In re E.L. CA3

Filed 7/29/13 In re E.L. CA3
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or
ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for
purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT

(Sacramento)

----

In re E.L., a Person Coming Under the Juvenile Court
Law.

THE PEOPLE, C068217

Plaintiff and Respondent, (Super. Ct. No. JV125391)

v.

E.L.,

Defendant and Appellant.

Delinquent minor E.L. (minor) appeals from a judgment committing him to the Division

of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) (the successor to the California Youth Authority or CYA, see 3 Witkin

& Epstein, Cal. Crim. Law (3d ed. 2000 & 2011 supp.) Punishment, § 8). He contends a DJJ

commitment was statutorily prohibited because his “most recent offense alleged in any petition”

was not a DJJ-eligible offense (Welf. & Inst. Code,1 § 733, subd. (c)), the juvenile court

improperly required him to register as an arsonist, and the juvenile court abused its discretion in

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1 Further undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions code.

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committing minor to DJJ absent evidence he would benefit therefrom. We disagree and shall

affirm.

BACKGROUND
Because a key aim of minor‟s appeal is to demonstrate that the DJJ commitment was

inappropriate, we recite in some detail minor‟s lengthy and continuous record of criminality and

lack of compliance with court and probation orders, as well as the juvenile court‟s measured and

increasingly onerous consequences, which failed to reform minor‟s delinquent and dangerous

behavior.
On May 24, 2007, the People filed a delinquency petition alleging minor, then age 13,

had committed a robbery on or about December 19, 2006. An intake report stated minor had

admitted to an officer that he punched a fellow student and took his bicycle, and minor‟s father

reported that minor was a runaway, was a gang “wannabe” and “has recently become infatuated

with playing with fire.”2 Minor failed to appear, and when he was picked up on a warrant June

8, 2007, he stated he had been living on the streets. On July 11, 2007, minor (then 14) admitted

the robbery and was placed on court probation for six months.

On July 23, 2007, the probation department filed a five-count probation violation petition

(VOP), alleging minor left home without permission of his father or the probation officer, failed

to keep the officer informed of his whereabouts, failed to go to counseling, and failed to attend

community service.

On July 24, 2007, the People filed a new delinquency petition, alleging minor had

shoplifted from a market two days before. Minor told an officer he ran away because his father

was abusive; minor also admitted using marijuana daily, alcohol “on occasion,” and cocaine “at

least” three times, and associating with gang members.

______________________________________________________________
2 This early fire-starting reference was apparently disregarded, because the record does not
show any arson counseling was ordered for minor then, and it is not repeated in later summaries
of the father‟s statements about minor.

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 On August 31, 2007, minor admitted the first count in the VOP, the remaining counts

were dismissed, and the new petition was dismissed with a Harvey waiver (see People v. Harvey

(1979) 25 Cal.3d 754).

On September 14, 2007, minor was made a ward and was committed to the custody of the

probation officer “for suitable Level „A‟ placement[.]” On October 1, 2007, the probation

officer reported that minor had not completed an assessment “due to repetitious acts of

misconduct.”

On October 16, 2007, the probation officer reported that assessment efforts continued,
but that, “During the past three months, 53 incident reports have been written in regards to

minor‟s negative and suicidal behavior.” However, later that day, minor was placed at “the on-

grounds Morgan Alternative Center School[.]” On November 2, 2007, the probation officer

reported that minor absconded from the school on October 30, 2007, returned on November 1,

2007, and admitted drinking alcohol, whereupon the group home excluded him.

On December 3, 2007, minor was placed at the Paradise Oaks group home. He

absconded on December 8, 2007, but, with his father‟s help, minor turned himself in on

December 16, 2007.

Before a new placement was found, the probation officer filed another VOP on January 7,

2008, alleging minor failed to participate in family counseling and disobeyed officers by

engaging in physical altercations or threats against staff. On January 16, 2008, minor admitted

the first count of the pending VOP, and the other count was dismissed. Minor was placed at a

group home in Fresno, from which he promptly absconded, only to return on February 19, 2008,

brandishing a .357 Magnum revolver.

On February 25, 2008, the People filed a new delinquency petition in Fresno County,

alleging minor carried a switchblade, carried a concealed firearm, and possessed ammunition.

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On March 5, 2008, minor admitted the switchblade charge and the other charges were

dismissed.3 The case was transferred to Sacramento County.

On March 10, 2008, the probation officer filed a four-count VOP, alleging minor left

court-ordered placement without the permission of his parent on two separate nights, and failed

to participate in anger management or family counseling, as ordered.

Before a disposition hearing was held on the Fresno County charges or the pending VOP,

the People filed a new delinquency petition on April 2, 2008, alleging that on March 28, 2008,

minor had battered custodial staff “by gassing with saliva, a peace officer.” A probation report
stated that when staff gave directions to the minor, he replied, “Fuck your program, I‟m doing

my own program” and then spat in an officer‟s face, and while being restrained he said, “Fuck

you, I‟m gonna fucking kill you, bitch ass!”

On April 14, 2008, minor admitted the felony battery charge, the pending VOP was

dismissed, and minor was committed to the Sacramento Boys Ranch.

The probation officer filed a five-count VOP on June 27, 2008, alleging minor disobeyed

Boys Ranch staff directives three times and twice committed suspension-level misconduct at

school. Relevant reports detailed the charged violations, which included threatening a teacher,

and also stated minor had possessed contraband twice, and had committed other non-charged

rule violations, and recommended minor be placed in “the Youth Detention Facility.”

On July 8, 2008 (the day after he turned 15), minor admitted one count in the VOP and

the other counts were dismissed. On August 13, 2008, after minor was rejected by two other

programs, the juvenile court, with minor‟s acquiescence, committed him to “Level B” placement

at the “Rites of Passage” (ROP) program, with an interim stay at juvenile hall. A later report

recommended minor be returned to “Level A” placement, but on September 10, 2008, the

juvenile court confirmed its earlier order committing minor to ROP in Nevada.
______________________________________________________________
3 Fresno County documents show minor was also arrested for a residential burglary
committed on February 14, 2008 and a burglary at a group home on February 20, 2008.
However, those charges were not included in the Fresno petition.

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 During the administrative delay required for transferring minor outside the state,4 the

probation officer reported his adjustment was poor; he had “many incidents” of disrespect,

disobedience and “gang agitation” and failed to demonstrate the “maturity he will need to be

successful at ROP.” However, he was placed in Nevada on November 20, 2008.

A six-month review filed on March 5, 2009, stated minor‟s adjustment to ROP had been

poor for the first several weeks, but had “improved significantly.” However, on June 2, 2009,

despite having been prescribed Seroquel and Depakote to help control his behavior, minor tried

to kill himself, and he was terminated. In a report dated July 13, 2009, the probation department
recommended minor be returned to the care of his father “with Multi-Systemic Therapy at River

Oak. He would do well in a mainstream High School with an opportunity to participate in

sports.”

On July 16, 2009 (shortly after minor turned 16) the juvenile court ordered him returned

to his father, under the supervision of the probation department.

The People filed yet another delinquency petition on September 22, 2009, alleging minor

committed a carjacking on September 19, 2009. The probation officer filed a new VOP that

same day alleging minor remained away from home overnight without parental or probation

officer permission on September 14, 2009, and noting he had been cited for petty theft on July

19, 2009. An intake report stated minor reported he ran away from home because he was not

getting along with his father and stepmother, and claimed to be a gang member, and the report

stated the carjacking was committed with two other people, by using a toy handgun. The People

amended the petition on October 7, 2009, to add robbery and vehicle theft charges arising from

the carjacking.

A report recommended minor be placed at “Woodward Academy” where “his conduct

behaviors as well as his mental health issues can be addressed.” However, the Interagency

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4 The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children requires interaction between state
officials when a delinquent is placed by one state into another. (See Fam. Code, §§ 7901, 7908.)

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Management Authorization Committee (IMAC) which made that recommendation also wanted

“minor to understand their options would be limited if he fails the program. If minor returns to

court and IMAC, they may have no other option than a recommendation of a commitment to”

DJJ.

On December 1, 2009, minor admitted the robbery and the other charges were dismissed,

as was the pending VOP.5 On December 8, 2009, minor was committed to a Level B placement

at the Woodward Academy, in Iowa, where, after administrative delay, he was placed on March

23, 2010. At the hearing, the People emphasized that the IMAC report stated that if the Iowa
commitment failed, the next likely placement would be at DJJ.

The juvenile court reviewed minor‟s “fairly significant history” and the fact that “we

tried him at every level,” including a prior Level B placement, group homes, Boys Ranch and

Level A placement. The court noted the current offense was very serious and the only feasible

choices, from a public safety standpoint, were Level B placement or DJJ, and if minor failed this

placement, DJJ was next, but the court was willing to try Woodward Academy. At the end of the

hearing, the trial court reiterated “this is kind of our last shot with E. short of the Youth

Authority.”

After a rocky start, the juvenile court‟s optimism appeared to have been well founded. A

review report dated June 4, 2010, stated that although minor‟s behavior had been “poor” while

he awaited placement, minor had adjusted well to the Woodward Academy, and on June 7, 2010,

the court continued his placement there. Minor then “graduated” from Woodward Academy and

was returned to his father on “an extended home pass” on September 24, 2010 (aged 17).6

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5 A report in evidence emphasized by minor indicates minor was not present when the toy gun
was displayed, but also states he was the driver of a car stopped nearby, the adult who wielded
the toy gun was in the car, and that adult stated the toy gun was minor‟s.
6 Minor‟s counsel and the father asserted minor was not on a pass, but had fully graduated
from the program. This discrepancy is not material for purposes of this appeal.

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 Unfortunately, thereafter minor reportedly disobeyed parental and school rules, did not

attend school, associated with gang members, and possessed drug paraphernalia and tobacco. A

probation officer searched minor‟s cell phone on October 27, 2010, and among other

incriminating items found a video of a fire, which minor claimed he filmed while walking home

with a friend, and did not report because “his friend dialed 911[.]” Minor was under

investigation for arson based on that video clip. Based on his record, the probation department

recommended a DJJ commitment.

On November 9, 2010, the probation department filed a 12-count VOP and the People
filed a two-count VOP, alleging two property arsons (Pen. Code, § 451, subd. (d)) committed on

October 17, 2010.

A probation report stated possible facilities had rejected minor, some based on his “fire

starting” issues, others due to prior program failures or his suicidal history.

A contested hearing on the two VOPs began on January 27, 2011. The juvenile court

found true the two arson counts in the People‟s VOP petition, and eight of the counts in the

probation department‟s VOP petition. Because minor does not challenge the sufficiency of the

evidence regarding the sustained violations, we need not recite the evidence in detail. As for the

arson counts, it is enough to say that his probation officer found a video of a fire on minor‟s cell

phone, and minor made incriminating statements about lighting two brush fires, including

admissions to a fire investigator. As for the counts in the probation department‟s VOP, there was

evidence showing minor remained away from home without permission from probation, missed

school, drove unlawfully, possessed tobacco, and displayed gang items on his phone and

MySpace page.

A predisposition report recommended a DJJ commitment including an arsonist

registration condition.7 The People filed a memorandum seeking a DJJ commitment in part to
______________________________________________________________
7 At the end of the VOP hearing, minor‟s counsel indicated his intent to obtain a psychiatric
report because the arson findings would disqualify minor from some placement options.
However, it appears no such report was obtained.

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protect the public, inasmuch as lesser placements failed to reform minor‟s criminality. Minor‟s

counsel sought release of minor to his father, because a DJJ commitment would be unduly

punitive, and proposed conditions including minor‟s attendance at “Firesetter‟s Academy” to

teach him about the danger of setting fires.

At an evidentiary disposition hearing on March 17, 2011, minor elicited testimony about

the proposed anti-arson program, and about an anti-gang mentoring program. The father

testified he believed minor had made “dramatic changes” and asked “the Court not to be

predetermined to send him away.” Minor testified he had passed his GED tests and had finished
a course in life and career planning through American River College. Through the help of a

religious mentor, he was on “a positive path” and had improved his behavior during

incarceration. He had a 19-month old child and wanted to show his fiancée “the man I‟m

becoming.”

The juvenile court committed minor to DJJ for a maximum period of five years, with

substantial credits for time already served, and in part ordered arson registration. Minor timely

filed this appeal.

DISCUSSION
I

Propriety of DJJ Commitment

Minor contends section 733, subdivision (c) barred his commitment to DJJ. We disagree.

Section 733, stated in the negative, provides in part that a ward shall not be committed to

DJJ if, inter alia, “(c) The ward has been or is adjudged a ward of the court pursuant to Section

602, and the most recent offense alleged in any petition and admitted or found to be true by the

court is not described in subdivision (b) of Section 707[.]” (Emphasis added.)

Robbery is listed in section 707, subdivision (b), but property arson (Pen. Code, § 451,

subd. (d)) is not.

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 Minor, acknowledging substantial contrary authority, contends he falls within this

exclusion from DJJ, because “the most recent offense” alleged in the probation violation petition

was arson. We reject this interpretation.

A number of cases have held that the petition referred to in section 733 is a delinquency

petition filed under section 602, not a probation violation petition under section 777, which is in

reality a notice of violation. (In re D.J. (2010) 185 Cal.App.4th 278, 285-288; In re M.B. (2009)

174 Cal.App.4th 1472, 1475-1477; In re J.L. (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 43, 57-61.) We agree with

those cases.
More importantly, in a decision filed after briefing in this case was complete, the

California Supreme Court endorsed those cases. (In re Greg F. (2012) 55 Cal.4th 393, 400, 404-

405, 410-411 (Greg F.).) In one passage the court stated, “Because section 733(c)‟s commitment

limitation depends on the nature of “the most recent offense alleged in any petition” (italics

added), the statute does not bar DJF commitments imposed for probation violations on qualifying

offenses. [Citations.] When the voters enacted Proposition 21 in 2000, they replaced the

supplemental petition procedure formerly used under section 777 with a notice provision.

[Citation.] Thus, a probation violation procedure is initiated under section 777 by the filing of a

notice, not a petition.” (Greg. F., supra, 55 Cal.4th at pp. 404-405.) This passage disposes of

minor‟s contention.8

II

Arson Registration

The probation department recommended that minor register as an arsonist, and the

juvenile court so ordered. On appeal, minor contends there is no authorization for this order,

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8 Contrary to minor‟s view, a prior decision of this court does not advance his claim. In part
we held it was improper to dismiss a section 602 petition to trigger the section 733 limitation on
a DJJ commitment, thereby undermining an already executed plea agreement. (V.C. v. Superior
Court (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 1455, 1465-1467, disapproved on another point by Greg F.,
supra, 55 Cal.4th at pp. 404-405.) But this case does not involve the dismissal of a section 602
petition.

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because he was not adjudicated to have committed arson, he was merely found to have violated

probation by committing arson. We are not persuaded.9

The relevant statutory provision, Penal Code section 457.1, subdivision (b)(3), provides

as follows:

“Any person who, having committed the offense of arson or attempted arson, and
after having been adjudicated a ward of the juvenile court on or after January 1, 1993, is
discharged or paroled from the Department of the Youth Authority shall be required to
register, in accordance with the provisions of this section, until that person attains the age
of 25 years, or until the person has his or her records sealed . . . , whichever comes first.”

The statute applies, inter alia, to any person who has “committed the offense of arson”

and has “been adjudicated a ward of the juvenile court on or after January 1, 1993[.]” (Pen.

Code, § 457.1, subd. (b)(3).) There is no requirement in this section that the ward be

“adjudicated” to have committed the arson, that is, suffered an adverse finding upon a new

delinquency petition, rather, the statute requires that the person be found to have “committed”

arson. The juvenile court found beyond a reasonable doubt that minor committed arson when it

sustained the VOP so alleging. (See Eddie M., supra, 31 Cal.4th at pp. 485-486, 502-508 [post-

Proposition 21, VOP alleging criminal conduct must still be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,

but VOP alleging noncriminal conduct may be proven by a preponderance of the evidence].)

This statute stands in contrast to the sex offender registration statute in In re Bernardino

S. (1992) 4 Cal.App.4th 613 (Bernardino S.). The relevant statute there--former Penal Code

section 290, subdivision (d)(1))--required registration of wards discharged “after having been

adjudicated a ward of the court . . . because of the commission or attempted commission of the

following offenses . . . .” (Emphasis added.) (See Stats. 1985, ch. 1474, § 1, pp. 5404-5405,

quoted in Bernardino S., supra, 4 Cal.App.4th at p. 619, fn. 3.) There is no similar linkage in

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9 The People concede minor did not forfeit this claim by failing to object in the juvenile court,
because minor is claiming the trial court lacked statutory authority to make the order. We accept
the concession. (See In re Sheena K. (2007) 40 Cal.4th 875, 886-887.) We note that registration
conditions are not punitive in nature, and assist in the apprehension of recidivists. (In re Luisa Z.
(2000) 78 Cal.App.4th 978, 982-983.)

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Penal Code section 457.1 between the reason for the wardship and the offense triggering

registration.

Minor‟s observation that, post-Proposition 21, a section 777 VOP petition may be based

on noncriminal conduct adjudicated by the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard (see John L.

v. Superior Court (2004) 33 Cal.4th 158, 179-180; Eddie M., supra, 31 Cal.4th 440) is

unpersuasive, because the VOP in this case did allege criminal conduct, two property arsons, and

the juvenile court sustained that VOP based on the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard.

Also unpersuasive is minor‟s reference to the fact that our Supreme Court declined to
consider whether a gang registration requirement could be triggered by a noncriminal VOP. (In

re Emiliano M., supra, 31 Cal.4th at p. 517, fn. 4.) That issue is not present here, because here

the arson allegation was proven by means of a criminal VOP.

Finally, contrary to minor‟s view we find no “linguistic gamesmanship” in concluding (in

Part I, ante) that arson as alleged in a VOP does not qualify as the “the most recent offense

alleged in any petition” under section 733, subdivision (c), and concluding arson alleged in a

VOP does qualify for purposes of applying Penal Code section 457.1. The determinations hinge

on different statutes with different language aimed at different objectives.

Accordingly, we uphold the arson registration order. In doing so, we observe that the

juvenile commitment order does not reflect the arson registration requirement imposed by the

juvenile court. A criminal abstract of judgment must fully and accurately capture all components

of a criminal defendant‟s sentence. (See People v. Mitchell (2001) 26 Cal.4th 181, 185; People

v. Zackery (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 380, 385-389.) So should a juvenile commitment order.

Accordingly, we shall direct the trial court to correct the commitment order.

III

Abuse of Discretion in DJJ Commitment

As emphasized by our Supreme Court, punishment of delinquents for the purpose of
“retribution” is prohibited. (In re Julian R. (2009) 47 Cal.4th 487, 496.) However, “Minors

under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as a consequence of delinquent conduct shall, in

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conformity with the interests of public safety and protection, receive care, treatment, and

guidance that is consistent with their best interest, that holds them accountable for their behavior,

and that is appropriate for their circumstances. This guidance may include punishment that is

consistent with the rehabilitative objectives of this chapter.” (§ 202, subd. (b), emphasis added.)

Section 734 provides: “No ward of the juvenile court shall be committed to [DJJ] unless

the judge of the court is fully satisfied that the mental and physical condition and qualifications

of the ward are such as to render it probable that he will be benefited by the reformatory

educational discipline or other treatment provided by [DJJ].”
“When determining the appropriate disposition in a delinquency proceeding, the juvenile

courts are required to consider „(1) the age of the minor, (2) the circumstances and gravity of the

offense committed by the minor, and (3) minor‟s previous delinquent history.‟ [Citations.]

Additionally, „there must be evidence in the record demonstrating both a probable benefit to

minor by a [DJJ] commitment and the inappropriateness or ineffectiveness of less restrictive

alternatives.‟ [Citation.] A juvenile court‟s commitment order may be reversed on appeal only

upon a showing the court abused its discretion.” (In re Jonathan T. (2008) 166 Cal.App.4th 474,

484-485 (Jonathan T.).)

In this case, the juvenile court ordered every applicable less restrictive placement for

minor at one time or another, but minor repeatedly absconded or violated placement rules. The

juvenile court could find minor would probably benefit from a DJJ placement in part because its

secure facilities would eliminate minor‟s ability to abscond. (See Jonathan T., supra, 166

Cal.App.4th at p. 485 [minor with history of running away needed a closed setting]; In re Tyrone

O. (1989) 209 Cal.App.3d 145, 153 [repeated escape attempts and placement failures supported

CYA commitment]; In re Martin L. (1986) 187 Cal.App.3d 534, 544 [minor ran away from two

prior placements, was rejected by others, and had long record, CYA commitment upheld].)

Much of minor‟s briefing is an invitation to this court to reweigh the evidence and the
factors considered by the juvenile court. But minor‟s record, recited at length earlier, reflects

multiple sustained delinquency petitions, multiple sustained VOPs, multiple absconds, and

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repeated defiance of lawful orders and authority figures. Because nothing else the juvenile court

tried worked, nothing other than a DJJ commitment was practical. In such circumstances, we

find no abuse of discretion.

DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. We direct the juvenile court to prepare and forward to DJJ a

corrected juvenile commitment order consistent with this opinion.

DUARTE , J.

We concur:

RAYE , P. J.

HULL , J.

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