State v. Reanier
State v. Reanier
Opinion of the Court
¶1 An accused may not lawfully agree to a term of commitment for treatment following acquittal by reason of insanity where the term exceeds that authorized by law.
¶2 Here, the trial court ordered Timothy Reanier committed for treatment for a term of 10 years following his acquittal by reason of insanity on two charges of third degree assault. In doing so, the court accepted the joint recommendation of Reanier and the State that “an exceptional term of commitment” would be imposed. Specifically, the parties agreed that the maximum sentence for two counts of third degree assault, each of which was 5 years, should apply and that Reamer’s commitment would “run consecutively for a total term of 10 years.”
¶3 At the time of Reanier’s commission of the acts leading to these charges, the maximum sentence for a third degree assault charge, a class C felony, was five years.
¶4 In July 2004, the State charged Reanier with assault in the second degree, including a deadly weapon allegation. The charge arose from a confrontation between Reanier and two sheriff’s deputies who responded to a call of a man wielding a knife in public. In its request for bail of $500,000, the State alleged that “it appears as though this charge represents [Reamer’s] third strike.” The certification for determination of probable cause states that when the deputies arrived, Reanier screamed at them to “shoot him.” The certification also states that he rushed toward the deputies with a knife before they subdued him with a taser.
¶5 The trial court ordered that Reanier be committed for observation and examination, and that a competency hearing would follow. At the competency hearing, the court determined that Reanier was competent to stand trial and to enter a plea to charges.
¶6 Thereafter, the parties entered into a plea agreement to dispose of the case. In the agreement, the State agreed to amend the information to reduce the second degree assault charge to two counts of third degree assault. The parties agreed to jointly recommend to the court that it impose a term of commitment for treatment of Reanier. The parties further agreed that the total term would be based on consecutive maximum sentences for two counts of third
¶7 Pursuant to RCW 10.77.080, Reanier moved for acquittal on the ground of insanity at the time of his acts in confronting the two sheriff’s deputies. On May 31,2005, the trial court entered its order of acquittal by reason of insanity, an order of commitment, and supporting findings and conclusions. The court decided that Reanier understood and agreed that 10 years was a legal term of commitment under the facts of the case. The court also determined that he received a substantial benefit by the agreement and that he properly waived the right to challenge the term of commitment by appeal or collateral attack. The order of commitment imposes a “maximum term of commitment or treatment” of 10 years.
¶8 In April 2007, Reanier applied for conditional release from commitment for treatment at Western State Hospital. Following a hearing at which Reanier, his counsel, and counsel for the State were present, the trial court entered an order releasing Reanier from commitment, subject to detailed conditions. These conditions were based largely on the recommendations and medical evidence provided by Western State Hospital.
¶9 In April 2009, the State moved to revoke Reanier’s conditional release due to his alleged violations of conditions imposed by the trial court’s April 2007 order. Specifically, the State claimed that he had failed to report to his
¶10 Acknowledging that Reanier had agreed in May 2005 to consecutive five year terms of commitment, defense counsel nevertheless argued that the maximum term for any third degree assault was five years. According to defense counsel, the court no longer had “jurisdiction” to impose conditions or sanctions on Reanier after five years.
¶11 At the hearing on the motion, the State argued that RCW 10.77.025 supported the imposition of the 10-year commitment. In response, Reanier argued that the statute did not support the imposition of that term. On June 1, 2009, the court entered an order that, among other things, directed that Reanier return to Western State Hospital and remain there until such time as he entered treatment for chemical dependency. The same order denies the request “to limit jurisdiction of [the] court to supervise compliance with release conditions to 5 years total for both charges.”
¶12 Reanier appeals the June 1, 2009 order.
TIMELINESS OF APPEAL AND SCOPE OF REVIEW
¶13 The State raises threshold issues regarding the timeliness of Reamer’s appeal and the scope of our review. Specifically, the State contends that his appeal is untimely because he did not appeal the order of commitment entered in May 2005. We disagree.
¶14 Superior Court Criminal Rule (CrR) 7.8(b)(4) provides for relief from void judgments. “A void judgment is one entered by a court ‘which lacks jurisdiction of the parties or of the subject matter, or which lacks the inherent power to make or enter the particular order involved.’ ”
¶15 A party must move under CrR 7.8(b)(4) “within a reasonable time,” subject to RCW 10.73.090, .100, .130, and .140.
No petition or motion for collateral attack on a judgment and sentence in a criminal case may be filed more than one year after the judgment becomes final if the judgment and sentence is valid on its face and was rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction.[11]
The term “valid on its face” has been interpreted to mean “ ‘without further elaboration.’ ”
¶16 Here, the State does not claim that Reanier failed to make his motion “within a reasonable time,” as CrR 7.8(b) requires. Thus, the question is whether RCW 10.73.090(1) bars relief in this case.
¶17 The State does not argue that the order of commitment is valid on its face, as the statute states. It is clear from examination of the order of commitment, without further elaboration, that the 10-year term of commitment that the trial court imposed in its May 2005 order exceeded the statutory maximum term for third degree assault, a class C felony, which is 5 years.
¶19 The proper focus of RAP 5.2(a) in this case is the order the court entered on June 1, 2009. While Reanier did not characterize his opposition to revocation as a CrR 7.8 motion, it is clear from the arguments by the parties at the hearing that a focus of both sides was RCW 10.77.025. While they framed their arguments in terms of “jurisdiction,” it is clear that the arguments centered on whether the court’s authority to return Reanier to commitment could exceed five years. Thus, the timely appeal of the June 1, 2009, order brings up for review the trial court’s most recent decision denying his request for release. Moreover, this is also a proper collateral attack on the May 2005 order of commitment under CrR 7.8(b)(4) to the extent that order is a void judgment.
¶20 The State next argues that this appeal is untimely because Reamer’s motion was untimely under CrR 7.4. That rule requires motions for arrest of judgment to be made within 10 days after the verdict or decision.
¶21 Having examined the motion and the portions of the record before us, we conclude that the motion is properly characterized as one made under CrR 7.8, not CrR 7.4. Thus, the motion was not untimely.
MAXIMUM TERM OF COMMITMENT
¶23 Reanier argues that the trial court exceeded its statutory authority in imposing a 10-year term of commitment following his acquittal by reason of insanity on the third degree assault charges. We agree.
¶24 A criminal defendant acquitted by reason of insanity may be subject to ongoing supervision.
¶25 The court’s authority to order a term of commitment or treatment is limited by RCW 10.77.025(1), which provides,
Whenever any person has been: (a) Committed to a correctional facility or inpatient treatment under any provision of this chapter; or (b) ordered to undergo alternative treatment following his or her acquittal by reason of insanity of a crime charged, such commitment or treatment cannot exceed the maximum possible penal sentence for any*204 offense charged for which the person was committed, or was acquitted by reason of insanity[22]
¶26 The “maximum possible penal sentence” refers to the statutory maximum of the charged offense, not the top end of the standard range as defined by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 (SRA).
¶27 “The court’s fundamental objective is to ascertain and carry out the Legislature’s intent, and if the statute’s meaning is plain on its face, then the court must give effect to that plain meaning as an expression of legislative intent.”
¶28 In State v. Harris,
“Whenever any person has been committed under any provision of this chapter, or ordered to undergo alternative treatment following his acquittal of a crime charged by reason of insanity, such commitment or treatment cannot exceed the maximum possible penal sentence for any offense charged for which he was acquitted by reason of insanity.”[38]
¶30 Harris reasoned that the plain language of the statute — “ ‘maximum possible penal sentence for any offense charged’ ” — limited his term to five years.
¶31 The court next considered legislative history that the State argued clarified the legislature’s intent regarding the statute. In doing so, the court concluded that the statute was enacted in response to a United States Supreme Court
¶32 Because neither the wording of the statute nor its legislative history provided sufficient guidance of legislative intent, the court relied upon the only other rule applicable under the circumstances: the rule of lenity.
¶33 Little has changed in the 25 years since the court decided Harris. The language of the statute that is before us now is not materially different from the language the court construed in that case. Significantly, the legislature has done nothing to change the statute in ways relevant to the
¶34 The State argues that Harris should not bind this court. It first argues, contrary to the conclusion of the court in that case, that the statute is not ambiguous. According to the State, substitution of either the word “every” or “all” for the word “any” in the phrase “maximum possible penal sentence for any offense charged” could support the consecutive maximum terms imposed here. In making this argument, the State draws on this court’s statement in Harris that courts have repeatedly construed “all” to mean both of these other two words. Although we question whether the substitution of either of these words for the word “any” in the statute necessarily resolves any ambiguity in favor of permitting terms of commitment based on consecutive sentences, the State’s argument is better directed to the legislature.
¶35 The State also argues that even if the statute is ambiguous, “the intent of the legislature is clearer now than it was under the sentencing scheme in effect” when the court decided Harris.
¶36 The State finally argues that Reanier’s case is distinguishable from that in Harris because “it appears that the court in Harris was dealing with a hypothetical term of commitment.” Here, Reanier expressly “agreed to, and received, consecutive terms for his two crimes.”
¶38 Second, and more importantly, this argument, as well, is better directed to the legislature. It can decide whether it intends an interpretation of the statute different than the one stated in Harris.
¶39 The trial court exceeded its statutory authority when it imposed a 10-year term of commitment under the circumstances of this case.
REMEDY
¶40 The State argues, in the alternative, that Reanier’s plea is indivisible and he cannot request relief from his sentence without also challenging his plea agreement. We disagree.
¶42 On appeal, the supreme court concluded the doctrine of waiver does not apply where the alleged sentencing error is a legal, rather than a factual, error leading to an excessive sentence.
¶43 The court also concluded that the statute governing earned early release time provided no authority to the trial court to restrict such time.
¶45 In West, the supreme court relied in part on its earlier conclusion in In re Personal Restraint of Goodwin.
¶46 These cases support remand and final discharge because Reanier has served the maximum term of commitment authorized by the legislature. In this case, that maximum is five years.
¶47 The State misplaces its reliance on State v. Ermels
¶48 A key distinguishing feature between this case and Ermels is that the exceptional sentence in Ermels was authorized by statute.
¶49 The State also relies on State v. Miller
¶50 In Miller, the prosecutor inadvertently told the defendant that he could receive a sentence of less than 20 years for a first degree murder conviction.
¶51 In Walsh, the defendant established that his guilty plea was involuntary based upon a mutual mistake about the standard range sentence.
¶52 In Miller and Walsh, the defendants sought to withdraw guilty pleas that were either unknowing or involuntary due to misinformation.
¶53 Here, Reanier does not seek to withdraw his guilty plea to reduced charges of third degree assault. And he does not argue that he entered into his plea either unknowingly or involuntarily. Moreover, the “remedy” of specific performance is no remedy at all for Reanier. Neither case controls here.
¶54 As of the date of filling of this opinion, it is clear that Reanier has served more than five years, the maximum sentence for third degree assault, for which he was acquitted by reason of insanity. He is entitled to discharge because the statute does not authorize confining him any longer.
Review denied at 170 Wn.2d 1018 (2011).
See In re Pers. Restraint of West, 154 Wn.2d 204, 213-14, 110 P.3d 1122 (2005) (“ ‘[A]n individual cannot, by way of a negotiated plea agreement, agree to a sentence in excess of that allowed by law.’ ” (quoting In re Pers. Restraint of Hinton, 152 Wn.2d 853, 861, 100 P.3d 801 (2004) and citing In re Pers. Restraint of Goodwin, 146 Wn.2d 861, 870, 50 P.3d 618 (2002); In re Pers. Restraint of Thompson, 141 Wn.2d 712, 723, 10 P.3d 380 (2000))); State v. Harris, 39 Wn. App. 460, 462-65, 693 P2d 750, review denied, 103 Wn.2d 1030 (1985).
See West, 154 Wn.2d at 211, 214.
RCW 9A.36.031(2); RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c).
Clerk’s Papers at 33.
Clerk’s Papers at 31-32.
Clerk’s Papers at 96-97.
State v. Zavala-Reynoso, 127 Wn. App. 119, 122, 110 P.3d 827 (2005) (emphasis added) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Dike v. Dike, 75 Wn.2d 1, 7, 448 P.2d 490 (1968)).
CrR 7.8(b).
11 (Emphasis added.)
Zavala-Reynoso, 127 Wn. App. at 124 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting In re Pers. Restraint of Stoudmire, 141 Wn.2d 342, 353, 5 P.3d 1240 (2000)); see also Goodwin, 146 Wn.2d at 866.
West, 154 Wn.2d at 211.
RCW 10.77.025(1); RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c).
See RCW 10.73.090(2) (“Collateral attack” includes a motion to vacate judgment).
CrR 7.4(b).
Brief of Respondent at 11.
146 Wn.2d 861, 50 P.3d 618 (2002).
See RCW 10.77.110.
RCW 10.77.110(1).
RCW 10.77.110(3).
22 (Emphasis added.)
Ch. 9.94A RCW; see State v. Sunich, 76 Wn. App. 202, 206, 884 P.2d 1 (1994).
Harris, 39 Wn. App. at 463-64 (citing Jackson v. Indiana, 406 U.S. 715, 92 S. Ct. 1845, 32 L. Ed. 2d 435 (1972)); In re Pers. Restraint of Kolocotronis, 99 Wn.2d 147, 152-53, 660 P.2d 731 (1983). Both Harris and Kolocotronis discuss former RCW 10.77.020(3) (1974), amended by Laws of 1998, ch. 297, § 30. The same session law moved substantially similar language to a new section, RCW 10.77.025. Laws of 1998, ch. 297, § 31.
Dep’t of Ecology v. Campbell & Gwinn, LLC, 146 Wn.2d 1, 9-10, 43 P.3d 4 (2002).
Harris, 39 Wn. App. at 464-65 (citing State ex rel. McDonald v. Whatcom County Dist. Court, 92 Wn.2d 35, 37-38, 593 P.2d 546 (1979)).
Riehl v. Foodmaker, Inc., 152 Wn.2d 138, 147, 94 P.3d 930 (2004) (quoting Friends of Snoqualmie Valley v. King County Boundary Review Bd., 118 Wn.2d 488, 496-97, 825 P.2d 300 (1992)).
Campbell & Gwinn, 146 Wn.2d at 9.
39 Wn. App. 460, 693 P.2d 750, review denied, 103 Wn.2d 1030 (1985).
Id. at 462. Former RCW 10.77.020(3) (1974) provided,
Whenever any person has been committed under any provision of this chapter, or ordered to undergo alternative treatment following his acquittal of a crime charged by reason of insanity, such commitment or treatment cannot exceed the maximum possible penal sentence for any offense charged for which he was acquitted by reason of insanity.
In 1998, the legislature deleted the provision at issue in Harris and inserted the language into a newly enacted statute, RCW 10.77.025. Laws of 1998, ch. 297, §§ 30, 31. RCW 10.77.025(1) provides,
Whenever any person has been: (a) Committed to a correctional facility or inpatient treatment under any provision of this chapter; or (b) ordered to undergo alternative treatment following his or her acquittal by reason of insanity of a crime charged, such commitment or treatment cannot exceed the maximum possible penal sentence for any offense charged for which the person was committed, or was acquitted by reason of insanity.
Harris, 39 Wn. App. at 462.
Id..
38 Id. (quoting former RCW 10.77.020(3)).
Id. at 462-63 (emphasis added and omitted) (quoting former RCW 10.77.020(3)).
Id. (citing State ex rel. Evans v. Bhd. of Friends, 41 Wn.2d 133, 247 P.2d 787 (1952); S.L. Rowland Constr. Co. v. Beall Pipe & Tank Corp., 14 Wn. App. 297, 306-07, 540 P.2d 912 (1975)).
Id.; see also State v. Westling, 145 Wn.2d 607, 611, 40 P.3d 669 (2002) (“ ‘Any’ means ‘every and ‘all.’ ” (citing State v. Smith, 117 Wn.2d 263, 271, 814 P.2d 652 (1991))).
Harris, 39 Wn. App. at 463-64 (citing Jackson, 406 U.S. 715).
Id. at 464.
Id.
Id. at 464-65.
Id. at 465.
Id.
Id. at 465 n.2 (citing People v. Hampton, 121 Ill. App. 3d 273, 459 N.E.2d 985, 987, 76 Ill. Dec. 850 (1983); People v. Smith, 160 Cal. App. 3d 1100, 207 Cal. Rptr. 134, 135 (1984)).
Harris, 103 Wn.2d 1030 (1985).
Brief of Respondent at 16.
Id. at 17-18.
Harris, 39 Wn. App. at 463.
Id. at 462. The trial court’s orders were entered on June 12,1978. Harris filed a petition for final discharge on May 20,1983. The decision does not state the date of the hearing for Harris’ petition.
154 Wn.2d 204, 110 P.3d 1122 (2005).
Id. at 207.
Id.
Id. at 208.
Id. at 213 (quoting Goodwin, 146 Wn.2d at 874).
Id. at 214.
Id. at 212-13.
Id. at 213.
Id. at 213-14.
Id. at 215 (quoting State v. Eilts, 94 Wn.2d 489, 496, 617 P.2d 993 (1980)).
Id.
146 Wn.2d 861, 50 P.3d 618 (2002).
id. at 864-65.
Id. at 875-76.
Id. at 877 (citing In re Pers. Restraint of Gardner, 94 Wn.2d 504, 617 P.2d 1001 (1980); In re Pers. Restraint of Moore, 116 Wn.2d 30, 803 P.2d 300 (1991)).
Id. at 876.
Id. (footnote omitted).
Id. (citing In re Pers. Restraint of Carle, 93 Wn.2d 31, 34, 604 P.2d 1293 (1980)).
Id. at 877-78.
156 Wn.2d 528, 131 P.3d 299 (2006).
Id. at 531, 533-34.
542 U.S. 296, 124 S. Ct. 2531, 159 L. Ed. 2d 403 (2004).
Ermels, 156 Wn.2d at 531, 538-39.
Id. at 535-36 (The court noted its previous holding “that a stipulation to an exceptional sentence is enough, in and of itself, to constitute a substantial and compelling reason to justify an exceptional sentence, so long as the sentence is authorized by statute and the findings also show that the sentence is consistent with the goals of the [SRA].” (emphasis added) (citing In re Pers. Restraint of Breedlove, 138 Wn.2d 298, 300, 979 P.2d 417 (1999))).
110 Wn.2d 528, 756 P.2d 122 (1988).
143 Wn.2d 1, 17 P.3d 591 (2001).
Miller, 110 Wn.2d at 529.
Walsh, 143 Wn.2d at 8.
Miller, 110 Wn.2d at 536-37; Walsh, 143 Wn.2d at 8.
Miller, 110 Wn.2d at 529; Walsh, 143 Wn.2d at 4.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.