State v. Hermanson

• Decision Date: 04 May 1992
• Docket Number: Nos. 29273-1-,29970-1-I,s. 29273-1-
• Citation: 829 P.2d 193,65 Wn.App. 450
• Court: Washington Court of Appeals
• Parties: STATE of Washington, Respondent, v. Bruce HERMANSON, Petitioner. STATE of Washington, Respondent, v. John HEATH, Petitioner.

Page 450

65 Wn.App. 450

829 P.2d 193

STATE of Washington, Respondent, v. Bruce HERMANSON, Petitioner.

STATE of Washington, Respondent, v. John HEATH, Petitioner.

Nos. 29273-1-I, 29970-1-I.

Court of Appeals of Washington Division 1.

May 4, 1992.

Jeff Ellis, Theresa Olson, Peter Avenia, Public Defenders, Seattle, for petitioners.

Norm Maleng, Pros. Atty., and Regina Cahan, Deputy Pros. Atty., Seattle, for respondent.

PER CURIAM.

Petitioners seek review of trial court orders denying their pretrial motions to appoint an expert to perform a sexual deviancy evaluation at public expense. A commissioner of this court denied Hermanson's motion for discretionary review and Hermanson has since moved to modify that ruling. Heath's motion for discretionary review has been referred to this panel for determination on the merits. In both cases the only issue presented is whether CrR 3.1(f) requires the State to appoint an expert to perform a sexual deviancy evaluation of an indigent defendant so the defendant may be able to take advantage of the Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA). We grant Hermanson's motion to modify, accept review in both cases, consolidate the two appeals, and consider the merits on an accelerated basis pursuant to RAP 18.12. ¹

The merits of the two cases will be discussed separately.

Hermanson

The material facts in this case are succinctly set forth in the commissioner's ruling denying discretionary review Hermanson is charged in King County Superior Court with three counts of rape of a child in the first degree. He is indigent and represented by a public defender. He has entered a plea of not guilty and trial in the matter is currently scheduled for December 4, 1991.

Hermanson has no prior felony convictions. His presumptive range, if convicted as charged, is 72 to 96 months. He would therefore be statutorily ineligible to receive a sentence pursuant to the Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA). RCW 9.94A.120(7). However, the State has indicated that it will amend the present charges in a manner to make Hermanson eligible for a SSOSA if he first receives a sexual deviancy evaluation and is found amenable to treatment. Hermanson wishes to take advantage of this offer but alleges he cannot afford the cost of an evaluation.

Hermanson therefore moved for a trial court order allowing such an evaluation at public expense. The cost of such an evaluation is approximately $450. The trial court refused the request, indicating that CrR 3.1(f) authorizes public expenditures for an adequate defense but not so that a defendant may take advantage of a plea bargain.

Hermanson, an indigent defendant, argues that the trial court erred in refusing to authorize the expenditure of public funds for the sexual deviancy evaluation under CrR 3.1(f)(1), which provides:

Counsel for a defendant who is financially unable to obtain investigative, expert, or other services necessary to an adequate defense in the case may request them by a motion to the court.

"This rule incorporates constitutional requirements by recognizing that funds must be provided where necessary to an adequate defense." State v. Kelly, 102 Wash.2d 188, 200, 685 P.2d 564 (1984); State v. Garcia, 57 Wash.App. 927, 936, 791 P.2d 244, review denied, 115 Wash.2d 1010, 797 P.2d 511 (1990). The decision of whether an indigent defendant is entitled to the assistance of an expert lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Garcia, supra. As the court stated in State v. Aamold, 60 Wash.App. 175, 177, 803 P.2d 20, review denied, 117 Wash.2d 1016, 816 P.2d 1223 (1991),

Under CrR 3.1(f), an indigent defendant is entitled to the assistance of an expert witness only if such services are necessary to an adequate defense. State v. Barnes, 58 Wn.App. 465, 472, 794 P.2d 52, review granted, 115 Wn.2d 1022, 804 P.2d 8 (1990) [, affirmed, 117 Wash.2d 701, 818 P.2d 1088 (1991) ]. Whether the services of an expert are "necessary" within the meaning of this rule is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court, reversible only on a showing of substantial prejudice.

The State asserts that the trial court's decision denying Hermanson's request for appointment of an expert to perform a sexual deviancy evaluation at public expense did not constitute an abuse of discretion. The State relies primarily on State v. Melos, 42 Wash.App. 638, 713 P.2d 138 (1986).

In Melos, an indigent defendant assigned error to the trial court's refusal to authorize the expenditure of public funds for a psychiatric examination. Citing State v. Tuffree, 35 Wash.App. 243, 666 P.2d 912 (1983), the Melos court held that the evaluation was not necessary to provide the defendant with an adequate defense under CrR 3.1(f) "since he had already pleaded guilty without a trial." State v. Melos, supra 42 Wash.App. at 641, 713 P.2d 138.

In Tuffree, the trial court denied the defendant's request for the appointment of an expert at public expense to provide a psychiatric examination at his sentencing. The Tuffree court upheld the decision of the trial court, noting "that the opinion of a professional psychiatrist was not sought in aid of defendant's defense to the crime charged." State v. Tuffree, supra 35 Wash.App. at 249, 666 P.2d 912.

Hermanson argues that the phrase "adequate defense" in CrR 3.1(f) should not "be read so narrowly as to deny indigent clients the right to plea bargain and take advantage of favorable plea offers where the indigent must first do some act that costs money." We agree. This case draws a clear distinction between the plea and sentencing phases of a criminal prosecution.

In this case the State, as part of the plea negotiations, has offered to restructure the charge against Hermanson so that he will be eligible for the Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA) under RCW 9.94A.120(7). The SSOSA eligibility requirements mandate that the defendant have no prior convictions for a sex offense, RCW 9.94A.120(7)(a)(i) that he or she be sentenced to a term of total confinement "of more than one year but less than six years," RCW 9.94A.120(7)(c), and not be presently charged with a violation of RCW 9A.44.050 (second degree rape) or a serious, violent, sex offense, RCW 9.94A.120(7)(a)(i).

It is undisputed that Hermanson is not currently eligible for SSOSA. Although he is a first-time sex offender, Hermanson, as presently charged, has a presumptive sentence range of 72 to 96 months. The low end of that sentence range still exceeds the maximum sentence level permitted under SSOSA. In order to meet the eligibility requirements of the statute, the State would have to either drop one of the three charges currently pending against Hermanson or charge him with a lesser offense. By agreeing to restructure the charge against Hermanson, the State has offered him a real incentive to obtain a sexual deviancy evaluation. It is undisputed that the State's offer is contingent upon the defendant's first receiving a sexual deviancy evaluation and being found amenable to treatment. The offer creates a tangible link between the evaluation and matters taking place at the plea negotiations. The request for a sexual deviancy evaluation is therefore not tied solely to matters of sentencing.

The law recognizes exculpatory as well as nonexculpatory defenses. Plea bargained immunity is a...