Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
August 7, 2018
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON No. 49944-4-II
Respondent,
v.
KAELA MAE GLOVER, PUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
HAAN, J.* — In 2017, following Kaela M. Glover’s conviction for second degree burglary,
the sentencing court imposed $2,900 in legal financial obligations (LFOs), including $2,100 for
court-appointed attorney fees. Glover appeals, arguing that the sentencing court erred because it
failed to adequately inquire into her ability to pay before imposing the discretionary LFO. Because
the sentencing court’s inquiry was inadequate under State v. Blazina,1 we reverse the LFOs and
remand for a new hearing on LFOs.2
*
Judge Marilyn K. Haan is serving as a judge pro tempore of the Court of Appeals pursuant to
CAR 21(c).
1
182 Wn.2d 827, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).
2
Glover also argues that the sentencing court erred when it imposed the discretionary attorney fee
LFO in an amount partially based on her trial’s length and erred when it ordered Glover to pay $25
per month toward her LFOs, despite the fact that she could never pay her LFOs at this amount.
Because we reverse and remand for a new hearing on LFOs, we do not reach Glover’s remaining
issues. We note that at the time of this opinion, the Supreme Court’s opinion in State v. Ramirez
is pending and that the decision in that case may bear on Glover’s resentencing. See Order
Granting in Part Petition for Review, noted at 190 Wn.2d 1001 (2018).
No. 49944-4-II
FACTS
In 2017, a jury found Glover guilty of one count of second degree burglary, based on
testimony that despite being forbidden from entering Walmart property, she had gone to a Walmart
store and stolen a bathing suit, ice cube tray, and candy.3 At sentencing, the trial court determined
that Glover’s offender score was 15 because of her lengthy criminal history, which included six
prior burglaries. Glover received a standard range sentence of 63 months.
Regarding LFOs, the sentencing court inquired whether there was “any physical or other
reason why you [Glover] can’t work and have a job, earn an income,” to which Glover answered,
“No.” Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Jan. 30, 2017) at 242. The sentencing court then
asked Glover about any job history, and Glover responded that the last time she had held a job was
30 months before sentencing. Since then she had also worked “[u]nder the table,” “like a day or
two here and there” at a friend’s landscaping company. VRP (Jan. 30, 2017) at 242.
Based solely on this exchange, the sentencing court found that Glover had the future ability
to pay LFOs. It ordered Glover to pay $2,900 in LFOs: $2,100 for the discretionary court-
appointed attorney fee LFO and $800 for mandatory LFOs.4 A superior court commissioner later
found Glover indigent for purposes of appeal.
Glover appeals the imposition of the discretionary LFO.
3
The probable cause statement lists the stolen property’s value as $16.44.
4
The mandatory LFOs are the $500 victim assessment, $200 criminal filing fee, and $100
deoxyribonucleic acid collection fee. See State v. Mathers, 193 Wn. App. 913, 918, 376 P.3d
1163, review denied, 186 Wn.2d 1015 (2016); State v. Gonzales, 198 Wn. App. 151, 153, 392 P.3d
1158, review denied, 188 Wn.2d 1022 (2017).
2
No. 49944-4-II
ANALYSIS
Glover argues that under Blazina, the sentencing court failed to adequately inquire into her
ability to pay before imposing the discretionary LFO. The State contends that Glover waived this
issue or alternatively, that the sentencing court’s inquiry was adequate.5 We reach this issue, agree
with Glover, and reverse and remand for a new hearing on LFOs.
I. WAIVER
Glover did not object to the sentencing court’s imposition of the discretionary LFO. In
general, the failure to raise an issue before a superior court waives the issue on appeal under RAP
2.5(a). Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 832. However, we interpret the rules of appellate procedure liberally
“to promote justice and facilitate the decision of cases on the merits.” RAP 1.2(a).
In Blazina, our Supreme Court held that generally, challenges to discretionary LFOs do not
fit within an exception to RAP 2.5(a) and that an appellate court “must make its own decision to
accept discretionary review.” 182 Wn.2d at 835. Nevertheless, the Blazina court exercised its
discretion to consider unpreserved LFO arguments in light of the “[n]ational and local cries for
reform of broken LFO systems.” 182 Wn.2d at 835. In the wake of Blazina, appellate courts have
heeded its message and regularly exercise their discretion to reach the merits of unpreserved LFO
arguments. See, e.g., State v. Malone, 193 Wn. App. 762, 765, 376 P.3d 443 (2016).
5
At oral argument, however, the State acknowledged that it is unclear from the record whether
Glover was, in fact, able to pay the discretionary LFO due to the lack of inquiry into Glover’s
financial position and that it is “questionable” whether the sentencing court complied with Blazina.
Wash. Court of Appeals oral argument, State v. Glover, No. 49944-4-II (May 22, 2018), at 25 min.,
33 sec. and 30 min., 38 sec (on file with court).
3
No. 49944-4-II
Glover is not automatically entitled to first raise on review her argument that the sentencing
court’s inquiry into her ability to pay was inadequate. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 835. Nevertheless,
following Blazina, we reach the merits of her argument.
II. LEGAL PRINCIPLES: INQUIRY INTO ABILITY TO PAY
We generally review a decision whether to impose LFOs for an abuse of discretion. State
v. Clark, 191 Wn. App. 369, 372, 362 P.3d 309 (2015). However, we review legal questions, such
as whether a sentencing court’s inquiry was adequate under Blazina, de novo.6 See State v. Garza,
150 Wn.2d 360, 366, 77 P.3d 347 (2003).
At the time of Glover’s sentencing, former RCW 10.01.160(3) (2015) provided that
[t]he court shall not order a defendant to pay costs unless the defendant is or will
be able to pay them. In determining the amount and method of payment of costs,
the court shall take account of the financial resources of the defendant and the
nature of the burden that payment of costs will impose.
In Blazina, our Supreme Court set forth specific directives that a trial court must comply with
when it imposes discretionary LFOs under former RCW 10.01.160(3):
Practically speaking, this imperative under RCW 10.01.160(3) means that
the court must do more than sign a judgment and sentence with boilerplate language
stating that it engaged in the required inquiry. The record must reflect that the trial
6
We disagree with the concurrence that we should apply an abuse of discretion standard. It is well
settled that this court reviews questions of law de novo. See, e.g., State v. Ford, 125 Wn.2d 919,
923, 891 P.2d 712 (1995). Even where we would generally review a superior court’s decision for
an abuse of discretion, we will review de novo a legal determination made as a part of that decision.
See, e.g., State v. Brightman, 155 Wn.2d 506, 519, 122 P.3d 150 (2005) (stating that the standard
of review depends on the trial court’s reasoning when it refuses a jury instruction: we review for
an abuse of discretion a refusal based on a factual determination, but we review de novo a refusal
based on a ruling of law). To apply an abuse of discretion standard in this case would be to defer
to the trial court’s interpretation of Blazina’s holding. But we do not defer to a trial court’s
discretion when it resolves legal questions, and accordingly “the de novo standard is better
applied.” State v. Garza, 150 Wn.2d 360, 366, 77 P.3d 347 (2003). We note that the appropriate
standard of review for this issue is currently before our Supreme Court, in Ramirez. See Order
Granting in Part Petition for Review, noted at 190 Wn.2d 1001 (2018).
4
No. 49944-4-II
court made an individualized inquiry into the defendant’s current and future ability
to pay. Within this inquiry, the court must also consider important factors, as amici
suggest, such as incarceration and a defendant’s other debts, including restitution,
when determining a defendant’s ability to pay.
182 Wn.2d at 838. Among the other factors that the amici in Blazina suggested were “employment
history, financial situation, and other factors.” Amici Curiae Br. of Wash. Defender Ass’n,
Blazina, No. 89028-5, at 7 (Wash. March 12, 2015).
Blazina went on to exhort courts to “look to the comment in court rule GR 34 for guidance,”
which “lists ways that a person may prove indigent status.” 182 Wn.2d at 838. The legislature
“intended each judge to conduct a case-by-case analysis and arrive at an LFO order appropriate to
the individual defendant’s circumstances.” Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 834.
III. INADEQUATE INQUIRY UNDER BLAZINA
At sentencing, the court conducted a limited inquiry into Glover’s ability to pay: the court
asked only about Glover’s work history and whether there was any reason she could not work.
Glover told the sentencing court that there was no reason she could not work, that the last time she
held a job was 30 months before, and that she sporadically worked “[u]nder the table” for a friend’s
company. VRP (Jan. 30, 2017) at 242. Based solely on this discussion, the sentencing court
imposed $2,900 in LFOs, including the $2,100 discretionary LFO for court-appointed attorney
fees.
At a minimum, Blazina requires a sentencing court to consider within this inquiry
important factors bearing on a defendant’s ability to pay before imposing discretionary LFOs;
these factors include “incarceration and a defendant’s other debts, including restitution.” 182
Wn.2d at 838. In addition, employment history and financial situation are among the factors
suggested by amici, which Blazina states the court must consider. Amici Curiae Br., supra, at 7.
5
No. 49944-4-II
Further, a sentencing court should “seriously question” an indigent defendant’s ability to pay
LFOs. Blazina, 182 Wn.2d at 839.
Here, however, the sentencing court was aware that Glover had a lengthy criminal history,
including three prior Washington convictions, yet failed to inquire at all about other debts. The
court also failed to examine her financial situation, such as the extent of her assets. And Glover
was later found to be indigent, calling into question her ability to pay. The record contains no
other information to support that the sentencing court engaged in the required consideration of the
“important factors” referenced in Blazina, beyond the court’s minimal questioning about Glover’s
employment potential. 182 Wn.2d at 838. Yet, despite Blazina’s directives, the sentencing court
imposed a $2,100 discretionary LFO after minimally questioning Glover about her employment
potential.
We hold that the sentencing court’s inquiry into Glover’s ability to pay was inadequate
under Blazina. Accordingly, we reverse the LFOs and remand for a new hearing on LFOs.
HAAN, J.P.T.
I concur:
BJORGEN, P.J.
6
No. 49944-4-II
I join the majority as to the result. However, I write separately regarding the appropriate
standard of review of a sentencing court’s inquiry into a defendant’s ability to pay discretionary
legal financial obligations (LFOs) under State v. Blazina.7 We generally review a court’s decision
whether to impose discretionary LFOs for an abuse of discretion. State v. Clark, 191 Wn. App.
369, 372, 362 P.3d 309 (2015). As stated in State v. Ramirez, “Whether or not a trial court makes
an individualized inquiry is reviewed de novo; however, if the court does make an inquiry, then
we review a trial court’s imposition of discretionary LFO’s for an abuse of discretion.” noted at 1
Wn. App 1001, *6 n.4, (2017), review granted in part, 190 Wn.2d 1001. As our Supreme Court
has granted review in part of Ramirez, the Supreme Court will determine the proper standard of
review that applies.
________________________________
SUTTON, J.
7
182 Wn.2d 827, 344 P.3d 680 (2015).
7
State Of Washington v. Kaela M. Glover
Combined Opinion