan and Moen, the court held that the restitution order was properly stricken as invalid because "the non-final ex parte restitution order" did not establish a deadline for filing an objection.
The seventh case differed from the others because the restitution order was imposed after a hearing - held 464 days after sentencing - which the defendant had notice of but failed to appear at. Regardless, the court reversed the order denying the motion to strike restitution, holding that absent the defendant's agreement, the 60-day time limit for entry of a restitution order is mandatory and an order entered beyond that time is invalid when entered. See: State v. Burmaster, 979 P.2d 442 (Wash.App.Div. 1 1999).
RCW 9.94A.142, as enacted in 1985, required that the amount of restitution due be determined at sentencing or within 60 days thereof. The statute was amended in 1995, extending that period to 180 days, allowing the court to continue the hearing beyond 180 days for good cause and prohibiting the court from reducing restitution orders due to a defendant's inability to pay.
The court of appeals consolidated several appeals of restitution orders entered under the pre-1995 version of RCW 9.94A.142. The state appealed trial court orders granting motions to strike restitution in five cases and two defendants appealed the denial of their motions to strike. Six of the restitution orders were entered as ex parte orders and the seventh was entered after a restitution hearing that defendant failed to attend. In all but two of the cases the restitution orders were entered more than 60 days after sentencing.
Relying on State v. Krall, 881 P.2d 1040 (1994), State v. Ryan, 899 P.2d 825 (1995) and State v. Moen, 919 P.2d 69 (>1996), the court observed that: (1) restitution must be accurately determined within 60 days of sentencing by a defendant's admission or acknowledgement, or by a preponderance of the evidence at an evidentiary hearing; (2) the state has the burden of proving the amount of restitution due and that burden may not be shifted to a defendant; and (3) the failure to object to an untimely ex parte restitution order does not preclude appellate review of the invalid order.
The court found that Moen was dispositive as to five of the defendants, holding that their ex parte restitution orders were invalid because "there was no determination of restitution for purposes of RCW 9.94A.142(1)" since the defendants "did not agree to the amount of restitution imposed by the ex parte orders and objected. They did not have notice of, or agree to, the ex parte restitution hearings or waive their presence at those hearings."
In the sixth case involving an ex parte order, the court noted that the defendant failed to object prior to filing his motion to strike restitution. However, citing Ryan and Moen, the court held that the restitution order was properly stricken as invalid because "the non-final ex parte restitution order" did not establish a deadline for filing an objection.
The seventh case differed from the others because the restitution order was imposed after a hearing - held 464 days after sentencing - which the defendant had notice of but failed to appear at. Regardless, the court reversed the order denying the motion to strike restitution, holding that absent the defendant's agreement, the 60-day time limit for entry of a restitution order is mandatory and an order entered beyond that time is invalid when entered. See: State v. Burmaster, 979 P.2d 442 (Wash.App.Div. 1 1999).
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Related legal case
State v. Burmaster
| Year | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Cite | 979 P.2d 442 (Wash.App.Div. 1 1999) |
| Level | State Court of Appeals |
State v. Burmaster, 979 P.2d 442 (Wash.App.Div. 1 1999)
[1] Washington Court of Appeals
[2] No. 40841-1-I NO. 42972-8-I NO. 41922-6-I NO. 42781-4-I NO. 42782-2-I NO. 42783-1-I NO. 42853-5-I CONSOLIDATED APPEALS
[3]
[4] June 01, 1999
[5] STATE OF WASHINGTON, RESPONDENT,
v.
CHARLES P. BURMASTER, APPELLANT. STATE OF WASHINGTON, APPELLANT/CROSS RESPONDENT,
v.
BARBARA D. HARDAWAY, RESPONDENT/CROSS APPELLANT. STATE OF WASHINGTON RESPONDENT,
v.
IVAN C. MURPHY, APPELLANT. STATE OF WASHINGTON APPELLANT,
v.
ALAN S. AGENA, RESPONDENT. STATE OF WASHINGTON APPELLANT,
v.
WILLIAM D. WASHINGTON, RESPONDENT STATE OF WASHINGTON APPELLANT,
v.
JEFFREY L. HUNTER, RESPONDENT. STATE OF WASHINGTON, APPELLANT,
v.
MICHAEL D. HASTINGS, RESPONDENT.
[6] Source of Appeal: Appeal from Superior Court of Skagit County Docket No: 88-1-00202-8 Judgement or order under review Date filed: 07/26/1996 Judge signing: Hon. George E. McIntosh
[7] Counsel: Counsel for Appellant(s) David F. Thiele Snohomish Co Pros Att Ofc 3000 Rockefeller Ave Everett, WA 98201-4060 James R. Dixon Nielsen Broman & Assoc. Pllc 810 3rd Ave Ste 320 320 Central Building Seattle, WA 98104 Christopher Gibson Nielsen Broman & Assoc. Pllc 810 3rd Ave Ste 320 Seattle, WA 98104 Nielsen Broman & Associates Pllc 810 Third Avenue 320 Central Building Seattle, WA 98104 Counsel for Respondent(s) David F. Thiele Snohomish Co Pros Att Ofc 3000 Rockefeller Ave Everett, WA 98201-4060 Erik Pedersen Skagit Co Prosc Atty Ofc 605 S 3rd Mt Vernon, WA 98273 Stella S. Buder Wa Appellate Project 1200 5th Ave #1201 Seattle, WA 98101 Christopher Gibson Nielsen Broman & Assoc. Pllc 810 3rd Ave Ste 320 Seattle, WA 98104 Washington Appellate Project 1201 Ibm Building 1200 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101
[8] The opinion of the court was delivered by: Baker, J.
[9] Judges:
[10] PUBLISHED OPINION
[11] These consolidated appeals involve challenges to restitution orders. Some of the orders were entered more than 60 days after sentencing and others were entered as ex parte orders. Motions to strike those orders were filed more than a year after sentencing became final. Burmaster and Murphy appeal the trial court's denial of their motions to strike restitution. The State appeals the trial court's grant of motions to strike restitution by Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway and Agena, contending that such motions are untimely. Hardaway cross-appeals the trial court's denial of her motion to refund restitution paid. We hold that the non-final ex parte restitution orders of Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway and Agena are invalid and that the motions to strike these orders are timely. Because the State has not demonstrated that Burmaster waived the right to appeal his restitution order and because that order was invalid when entered, we reverse the trial court order that denied Burmaster's motion to strike. Finally, we affirm the denial of Hardaway's motion to refund restitution because she has not perfected this issue for appeal.
[12] I.
[13] BURMASTER
[14] Charles Burmaster pled guilty to theft and trafficking in stolen property, and was sentenced on May 5, 1989. At the time of sentencing, Burmaster's attorney agreed that restitution might be $4,000 to $5,000. The Judgement and sentence stated that restitution will be set "{a}ccording to the Order of Restitution to be filed with the court at a future date." On August 8, 1990, 455 days after sentencing, the Prosecuting Attorney notified Burmaster that the restitution amount has been determined to be $5,741.15, and that:
[15] "If you do not agree with this amount a hearing has been set for Aug. 17, 1990 at 9:30 a.m. . . . At this hearing a date may be set for you to contest the restitution amount."
[16] IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT THE HEARING AND YOU FAIL TO MAKE A WRITTEN CHALLENGE TO THE ENTRY OF THE 'ORDER OF RESTITUTION' , THE ORDER WILL BE SIGNED BY THE JUDGE AND BECOME EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
[17] Burmaster did not appear at the restitution hearing and the proposed order was entered. The record does not indicate that Burmaster ever agreed to the amount of restitution in the proposed order. In July 1996, Burmaster filed a motion to strike the restitution order. Burmaster appeals the trial court's denial of that motion.
[18] MURPHY
[19] A jury convicted Ivan Murphy of second degree assault, and he was sentenced on June 10, 1994. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." On August 30, 1994, 81 days after sentencing, the trial court entered an ex parte restitution order for $31,864.57. The record does not show that Murphy had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[20] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[21] On September 14, 1994, Murphy filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On February 24, 1995, the trial court entered an amended ex parte order raising the total amount of restitution to $47,171.71. On November 12, 1997, in response to the State's Notice of Violation, Murphy filed a motion to strike restitution. Murphy appeals the trial court's denial of that motion.
[22] HUNTER
[23] Jeffrey Hunter pled guilty to burglary, and was sentenced on February 13, 1987. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this Court." Sixty-six days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $59,293.93. The record does not show that Hunter had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[24] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[25] On May 6, 1987, Hunter filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On May 14, 1998, in response to the State's Notice of Violation, Hunter filed a motion to strike restitution. In granting Hunter's motion, the trial court held: In Mr. Hunter's case, the state failed to establish restitution within the statutory period. Mr. Hunter objected to the order. Therefore, the ex parte order did not establish the amount of restitution. Furthermore, by that time it was not possible for the court to establish restitution in a timely fashion. The ex parte restitution order should be vacated.
[26] The State appeals the trial court's order.
[27] WASHINGTON
[28] William Washington pled guilty to vehicular assault, and was sentenced on June 30, 1992. The court imposed restitution of $45, a $100 victim assessment, and $485 in recoupment for attorney fees, which total $630. Thirteen days later, the court entered an amended ex parte restitution order raising the total amount to $28,584.16. The record does not show that Washington had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[29] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[30] On July 17, 1992, Washington filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On May 6, 1998, in response to the State's Notice of Violation, Washington filed a motion to strike restitution. In granting Washington's motion, the trial court held that:
[31] "Pursuant to State v. Ryan, 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825 (1995), restitution is not determined until an objecting defendant receives a restitution hearing. In this case, the defendant filed an objection to the ex parte restitution order signed on July 10, 1992. Because no restitution hearing was provided within sixty days of sentencing, restitution has never been "determined" under State v. Ryan. This restitution order was not a final, enforceable order."
[32] Former RCW 9.94A.142(1), which was in effect at the time this ex parte restitution order was signed, required that restitution be determined within sixty days of sentencing. Because it has been much longer than sixty days since sentencing, holding a restitution hearing today would serve no practical value. Similarly, because the remedy had expired by the time of any community supervision violation hearings, the defendant did not waive his objection.
[33] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Washington's motion to strike.
[34] HASTINGS
[35] Michael Hastings pled guilty to burglary, and was sentenced on January 11, 1994. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." Sixty-six days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $3,359.67. The record does not show that Hastings had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[36] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[37] Hastings does not allege that he filed an objection to the restitution order before he filed his motion to strike restitution on March 25, 1998. The record does not indicate that Hastings ever agreed to the amount of restitution in the order or made payments. In granting Hastings' motion, the trial court found that the ex parte restitution order was entered without prior notice to Hastings or his attorney, that a restitution hearing was never scheduled or heard, and that:
[38] "This ex parte restitution order contained open-ended language which did not set out the time frame by which a defendant had to object. The ex parte restitution order was therefore not a final, appealable order pursuant to RAP 2.2. Former RCW 9.94A.142(1) required that restitution be determined within sixty days of sentencing. Restitution was not determined within that time frame. Because sixty days have long since passed, holding a restitution hearing today would be of no practical value."
[39] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Hastings' motion to strike.
[40] HARDAWAY
[41] Barbara Hardaway pled guilty to theft, and was sentenced on May 5, 1993. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." Thirty-four days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $4,319.13. The record does not show that Hardaway had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[42] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[43] On June 10, 1993, Hardaway filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for her objection. No hearing was scheduled. The record does not indicate that Hardaway ever agreed to the amount of restitution in the order or made payments.
[44] On January 7, 1998, in response to the State's Petition for Order Modifying Sentence, Hardaway filed a motion to strike restitution. After the court adjudicating Hardaway's motion indicated that her motion would be granted, Hardaway orally moved to refund restitution monies already paid, but provided no evidence of the amount paid. The court denied Hardaway's request to refund restitution amounts already paid. The court later held: Pursuant to State v. Ryan, 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825 (1995), restitution is not determined until an objecting defendant receives a restitution hearing. Former RCW 9.94A.142, the statute in effect at the time this order was entered, required that restitution be determined at sentencing or within sixty days of sentencing. The State acknowledged in Ryan that an ex parte restitution order is not final and enforceable if the defendant objects to it.
[45] In this case, the defendant promptly filed an objection to the ex parte restitution order signed on May 24, 1993. Nevertheless, the defendant was not given a restitution hearing within sixty days of sentencing. Restitution has therefore never been "determined" pursuant to Ryan and the ex parte restitution order is not a final, enforceable order. A restitution hearing today would serve no purpose as it has been much longer than sixty days since sentencing. . . .
[46] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Hardaway's motion to strike. Hardaway cross-appeals denial of her motion to refund restitution monies already paid.
[47] AGENA
[48] Alan Agena pled guilty to attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and hit and run - injury accident, and was sentenced on May 5, 1994. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." Seventy-seven days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $2,206.51. The record does not show that Agena had notice of the hearing. The order stated: A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion.
[49] On October 21, 1994, Agena filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On March 17, 1998, in response to the State's Petition for Order Modifying Sentence, Agena filed a motion to strike restitution. In granting Agena's motion, the trial court held that:
[50] "Pursuant to State v. Ryan, 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825 (1995), restitution is not determined until an objecting defendant receives a restitution hearing. In this case, the defendant filed an objection to the ex parte restitution order signed on October 18, 1994. Because no restitution hearing was heard, restitution has never been "determined" under State v. Ryan. This restitution order was not a final, enforceable order. RCW 9.94A.142(1), which retroactively applies to cases sentenced after July 23, 1994, requires that restitution be determined within one hundred eighty days of sentencing. Because one hundred eighty days have passed since sentencing, holding a restitution hearing today would be of no practical value. . . ."
[51] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Agena's motion to strike.
[52] II.
[53] RCW 9.94A.142(1), as enacted in 1985 states in relevant part: When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within sixty days and shall set the terms and conditions under which the defendant shall make restitution. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years subsequent to the imposition of sentence. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. . . . (emphasis added)
[54] RCW 9.94A.142(1), was amended effective July 1, 1990 as follows:
[55] "When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within sixty days. The court shall then set a minimum monthly payment that the offender is required to make towards the restitution that is ordered. The court should take into consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender's present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have. During the period of supervision, the community corrections officer may examine the offender to determine if there has been a change in circumstances that warrants an amendment of the monthly payment schedule. The community corrections officer may recommend a change to the schedule of payment and shall inform the court of the recommended change and the reasons for the change. The sentencing court may then reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years subsequent to the imposition of sentence. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. . . . (emphasis added)"
[56] RCW 9.94A.142(1), was amended in 1994 as follows:
[57] "When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within sixty days. The court shall then set a minimum monthly payment that the offender is required to make towards the restitution that is ordered. The court should take into consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender's present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have. During the period of supervision, the community corrections officer may examine the offender to determine if there has been a change in circumstances that warrants an amendment of the monthly payment schedule. The community corrections officer may recommend a change to the schedule of payment and shall inform the court of the recommended change and the reasons for the change. The sentencing court may then reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years following the offender's release from total confinement or ten years subsequent to the entry of the Judgement and sentence, whichever period is longer. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. . . . (emphasis added)"
[58] After entry of the orders here, RCW 9.94A.142 was amended in 1995 as follows:
[59] "(1) When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within one hundred eighty days except as provided in subsection (3) of this section. The court may continue the hearing beyond the one hundred eighty days for good cause. The court shall then set a minimum monthly payment that the offender is required to make towards the restitution that is ordered. The court should take into consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender's present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have. During the period of supervision, the community corrections officer may examine the offender to determine if there has been a change in circumstances that warrants an amendment of the monthly payment schedule. The community corrections officer may recommend a change to the schedule of payment and shall inform the court of the recommended change and the reasons for the change. The sentencing court may then reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years following the offender's release from total confinement or ten years subsequent to the entry of the Judgement and sentence, whichever period is longer. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. The court may not reduce the total amount of restitution ordered because the offender may lack the ability to pay the total amount."
[60] ". . ."
[61] "(3) Regardless of the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the court shall order restitution in all cases where the victim is entitled to benefits under the crime victims' compensation act, chapter 7.68 RCW. If the court does not order restitution and the victim of the crime has been determined to be entitled to benefits under the crime victims' compensation act, the department of labor and industries, as administrator of the crime victims' compensation program, may petition the court within one year of entry of the Judgement and sentence for entry of a restitution order. Upon receipt of a petition from the department of labor and industries, the court shall hold a restitution hearing and shall enter a restitution order."
[62] The 1995 amendment, Laws 1995, ch. 231, sec. 1, extended the period for determination of the amount of restitution from 60 to 180 days, inserted the sentence concerning continuation of the hearing for good cause, and inserted the sentence prohibiting the court from reducing restitution. The Legislature also provided for retroactive application of those RCW 9.94A.142(1) provisions when:
[63] "(1) the court failed to set restitution within 60 days of sentencing;"
[64] "(2) a defendant was sentenced after July 23, 1994; and"
[65] "(3) a defendant is not unfairly prejudiced by the delay."
[66] Under those circumstances, which are not found in any of the cases at bar, the court may set restitution within 180 days of July 23, 1995, or at a later hearing set by the court for good cause.*fn1
[67] III.
[68] Before addressing the details of each consolidated appeal, we review the law relating to the timely entry of restitution orders.
[69] In State v. Krall,*fn2 Krall challenged a restitution order entered 185 days after sentencing.*fn3 Krall attended the restitution hearing, objected to the timeliness of the hearing, and appealed the restitution order.*fn4 The court held that the Legislature's use of the word "shall" in RCW 9.94A.142(1) is a mandatory directive to determine restitution within 60 days of sentencing, and reversed the restitution order.*fn5
[70] This court applied Krall in the consolidated direct appeal of State v. Ryan.*fn6 Ryan was convicted of burglary and malicious mischief, and ordered at sentencing to pay restitution in an amount to be established by a separate order of the court.*fn7 One month later, the court entered an ex parte order which instructed Ryan to move for and schedule a hearing if he objected to the amount.*fn8 Ryan filed an objection three weeks later and requested a restitution hearing after four additional months had passed.*fn9 At the hearing, Ryan challenged only the restitution of $10,130 in attorney fees, and restitution was set at $19,072.*fn10
[71] Taton, the other appellant in Ryan, pled guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, and agreed in his guilty plea to pay restitution.*fn11 At sentencing, the court imposed restitution in an amount to be established by a separate order of the court.*fn12 Within 60 days, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $99,454 which advised Taton that: A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion.*fn13
[72] Taton filed an objection two weeks after the order was entered but did not schedule a hearing.
[73] The Ryan court noted that restitution must be accurately determined either by (1) a defendant's admission or acknowledgement, or (2) by a preponderance of the evidence at an evidentiary hearing.*fn14 It is the State's obligation to establish the amount of restitution.*fn15 The Ryan court also noted that Ryan and Taton's ex parte restitution orders did not establish a deadline for objecting and thus "{a} defendant could schedule a hearing one week, one month, or even one year after sentencing, a fact the State concedes."*fn16 The Ryan court held that accurate determination at a hearing must take place within 60 days of sentencing if a defendant objects to the amount of restitution set in an ex parte order.*fn17 The burden of ensuring that restitution is accurately determined within 60 days is borne by the State and cannot be shifted to a defendant, despite language in an ex parte order which purportedly requires a defendant to schedule a hearing.*fn18 Moreover, although RCW 9.94A.142(1) allows a court to modify restitution orders for up to 10 years following an offender's release from confinement or entry of Judgement and sentence, the Ryan court further held that a court's ability to modify a restitution order does not impact the initial obligation to accurately determine the amount of restitution within 60 days of sentencing.*fn19
[74] Because the statutory time constraint could not be observed after Taton filed an objection to the ex parte order, this court vacated his restitution order.*fn20 Because Ryan only challenged the restitution of $10,130 in attorney fees, the remainder of the restitution order was deemed acknowledged.*fn21 We thus vacated the portion of Ryan's restitution order representing the legal fees to which Ryan objected.*fn22
[75] Ryan was cited with approval in State v. Moen.*fn23 A jury convicted Moen of theft and robbery, and Moen was sentenced on February 14, 1994.*fn24 At the sentencing hearing, Moen expressed his desire to pay restitution.*fn25 Over 60 days after the sentencing hearing, a restitution order was entered without a hearing, and Moen appealed the Judgement and sentence, challenging the restitution order as untimely.*fn26
[76] Although Moen had expressed a desire to pay restitution, the Moen court noted that a jury had convicted Moen and that restitution is mandatory under RCW 9.94A.142(2) following conviction of an offense which results in injury to any person or loss of property.*fn27 Thus, Moen's desire to pay restitution was irrelevant.*fn28 Noting the similarity of Moen to Taton in Ryan, the court approvingly summarized Ryan as follows:
[77] "At sentencing, the court ordered Taton to pay restitution in an amount to be determined by separate order. Six weeks after the sentencing the State filed an ex parte order fixing restitution. Two weeks after the order was signed the defendant filed his objection to the amount. Initially, the Court of Appeals observed that restitution may be "determined" for purposes of RCW 9.94A.142(1) either through an admission or acknowledgment of the defendant or by a preponderance of evidence in an evidentiary proceeding."
[78] As the Court of Appeals noted, Taton had not agreed to the amount of restitution, which was determined ex parte, nor did the order establish a deadline by which the defendant was required to object. "{A}n ex parte restitution order is final and enforceable only if the defendant does not object. . . ." Because the order was open-ended and the defendant could object even a year after entry, the ex parte order did not constitute an agreement or acknowledgment of the restitution amount sufficient to determine the amount of restitution within the meaning of RCW 9.94A.142(1). In this case, as in Ryan, the amount of restitution was unknown at the time of sentencing and needed to be "determined" as required by RCW 9.94A.142(1). Restitution was finally determined three months after the sentencing hearing through an ex parte order prepared by the State. . . . the most that should be said about the {Moen} order is that entry of the order was not contested.
[79] Most importantly, the order in this case was entered some three months after the sentencing hearing. In Krall, the order was invalid because it was too late when entered. We will not construe an uncontested order entered after the mandatory 60-day period of former RCW 9.94A.142(1) had passed as a waiver of that timeliness requirement; it was invalid when entered.*fn29
[80] In response to the State's contention that failure to object to the ex parte order before appealing precluded review, the Moen court noted: Where a restitution order is involved, the defendant's failure to object to a late order does not entail the potential for abuse as {failure to object at trial} . . . the defendant is not withholding an objection in order to take a chance on a favorable verdict. All that is involved is a court ruling the restitution order invalid because the timeliness requirement has not been met. Whether the trial court or the appellate court makes that determination is a distinction with little difference, once the time period has passed.*fn30
[81] The order setting Moen's restitution was thus reversed.*fn31 Turning now to the cases at bar, the State argues that Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena are precluded from challenging the ex parte restitution orders under In re Restraint of Fleming.*fn32 The consolidated appeal of Fleming considered whether untimely entry of restitution orders justifies collateral review and dismissal of such orders.*fn33 The Fleming petitioners agreed to the continuation of their restitution hearings and their restitution orders were entered after the 60-day limit under RCW 9.94A.142(1).*fn34 The petitioners contended that their restitution orders were invalid because they were entered more than 60 days after the sentencing date.*fn35
[82] Citing Moen, the Fleming court noted that an untimely restitution order may be addressed for the first time on appeal, even though an objection was not made to the trial court.*fn36 The court also stated that in order to secure relief by way of a personal restraint petition, a person must establish that they are being unlawfully restrained due to a "'fundamental defect which inherently results in a complete miscarriage of Justice."*fn37 The court agreed with the petitioners' contention that a restitution order may constitute unlawful restraint.*fn38 But, in dismissing the petitions, the court noted that the petitioners "can hardly argue they have been subject to a complete miscarriage of Justice" when the sentencing court postponed determination of restitution at their request.*fn39
[83] Unlike the Fleming petitioners, Burmaster, Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena never agreed to, or requested, delay of determination of restitution at a hearing. And unlike the Fleming petitioners' determination of restitution at a hearing which they attended, the restitution determinations here took place in proceedings where the defendants were not present. Because of these differences, Fleming is distinguishable.
[84] On the other hand, Moen is dispositive as to Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hardaway, and Agena. They did not agree to the amount of restitution imposed by the ex parte orders and objected. They did not have notice of, or agree to, the ex parte restitution hearings or waive their presence at those hearings. Thus, there was no determination of restitution for purposes of RCW 9.94A.142(1).*fn40 Like the ex parte order in Moen, these orders did not set a deadline by which an objection was required and are not final orders.*fn41 Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hardaway, and Agena properly moved the trial court to declare invalid these non-final restitution orders.*fn42
[85] Hastings differs somewhat from the other cases here because he did not file an objection to the restitution order before he filed his motion to strike restitution. Like the ex parte order in Ryan, this order "does not establish a deadline by which an offender must object or be considered to have acknowledged the amount of restitution."*fn43 It is not a final order.*fn44 Thus, as set forth in Moen, "{a}ll that is involved is a court ruling the restitution order invalid because the timeliness requirement has not been met. Whether the trial court or the appellate court makes that determination is a distinction with little difference, once the time period has passed."*fn45 Because the non-final ex parte restitution order was open-ended, Hastings "could object even a year after entry."*fn46 The State cites no authority which would bar Hastings from filing an objection to a non-final ex parte order even four years after entry. We hold that the trial court properly struck Hastings' restitution order as invalid.
[86] IV.
[87] Burmaster differs from the other cases because he had notice of the restitution hearing which was held 455 days after sentencing. Burmaster did not appear at the hearing. But absent Burmaster's agreement, the 60-day time limit for entry of a restitution order is mandatory and a restitution order entered beyond that time is invalid when entered.*fn47 The State contends that Burmaster had notice of his rights regarding the restitution hearing and waived his right to appeal the determination made at that hearing. We are not persuaded.
[88] The Washington Constitution provides a criminal defendant the right to appeal in all cases.*fn48 A convicted person must be aware of the right to appeal and the procedure necessary to vindicate that right.*fn49 However, a criminal defendant may make a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of the right to appeal.*fn50 The State bears the burden of demonstrating that waiver.*fn51 "{A} criminal appeal may not be dismissed as untimely unless the State demonstrates that the defendant voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently abandoned his appeal right."*fn52
[89] The record does not indicate that Burmaster voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently abandoned his appeal right. In fact, the State has not even shown that it attempted to present such evidence in response to Burmaster's motion. Under these circumstances, we will not dismiss Burmaster's appeal as untimely. Instead, we address Burmaster's arguments here as a direct appeal of his restitution order. Because Burmaster's restitution order was entered after the 60-day period mandated by former RCW 9.94A.142(1), it is invalid. We thus reverse the trial court order denying Burmaster's motion to strike.
[90] V.
[91] Finally, Hardaway contends that she is entitled to a refund of restitution paid. The party seeking review has the burden of perfecting the record so that an appellate court has before it all of the evidence relevant to the issue.*fn53 The record here does not provide adequate evidence that Hardaway made any payments under the restitution order. Nor does it disclose whether and to whom any payments made were disbursed. The record on appeal does not allow for meaningful review of this issue. Thus, we will not address Hardaway's cross appeal.
[92] State v. Burmaster - REVERSED
[93] State v. Murphy - REVERSED
[94] State v. Hunter - AFFIRMED
[95] State v. Washington - AFFIRMED
[96] State v. Hastings - AFFIRMED
[97] State v. Hardaway - AFFIRMED / CROSS-APPEAL - AFFIRMED
[98] State v. Agena - AFFIRMED
[99] WE CONCUR:
Opinion Footnotes
[100] *fn1 Laws 1995, ch. 231 sec. 5.
[101] *fn2 125 Wn.2d 146, 881 P.2d 1040 (1994).
[102] *fn3 Krall, 125 Wn.2d at 148.
[103] *fn4 Krall, 125 Wn.2d at 148.
[104] *fn5 Krall, 125 Wn.2d at 148-149.
[105] *fn6 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825, review denied, 128 Wn.2d 1006 (1995).
[106] *fn7 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760-761.
[107] *fn8 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761.
[108] *fn9 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761.
[109] *fn10 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761.
[110] *fn11 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760.
[111] *fn12 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760.
[112] *fn13 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760. The ex parte orders of Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena include identical language.
[113] *fn14 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761-762.
[114] *fn15 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[115] *fn16 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[116] *fn17 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[117] *fn18 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[118] *fn19 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[119] *fn20 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 763-764.
[120] *fn21 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 763-764.
[121] *fn22 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 764.
[122] *fn23 129 Wn.2d 535, 919 P.2d 69 (1996).
[123] *fn24 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 537.
[124] *fn25 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 537.
[125] *fn26 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 537-538.
[126] *fn27 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 540. The Moen court also noted that the defendant did not agree to pay restitution as part of a plea agreement. Entry of a restitution order more than 60 days after sentencing was upheld where a defendant agreed to pay exactly $1,800 in restitution for forged checks as part of a plea agreement because the amount of restitution was "determined" within the 60-day limit of RCW 9.94A.142(1). State v. Hunsicker, 129 Wn.2d 554, 919 P.2d 79 (1996). The State does not argue that Hunsicker is applicable to any of the cases at bar, and concedes that the plea agreements of respondents Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena do not specify an exact amount of restitution due upon sentencing. Hunsicker is not relevant to the appeal of Murphy because he was convicted by a jury, and a review of the record in Burmaster does not indicate that the amount of restitution was determined as part of a plea agreement.
[127] *fn28 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 540.
[128] *fn29 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541-542 (citations omitted, emphasis supplied).
[129] *fn30 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 547 (emphasis supplied).
[130] *fn31 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 548.
[131] *fn32 129 Wn.2d 529, 919 P.2d 66 (1996).
[132] *fn33 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 530-531.
[133] *fn34 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 531-532, 534.
[134] *fn35 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 532.
[135] *fn36 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 532.
[136] *fn37 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 532.
[137] *fn38 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 533.
[138] *fn39 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 534.
[139] *fn40 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[140] *fn41 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[141] *fn42 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 548.
[142] *fn43 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[143] *fn44 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[144] *fn45 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 547.
[145] *fn46 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[146] *fn47 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 542.
[147] *fn48 Wash. Const. art. 1, sec. 22.
[148] *fn49 State v. Sweet, 90 Wn.2d 282, 287, 581 P.2d 579 (1978).
[149] *fn50 State v. Tomal, 133 Wn.2d 985, 989, 948 P.2d 833 (1997) (citing Sweet, 90 Wn.2d at 286).
[150] *fn51 Tomal, 133 Wn.2d at 989 (citing Sweet, 90 Wn.2d at 286).
[151] *fn52 State v. Kells, 134 Wn.2d 309, 313, 949 P.2d 818 (1998).
[152] *fn53 St. Hilaire v. Food Servs. of Am., Inc., 82 Wn. App. 343, 352, 917 P.2d 1114 (1996) (quoting Allemeier v. University of Washington, 42 Wn. App. 465, 472, 712 P.2d 306 (1985), review denied, 105 Wn.2d 1014 (1986)).
[1] Washington Court of Appeals
[2] No. 40841-1-I NO. 42972-8-I NO. 41922-6-I NO. 42781-4-I NO. 42782-2-I NO. 42783-1-I NO. 42853-5-I CONSOLIDATED APPEALS
[3]
[4] June 01, 1999
[5] STATE OF WASHINGTON, RESPONDENT,
v.
CHARLES P. BURMASTER, APPELLANT. STATE OF WASHINGTON, APPELLANT/CROSS RESPONDENT,
v.
BARBARA D. HARDAWAY, RESPONDENT/CROSS APPELLANT. STATE OF WASHINGTON RESPONDENT,
v.
IVAN C. MURPHY, APPELLANT. STATE OF WASHINGTON APPELLANT,
v.
ALAN S. AGENA, RESPONDENT. STATE OF WASHINGTON APPELLANT,
v.
WILLIAM D. WASHINGTON, RESPONDENT STATE OF WASHINGTON APPELLANT,
v.
JEFFREY L. HUNTER, RESPONDENT. STATE OF WASHINGTON, APPELLANT,
v.
MICHAEL D. HASTINGS, RESPONDENT.
[6] Source of Appeal: Appeal from Superior Court of Skagit County Docket No: 88-1-00202-8 Judgement or order under review Date filed: 07/26/1996 Judge signing: Hon. George E. McIntosh
[7] Counsel: Counsel for Appellant(s) David F. Thiele Snohomish Co Pros Att Ofc 3000 Rockefeller Ave Everett, WA 98201-4060 James R. Dixon Nielsen Broman & Assoc. Pllc 810 3rd Ave Ste 320 320 Central Building Seattle, WA 98104 Christopher Gibson Nielsen Broman & Assoc. Pllc 810 3rd Ave Ste 320 Seattle, WA 98104 Nielsen Broman & Associates Pllc 810 Third Avenue 320 Central Building Seattle, WA 98104 Counsel for Respondent(s) David F. Thiele Snohomish Co Pros Att Ofc 3000 Rockefeller Ave Everett, WA 98201-4060 Erik Pedersen Skagit Co Prosc Atty Ofc 605 S 3rd Mt Vernon, WA 98273 Stella S. Buder Wa Appellate Project 1200 5th Ave #1201 Seattle, WA 98101 Christopher Gibson Nielsen Broman & Assoc. Pllc 810 3rd Ave Ste 320 Seattle, WA 98104 Washington Appellate Project 1201 Ibm Building 1200 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101
[8] The opinion of the court was delivered by: Baker, J.
[9] Judges:
[10] PUBLISHED OPINION
[11] These consolidated appeals involve challenges to restitution orders. Some of the orders were entered more than 60 days after sentencing and others were entered as ex parte orders. Motions to strike those orders were filed more than a year after sentencing became final. Burmaster and Murphy appeal the trial court's denial of their motions to strike restitution. The State appeals the trial court's grant of motions to strike restitution by Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway and Agena, contending that such motions are untimely. Hardaway cross-appeals the trial court's denial of her motion to refund restitution paid. We hold that the non-final ex parte restitution orders of Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway and Agena are invalid and that the motions to strike these orders are timely. Because the State has not demonstrated that Burmaster waived the right to appeal his restitution order and because that order was invalid when entered, we reverse the trial court order that denied Burmaster's motion to strike. Finally, we affirm the denial of Hardaway's motion to refund restitution because she has not perfected this issue for appeal.
[12] I.
[13] BURMASTER
[14] Charles Burmaster pled guilty to theft and trafficking in stolen property, and was sentenced on May 5, 1989. At the time of sentencing, Burmaster's attorney agreed that restitution might be $4,000 to $5,000. The Judgement and sentence stated that restitution will be set "{a}ccording to the Order of Restitution to be filed with the court at a future date." On August 8, 1990, 455 days after sentencing, the Prosecuting Attorney notified Burmaster that the restitution amount has been determined to be $5,741.15, and that:
[15] "If you do not agree with this amount a hearing has been set for Aug. 17, 1990 at 9:30 a.m. . . . At this hearing a date may be set for you to contest the restitution amount."
[16] IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT THE HEARING AND YOU FAIL TO MAKE A WRITTEN CHALLENGE TO THE ENTRY OF THE 'ORDER OF RESTITUTION' , THE ORDER WILL BE SIGNED BY THE JUDGE AND BECOME EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
[17] Burmaster did not appear at the restitution hearing and the proposed order was entered. The record does not indicate that Burmaster ever agreed to the amount of restitution in the proposed order. In July 1996, Burmaster filed a motion to strike the restitution order. Burmaster appeals the trial court's denial of that motion.
[18] MURPHY
[19] A jury convicted Ivan Murphy of second degree assault, and he was sentenced on June 10, 1994. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." On August 30, 1994, 81 days after sentencing, the trial court entered an ex parte restitution order for $31,864.57. The record does not show that Murphy had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[20] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[21] On September 14, 1994, Murphy filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On February 24, 1995, the trial court entered an amended ex parte order raising the total amount of restitution to $47,171.71. On November 12, 1997, in response to the State's Notice of Violation, Murphy filed a motion to strike restitution. Murphy appeals the trial court's denial of that motion.
[22] HUNTER
[23] Jeffrey Hunter pled guilty to burglary, and was sentenced on February 13, 1987. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this Court." Sixty-six days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $59,293.93. The record does not show that Hunter had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[24] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[25] On May 6, 1987, Hunter filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On May 14, 1998, in response to the State's Notice of Violation, Hunter filed a motion to strike restitution. In granting Hunter's motion, the trial court held: In Mr. Hunter's case, the state failed to establish restitution within the statutory period. Mr. Hunter objected to the order. Therefore, the ex parte order did not establish the amount of restitution. Furthermore, by that time it was not possible for the court to establish restitution in a timely fashion. The ex parte restitution order should be vacated.
[26] The State appeals the trial court's order.
[27] WASHINGTON
[28] William Washington pled guilty to vehicular assault, and was sentenced on June 30, 1992. The court imposed restitution of $45, a $100 victim assessment, and $485 in recoupment for attorney fees, which total $630. Thirteen days later, the court entered an amended ex parte restitution order raising the total amount to $28,584.16. The record does not show that Washington had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[29] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[30] On July 17, 1992, Washington filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On May 6, 1998, in response to the State's Notice of Violation, Washington filed a motion to strike restitution. In granting Washington's motion, the trial court held that:
[31] "Pursuant to State v. Ryan, 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825 (1995), restitution is not determined until an objecting defendant receives a restitution hearing. In this case, the defendant filed an objection to the ex parte restitution order signed on July 10, 1992. Because no restitution hearing was provided within sixty days of sentencing, restitution has never been "determined" under State v. Ryan. This restitution order was not a final, enforceable order."
[32] Former RCW 9.94A.142(1), which was in effect at the time this ex parte restitution order was signed, required that restitution be determined within sixty days of sentencing. Because it has been much longer than sixty days since sentencing, holding a restitution hearing today would serve no practical value. Similarly, because the remedy had expired by the time of any community supervision violation hearings, the defendant did not waive his objection.
[33] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Washington's motion to strike.
[34] HASTINGS
[35] Michael Hastings pled guilty to burglary, and was sentenced on January 11, 1994. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." Sixty-six days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $3,359.67. The record does not show that Hastings had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[36] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[37] Hastings does not allege that he filed an objection to the restitution order before he filed his motion to strike restitution on March 25, 1998. The record does not indicate that Hastings ever agreed to the amount of restitution in the order or made payments. In granting Hastings' motion, the trial court found that the ex parte restitution order was entered without prior notice to Hastings or his attorney, that a restitution hearing was never scheduled or heard, and that:
[38] "This ex parte restitution order contained open-ended language which did not set out the time frame by which a defendant had to object. The ex parte restitution order was therefore not a final, appealable order pursuant to RAP 2.2. Former RCW 9.94A.142(1) required that restitution be determined within sixty days of sentencing. Restitution was not determined within that time frame. Because sixty days have long since passed, holding a restitution hearing today would be of no practical value."
[39] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Hastings' motion to strike.
[40] HARDAWAY
[41] Barbara Hardaway pled guilty to theft, and was sentenced on May 5, 1993. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." Thirty-four days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $4,319.13. The record does not show that Hardaway had notice of the hearing. The order stated:
[42] "A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion."
[43] On June 10, 1993, Hardaway filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for her objection. No hearing was scheduled. The record does not indicate that Hardaway ever agreed to the amount of restitution in the order or made payments.
[44] On January 7, 1998, in response to the State's Petition for Order Modifying Sentence, Hardaway filed a motion to strike restitution. After the court adjudicating Hardaway's motion indicated that her motion would be granted, Hardaway orally moved to refund restitution monies already paid, but provided no evidence of the amount paid. The court denied Hardaway's request to refund restitution amounts already paid. The court later held: Pursuant to State v. Ryan, 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825 (1995), restitution is not determined until an objecting defendant receives a restitution hearing. Former RCW 9.94A.142, the statute in effect at the time this order was entered, required that restitution be determined at sentencing or within sixty days of sentencing. The State acknowledged in Ryan that an ex parte restitution order is not final and enforceable if the defendant objects to it.
[45] In this case, the defendant promptly filed an objection to the ex parte restitution order signed on May 24, 1993. Nevertheless, the defendant was not given a restitution hearing within sixty days of sentencing. Restitution has therefore never been "determined" pursuant to Ryan and the ex parte restitution order is not a final, enforceable order. A restitution hearing today would serve no purpose as it has been much longer than sixty days since sentencing. . . .
[46] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Hardaway's motion to strike. Hardaway cross-appeals denial of her motion to refund restitution monies already paid.
[47] AGENA
[48] Alan Agena pled guilty to attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and hit and run - injury accident, and was sentenced on May 5, 1994. The court imposed restitution in an amount to be determined later "as established by separate order of this court." Seventy-seven days after sentencing, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $2,206.51. The record does not show that Agena had notice of the hearing. The order stated: A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion.
[49] On October 21, 1994, Agena filed an objection that failed to state any grounds for his objection. No hearing was scheduled. On March 17, 1998, in response to the State's Petition for Order Modifying Sentence, Agena filed a motion to strike restitution. In granting Agena's motion, the trial court held that:
[50] "Pursuant to State v. Ryan, 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825 (1995), restitution is not determined until an objecting defendant receives a restitution hearing. In this case, the defendant filed an objection to the ex parte restitution order signed on October 18, 1994. Because no restitution hearing was heard, restitution has never been "determined" under State v. Ryan. This restitution order was not a final, enforceable order. RCW 9.94A.142(1), which retroactively applies to cases sentenced after July 23, 1994, requires that restitution be determined within one hundred eighty days of sentencing. Because one hundred eighty days have passed since sentencing, holding a restitution hearing today would be of no practical value. . . ."
[51] The State appeals the trial court's order which granted Agena's motion to strike.
[52] II.
[53] RCW 9.94A.142(1), as enacted in 1985 states in relevant part: When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within sixty days and shall set the terms and conditions under which the defendant shall make restitution. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years subsequent to the imposition of sentence. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. . . . (emphasis added)
[54] RCW 9.94A.142(1), was amended effective July 1, 1990 as follows:
[55] "When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within sixty days. The court shall then set a minimum monthly payment that the offender is required to make towards the restitution that is ordered. The court should take into consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender's present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have. During the period of supervision, the community corrections officer may examine the offender to determine if there has been a change in circumstances that warrants an amendment of the monthly payment schedule. The community corrections officer may recommend a change to the schedule of payment and shall inform the court of the recommended change and the reasons for the change. The sentencing court may then reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years subsequent to the imposition of sentence. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. . . . (emphasis added)"
[56] RCW 9.94A.142(1), was amended in 1994 as follows:
[57] "When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within sixty days. The court shall then set a minimum monthly payment that the offender is required to make towards the restitution that is ordered. The court should take into consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender's present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have. During the period of supervision, the community corrections officer may examine the offender to determine if there has been a change in circumstances that warrants an amendment of the monthly payment schedule. The community corrections officer may recommend a change to the schedule of payment and shall inform the court of the recommended change and the reasons for the change. The sentencing court may then reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years following the offender's release from total confinement or ten years subsequent to the entry of the Judgement and sentence, whichever period is longer. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. . . . (emphasis added)"
[58] After entry of the orders here, RCW 9.94A.142 was amended in 1995 as follows:
[59] "(1) When restitution is ordered, the court shall determine the amount of restitution due at the sentencing hearing or within one hundred eighty days except as provided in subsection (3) of this section. The court may continue the hearing beyond the one hundred eighty days for good cause. The court shall then set a minimum monthly payment that the offender is required to make towards the restitution that is ordered. The court should take into consideration the total amount of the restitution owed, the offender's present, past, and future ability to pay, as well as any assets that the offender may have. During the period of supervision, the community corrections officer may examine the offender to determine if there has been a change in circumstances that warrants an amendment of the monthly payment schedule. The community corrections officer may recommend a change to the schedule of payment and shall inform the court of the recommended change and the reasons for the change. The sentencing court may then reset the monthly minimum payments based on the report from the community corrections officer of the change in circumstances. . . . For the purposes of this section, the offender shall remain under the court's jurisdiction for a maximum term of ten years following the offender's release from total confinement or ten years subsequent to the entry of the Judgement and sentence, whichever period is longer. The portion of the sentence concerning restitution may be modified as to amount, terms and conditions during the ten-year period, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision and regardless of the statutory maximum for the crime. The court may not reduce the total amount of restitution ordered because the offender may lack the ability to pay the total amount."
[60] ". . ."
[61] "(3) Regardless of the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the court shall order restitution in all cases where the victim is entitled to benefits under the crime victims' compensation act, chapter 7.68 RCW. If the court does not order restitution and the victim of the crime has been determined to be entitled to benefits under the crime victims' compensation act, the department of labor and industries, as administrator of the crime victims' compensation program, may petition the court within one year of entry of the Judgement and sentence for entry of a restitution order. Upon receipt of a petition from the department of labor and industries, the court shall hold a restitution hearing and shall enter a restitution order."
[62] The 1995 amendment, Laws 1995, ch. 231, sec. 1, extended the period for determination of the amount of restitution from 60 to 180 days, inserted the sentence concerning continuation of the hearing for good cause, and inserted the sentence prohibiting the court from reducing restitution. The Legislature also provided for retroactive application of those RCW 9.94A.142(1) provisions when:
[63] "(1) the court failed to set restitution within 60 days of sentencing;"
[64] "(2) a defendant was sentenced after July 23, 1994; and"
[65] "(3) a defendant is not unfairly prejudiced by the delay."
[66] Under those circumstances, which are not found in any of the cases at bar, the court may set restitution within 180 days of July 23, 1995, or at a later hearing set by the court for good cause.*fn1
[67] III.
[68] Before addressing the details of each consolidated appeal, we review the law relating to the timely entry of restitution orders.
[69] In State v. Krall,*fn2 Krall challenged a restitution order entered 185 days after sentencing.*fn3 Krall attended the restitution hearing, objected to the timeliness of the hearing, and appealed the restitution order.*fn4 The court held that the Legislature's use of the word "shall" in RCW 9.94A.142(1) is a mandatory directive to determine restitution within 60 days of sentencing, and reversed the restitution order.*fn5
[70] This court applied Krall in the consolidated direct appeal of State v. Ryan.*fn6 Ryan was convicted of burglary and malicious mischief, and ordered at sentencing to pay restitution in an amount to be established by a separate order of the court.*fn7 One month later, the court entered an ex parte order which instructed Ryan to move for and schedule a hearing if he objected to the amount.*fn8 Ryan filed an objection three weeks later and requested a restitution hearing after four additional months had passed.*fn9 At the hearing, Ryan challenged only the restitution of $10,130 in attorney fees, and restitution was set at $19,072.*fn10
[71] Taton, the other appellant in Ryan, pled guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, and agreed in his guilty plea to pay restitution.*fn11 At sentencing, the court imposed restitution in an amount to be established by a separate order of the court.*fn12 Within 60 days, the court entered an ex parte restitution order for $99,454 which advised Taton that: A defendant objecting to the total amount shown must file a motion for a restitution hearing with the Court Clerk, and serve a copy on the Prosecuting Attorney. Defendant must contact the Judge or the Judge's bailiff to schedule a hearing on the motion.*fn13
[72] Taton filed an objection two weeks after the order was entered but did not schedule a hearing.
[73] The Ryan court noted that restitution must be accurately determined either by (1) a defendant's admission or acknowledgement, or (2) by a preponderance of the evidence at an evidentiary hearing.*fn14 It is the State's obligation to establish the amount of restitution.*fn15 The Ryan court also noted that Ryan and Taton's ex parte restitution orders did not establish a deadline for objecting and thus "{a} defendant could schedule a hearing one week, one month, or even one year after sentencing, a fact the State concedes."*fn16 The Ryan court held that accurate determination at a hearing must take place within 60 days of sentencing if a defendant objects to the amount of restitution set in an ex parte order.*fn17 The burden of ensuring that restitution is accurately determined within 60 days is borne by the State and cannot be shifted to a defendant, despite language in an ex parte order which purportedly requires a defendant to schedule a hearing.*fn18 Moreover, although RCW 9.94A.142(1) allows a court to modify restitution orders for up to 10 years following an offender's release from confinement or entry of Judgement and sentence, the Ryan court further held that a court's ability to modify a restitution order does not impact the initial obligation to accurately determine the amount of restitution within 60 days of sentencing.*fn19
[74] Because the statutory time constraint could not be observed after Taton filed an objection to the ex parte order, this court vacated his restitution order.*fn20 Because Ryan only challenged the restitution of $10,130 in attorney fees, the remainder of the restitution order was deemed acknowledged.*fn21 We thus vacated the portion of Ryan's restitution order representing the legal fees to which Ryan objected.*fn22
[75] Ryan was cited with approval in State v. Moen.*fn23 A jury convicted Moen of theft and robbery, and Moen was sentenced on February 14, 1994.*fn24 At the sentencing hearing, Moen expressed his desire to pay restitution.*fn25 Over 60 days after the sentencing hearing, a restitution order was entered without a hearing, and Moen appealed the Judgement and sentence, challenging the restitution order as untimely.*fn26
[76] Although Moen had expressed a desire to pay restitution, the Moen court noted that a jury had convicted Moen and that restitution is mandatory under RCW 9.94A.142(2) following conviction of an offense which results in injury to any person or loss of property.*fn27 Thus, Moen's desire to pay restitution was irrelevant.*fn28 Noting the similarity of Moen to Taton in Ryan, the court approvingly summarized Ryan as follows:
[77] "At sentencing, the court ordered Taton to pay restitution in an amount to be determined by separate order. Six weeks after the sentencing the State filed an ex parte order fixing restitution. Two weeks after the order was signed the defendant filed his objection to the amount. Initially, the Court of Appeals observed that restitution may be "determined" for purposes of RCW 9.94A.142(1) either through an admission or acknowledgment of the defendant or by a preponderance of evidence in an evidentiary proceeding."
[78] As the Court of Appeals noted, Taton had not agreed to the amount of restitution, which was determined ex parte, nor did the order establish a deadline by which the defendant was required to object. "{A}n ex parte restitution order is final and enforceable only if the defendant does not object. . . ." Because the order was open-ended and the defendant could object even a year after entry, the ex parte order did not constitute an agreement or acknowledgment of the restitution amount sufficient to determine the amount of restitution within the meaning of RCW 9.94A.142(1). In this case, as in Ryan, the amount of restitution was unknown at the time of sentencing and needed to be "determined" as required by RCW 9.94A.142(1). Restitution was finally determined three months after the sentencing hearing through an ex parte order prepared by the State. . . . the most that should be said about the {Moen} order is that entry of the order was not contested.
[79] Most importantly, the order in this case was entered some three months after the sentencing hearing. In Krall, the order was invalid because it was too late when entered. We will not construe an uncontested order entered after the mandatory 60-day period of former RCW 9.94A.142(1) had passed as a waiver of that timeliness requirement; it was invalid when entered.*fn29
[80] In response to the State's contention that failure to object to the ex parte order before appealing precluded review, the Moen court noted: Where a restitution order is involved, the defendant's failure to object to a late order does not entail the potential for abuse as {failure to object at trial} . . . the defendant is not withholding an objection in order to take a chance on a favorable verdict. All that is involved is a court ruling the restitution order invalid because the timeliness requirement has not been met. Whether the trial court or the appellate court makes that determination is a distinction with little difference, once the time period has passed.*fn30
[81] The order setting Moen's restitution was thus reversed.*fn31 Turning now to the cases at bar, the State argues that Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena are precluded from challenging the ex parte restitution orders under In re Restraint of Fleming.*fn32 The consolidated appeal of Fleming considered whether untimely entry of restitution orders justifies collateral review and dismissal of such orders.*fn33 The Fleming petitioners agreed to the continuation of their restitution hearings and their restitution orders were entered after the 60-day limit under RCW 9.94A.142(1).*fn34 The petitioners contended that their restitution orders were invalid because they were entered more than 60 days after the sentencing date.*fn35
[82] Citing Moen, the Fleming court noted that an untimely restitution order may be addressed for the first time on appeal, even though an objection was not made to the trial court.*fn36 The court also stated that in order to secure relief by way of a personal restraint petition, a person must establish that they are being unlawfully restrained due to a "'fundamental defect which inherently results in a complete miscarriage of Justice."*fn37 The court agreed with the petitioners' contention that a restitution order may constitute unlawful restraint.*fn38 But, in dismissing the petitions, the court noted that the petitioners "can hardly argue they have been subject to a complete miscarriage of Justice" when the sentencing court postponed determination of restitution at their request.*fn39
[83] Unlike the Fleming petitioners, Burmaster, Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena never agreed to, or requested, delay of determination of restitution at a hearing. And unlike the Fleming petitioners' determination of restitution at a hearing which they attended, the restitution determinations here took place in proceedings where the defendants were not present. Because of these differences, Fleming is distinguishable.
[84] On the other hand, Moen is dispositive as to Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hardaway, and Agena. They did not agree to the amount of restitution imposed by the ex parte orders and objected. They did not have notice of, or agree to, the ex parte restitution hearings or waive their presence at those hearings. Thus, there was no determination of restitution for purposes of RCW 9.94A.142(1).*fn40 Like the ex parte order in Moen, these orders did not set a deadline by which an objection was required and are not final orders.*fn41 Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hardaway, and Agena properly moved the trial court to declare invalid these non-final restitution orders.*fn42
[85] Hastings differs somewhat from the other cases here because he did not file an objection to the restitution order before he filed his motion to strike restitution. Like the ex parte order in Ryan, this order "does not establish a deadline by which an offender must object or be considered to have acknowledged the amount of restitution."*fn43 It is not a final order.*fn44 Thus, as set forth in Moen, "{a}ll that is involved is a court ruling the restitution order invalid because the timeliness requirement has not been met. Whether the trial court or the appellate court makes that determination is a distinction with little difference, once the time period has passed."*fn45 Because the non-final ex parte restitution order was open-ended, Hastings "could object even a year after entry."*fn46 The State cites no authority which would bar Hastings from filing an objection to a non-final ex parte order even four years after entry. We hold that the trial court properly struck Hastings' restitution order as invalid.
[86] IV.
[87] Burmaster differs from the other cases because he had notice of the restitution hearing which was held 455 days after sentencing. Burmaster did not appear at the hearing. But absent Burmaster's agreement, the 60-day time limit for entry of a restitution order is mandatory and a restitution order entered beyond that time is invalid when entered.*fn47 The State contends that Burmaster had notice of his rights regarding the restitution hearing and waived his right to appeal the determination made at that hearing. We are not persuaded.
[88] The Washington Constitution provides a criminal defendant the right to appeal in all cases.*fn48 A convicted person must be aware of the right to appeal and the procedure necessary to vindicate that right.*fn49 However, a criminal defendant may make a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of the right to appeal.*fn50 The State bears the burden of demonstrating that waiver.*fn51 "{A} criminal appeal may not be dismissed as untimely unless the State demonstrates that the defendant voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently abandoned his appeal right."*fn52
[89] The record does not indicate that Burmaster voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently abandoned his appeal right. In fact, the State has not even shown that it attempted to present such evidence in response to Burmaster's motion. Under these circumstances, we will not dismiss Burmaster's appeal as untimely. Instead, we address Burmaster's arguments here as a direct appeal of his restitution order. Because Burmaster's restitution order was entered after the 60-day period mandated by former RCW 9.94A.142(1), it is invalid. We thus reverse the trial court order denying Burmaster's motion to strike.
[90] V.
[91] Finally, Hardaway contends that she is entitled to a refund of restitution paid. The party seeking review has the burden of perfecting the record so that an appellate court has before it all of the evidence relevant to the issue.*fn53 The record here does not provide adequate evidence that Hardaway made any payments under the restitution order. Nor does it disclose whether and to whom any payments made were disbursed. The record on appeal does not allow for meaningful review of this issue. Thus, we will not address Hardaway's cross appeal.
[92] State v. Burmaster - REVERSED
[93] State v. Murphy - REVERSED
[94] State v. Hunter - AFFIRMED
[95] State v. Washington - AFFIRMED
[96] State v. Hastings - AFFIRMED
[97] State v. Hardaway - AFFIRMED / CROSS-APPEAL - AFFIRMED
[98] State v. Agena - AFFIRMED
[99] WE CONCUR:
Opinion Footnotes
[100] *fn1 Laws 1995, ch. 231 sec. 5.
[101] *fn2 125 Wn.2d 146, 881 P.2d 1040 (1994).
[102] *fn3 Krall, 125 Wn.2d at 148.
[103] *fn4 Krall, 125 Wn.2d at 148.
[104] *fn5 Krall, 125 Wn.2d at 148-149.
[105] *fn6 78 Wn. App. 758, 899 P.2d 825, review denied, 128 Wn.2d 1006 (1995).
[106] *fn7 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760-761.
[107] *fn8 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761.
[108] *fn9 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761.
[109] *fn10 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761.
[110] *fn11 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760.
[111] *fn12 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760.
[112] *fn13 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 760. The ex parte orders of Murphy, Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena include identical language.
[113] *fn14 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 761-762.
[114] *fn15 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[115] *fn16 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[116] *fn17 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[117] *fn18 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[118] *fn19 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[119] *fn20 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 763-764.
[120] *fn21 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 763-764.
[121] *fn22 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 764.
[122] *fn23 129 Wn.2d 535, 919 P.2d 69 (1996).
[123] *fn24 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 537.
[124] *fn25 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 537.
[125] *fn26 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 537-538.
[126] *fn27 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 540. The Moen court also noted that the defendant did not agree to pay restitution as part of a plea agreement. Entry of a restitution order more than 60 days after sentencing was upheld where a defendant agreed to pay exactly $1,800 in restitution for forged checks as part of a plea agreement because the amount of restitution was "determined" within the 60-day limit of RCW 9.94A.142(1). State v. Hunsicker, 129 Wn.2d 554, 919 P.2d 79 (1996). The State does not argue that Hunsicker is applicable to any of the cases at bar, and concedes that the plea agreements of respondents Hunter, Washington, Hastings, Hardaway, and Agena do not specify an exact amount of restitution due upon sentencing. Hunsicker is not relevant to the appeal of Murphy because he was convicted by a jury, and a review of the record in Burmaster does not indicate that the amount of restitution was determined as part of a plea agreement.
[127] *fn28 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 540.
[128] *fn29 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541-542 (citations omitted, emphasis supplied).
[129] *fn30 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 547 (emphasis supplied).
[130] *fn31 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 548.
[131] *fn32 129 Wn.2d 529, 919 P.2d 66 (1996).
[132] *fn33 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 530-531.
[133] *fn34 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 531-532, 534.
[134] *fn35 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 532.
[135] *fn36 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 532.
[136] *fn37 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 532.
[137] *fn38 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 533.
[138] *fn39 Fleming, 129 Wn.2d at 534.
[139] *fn40 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[140] *fn41 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[141] *fn42 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 548.
[142] *fn43 Ryan, 78 Wn. App. at 762.
[143] *fn44 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[144] *fn45 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 547.
[145] *fn46 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 541.
[146] *fn47 Moen, 129 Wn.2d at 542.
[147] *fn48 Wash. Const. art. 1, sec. 22.
[148] *fn49 State v. Sweet, 90 Wn.2d 282, 287, 581 P.2d 579 (1978).
[149] *fn50 State v. Tomal, 133 Wn.2d 985, 989, 948 P.2d 833 (1997) (citing Sweet, 90 Wn.2d at 286).
[150] *fn51 Tomal, 133 Wn.2d at 989 (citing Sweet, 90 Wn.2d at 286).
[151] *fn52 State v. Kells, 134 Wn.2d 309, 313, 949 P.2d 818 (1998).
[152] *fn53 St. Hilaire v. Food Servs. of Am., Inc., 82 Wn. App. 343, 352, 917 P.2d 1114 (1996) (quoting Allemeier v. University of Washington, 42 Wn. App. 465, 472, 712 P.2d 306 (1985), review denied, 105 Wn.2d 1014 (1986)).