Dublinski, In Interest of

• Citation: 695 A.2d 827
• Parties: In the Interest of Dallas DUBLINSKI, a Minor. Appeal of Dallas DUBLINSKI, Juvenile.
• Decision Date: 29 May 1997
• Court: Pennsylvania Superior Court

Page 827

695 A.2d 827

In the Interest of Dallas DUBLINSKI, a Minor.

Appeal of Dallas DUBLINSKI, Juvenile.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania.

Argued Feb. 27, 1997.

Filed May 29, 1997.

Kevin A. Hardy, Stroudsburg, for appellant.

Curtis J. Rogers, Asst. Dist. Atty., Stroudsburg, for Com., participating party.

Before TAMILIA, HUDOCK and SAYLOR, JJ.

TAMILIA, Judge:

Dallas Dublinski appeals from the August 21, 1996 Order of Disposition adjudicating her delinquent, imposing placement in a juvenile facility and entering a judgment of restitution in the amount of $10,000. The disposition followed appellant's arrest for various offenses arising from the burglary and extensive vandalism of two unoccupied houses in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The perpetrators were appellant and a group of her juvenile acquaintances. Prior to the disposition hearing, appellant reached an agreement with the Commonwealth whereby she entered an admission to two counts of burglary graded as first degree felonies and one count of criminal trespass graded as a third degree felony in exchange for the Commonwealth's dismissal of two counts of criminal mischief, four counts of theft of firearms, one count of theft by unlawful taking and two counts of criminal conspiracy. Appellant and the other juveniles caused damage to the residences in excess of $153,000. ¹

On appeal, appellant challenges only the propriety of the court's restitution award. Specifically, she claims the court abused its discretion by imposing restitution: (1) in a speculative amount not supported by the record; (2) without determining her ability to pay restitution; and (3) without directing how the restitution should be paid.

Before turning to the merits of this claim, we note an apparent conflict in our decisions as to whether appellant's challenges are to the discretionary aspects of sentencing. Initially, at least two published Opinions have held that a claim that restitution is not supported by the record challenges legality, rather than discretionary aspects, of sentencing. See Commonwealth v. Reed, 374 Pa.Super. 510, 514, 543 A.2d 587, 589 (1988) ("In Commonwealth v. Balisteri, [329 Pa.Super. 148, 478 A.2d 5 (1984) ], this Court held that an Order of restitution which was not supported by the record was illegal."). On the other hand, several Opinions stand for the proposition that claims the court failed to consider appellant's ability to make restitution payments and that the amount of restitution ordered was speculative are challenges to the discretionary aspects of sentencing. See Commonwealth v. McLaughlin, 393 Pa.Super. 277, 574 A.2d 610 (1990), alloc. denied, 527 Pa. 616, 590 A.2d 756 (1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 916, 112 S.Ct. 320, 116 L.Ed.2d 261 (1991); Commonwealth v. Mathis, 317 Pa.Super. 362, 464 A.2d 362 (1983). Nonetheless, even those courts which have construed claims regarding restitution as challenges to the discretionary aspects of sentencing have found that such claims raise a substantial question for our review. See e.g. Commonwealth v. Walker, 446 Pa.Super. 43, 61, 666 A.2d 301, 310 (1995) ("[W]e find that appellant has at least raised a substantial question, arguing as he does that the sentence of restitution was not supported by the record."); accord, McLaughlin, supra; Commonwealth v. Hlatky, 426 Pa.Super. 66, 626 A.2d 575 (1993), alloc. denied, 537 Pa. 663, 644 A.2d 1200 (1994); and Commonwealth v. Jones, 418 Pa.Super. 93, 613 A.2d 587 (1992), alloc. denied, 535 Pa. 615, 629 A.2d 1377 (1993). Thus, regardless of whether we consider appellant's appeal a challenge to the legality or discretionary aspects of sentencing, we properly may consider the issues raised herein. This is especially appropriate where, as here, appellant has filed a concise statement of reasons for allowance of appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f) and the Commonwealth does not claim that appellant has failed to raise a substantial question for our review.

Turning to the merits of this appeal, we note that a sentencing court must consider four factors before imposing restitution:

(1) The amount of loss suffered by the victim; (2) The fact that defendant's action caused the injury; (3) The amount awarded does not exceed defendant's ability to pay; [and] (4) The type of payment that will best serve the needs of the victim and the capabilities of the defendant.

Commonwealth v. Valent, 317 Pa.Super. 145, 149, 463 A.2d 1127, 1128 (1983) (citations omitted). See also Walker, supra at 62, 666 A.2d at 311 ("[T]he mandate of [our case law requires] that the sentencing court determine the amount of loss or damage caused, the amount of restitution appellant can afford to pay, and how it should be paid."). Although an award of restitution lies within the discretion of the court, it should not be speculative or excessive and we must vacate a restitution Order which is not supported by the record. Commonwealth v. Balisteri, 329 Pa.Super. 148, 155-57, 478 A.2d 5, 9 (1984), citing Commonwealth v. Fuqua, 267 Pa.Super. 504, 407 A.2d 24 (1979).

Applying these principles to the instant case, we find that Juvenile Court abused its discretion in entering the restitution Order against appellant. Specifically, although the court properly determined that the amount of damage suffered by the home owners was $153,000, ² the court did not consider the proportion of that damage caused by appellant, her ability to pay or the manner in which she should make restitution. This becomes meaningful in light of appellant's denial of having caused any of the physical damage although she led her friends into the houses. Thus, we must vacate that portion of the August 21, 1996 Order which imposes restitution and remand for a hearing on these issues. See Fuqua, supra at 510, 407 A.2d at 27 ("Among the things the court must consider on the record are: the extent of the injury suffered; the fact that the defendant's action caused the injury and that he will be able to pay it; and the type of payment--lump sum or installment--that will best serve the needs of the victim and the capabilities of the defendant.") (citations and footnote omitted).

Initially, as to causation, the court stated: "We feel that it would be almost impossible to determine with any degree of certainty the exact financial obligation of each of the juveniles, for his or her part of this destruction." (Slip Op., Cheslock, J., 10/4/96, p. 3.) In light of this statement, we have no choice but to conclude that the award of restitution in the amount of $10,000 was purely speculative and based on no evidence of record. Thus, upon remand, the court must endeavor to calculate the damages attributable to appellant's conduct. An award of restitution in excess of that amount is improper. See Commonwealth v. Gerulis, 420 Pa.Super. 266, 288, 616 A.2d 686, 697 (1992) ("The sentencing court cannot require payment in excess of the damage which defendant caused."). In determining the correct amount of restitution, the court must apply a "but-for" analysis, in which appellant will be liable for restitution for all damages which would not have occurred but for her criminal conduct. Gerulis, supra ("To determine the correct amount of restitution, a 'but-for' test is used--damages which occur as a direct result of the crime are those which should not have occurred but for the defendant's criminal conduct.") (citations omitted). Thus, far from reducing the restitution award, application of this analysis may well increase the award against appellant. Should the court find, as appears to be the case, that appellant was responsible for providing the other juveniles with access to the...