State Of Oklahoma v M.H.

J-2008-800

Filed: Jan. 16, 2009

Not for publication

Prevailing Party: M.H.

Summary

M.H. appealed her certification to stand trial as a Youthful Offender. Conviction and sentence were affirmed. Judge Lewis dissented.

Decision

The order of the District Court of Tulsa County granting Appellee's Motion for Certification as a Youthful Offender in Case No. CF-2008-1336 is AFFIRMED. Pursuant to Rule 3.15, Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2009), the MANDATE is ORDERED issued upon the delivery and filing of this decision.

Issues

• Was there an abuse of discretion by the court in not giving the greatest weight to specific paragraphs of 10 O.S. § 7306-2.5(E) during M.H.'s certification hearing?
• Did M.H. meet her burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence that she was amenable to treatment?
• Did the court improperly place the burden on the State to prove by clear and convincing evidence that M.H. would not complete a treatment plan and that the public would not be adequately protected?

Findings

• The court did not err in its discretion regarding the weight of statutory paragraphs when considering M.H.'s Motion to Certify as a Youthful Offender.
• The evidence was sufficient to show that M.H. met her burden of proof by the preponderance of evidence that she was amenable to treatment.
• The court did not err by placing the burden on the State to prove by clear and convincing evidence that M.H. would not complete a treatment plan and that the public would not be adequately protected.
• The order of the District Court granting M.H.'s request to be certified to stand trial as a Youthful Offender is AFFIRMED.

J-2008-800

Jan. 16, 2009

State Of Oklahoma

Appellant

v

M.H.

Appellee

SUMMARY OPINION

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

JAN 16 2009

LUMPKIN, JUDGE:

On March 26, 2008, Appellee, M.H., was charged as an adult with First Degree Murder in Case No. CF-2008-1336 in the District Court of Tulsa County. Appellee was 14 years, 11 months and 3 days old at the time the offense was committed. On June 3, 2008, M.H. filed an Application For Certification as a Juvenile or Youthful Offender. On June 30, 2008, the State filed a Motion to Sentence Youthful Offender (M.H.) as an Adult. On August 18, 2008, M.H.’s Motion to Certify as a Juvenile was denied, but the District Court of Tulsa County, the Honorable David Youll, Special Judge, certified M.H. to stand trial as a Youthful Offender. From this ruling, Appellant, the State of Oklahoma, appeals.

On appeal the State raised three propositions of error:
1. The Court abused its discretion by not giving the greatest weight to paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of 10 O.S. § 7306-2.5(E) when considering M.H.’s Motion to Certify as a Youthful Offender;
2. M.H. did not meet her burden of proof by the preponderance of evidence that she was amenable to treatment; and
3. The court abused its discretion by placing the burden on the State to prove by clear and convincing evidence that M.H. would not complete a treatment plan and the public would not be adequately protected.

Pursuant to Rule 11.2(A)(1), Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2008) this appeal was automatically assigned to the Accelerated Docket of this Court. The propositions or issues were presented to this Court in oral argument December 4, 2008, pursuant to Rule 11.2(F). At the conclusion of oral argument, the parties were advised of the decision of this Court. The District Court’s order granting Appellee’s request to be certified to stand trial as a Youthful Offender is AFFIRMED.

Appellant was properly charged as an adult. 10 O.S.Supp.2007 § 7306-2.5(A). Pursuant to 10 O.S.Supp.2006 § 7306-2.6(F). She then filed a motion to be certified for treatment either as a juvenile or a youthful offender. The burden to sustain the motion to be certified as a youthful offender or juvenile falls upon the accused. J.D.P. v. State, 1999 OK CR 5, ¶ 6, 989 P.2d 948, 949; 10 O.S.Supp. § 7306-2.6(F)(1)(b). It is not the State’s responsibility to show that the defendant is not amenable to treatment as a youthful offender or juvenile. It is the defendant’s burden to overcome the presumption that she should be tried as an adult by showing that she is amenable to treatment as either a Youthful Offender or Juvenile and should be certified as such.

The question before this Court is whether or not the trial court abused its discretion in granting Appellee’s motion for certification as a youthful offender. [A]buse of discretion is defined by this Court as: …a clearly erroneous conclusion and judgment, one that is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts presented in support of and against the application. The trial court’s decision must be determined by the evidence presented on the record, just as our review is limited to the record presented. (citations omitted, emphasis added..) W.C.P. v. State, 1990 OK CR 24, ¶ 9, 791 P.2d 97, 100. See also, C.L.F. v. State, 1999 OK CR 12, ¶ 5, 70 OBJ 946, 946 (Okl.Cr. 1999).

After reviewing the appeal record in this matter, including the psychological evaluations and certification study, the preliminary hearing and certification hearing transcripts, and other documentary evidence presented at trial, we find no abuse of discretion, and affirm the District Court’s ruling. Once the defendant presents evidence sufficient to overcome the presumption that she should be tried as an adult, the burden shifts to the State to rebut the presumption that the defendant should receive treatment as a Youthful Offender. The evidence presented in this case, by the psychological experts for both Appellee and the State, was that Appellee was amenable to treatment in the Youthful Offender System, and that treatment was possible within the time and age limitations present in Appellee’s case. Appellee met her burden of proof and the State failed to present any evidence to rebut the presumption that Appellee should be certified to stand trial as a Youthful Offender.

DECISION

The order of the District Court of Tulsa County granting Appellee’s Motion for Certification as a Youthful Offender in Case No. CF-2008-1336 is AFFIRMED. Pursuant to Rule 3.15, Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2009), the MANDATE is ORDERED issued upon the delivery and filing of this decision.

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Footnotes:

1. 10 O.S. § 7306-2.5(E)
2. 10 O.S. Supp. 2007 § 7306-2.5(A)
3. 10 O.S. Supp. 2006 § 7306-2.6(F)
4. J.D.P. v. State, 1999 OK CR 5, 6, 989 P.2d 948, 949
5. W.C.P. v. State, 1990 OK CR 24, 9, 791 P.2d 97, 100
6. C.L.F. v. State, 1999 OK CR 12, 5, 70 OBJ 946, 946

Oklahoma Statutes citations:

• Okla. Stat. tit. 10 § 7306-2.5 (2007) - Certification as a Youthful Offender
• Okla. Stat. tit. 10 § 7306-2.6 (2006) - Certification for Treatment
• Okla. Stat. tit. 10 § 7306-2.6(F)(1)(b) - Burden of Proof for Certification

Oklahoma Administrative Rules citations:

No Oklahoma administrative rules found.

U.S. Code citations:

No US Code citations found.

Other citations:

No other rule citations found.

Case citations:

• J.D.P. v. State, 1999 OK CR 5, II 6, 989 P.2d 948, 949
• W.C.P. v. State, 1990 OK CR 24, I 9, 791 P.2d 97, 100
• C.L.F. v. State, 1999 OK CR 12, 9 5, 70 OBJ 946, 946