State v. Burdette
State v. Burdette
Concurring Opinion
¶47 Burdette argues that his public trial right was violated when the court issued responses to jury communications. The majority holds that under the experience and logic test, closing the courtroom for discussing the proper response to jury communications does not constitute a closure that implicates the public trial right. But the record before this court does not contain any information establishing the court was closed at all. “[A] closure ‘occurs when
¶48 I would not have addressed the merits of the above issues due to the inadequate record. If, however, the record established the facts the majority assumes, I agree with the result of the majority’s analysis. Specifically, I will note that the majority opinion makes an important distinction between a jury communication that is a genuine statement of hopeless deadlock and a jury’s request for instructions about how to proceed when they believe they may be deadlocked. If the trial court determines that the jury’s communication is a genuine statement of hopeless deadlock, then the jury communication triggers procedures to examine the situation and consider whether a mistrial is appropriate. State v. Jones, 97 Wn.2d 159,164, 641 P.2d 708 (1982). Accordingly, I agree that a defendant’s public trial right does not attach to a jury communication until the trial court determines that the communication is a genuine statement of hopeless deadlock.
¶49 Burdette also asserts that the trial court violated his right to be present at both the initial discussion regarding jury instructions and the discussions regarding the trial court’s response to the jury communications. There is no evidence in the record establishing whether Burdette was present at either of these events. To address Burdette’s claim that the initial discussion regarding jury instructions violated his right to be present, the majority relies on speculation that Burdette was not present.
¶51 Here, we cannot review Burdette’s “right to be present” challenge without assuming facts outside the record. Thus, a PRP, not a direct appeal, is the appropriate mechanism for Burdette to seek review of any right to be present claim. McFarland, 127 Wn.2d at 335.
¶52 I would not have addressed the merits of the above issues due to the inadequate record. Because the record clearly establishes that the initial discussion regarding jury instructions occurred in a closed session in chambers, I concur without reservation in the majority’s decision regarding Burdette’s public trial right as it relates to the initial discussion of jury instructions. I also concur without reservation in the majority’s decisions regarding Burdette’s suppression of evidence and ineffective assistance of counsel claims.
Opinion of the Court
¶1 Wayne Burdette appeals from his jury conviction for obstructing an officer in performance of his lawful duties. He argues (1) the trial court violated his right to a public trial and the public’s right to open proceedings
¶2 We hold that the trial court did not violate either Burdette’s right to a public trial or the public’s right to open proceedings because none of these rights attached to the challenged proceedings. We hold that Burdette’s absence during the court’s consideration of the second jury communication violated his right to be present at a critical stage of trial, but that this error was harmless. We also hold that based on the record before us, the suppression and ineffective assistance of counsel issues are moot.
FACTS
I. The Arrests and Search
¶3 On the night of June 10, 2011, a Mossyrock police officer stopped Burdette for speeding in his truck and making a turn without signaling. Upon learning the reasons for the traffic stop, Burdette became argumentative and increasingly hostile toward the officer. At one point, Burdette began walking toward the officer with his hand behind his back, despite the officer’s repeated orders to stop and to get back in his truck. Burdette, who was “highly upset and aggravated,” eventually returned to and entered his truck. Report of Proceedings (RP) (Aug. 17, 2011) at
¶5 After Burdette’s release from custody on the driving under the influence charge, the State charged him with one count of felony harassment and one count of obstructing a law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties. The State obtained an arrest warrant based on these charges.
¶6 When law enforcement officers went to Burdette’s trailer to execute the warrant, they called for him to come outside. As Burdette was being handcuffed, an officer entered the trailer’s “threshold” and performed a protective sweep for weapons. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 21. The officer observed a 12-gauge pump action shotgun located “directly inside the doorway”; the shotgun was positioned so that its barrel was pointed at “head level” at the doorway, and it could be fired while Burdette lay in bed. CP at 21. The sheriff’s office subsequently obtained a search warrant for Burdette’s trailer and, during the search, found four written statements generally indicating a severe dislike of and murderous intent toward officers.
II. The Jury Instructions and Responses to Jury Communications
¶7 After hearing pretrial motions, the trial court and counsel met in chambers to discuss jury instructions. Before
¶8 During deliberations, the jury submitted two communications to the trial court. The first communication, submitted at 1:20 p.m., read, “In the Harrassment [sic] (Bodily Injury) charge, why is #2 - ‘that the words or conduct of defendant placed officer in reasonable fear that the threat to kill would be carried out’; when (Threat to Kill) charge already states that?” CP at 26 (emphasis omitted). The trial court responded by stating that the instruction was in error and correcting it. The second communication, submitted at 2:26 p.m., on the second day of trial, stated, “Jury is deadlocked over several issues relating to the defendant’s intent.” CP at 27. The trial court’s written response stated, “[P]lease continue to deliberate in an effort to reach verdicts.” CP at 27. The court’s written responses to both jury communications also stated that they were submitted “after affording all counsel/parties opportunity to be heard.” CP at 27. The record does not reflect where any discussions about the trial court’s responses were held.
¶9 The jury acquitted Burdette of the harassment charge but found him guilty of the obstruction charge. He appeals.
ANALYSIS
I. Public Trial Right
¶10 Burdette argues that the trial court violated his right to a public trial and the public’s right to open proceedings by not holding discussions about jury instruc
A. The Legal Standards
¶11 Whether a violation of the public trial right exists is a question of law we review de novo. State v. Momah, 167 Wn.2d 140, 147, 217 P.3d 321 (2009), cert. denied, 562 U.S. 837 (2010). A criminal defendant has a right to a public trial under the federal and state constitutions. State v. Lormor, 172 Wn.2d 85, 90-91, 257 P.3d 624 (2011); U.S. Const. amend. VI; Wash. Const. art. I, § 22. Likewise, the public has a complementary right to open proceedings under the federal and state constitutions. Lormor, 172 Wn.2d at 91; U.S. Const. amend. I; Wash. Const. art. I, § 10. These rights, however, are not absolute, and a trial court may close the courtroom under certain circumstances. Momah, 167 Wn.2d at 148; State v. Easterling, 157 Wn.2d 167, 174-75, 137 P.3d 825 (2006). Specifically, Washington courts may close a part of a trial to which the public trial right applies only after applying the Bone-Club
¶12 However, “not every interaction between the court, counsel, and defendants will implicate the right to a public trial, or constitute a closure if closed to the public.” Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 71. Thus, the first step in the analysis is to determine whether the actions at issue fall under the umbrella of these rights.
¶13 To make that determination, the Supreme Court in Sublett adopted an “experience and logic” test.
¶14 The experience and logic test determines whether “the core values of the public trial right are implicated” by the trial event at issue. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 73. To do so, the test poses two questions. First, the experience prong asks “ ‘whether the place and process have historically been open to the press and general public.’ ” Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 73 (quoting Press II, 478 U.S. at 8). Next, the logic prong asks “ ‘whether public access plays a significant positive role in the functioning of the particular process in question.’ ” Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 73 (quoting Press II, 478 U.S. at 8). In applying the logic prong, a court should consider “the values served by open courts.” Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 74-75. One manner of doing so is through comparison of the proceeding’s nature to that of the criminal trial itself, such as whether the same criminal rights attach, the importance of the proceeding in the overall trial, and whether the jury is present during the proceeding. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 74. Not every case, though, “will fit cleanly within a comparison between the proceeding at issue and trial in general,” so the trial or reviewing court must consider whether openness will “ ‘enhance [ ] both the basic fairness of the criminal trial and the appearance of fairness so essential to public confidence in the system.’ ” Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 74-75 (alteration in original) (quoting Press-Enter. Co. v. Superior Court, 464 U.S. 501, 508,104 S. Ct. 819, 78 L. Ed. 2d 629 (1984)). If the answer to both the experience and logic prong is yes, the public trial right attaches. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 73.
¶15 Burdette argues that the trial court’s failure to discuss the two jury communications in open court violated his right to a public trial and the public’s right to open proceedings. This argument stumbles at the outset, since the record does not reflect whether the discussion about the trial court’s responses to the jury’s communications was held outside the public’s purview or merely off the record, but in open court. In State v. Bennett, 168 Wn. App. 197, 206-07, 275 P.3d 1224 (2012), we observed that appellants bear the burden of demonstrating a violation of the public trial right and urged parties and counsel to “make an adequate record . . . about what transpired during any conference” not held in open court in order to obtain effective appellate review. Our admonition applies with equal strength to making a record at trial of where such conferences occurred. Because the record does not show where the discussions about the jury communications occurred, we arguably could reject Burdette’s claim because he cannot meet his burden of demonstrating that these discussions did not occur in open court. However, because Sublett clearly resolves Burdette’s claim and discussion of the Sublett decision will be beneficial in subsequent cases, we reach the merits of the issue.
¶16 The Sublett court specifically examined whether consideration of a jury question about an instruction implicated the public trial right. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 75. In applying the experience prong, the Sublett court observed that CrR 6.15(f)(1)
¶17 In applying the logic prong, the Sublett court held that “[CrR 6.15(f)(1)] advances and protects those interests underlying the constitutional requirements of open courts with its directive to put the question, answer, and objections in the record.” Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 77. Sublett further reasoned that
[n]one of the values served by the public trial right is violated under the facts of this case. No witnesses are involved at this stage, no testimony is involved, and no risk of perjury exists. The appearance of fairness is satisfied by having the question, answer, and any objections placed on the record pursuant to CrR 6.15. Similarly, the requirement that the answer be in writing serves to remind the prosecutor and judge of their responsibility because the writing will become part of the public record and subject to public scrutiny and appellate review. This is not a proceeding so similar to the trial itself that the same rights attach, such as the right to appear, to cross-examine witnesses, to present exculpatory evidence, and to exclude illegally obtained evidence. Neither Sublett nor Olsen claim or argue any of these rights, nor could they since such*195 rights are inapplicable in the discussion of, or resolution of, questions from the jury.
Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 77-78. Under these criteria, the appellants did not meet the logic prong either, and the public trial right did not attach to discussion of the jury-questions about the instructions. See Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 77-78. .
¶18 As in Sublett, the first jury communication in the present appeal posed a question about a jury instruction. Accordingly, Sublett controls the issue and dictates that the public trial right did not attach to the trial court’s response to that first communication. For this reason, Burdette’s claim that his public trial right was violated when the trial court answered the first jury communication outside of open court fails.
¶19 The jury also submitted a second communication stating, “Jury is deadlocked over several issues relating to the defendant’s intent.” CP at 27. This communication was not a direct request for clarification of the jury instructions, but rather appears to be a request for instructions about how to proceed when the jury feels it is deadlocked on a specific issue. Given the procedures that govern how a trial court addresses a jury’s claim that it is deadlocked, neither the experience prong nor the logic prong demonstrates that the public trial right attached.
¶20 A jury’s assertion that it is deadlocked may result in the trial court declaring a mistrial. State v. Jones, 97 Wn.2d 159, 163, 641 P.2d 708 (1982). However, to create the “ ‘extraordinary and striking’ ” circumstances that justify a mistrial, there must be a factual basis for the trial court’s determination that the jury is hopelessly deadlocked. Jones, 97 Wn.2d at 164 (quoting State v. Bishop, 6 Wn. App. 146, 150, 491 P.2d 1359 (1971)). At times, the jury’s own statement that it is hopelessly deadlocked can serve as the factual basis for the trial court’s decision to grant a mistrial. Jones, 97 Wn.2d at 164. However, the trial court may
¶21 Here, the jury’s bald assertion of deadlock came, at most, a few hours after the jury began deliberating, and the statement came less than an hour after the jury was provided with a corrected instruction on the harassment charge. Considering these factors, it appears that the trial judge did not consider the jury’s statement to be a genuine statement of hopeless deadlock, which would trigger consideration of a mistrial. Furthermore, there is no indication that Burdette asked for a mistrial based on the jury’s assertion of deadlock.
¶22 We recognize the difference between the trial court considering whether the jury’s assertion is a genuine statement of hopeless deadlock and considering whether the jury’s assertion of hopeless deadlock justifies a mistrial. A motion for a mistrial has historically been heard on the record in open court. Therefore, the experience prong of the Sublett test indicates that the public trial right would attach. In addition, a motion for a mistrial based on a hung jury requires considering the defendant’s “ Valued right... to have his trial completed by a particular tribunal’ ” and the defendant’s constitutional protection against double jeopardy. Jones, 97 Wn.2d at 162 (quoting Arizona v. Washington, 434 U.S. 497,503 n.ll, 98 S. Ct. 824,54 L. Ed. 2d 717 (1978)). Considering the important constitutional rights implicated by a motion for a mistrial, the logic prong would also require that the defendant’s public trial right attaches.
¶23 However, a jury’s initial request for an instruction about how to proceed if they are deadlocked is not a motion for a mistrial. Rather, if the trial court has reason to believe that the statement is not a genuine statement of hopeless deadlock, it is similar to a request for clarification of the jury instructions governing how to proceed in deliberations.
¶24 Under the experience and logic test, Burdette’s public trial right did not attach to the court’s responses to the jury’s communications during deliberation.
C. Initial Discussions of Jury Instructions
¶25 Turning now to the initial discussion of jury instructions, Burdette points out that this event occurred in closed session because the court stated on the record and in open court, ‘Yesterday we met in chambers and went over the jury instructions.” RP (Aug. 19, 2011) at 2. He argues that this discussion violated his right to a public trial and the public’s right to open proceedings.
¶26 Sublett dealt with jury questions about already issued instructions, not about the formulation of jury instructions. Nonetheless, Sublett viewed the issue before it as similar in nature to proceedings regarding jury instructions in general. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 75. It observed that CrR 6.15(a) requires the parties to submit proposed instructions in writing. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 75. It further observed that before the trial court instructs the jury, CrR 6.15(c) requires the trial court to provide counsel the opportunity to object to the instructions in the jury’s ab
¶27 These observations disclose the Supreme Court’s view that Washington law has not historically required such discussions to be held in open court. Thus, Burdette fails to meet the experience prong, and the public trial right did not attach to any of the jury instruction discussions in this case.
II. Right To Be Present
¶28 Burdette next argues that the trial court violated his right under the federal and state constitutions to be present during critical stages of his trial when it discussed its response to the jury’s second communication outside his presence. We agree that the proceedings violated Burdette’s right to be present but hold the error to be harmless in these circumstances.
¶29 In State v. Irby, 170 Wn.2d 874, 246 P.3d 796 (2011), the trial judge conducted an e-mail exchange with counsel over whether certain potential jurors should be excused for cause. The defendant argued that his exclusion from this exchange violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I, section 22 of the Washington Constitution.
¶30 Irby held that under the Sixth and the Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, a criminal defendant has a fundamental right to be present at all critical stages of a trial. Irby, 170 Wn.2d at 880-81 (citing Rushen v. Spain, 464 U.S. 114, 117, 104 S. Ct. 453, 78 L. Ed. 2d 267 (1983) and quoting United States v. Gagnon,
¶31 Irby also noted, though, that because the relationship between the defendant’s presence and his “ ‘opportunity to defend’ ” must be “ ‘reasonably substantial,’ ” a defendant does not have a right to be present when his or her “ ‘presence would be useless, or the benefit but a shadow.’ ” Irby, 170 Wn.2d at 881 (quoting Snyder, 291 U.S. at 106-07). The due process right to be present is therefore not absolute; rather “ ‘the presence of a defendant is a condition of due process to the extent that a fair and just hearing would be thwarted by his absence.’ ” Irby, 170 Wn.2d at 881 (quoting Snyder, 291 U.S. at 107-08).
¶32 Irby concluded that the e-mail exchange was a portion of the jury selection process, that it was a critical stage of the trial, and that the defendant had a right to be present under the federal constitutional guaranties. Irby, 170 Wn.2d at 882-84. The court further held that under article I, section 22 of the state constitution, the accused in a criminal prosecution has the right “ ‘to appear and defend in person and by counsel. .. at every stage of the trial when his substantial rights may be affected.’ ” Irby, 170 Wn.2d at 884-85 (alteration in original) (quoting State v. Shutzler, 82 Wash. 365, 367, 144 P. 284 (1914)). Irby held that jury
¶33 Little case law was found on a defendant’s right to be present during a court’s consideration of a jury communication such as the second one posed here. Generally, a criminal defendant “does not have a right to be present during . . . conferences between the court and counsel on legal matters, at least where those matters do not require a resolution of disputed facts.” In re Pers. Restraint of Lord, 123 Wn.2d 296, 306, 868 P.2d 835 (1994) (citation omitted). More specifically, our decision in Sublett held that a conference in chambers concerning “how to respond to the jury’s request for a clarification in one of the trial court’s instructions” was not a critical stage of the proceedings because it involved only a purely legal question. State v. Sublett, 156 Wn. App. 160,183, 231 P.3d 231 (2010), aff’d, 176 Wn.2d 58.
¶34 The one case we have examined dealing with the right to be present for discussion of a statement of deadlock is United States v. Fontanez, 878 F.2d 33, 34-35 (2d Cir. 1989). In that case, the jury informed the court that it was unable to reach a verdict. Even though the government told the court that the defendant was about to be escorted back to the courtroom, the court gave a modified Allen
¶35 The Second Circuit reversed the conviction, holding that the defendant had a right to be present at this stage. In its analysis the court cited Illinois v. Allen, 397 U.S. 337, 90 S. Ct. 1057, 25 L. Ed. 2d 353 (1970), for the rule that a criminal defendant has the right to be present at “all stages” of trial. Fontanez, 878 F.2d at 35. Allen, however, was based on the confrontation clause of the Sixth Amendment and cannot be read to override later decisions such as
¶36 As discussed in Part I.B., above, the essence of the second jury communication was an inquiry as to how the jury should proceed when it felt deadlocked on the defendant’s intent. To a defendant, all may pivot on how long the court will require a deadlocked jury to continue deliberations before declaring a mistrial. In some situations, a defendant may desire a quick mistrial and in others more deliberations in hope of an acquittal. Whatever the case, much is at stake at this stage and a defendant may reasonably wish to actively participate by making his opinion known to his lawyer or, if allowed, to the judge. For these reasons, the defendant’s presence at this stage has a direct relation to the fullness of his opportunity to defend against the charge. Therefore, under the rules announced in Irby and Bennett, above, Burdette had a right under the state and federal constitutions to be present when the response to the second communication from the jury was discussed.
¶37 A violation of the right to be present at trial, whether anchored in due process or article I, section 22 of our state constitution, is subject to harmless error analysis. Irby, 170 Wn.2d at 885-86 (quoting State v. Caliguri, 99 Wn.2d 501,509, 664 P.2d 466 (1983)). The burden of proving harmlessness is on the State, and it must do so beyond a reasonable doubt. Irby, 170 Wn.2d at 886.
¶38 Although the presence of prejudice was only glancingly briefed, the facts show it very unlikely that Burdette’s
III. Suppression and Ineffective Assistance Issues
¶39 Over Burdette’s objection, the State successfully moved the trial court to consider during sentencing the written statements seized from Burdette’s trailer. The trial court expressly referred to these statements in imposing Burdette’s term of confinement, but it did not impose any community custody or other probationary sentence conditions. Burdette completed his term of confinement on April 13, 2012.
¶40 Burdette now renews his argument that probable cause did not support the search warrant through which the statements were seized. He also argues for the first time on appeal that the warrantless protective sweep of his trailer violated his rights under the federal constitution’s Fourth Amendment and the state constitution’s article I, section 7. Finally, he argues that defense counsel was ineffective in failing to move to suppress the evidence on the grounds that the warrantless protective sweep was unlawful. These claims, however, are now moot.
¶42 The seized writings were admitted only during the sentencing phase of trial; thus, if we found Burdette’s claims meritorious, the only remedy we could provide would be a remand for resentencing. Burdette, though, has served his term of confinement and is not on any type of probation or community custody. Thus, no effective relief can be provided, and the issues are moot.
¶43 Burdette argues that a ruling in his favor on these issues would still provide him effective relief if we remanded for a new trial based on the public trial right or right to be present issues. But, as discussed above, no public trial right was violated and Burdette’s exclusion from consideration of the second jury communication was harmless error. Consequently, we order no remand or retrial. Burdette argues also in a single, conclusory sentence that these issues are not moot because “the lawfulness of the search may impact collateral matters, including any civil suit [he] elects to pursue.” Reply Br. of Appellant at 4. However, “[p]assing treatment of an issue or lack of reasoned argument is insufficient to merit judicial consideration.” State v. Hathaway, 161 Wn. App. 634, 650 n.10, 251 P.3d 253, review denied, 172 Wn.2d 1021 (2011); see also Orwick v. City of Seattle, 103 Wn.2d 249, 256, 692 P.2d 793 (1984) (“It is not the function of trial or appellate courts to do counsel’s thinking and briefing.”). Thus, we do not consider Burdette’s collateral consequences argument.
¶45 We affirm.
¶46 (concurring in the result) — I agree with the result reached by the majority, that Wayne Burdette’s convictions should be affirmed. However, I write separately because, in my opinion, several issues that the majority addresses rely on assumptions regarding facts outside the record and, thus, are more appropriately addressed through a personal restraint petition (PRP).
The record states that the court took a recess “until the jury reaches a verdict” and continued when the jury returned to read its verdict. See RP (Aug. 19, 2011) at 51.
These guidelines are:
“1. The proponent of closure or sealing must make some showing [of a compelling interest], and where that need is based on a right other than an accused’s right to a fair trial, the proponent must show a ‘serious and imminent threat’ to that right.
“2. Anyone present when the closure motion is made must be given an opportunity to object to the closure.
“3. The proposed method for curtailing open access must be the least restrictive means available for protecting the threatened interests.
“4. The court must weigh the competing interests of the proponent of closure and the public.
“5. The order must be no broader in its application or duration than necessary to serve its purpose.”
The lead opinion in Sublett was a plurality opinion by four justices. Chief Justice Madsen’s concurrence, though, agreed with both the lead opinion’s conclusion that not all trial proceedings closed to the public implicate the public trial right and its adoption and application of the experience and logic test. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 92-94. Thus, these holdings commanded the support of a majority of the court. See 176 Wn.2d at 95, 99.
The decisions of the Court of Appeals differ as to whether a criminal defendant has standing to raise the public’s right to open proceedings. In State v. Wise, 148 Wn. App. 425,442-43,200 P.3d 266 (2009), rev’d on other grounds, 176 Wn.2d 1,15, 288 P.3d 1113 (2012), we held that a criminal defendant does not have standing to raise the public’s right to open proceedings. On the other hand, Division One held in In re Detention ofTiceson, 159 Wn. App. 374, 381-83, 246 P.3d 550 (2011), that criminal defendants do have standing to raise the public’s right to open proceedings, but may not raise such a claim for the first time on appeal absent showing of “identifiable and practical consequences at trial.” 159 Wn. App. at 383. We need not try to unsnarl this apparent conflict here because the experience and logic test plainly shows that the trial court did not err under either constitutional guaranty.
CrR 6.15(f)(1) provides:
The jury shall be instructed that any question it wishes to ask the court about the instructions or evidence should be signed, dated and submitted in writing to the bailiff. The court shall notify the parties of the contents of the questions and provide them, an opportunity to comment upon an appropriate response. Written questions from the jury, the court’s response and any objections thereto shall be made a part of the record. The court shall respond to all questions from a deliberating jury in open court or in writing. In its discretion, the court may*194 grant a jury’s request to rehear or replay evidence, but should do so in a way that is least likely to be seen as a comment on the evidence, in a way that is not unfairly prejudicial and in a way that minimizes the possibility that jurors will give undue weight to such evidence. Any additional instruction upon any point of law shall be given in writing.
(Emphasis added.)
The appellants in Sublett abandoned the right-to-be-present issue in their petitions for review to the Supreme Court. Sublett, 176 Wn.2d at 68 n.3.
See Allen v. United States, 164 U.S. 492, 17 S. Ct. 154, 41 L. Ed. 528 (1896).
Burdette also filed a statement of additional grounds (SAG). RAP 10.10. In his SAG, Burdette argues that (1) “[t]he charges were unjustified.... It is not illeagle [sic] to speak in the U.S.A. See First Amendment! All I have done is speak,” and (2) “Speaking does not justifie [sic] a Stpecial] W[eapons] A[nd] T[actics] team raid and search of my home. Fourth Amendment.” SAG at 1.
First, although RAP 10.10(c) does not require appellants to refer to the record or cite authority, it requires them to inform this court of the “nature and occurrence of alleged errors.” Burdette’s assertion of error is too vague to allow this court to identify his alleged First Amendment issue, and we do not reach it.
Second, Burdette appears to challenge the protective sweep and subsequent search of his home. But, as we discuss above, these issues are moot.
RAP 16.3.
Reference
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