People v. Patton
People v. Patton
Concurring Opinion
I agree with the majority's conclusions that a certificate of probable cause is not required and the challenged probation condition was proper. I write separately to clarify my views on the necessity of obtaining a probable cause certificate before challenging a probation condition as unreasonable. In particular, I agree with the analysis in People v. Espinoza (2018)
An exception to the probable cause certificate requirement after a guilty plea applies when the appellant raises "[g]rounds that arose after entry of the plea and do not affect the plea's validity." ( Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.304(b)(4)(B), italics added.) Challenges that "do not affect the plea's validity" (ibid. ) are arguments on matters outside the scope of the plea agreement ( People v. Becerra (2019)
Under these rules, the critical issue on the probable cause certificate requirement is whether the court's ruling fell within the intended scope of the plea agreement, as *562that intent was objectively manifested by the parties. ( Becerra , supra , 32 Cal.App.5th at pp. 188-189,
In Espinoza , the defendant's plea agreement included her waiver of the " 'right to appeal the judgment and rulings of the court.' " ( Espinoza , supra , 22 Cal.App.5th at pp. 797, 801,
In my view, the Espinoza court correctly rejected this argument because the defendant conceded her waiver of the right to appeal the judgment and the court's rulings encompassed a challenge to the later-imposed probation conditions. The fact that the probation conditions were decided and imposed after the plea does not change this conclusion. As stated by our high court with respect to the need for a probable cause certificate, "[t]he mere fact that [the challenged ruling] happened a month after the plea ... is not determinative [and the fact] that the events supposedly giving rise to [defendant's constitutional challenge] occurred afterwards likewise is of no consequence. Rather, 'the crucial issue is what the defendant is challenging.' " (See Panizzon , supra , 13 Cal.4th at p. 78,
In Panizzon , the defendant was challenging the constitutionality of his agreed-upon sentence based on events occurring after the sentence was imposed. ( Panizzon , supra , 13 Cal.4th at pp. 74, 77-78,
These holdings do not bar a defendant from claiming on appeal that a waiver of the right to appeal was not knowing or intelligent, and, if he or she prevails on this argument, from challenging the reasonableness of the later-imposed probation *563conditions. But they do bar a defendant from making these arguments when challenging a matter within the scope of the plea agreement without first obtaining a certificate of probable cause.
This case is different from Espinoza because Patton's appeal waiver was narrower. Patton agreed to waive his right to appeal (1) the denial of his Penal Code section 1538.5 motion; (2) strike priors; and (3) "any sentence stipulated herein. " (Italics added.) As the majority observes, in waiving his right to appeal "any sentence stipulated herein," the scope of Patton's plea agreement was limited to those terms included in the agreement itself. Unlike Espinoza , in which the defendant waived her right to appeal "the judgment" and conceded her probation condition challenge fell within the scope of this appellate waiver, Patton's probation condition challenge is outside his appellate waiver. Thus, Patton's appeal did not attack the plea or affect its validity, and no certificate of probable cause was required.
In a prior unpublished opinion, counsel and this court did not fully consider the distinction. In that case, there was no prejudice because we reached the issue on its merits and found it was unavailing.
Opinion of the Court
Defendant Kayvon Patton pleaded guilty to grand theft of personal property ( Pen. Code, § 487, subd. (a) )
At the outset, we reject the People's contention that Patton's appeal should be dismissed because he failed to obtain a certificate of probable cause. (See § 1237.5.) The People maintain a certificate is necessary because Patton (1) knew at the time of his plea that some reasonable conditions of probation would be imposed, and (2) waived his appellate rights as part of the plea agreement, including the ability to challenge a condition that was unknown at the time of the plea. As we explain, notice that some unspecified probation conditions will likely be imposed at a future date does not mean that a postsentence challenge to a particular condition is an attack on the validity of the plea. More fundamentally, the language of Patton's plea agreement cannot be reasonably construed to waive his right to appeal a probation condition that was not specifically addressed in that agreement. As a result, Patton's contentions in this appeal are based on "[g]rounds that arose after entry of the plea and do not affect the plea's validity," thus obviating the need for a certificate. ( Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.304(b)(4).)
Considering the merits of Patton's appeal, however, we conclude that the electronic device search condition was properly imposed. Patton pleaded guilty to stealing electronic devices-cell phones and other items-so that he could buy drugs. There is a direct and manifestly reasonable relationship between the electronic device search condition and both the crime of which Patton was convicted as well as the underlying reasons for his criminal behavior such that the condition will assist in preventing future criminality. And while searches of electronic devices surely implicate privacy interests, a condition of probation permitting examination of such devices without a warrant is not unconstitutionally overbroad on its face. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On January 19, 2018 around 4:30 p.m., officers with the San Diego Police Department *555responded to a reported theft at Hit Mobile Store. Store employee Miguel O. stated that he had been helping a female customer at the front counter when two men entered the store, followed by two more men. At some point he heard a loud crack and saw the four men pulling electronic devices off security cords attached to the wall. They ran out of the store with three iPhones, two Apple Watches, an iPad Pro, a Samsung S7, and Samsung gear VR.
When officers arrived, they discovered a smudged fingerprint on a Samsung phone that was dropped by one of the men on his way out of the store.
The San Diego County District Attorney charged Patton with felony grand theft of personal property ( § 487, subd. (a) ). Patton pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement whereby he would receive formal probation and pay restitution of $4,620. As part of the plea deal he agreed to "give up my right to appeal ... any sentence stipulated herein." Another part of the form agreement stated, "As conditions of probation I may be given up to a year in jail custody, plus the fine, and any other conditions deemed reasonable by the Court."
In a subsequent conversation with a probation officer prior to sentencing, Patton stated he sold one of the stolen phones to a pawn shop for $550 and used the money to purchase "Norcos". Patton has a history of substance abuse; he began to drink alcohol at age 13, smoke marijuana at age 15, and take Norco pills at age 15. Up until his arrest, Patton took Norco pills daily.
At the sentencing hearing in July 2018, the judge imposed three years of formal probation under various conditions with a stay of 240 days in local custody pending successful completion of probation. The probation conditions included limitations on drug and alcohol possession and an order to stay away from the other unidentified perpetrators. Another condition required that Patton "submit person, vehicle, residence, property, personal effects, computers , and recordable media including electronic devices to search at any time with or without a warrant, and with or without reasonable cause, when required by [a probation officer] or law enforcement officer." (Italics added.) Patton's appeal challenges this condition. He did not request a certificate of probable cause.
DISCUSSION
A. Failure to Obtain a Certificate of Probable Cause
The People contend we should not reach the merits of Patton's appeal because he did not obtain a certificate of probable cause under section 1237.5 after entering his guilty plea. That section generally prohibits appeals following pleas of guilty or no contest unless the defendant first obtains a certificate from the trial court attesting that there are reasonable grounds for the appeal. There are two exceptions to this general rule, as provided in Rule 8.304(b)(4) : A certificate is not required if the appeal is based on either "[t]he denial of a motion to suppress evidence under Penal Code section 1538.5" or "[g]rounds that arose after entry of the plea and do not affect the plea's validity." The People contend a certificate was required because the second exception (the only one pertinent here) was not satisfied.
*556The People do not dispute that the specific grounds for Patton's appeal-a condition of probation imposed at sentencing two months after his plea-"arose after entry of the plea" within the meaning of Rule 8.304. They suggest, however, that because the plea agreement contemplated a grant of probation with "reasonable" conditions, Patton is attempting to challenge something he knew about, at least in a general sense, at the time of the plea. More forcefully, they rely on People v. Espinoza (2018)
The People's first argument need not detain us long. The mere fact that Patton knew some unspecified "reasonable" restrictions or requirements could be imposed as a condition of his probation does not mean he was agreeing to accept anything the court decided to include, regardless of how unreasonable he thought it was. The People's reliance on People v. Panizzon (1996)
The boilerplate appellate waiver included on the plea form likewise does not preclude Patton's appeal. As this court has previously observed, "[a] defendant may waive the right to appeal as part of a plea bargain where the waiver is knowing, intelligent and voluntary. [Citation.] A broad or general waiver of appeal rights ordinarily includes error occurring before but not after the waiver because the defendant could not knowingly and intelligently waive the right to appeal any unforeseen or unknown future error. [Citation.] Thus, a waiver of appeal rights does not apply to ' "possible future error" [that] is outside the defendant's contemplation and knowledge at the time the waiver is made.' " ( People v. Mumm (2002)
In Espinoza , supra ,
Noting that the plea agreement in Buttram did not address defendant's ability to attack a sentence within the allowable sentencing range, Justice Marvin R. Baxter's concurring opinion urged parties in future cases to expressly negotiate that issue ( 30 Cal.4th at p. 791,
Espinoza sought to apply Justice Baxter's recommendations to a defendant's post-plea appeal challenging a condition of probation. In Espinoza , the defendant "broadly waived her 'right to appeal the judgment and any rulings of the court.' " ( 22 Cal.App.5th at p. 801,
Whatever the merits of Espinoza 's analysis, its premise depends on the defendant's express waiver of the right to appeal a discretionary decision on probation conditions that is made after entry of the plea. As a result, the first issue we must address is the scope of the appellate waiver in this case. (See Vargas , supra , 13 Cal.App.4th at p. 1661,
In Espinoza , the plea form advised the defendant that she had "the right to appeal the judgment and rulings of the court." ( 22 Cal.App.5th at p. 797,
In waiving his right to appeal "any sentence stipulated herein ," Patton's plea agreement referred to the terms of the sentence that were included in the agreement itself. (Italics added.) We construe that language to apply to the specifics of the stipulated sentence specified in his plea agreement. By its terms, the scope of the waiver is limited; it did not encompass provisions (such as particular conditions of probation) that were yet to be determined in future proceedings. ( Becerra ,
B. Validity of the Electronic Device Search Condition
1. The Condition is Reasonable Under Lent
Patton challenges the imposition of the electronic device search condition of his probation as unreasonable under Lent.
Under Lent , a probation condition will generally not be held invalid unless it " ' "(1) has no relationship to the crime of which the offender was convicted, (2) relates to conduct which is not in itself criminal, and (3) requires or forbids conduct which is not reasonably related to future criminality ...." [Citation.]' [Citation.] This test is conjunctive-all three prongs must be satisfied before a reviewing court will invalidate a probation term." ( *559Olguin , supra , 45 Cal.4th at p. 379,
As part of his plea agreement, Patton pleaded to guilty to grand theft of personal property after he and three unidentified individuals stole multiple electronic devices from an electronics store. There is a clear relationship between theft of electronic devices and the imposition of an electronic device search condition. In re Malik J. (2015)
The electronic device search condition also fails to satisfy the third prong of Lent. "A condition of probation that enables a probation officer to supervise his or her charges effectively is ... 'reasonably related to future criminality.' " ( Olguin , supra , 45 Cal.4th at pp. 380-381,
In this case, Patton admitted during a probation interview prior to sentencing that he sold one of the stolen phones to purchase drugs. Patton has a history of drug abuse leading up to his arrest for this crime. The electronic device search condition allows a probation officer to effectively monitor Patton and ensure he is not using his phone or other devices to purchase drugs or alcohol in violation of his probation. In this way, Patton is also deterred from committing future theft as a means to obtain drugs again. (See In re J.E. (2016)
Furthermore, as noted by the trial court, Patton committed this crime in cooperation *560with other individuals. Joint criminal activity requires coordination and communication. To this end, another condition of Patton's probation orders that he stay away from any member of the group involved in the theft. Recognizing that in modern society, coordination and communication usually takes place using electronic devices, allowing a probation officer to monitor Patton's electronic communications serves to discourage contact with other individuals involved in the theft and joint criminal activity in general. (See People v. Ebertowski (2014)
2. The Condition is Not Overbroad
In addition to asserting that the electronic device search condition is unreasonable under Lent , Patton challenges the condition as unconstitutionally overbroad. The People argue this claim was forfeited because Patton failed to raise his constitutional objection at sentencing. While not every overbreadth challenge may be raised for the first time on appeal ( In re Sheena K. (2007)
We review "constitutional challenges to probation conditions de novo." ( People v. Appleton (2016)
Patton relies on Riley v. California (2014)
*561' " ( United States v. Knights (2001)
Consistent with the Court's observations in Riley , supra ,
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
I CONCUR:
HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.
Future statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.
All subsequent rule references are to the California Rules of Court.
The record indicates the fingerprint may have actually been found on the front door of the store instead. The exact location of the fingerprint is not relevant.
There is, of course, a difference between the express waiver of a defendant's right to appeal a known stipulated sentence (Panizzon , supra , 13 Cal.4th at pp. 73-74,
"NOLT" is an acronym meaning that the district attorney will not oppose local time.
We recognize that the question of reasonableness under Lent as applied to electronic device search conditions is currently before the Supreme Court in People v. Trujillo (2017)
To the extent Patton raises arguments in reply amounting to an as-applied challenge and requesting modification of the condition to fit his crime, we do not consider arguments raised for the first time in a reply brief.
We need not address whether a more expansive electronic device search condition than the one presented in this case may be unconstitutionally overbroad on its face. Such a condition may yield different results. (See Appleton , supra , 245 Cal.App.4th at p. 721, 727,
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.