Filed 2/25/21
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
In re ALEXEI KAVANAUGH on D076500
Habeas Corpus. (Super. Ct. No. HC23654;
SCD238494; SCD239633;
SCD240841)
In re ALBERTO J. MORENO on D076821
Habeas Corpus. (Super. Ct. No. HCN1586;
SCN367442)
In re LARRY SMITH on D077003
Habeas Corpus. (Super. Ct. No. HC19685;
SCD208823)
CONSOLIDATED APPEAL from orders of the Superior Court of San
Diego County, Howard H. Shore and Harry M. Elias, Judges. Reversed.
Xavier Becerra, Attorney General, Phillip J. Lindsay, Assistant
Attorney General, Amanda J. Murray and Linnea D. Piazza, Deputy
Attorneys General, for Appellant California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation.
Angela Bartosik, Chief Public Defender, and Euketa Oliver, Public
Defender, for Respondents Alexei Kavanaugh, Alberto J. Moreno, and Larry
Smith.
I
INTRODUCTION
In 2016, voters approved Proposition 57, the “Public Safety and
Rehabilitation Act of 2016.” Proposition 57 amended the California
Constitution to grant early parole consideration to persons convicted of a
nonviolent felony offense. (Cal. Const., art I, § 32, subd. (a)(1).)1 It also
authorized the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR) to adopt regulations in furtherance of its guarantee of early parole
consideration. (Id., subd. (b).) Acting pursuant to this authority, CDCR
issued regulations governing early parole consideration for persons serving a
determinate sentence for a nonviolent felony offense. (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15,
§§ 2449.1, 2449.3–2449.7, 3490–34932 (hereafter, the parole regulations).)
Petitioners Alexei Kavanaugh, Alberto Moreno, and Larry Smith
(hereafter, the petitioners) were denied parole release under the procedures
established by the parole regulations. In separate habeas corpus proceedings
challenging the parole denials, the trial courts invalidated the parole
regulations and ordered new parole consideration proceedings for the
petitioners. The courts found the parole regulations are unconstitutional
because they do not guarantee the assistance of legal counsel for potential
parolees, they do not require in-person parole hearings, and they permit
individual hearing officers—rather than multi-member panels—to make
parole release decisions. According to the courts, the parole regulations
conflict with section 32’s guarantee of parole consideration and violate
prisoners’ procedural due process rights.
1 Subsequent references to section 32 are to article I, section 32 of the
California Constitution.
2 Subsequent references to Regulations are to the Code of Regulations.
2
In contrast to the trial courts, we conclude the parole regulations do not
conflict with the constitutional guarantee of parole consideration or violate
due process. Section 32 broadly ensures parole consideration for eligible
felons, but it does not specify the procedures governing the parole
consideration process. Rather, it vests CDCR with authority to adopt
regulations in furtherance of its guarantee of parole consideration. CDCR
acted within its mandate by enacting the parole regulations. Further, the
parole regulations do not impinge on the procedural due process rights of
prisoners seeking parole. They require annual parole eligibility reviews, set
forth sufficiently definite criteria governing parole release decisions, mandate
a written statement of reasons for each parole release decision, and grant
prisoners notice of the parole proceeding, an opportunity to submit a written
statement to the Board of Parole Hearings (the Board), and the right to seek
review of an adverse decision. These features adequately safeguard against
arbitrary and capricious parole release decisions.
Because we conclude the parole regulations are consistent with
section 32’s guarantee of parole consideration and do not violate prisoners’
procedural due process rights, we reverse the orders granting the petitioners’
habeas corpus petitions.
II
BACKGROUND
A
Legal Background
1
In the November 2016 general election, California voters approved
Proposition 57. Proposition 57 added section 32 to the California
Constitution. (Prop. 57, § 3.) Section 32, subdivision (a)(1) states in
3
pertinent part as follows: “Parole Consideration: Any person convicted of a
nonviolent felony offense and sentenced to state prison shall be eligible for
parole consideration after completing the full term for his or her primary
offense.” (§ 32, subd. (a)(1).) The expressed goals of the early parole
consideration provision are “to enhance public safety, improve rehabilitation,
and avoid the release of prisoners by federal court order ….” (Id., subd. (a).)
Section 32, subdivision (b) instructs CDCR to adopt implementing
regulations for the early parole consideration provision set forth in section 32,
subdivision (a)(1). It states that CDCR “shall adopt regulations in
furtherance of these provisions, and the Secretary of [CDCR] shall certify
that these regulations protect and enhance public safety.” (§ 32, subd. (b).)
2
CDCR promulgated the parole regulations pursuant to section 32,
subdivision (b).3 Under the parole regulations, a person sentenced to a
determinate term for a nonviolent felony is generally eligible for early parole
consideration when he or she has served the full term of his or her primary
3 CDCR issued separate regulations that “excluded [from parole
consideration prisoners] serving indeterminate terms. [Citation.] Those
regulations were found to be invalid because they conflicted with section 32’s
intent [citation], and the CDCR subsequently enacted new regulations that
did not exclude all of those serving indeterminate terms.” (In re Chavez
(2020) 51 Cal.App.5th 748, 752, fn. 7.) The new regulations governing parole
consideration for indeterminately-sentenced nonviolent felons (see Regs.,
tit. 15, §§ 2449.30–2449.34, 3495–3497) are not at issue in this appeal.
4
offense.4 (Regs., tit. 15, §§ 3490, subds. (e)–(f); 3492, subd. (a).) CDCR
conducts the parole eligibility reviews and refers eligible prisoners to the
Board for parole consideration on the merits. (Id., §§ 3491, subds. (c)–(e);
3492, subds. (a)–(b).) Eligibility reviews are conducted annually “until the
inmate is released from custody or is no longer eligible for parole
consideration ….” (Id., § 3492, subd. (b); see id., § 2449.4, subd. (h).)
If a prisoner is found eligible for parole consideration and referred to
the Board, the Board must provide notification about the pending parole
review to the prisoner, the prosecuting agency, and the victim(s) who were
harmed by the prisoner’s crime(s). (Regs., tit. 15, §§ 2449.3; 3492, subd. (c).)
The Board must also afford the prisoner, the prosecuting agency, and the
victim(s) an opportunity to submit a written statement to the Board. (Ibid.)
A hearing officer—defined by regulation as a Board commissioner, a
deputy commissioner, an associate chief deputy commissioner, or the Chief
Hearing Officer (Regs., tit. 15, § 2449.1, subd. (g))—must then review the
“case on the merits and determine whether to approve the inmate’s release,”
(id., § 2449.4, subd. (a)). When conducting the merits review, the hearing
officer must “review and consider all relevant and reliable information”
including but not limited to the prisoner’s central file, the prisoner’s
documented criminal history, and any written statements submitted by the
4 The parole regulations exclude from parole consideration any inmate
who “is convicted of a sexual offense that currently requires or will require
registration as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act,
codified in Sections 290 through 290.024 of the Penal Code.” (Regs., tit. 15,
§ 3491, subd. (b)(3).) After briefing in this appeal was complete, the Supreme
Court issued In re Gadlin (2020) 10 Cal.5th 915 (Gadlin), which determined
the eligibility exclusion pertaining to sex offenders conflicts with section 32
and is therefore invalid. The sex offender eligibility exclusion is not germane
to this appeal, as the trial courts did not rely on the exclusion as a basis to
invalidate the parole regulations.
5
prisoner, the prosecuting agency, and/or the victim(s). (Id., subd. (b).) The
hearing officer must weigh various aggravating and mitigating factors
pertaining to the prisoner’s current conviction(s), prior criminal conviction(s)
and behavior, and institutional behavior, work history, and rehabilitative
programming, as well as the written statements received by the Board. (Id.,
§ 2449.5, subds. (a)–(h).) The factors are “general guidelines” and “the
importance attached to any factor or combination of factors in a particular
case is left to the judgment of the hearing officer.” (Id., subd. (a).)
The hearing officer must then issue a written decision, supported by a
statement of reasons, determining whether the prisoner poses a current,
unreasonable risk of violence or a current, unreasonable risk of significant
criminal activity. (Regs., tit. 15, § 2449.4, subds. (c)–(d).) If the hearing
officer finds the prisoner poses such a risk, the hearing officer must deny
parole release. (Id., subd. (e).) If the hearing officer finds the prisoner does
not pose such a risk, the hearing officer must grant parole release. (Id.,
subd. (f).) But, if the parole release decision will result in the prisoner’s
release two or more years prior to his or her earliest possible release date, the
parole release decision must be reviewed by an associate chief deputy
commissioner or the Chief Hearing Officer, who may concur with the decision
or issue a new decision approving or denying the parole release. (Ibid.)
Within 30 days of being served with the hearing officer’s parole release
decision, the prisoner may request review of the decision. (Regs., tit. 15,
§§ 2449.4, subd. (i); 2449.7, subd. (a).) The request for review must “include a
description of why the inmate believes the previous decision was not correct
and may include additional information not available to the hearing officer at
the time the previous decision was issued.” (Ibid.) A hearing officer not
involved in the original decision must then, within 30 days of the Board’s
6
receipt of the request for review, “consider all relevant and reliable
information and issue a decision either concurring with the previous decision
or overturning the previous decision with a statement of reasons supporting
the new decision.” (Id., subds. (c)–(d).)
B
Lower Court Proceedings
This appeal arises from three separate habeas corpus proceedings in
which the trial courts found the parole regulations are unconstitutional.
1
Petitioners’ Parole Denials
In 2013, Kavanaugh pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining and
using personal identifying information of another person (Pen. Code, § 530.5),
one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud (Health & Saf. Code,
§ 11173, subd. (a)), one count of possession of a concealed firearm as an
individual with a prior violent felony conviction (Pen. Code, § 29900,
subd. (a)(1)), and one count of making a criminal threat (Pen. Code, § 422),
and he admitted an on-bail enhancement (Pen. Code, § 12022.1) and a strike
prior (Pen. Code, §§ 667, subds. (b)–(i); 1170.12). He was sentenced to a
determinate term of 14 years eight months in prison. In 2017, and again in
2018, a hearing officer reviewed Kavanaugh’s case for early parole
consideration, found Kavanaugh posed an unreasonable risk to the
community, and denied release.
In 2017, Moreno pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful taking of
personal property (Pen. Code, § 484), and admitted a strike prior (Pen. Code,
§§ 667, subds. (b)–(i); 1170.12) and a prison prior (Pen. Code, § 667.5). He
was sentenced to a determinate term of five years in prison. In 2018, a
hearing officer reviewed Moreno’s case for early parole consideration, found
7
Moreno posed an unreasonable risk to the community, and denied release. At
Moreno’s request, a second hearing officer reviewed the parole denial, found
no error, and concurred with the initial decision denying parole.
In 2010, a jury convicted Smith of 18 counts of grand theft (Pen. Code,
§ 487, subd. (a)), two counts of conspiracy to commit grand theft (Pen. Code,
§ 182, subd. (a)(1)), and one count of prohibited practices by a foreclosure
consultant (Civ. Code, § 2945.4), and Smith admitted eight strike priors (Pen.
Code, §§ 667, subds. (b)–(i); 1170.12). Smith was sentenced to a determinate
term of 20 years four months in prison. In 2017, and again in 2018, a hearing
officer reviewed Smith’s case for early parole consideration, found Smith
posed an unreasonable risk to the community, and denied release. Smith
sought review of the 2018 parole denial and a second hearing officer
concurred with the initial decision denying parole.
2
The Habeas Corpus Proceedings
Each petitioner filed a pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus in the
trial court challenging his parole denial(s). Kavanaugh alleged: (1) the
Board “used erroneous facts … to deny [him] early release” in violation of his
due process rights; and (2) the parole regulation setting forth the parole
criteria violated his due process rights and the will of the voters who enacted
Proposition 57. Moreno alleged: (1) the parole regulations “do not conform
with the actual intent of the California voter’s [sic] who approved
Proposition 57” because they result in systematic parole denials; and (2) a
modicum of evidence did not support his parole denial. In his lengthy,
sometimes-unintelligible petition, Smith alleged: (1) a modicum of evidence
did not support his parole denial; (2) his parole denial was based on
impermissible factors such as Smith’s race and the Board’s alleged financial
8
interests in keeping Smith incarcerated; and (3) there were sentencing errors
in Smith’s underlying criminal case.
The trial courts issued virtually identical orders to show cause in each
proceeding. The orders to show cause stated as follows: “Petitioner claims
the parole process promulgated by CDCR’s adoption of regulations for
determinately sentenced non-violent offenders violates his due process rights
for early parole consideration provided under the California Constitution.
[The] court finds that Petitioner has made a prima facie case for relief and
hereby issues an Order to Show Cause as to why relief should not be granted.
[The] court requests that the Return focus on the following issue[] … [¶] Do
California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Division 2, Chapter 3,
sections 2449.1, 2449.2, 2449.4, 2449.5, and 2449.7 satisfy an inmate’s due
process right to receive ‘due consideration’ for parole?”5
The People filed a return to each order to show cause and the
petitioners each filed a denial.
The trial courts granted all three petitions for writs of habeas corpus on
grounds that the parole regulations are unconstitutional. The courts found
the parole regulations are unconstitutional because they do not guarantee the
assistance of legal counsel for potential parolees, permit in-person parole
hearings, or mandate that parole decisions be made by multi-member parole
panels. The courts found these alleged deficiencies failed to ensure parole
consideration under section 32 and violated prisoners’ procedural due process
5 The orders to show cause requested that the returns focus on a second
issue as well—whether the Board’s then-existing process of conducting
jurisdictional reviews conflicted with Proposition 57. In response to In re
McGhee (2019) 34 Cal.App.5th 902 (McGhee), CDCR repealed the pertinent
regulation requiring jurisdictional reviews (Regs., tit. 15, former § 2449.2).
The jurisdictional review process, which no longer exists, is not at issue in
this appeal.
9
rights under the California Constitution.6 Based on these findings, the
courts ordered new parole proceedings for the petitioners and ordered CDCR
to repeal and amend the parole regulations.
Subsequently, all three petitioners were released from prison for
reasons unrelated to the habeas corpus proceedings. Kavanaugh was granted
parole under the standard parole consideration procedures set forth in the
parole regulations. Smith was released from prison under Government Code
section 8658 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreno was released
from prison as well, though the basis for his release is not apparent from the
appellate record.7
The People appeal the orders granting the habeas corpus petitions,
which were stayed pending appeal.8
III
DISCUSSION
A
Summary of the Habeas Corpus Procedure
“Our state Constitution guarantees that a person improperly deprived
of his or her liberty has the right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus.”
6 The courts characterized the petitioners’ alleged due process violations
as arising under the California Constitution. They also relied exclusively on
judicial authorities interpreting the due process clause of the California
Constitution. It is therefore apparent the courts based their rulings on the
due process guarantee of the California Constitution, not the federal
Constitution.
7 We grant the People’s request for judicial notice of the hearing officer’s
decision approving Kavanaugh’s parole release and the prison release records
and change in status notifications for all three petitioners. (Evid. Code,
§ 452, subd. (c).)
8 The petitioners’ release from prison does not moot the appeal of the
trial court orders, given that the orders invalidated the parole regulations.
10
(People v. Duvall (1995) 9 Cal.4th 464, 474 (Duvall).) “[T]he petitioner bears
a heavy burden initially to plead sufficient grounds for relief, and then later
to prove them.” (Ibid.) “The petition ‘must allege unlawful restraint, name
the person by whom the petitioner is so restrained, and specify the facts on
which [the petitioner] bases his [or her] claim that the restraint is
unlawful.’ ” (People v. Romero (1994) 8 Cal.4th 728, 737 (Romero).)
A court presented with a petition for a writ of habeas corpus “must first
determine whether the petition states a prima facie case for relief—that is,
whether it states facts that, if true, entitle the petitioner to relief—and also
whether the stated claims are for any reason procedurally barred.” (Romero,
supra, 8 Cal.4th at p. 737.) “ ‘The court determines on the basis of the
allegations of the original petition …, as well as the supporting documentary
evidence and/or affidavits, which should be attached if available, whether a
prima facie case entitling the petitioner to relief if the allegations are proven
has been stated.’ ” (In re Reno (2012) 55 Cal.4th 428, 458, fn. 15.)
“If no prima facie case for relief is stated, the court will summarily deny
the petition.” (Duvall, supra, 9 Cal.4th at p. 475.) “When, on the other hand,
a habeas corpus petition is sufficient on its face (that is, the petition states a
prima facie case on a claim that is not procedurally barred), the court is
obligated by statute to issue a writ of habeas corpus,” i.e., a command to “the
person having custody of the petitioner to bring the petitioner ‘before the
court or judge before whom the writ is returnable’ … and to submit a written
return justifying the petitioner’s imprisonment or other restraint on the
petitioner’s liberty [citation].” (Romero, supra, 8 Cal.4th at pp. 737–738.)
“Because ‘appellate courts are not equipped to have prisoners brought
before them ... [they] developed the practice of ordering the custodian to show
cause why the relief sought should not be granted.’ ” (Romero, supra, 8
11
Cal.4th at p. 738.) “Many superior courts have likewise adopted the practice
of issuing an order to show cause in place of the writ of habeas corpus when a
habeas corpus petition states a prima facie case for relief.” (Ibid.) The order
to show cause directs the custodian to file a pleading called a return, which
“ ‘becomes the principal pleading’ [citation] and is ‘analogous to the complaint
in a civil proceeding’ [citations].” (Ibid.) The return must allege facts
establishing the legality of the petitioner’s detention. (Id. at pp. 738–739.)
Upon the filing of the return, the petitioner may file a response, known
as a traverse (or a denial in the trial court), in which the petitioner “may
deny or controvert any of the material facts or matters set forth in the return,
or except to the sufficiency thereof, or allege any fact to show either that his
imprisonment or detention is unlawful, or that he is entitled to his
discharge.” (Pen. Code, § 1484; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 4.551.) The traverse
(or denial) “is analogous to the answer in a civil proceeding.” (Romero, supra,
8 Cal.4th at p. 739.) “[I]t is through the return and the traverse [or denial]
that the issues are joined in a habeas corpus proceeding.” (Ibid.)
“Once the issues have been joined in this way, the court must
determine whether an evidentiary hearing is needed. If the written return
admits allegations in the petition that, if true, justify the relief sought, the
court may grant relief without an evidentiary hearing. [Citations.]
Conversely, consideration of the written return and matters of record may
persuade the court that the contentions advanced in the petition lack merit,
in which event the court may deny the petition without an evidentiary
hearing. [Citations.] Finally, if the return and traverse [or denial] reveal
that petitioner’s entitlement to relief hinges on the resolution of factual
disputes, then the court should order an evidentiary hearing…. After the
evidentiary hearing, the court in which the return has been filed will then
12
either grant or deny relief based upon the law and the facts as so
determined.” (Romero, supra, 8 Cal.4th at pp. 739–740.)
B
The Petitioners Challenged the Parole Regulations
in Their Habeas Corpus Petitions
Before we address the merits of the trial courts’ constitutional rulings,
we consider a predicate procedural question—whether the trial courts
impermissibly expanded the scope of the habeas corpus proceedings beyond
the claims that were presented in the petitioners’ habeas corpus petitions.
The People contend the petitioners challenged only the sufficiency of
the evidence supporting their parole denials and, in Kavanaugh’s case, the
validity of the parole regulation setting forth the parole criteria. However,
the trial courts issued orders to show cause, and subsequently granted
habeas relief, on grounds that the parole regulations are inconsistent with
section 32 and violative of prisoners’ due process rights. According to the
People, the courts exceeded their authority in addressing and granting relief
based on claims that were not raised in the habeas corpus petitions.
The issues in a habeas corpus proceeding are defined by the pleadings
and “may not extend beyond the claims alleged in the habeas corpus
petition.” (Board of Prison Terms v. Superior Court (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th
1212, 1235 (Ngo).) Thus, a court exceeds its authority when it “issue[s] an
order to show cause that requires the respondent to address new claims not
expressly or implicitly raised in the original habeas corpus petition or
supported by the factual allegations in the original habeas corpus petition,
unless those claims were raised … in a supplemental or amended habeas
corpus petition filed with the permission of the court.” (Id. at p. 1237.)
On the other hand, “[t]he goal … of the procedures that govern habeas
corpus is to provide a framework in which a court can discover the truth and
13
do justice in timely fashion.” (Duvall, supra, 9 Cal.4th at p. 482.) Therefore,
courts “should not construe the pleadings in … a parsimonious fashion.”
(Ibid.) Further, a court “crafting [an] order to show cause has the power to
explain its preliminary assessment of the petitioner’s claims, restate
inartfully drafted claims for purposes of clarity, and limit the issues to be
addressed in the return to only those issues for which a prima facie showing
has been made.” (Ngo, supra, 130 Cal.App.4th at p. 1239, italics added.)
It is a fairly close call whether the trial courts’ orders to show cause
and orders granting habeas relief addressed claims that were presented in
the habeas corpus petitions. As the People note, the petitions focused largely
on the alleged insufficiency of the evidence supporting the petitioners’ parole
denials and, to a lesser extent, the criteria governing parole release decisions.
Those issues appear to be distinct from the matters discussed in the orders to
show cause and the orders granting habeas relief. Nevertheless, upon close
examination, it is apparent to us that each petition also alleged a due process
violation or an arbitrary and capricious parole release decision, as well as an
irreconcilable conflict between the Board’s parole consideration procedures
and section 32 (referred to as Proposition 57 in the habeas corpus petitions).
For instance, Kavanaugh alleged the parole regulations violated his
“right to due process” and the Board “implemented policies (under
Proposition 57) that the voters never intended ….” Moreno alleged that his
parole denial was “arbitrary and procedurally flawed,” and that CDCR
“systematically deni[ed] him and other inmates … the full benefit’s [sic] of
Proposition 57, by adopting regulation[s] … which do not conform with the
actual intent of the California voter’s [sic] who approved Proposition 57 ….”
Similarly, Smith alleged the Board deprived him of “earned liberty interests
without due process of enacted laws,” and “failed and/or refused to exercise
14
sound discretion governed by legal rules, valid, enacted laws[] [and] to do
justice according to such laws in conducting hearings, receiving and
reviewing evidence, and … issu[ing] rulings ….” (Quotation marks and
underline omitted.)
Based on these allegations, as well as the policies underpinning the
procedures governing habeas corpus proceedings, we conclude the petitioners’
pro se habeas corpus petitions sufficiently alleged the claims upon which
habeas corpus relief was granted. (See In re Lewis (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th
13, 27 [habeas corpus petition raised constitutional vagueness challenge to
parole regulations by alleging the Board acted in an arbitrary and capricious
manner].) It follows that the trial courts did not impermissibly expand the
scope of the habeas corpus proceedings.9 Therefore, we proceed to the merits
of the trial courts’ orders granting habeas relief.
C
The Parole Regulations Ensure Parole Consideration
As previously noted, section 32, subdivision (a)(1) states as follows:
“Any person convicted of a nonviolent felony offense and sentenced to state
prison shall be eligible for parole consideration after completing the full term
for his or her primary offense.” The petitioners contend section 32’s
guarantee of parole consideration for eligible felons includes an implicit
promise that such felons will receive the assistance of legal counsel during
the parole process, as well as in-person parole hearings and multi-member
9 In their appellate brief, the petitioners contend the hearing officer
relied on inadmissible and unreliable hearsay to deny parole release to
Moreno. Moreno did not allege this as a basis for relief in his habeas corpus
petition and the trial court did not mention it in the order granting Moreno’s
habeas corpus petition. Therefore, the hearing officer’s alleged reliance on
hearsay is not properly before us.
15
parole panels. They claim the parole regulations conflict with section 32
because the parole regulations do not fulfill this alleged promise.
The People argue there is no conflict between section 32’s guarantee of
parole consideration and the parole regulations. They emphasize that
section 32 does not impose express procedural requirements applicable to the
parole consideration process. They also contend that section 32,
subdivision (b) commands CDCR to adopt regulations in furtherance of the
new parole consideration requirement. According to the People, CDCR acted
in accordance with this directive when it issued the parole regulations.
For the following reasons, we agree with the People.
1
Legal Standards
“A regulation adopted by a state agency, like any agency action, comes
to the court with a presumption of validity.” (Delta Stewardship Council
Cases (2020) 48 Cal.App.5th 1014, 1047–1048.) “In determining the proper
interpretation of a statute [or constitutional provision such as section 32] and
the validity of an administrative regulation, the administrative agency’s
construction is entitled to great weight, and if there appears to be a
reasonable basis for it, a court will not substitute its judgment for that of the
administrative body.” (Ontario Community Foundations, Inc. v. State Bd. of
Equalization (1984) 35 Cal.3d 811, 816.) “ ‘ “Our function is to inquire into
the legality of … regulations, not their wisdom.” ’ ” (Gadlin, supra, 10
Cal.5th at p. 926.)
On the other hand, an agency has no authority to adopt a regulation
unless it is “ ‘[1] consistent and not in conflict with the [enabling] statute [or
constitutional provision] and [2] reasonably necessary to effectuate the
purpose of the [enabling] statute [or constitutional provision].’ ” (Gov. Code,
16
§ 11342.2; see Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 926.) In assessing whether the
regulation is consistent with an enabling statute or constitutional provision,
we must ask “ ‘whether the regulation alters or amends the governing
[mandate] or case law, or enlarges or impairs its scope.’ ” (Association of
California Ins. Cos. v. Poizner (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 1029, 1045.)
“In construing ... section 32, subdivision (a)(1), we apply normal
standards governing the interpretation of constitutional provisions. ‘ “[O]ur
primary concern is giving effect to the intended purpose of the provisions at
issue. [Citation.] In doing so, we first analyze provisions’ text in their
relevant context, which is typically the best and most reliable indicator of
purpose. [Citations.] We start by ascribing to words their ordinary meaning,
while taking account of related provisions and the structure of the relevant
statutory and constitutional scheme. [Citations.] If the provisions’ intended
purpose nonetheless remains opaque, we may consider extrinsic sources, such
as an initiative’s ballot materials. [Citation.] Moreover, when construing
initiatives, we generally presume electors are aware of existing law.
[Citation.] Finally, we apply independent judgment when construing
constitutional … provisions.” ’ ” (McGhee, supra, 34 Cal.App.5th at p. 909.)
2
There is no Conflict Between the Parole Regulations and
Section 32’s Guarantee of Parole Consideration
To assess whether a conflict exists between section 32 and the parole
regulations, we begin by examining the language of section 32. (Gadlin,
supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 926; McGhee, supra, 34 Cal.App.5th at p. 909.)
Section 32 broadly states in pertinent part that certain qualifying felons
“shall be eligible for parole consideration ….” (§ 32, subd. (a)(1).)
The parties have not directed us to any constitutional or statutory
definitions for the term “parole consideration,” and we are aware of none
17
based on our own research. In the absence of such definitions, we presume
the words were intended to be understood “ ‘in [their] ordinary sense and,
consequently, we may refer to [those words’] dictionary definition[s] to
ascertain [their] ordinary, usual meaning.’ ” (Russell City Energy Co., LLC v.
City of Hayward (2017) 14 Cal.App.5th 54, 64; see Cacho v. Boudreau (2007)
40 Cal.4th 341, 349 [“In the absence of a statutory definition, we assume that
the Legislature intended that ‘rent’ would have its ordinary meaning ….”];
accord Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 933 [relying on dictionary definition to
interpret the meaning of language contained within section 32].)
Webster’s dictionary defines the term “consideration,” as relevant here,
to mean “the act of regarding or weighing carefully.” (Webster’s 3d New
Internat. Dict. (2002) p. 484, col. 1.) Similarly, the online Oxford English
Dictionary defines “consideration” to mean “[t]he keeping of a subject before
the mind; attentive thought, reflection, meditation.” ( [as of Feb. 24, 2021],
archived at .) The American Heritage
Dictionary gives “consideration” an analogous meaning, defining it as
“[c]areful thought; deliberation.” (American Heritage Dict. (5th ed. 2011)
p. 392.) Collectively, these definitions indicate that “parole consideration”
refers to the giving of careful thought and deliberation to a person’s parole
suitability.
When the term “parole consideration” is given this common and
ordinary meaning, it is apparent the parole regulations are in harmony with
section 32. The parole regulations require the referral of each eligible
prisoner to the Board for a parole assessment whereby a hearing officer
reviews all relevant information and applies criteria to determine whether
the prisoner poses a risk of violence or significant criminal activity. (Regs.
18
tit. 15, §§ 2449.4, subds. (a)–(c); 2449.5; 3491, subd. (a).) Depending on the
outcome of the assessment, the hearing officer then approves or denies parole
release. (Id., §§ 2449.4, subds. (e)–(f); 3493.) In short, the Board affords
parole consideration to the prisoner when the hearing officer reviews the
prisoner’s record and weighs various factors bearing on the prisoner’s parole
suitability in order to reach a reasoned parole release decision.
Our interpretation is bolstered by the fact that section 32 does not
expressly mandate any procedures for the parole consideration it guarantees,
let alone the features emphasized by the petitioners. The measure’s drafters
could have defined “parole consideration” to incorporate such procedural
requirements.10 Or they could have imposed the procedural requirements in
other provisions of the measure. It is not our role to insert this language—
language the voters never considered or approved—into section 32. (People v.
Roach (2016) 247 Cal.App.4th 178, 183 [“Our job is to ascertain and declare
what is in terms or in substance contained in the provision, not to insert what
has been omitted or omit what has been inserted.”]; Hodges v. Superior Court
(1999) 21 Cal.4th 109, 114 [“In the case of a voters’ initiative … we may not
properly interpret the measure in a way that the electorate did not
contemplate: the voters should get what they enacted, not more and not
less.”]; accord Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 935 [“Had the drafters of
Proposition 57, and by extension the voters, intended to exclude inmates from
nonviolent offender parole consideration based on prior or current sex offense
convictions, it would have been a simple matter to say so explicitly.”].)
In sum, section 32 does not specify any procedural requirements for the
parole consideration to which nonviolent felons are entitled. Rather, it
10 Section 32 defines the term “full term for the primary offense,” but
leaves the term “parole consideration” undefined. (§ 32, subd. (a)(1)(A).)
19
charges CDCR to issue regulations implementing its guarantee of parole
consideration. (§ 32, subd. (b).) As the Supreme Court has explained, this
charge of authority confers on CDCR “meaningful power to promulgate
regulations” in furtherance of section 32. (Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p.
934.) In particular, it affords CDCR “ample room to protect public safety by
crafting the specific processes under which parole suitability is determined on
a case-by-case basis. And [CDCR] has done so; the regulations direct the
Board of Parole Hearings to consider ‘all relevant and reliable information’
([Regs., tit. 15,] § 2449.4, subd. (b)) to determine whether the inmate poses a
‘current, unreasonable risk of violence or a current, unreasonable risk of
significant criminal activity’ (id., subd. (c)), including an inmate’s
‘documented criminal history” (id., subd. (b)(1)).” (Ibid.) We discern no
tension between section 32, subdivision (a)’s broad promise of parole
consideration and the parole regulations CDCR has adopted.
3
The Petitioners’ Interpretive Arguments Are Unavailing
In finding a conflict between section 32’s guarantee of parole
consideration and the parole regulations, the trial courts relied on statutes
and regulations governing the parole consideration process for
indeterminately-sentenced persons. Those statutes and regulations require
the appointment of legal counsel for potential parolees (e.g., Pen. Code,
§ 3041.7), in-person parole hearings (e.g., id., §§ 3041, subd. (a)(2); 3041.5,
subd. (a)(2); Regs., tit. 15, §§ 2280, 2304), and multi-member parole panels
(e.g., Pen. Code, §§ 3041, subds. (a)(2), (d); Regs., tit. 15, § 2281, subds. (a)–
(b), 2315). The courts reasoned the voters who passed Proposition 57 “were
aware of the state’s parole process” and—by approving “parole consideration”
for eligible nonviolent felons—they impliedly adopted all the same procedural
20
requirements that apply when indeterminately-sentenced prisoners undergo
parole consideration. The petitioners repeat these arguments on appeal.
“There is a presumption, though not conclusive, that voters are aware
of existing laws at the time a voter initiative is adopted.” (Santos v. Brown
(2015) 238 Cal.App.4th 398, 410.) However, the parole consideration process
for indeterminately-sentenced persons was not, as the trial courts apparently
assumed, the only parole consideration process in existence at the time the
voters enacted Proposition 57. Indeed, in 2009, a three-member federal court
found that overcrowding in the prison system caused the state to deliver
constitutionally-inadequate medical and mental health care to inmates.
(Coleman v. Schwarzenegger (E.D. Cal. & N.D. Cal. 2009) 922 F.Supp.2d 882,
affd. sub nom. Brown v. Plata (2011) 563 U.S. 493.) In connection with this
finding, the federal court ordered the state to reduce the population of its
adult prisons to 137.5% of their total design capacity (ibid.), and issued a
remedial order intended to achieve this goal (In re Ilasa (2016) 3 Cal.App.5th
489, 500–501 (Ilasa)). The order mandated “ ‘a new parole determination
process through which non-violent second-strikers [would] be eligible for
parole consideration by the Board ... once they have served 50% of their
sentence.’ ” (Id. at p. 495, italics omitted.)
In response to this remedial order, CDCR “created a [parole] process
entitled ‘Non–Violent, Non–Sex–Registrant, Second–Strike (NVSS) Review,’
which was implemented on January 1, 2015.” (Ilasa, supra, 3 Cal.App.5th at
p. 495.) Under the NVSS parole consideration process, prisoners were
screened for parole eligibility and referred to the Board for potential release.
(Id. at p. 502.) Once referred to the Board, the prisoners were permitted to
submit a written statement and a single deputy commissioner—not a parole
panel—would consider the documentary record and determine whether to
21
grant parole. (Id. at p. 503.) A written parole decision was required, but no
in-person parole hearing was held. (Ibid.) Under the NVSS parole
consideration process, a single associate chief deputy commissioner—not a
parole panel—could review the parole decision and issue a decision upholding
or vacating the original parole decision. (Ibid.) As this brief description
demonstrates, the parole regulations establish a parole consideration process
that in many respects resembles the NVSS parole consideration process.11
Returning to the presumption of voter awareness, it is untenable for us
to conclude the voters were somehow aware of the parole consideration
process available to indeterminately-sentenced felons, yet inexplicably
unaware of the NVSS parole consideration process. It is equally untenable
for us to conclude the voters intended to replicate the former process, as
opposed to the latter process—or to adopt a new process altogether—given
that the language of Proposition 57 evinces no such intention. In light of this
textual omission, we decline to infer through sheer speculation that the
voters who passed Proposition 57 intended to adopt the broad and complex
swathe of procedural requirements governing parole consideration for
11 The People request judicial notice of a stipulation executed by the
parties to the federal prison-overcrowding lawsuit, which states the parole
regulations mirror NVSS review. We deny judicial notice of the stipulation,
which is not relevant to the disposition of the appeal.
22
indeterminately-sentenced felons.12 (See Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 942
[“Without language in the constitutional provision that expressed or strongly
implied the authority of the Department to carry out [parole eligibility]
exclusions, we cannot say the voters intended such exclusions.”].)
The ballot materials for Proposition 57 also do not suggest the voters
intended a wholesale adoption of the procedures by which indeterminately-
sentenced persons are considered for parole.13 “The ballot materials
presented to the voters consisted of three sections: the official title and
summary prepared by the Attorney General, the analysis of the Legislative
Analyst, and the arguments in favor of and against the proposition (an
argument in favor by the proponents followed by a rebuttal by the opponents,
and an argument against by the opponents followed by a rebuttal by the
proponents).” (Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 936.) The Legislative
Analyst’s analysis obliquely references the parole consideration hearings that
are provided to indeterminately-sentenced persons and the NVSS parole
12 McGhee, supra, 34 Cal.App.5th 902 is not to the contrary. In McGhee,
the court considered the viability of a regulation requiring CDCR to conduct a
prescreening of otherwise eligible inmates before referring those inmates to
the Board for parole consideration. (Id. at pp. 906–907.) The McGhee court—
applying the presumption that voters were aware of existing parole statutes
and regulations—concluded the regulation was inconsistent with Proposition
57’s guarantee of parole consideration, which could “only be understood to
mean parole consideration by the [B]oard,” as opposed to parole consideration
by CDCR. (Id. at pp. 909–910.) The application of the presumption of voter
awareness can be explained by the fact that, for purposes of the appeal, there
were no material differences between the two parole consideration processes
governing indeterminately-sentenced persons and determinately-sentenced
second-strike offenders; under both processes, parole consideration was
undertaken by the Board, not CDCR. (Id. at pp. 911–912.) Here, there are
material differences between the two parole consideration processes.
13 We grant the People’s request for judicial notice of the ballot materials
for Proposition 57. (Evid. Code, § 452, subd. (c).)
23
consideration process. (Ballot Pamp., Gen. Elec. (Nov. 8, 2016) analysis of
Prop. 57 by Legislative Analyst, p. 54.) However, neither the analysis nor
any other portion of the ballot materials states that the parole consideration
guaranteed by Proposition 57 would resemble either of these processes, nor
that it would resemble one of the processes to the exclusion of the other.
Further, while the Legislative Analyst’s analysis states Proposition 57
would “increase the number of inmates eligible for parole consideration,” the
analysis—as well as the proponents’ arguments in favor of Proposition 57—
do not mention any of the procedures that might apply when an eligible felon
undergoes parole consideration. (Ballot Pamp., Gen. Elec. (Nov. 8, 2016)
analysis of Prop. 57 by Legislative Analyst, p. 56; id., argument in favor of
Prop. 57, p. 58.) They say nothing about the appointment of legal counsel for
prospective parolees, in-person parole hearings, or multi-member parole
panels. The ballot materials’ silence on these topics strongly suggests the
voters did not contemplate them. (Citizens Assn. of Sunset Beach v. Orange
County Local Agency Formation Com. (2012) 209 Cal.App.4th 1182, 1197
[ballot materials’ silence “indicative of the voters’ understanding of what they
were doing”]; accord Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 939 [“If, as [CDCR]
asserts, the voters intended to carve out an entire category of offenders from
nonviolent parole consideration based on prior criminal history, the[] [ballot
materials] sources likely would have mentioned as much.”].)
The petitioners make one final argument in support of their claim that
the parole regulations irreconcilably conflict with section 32. They assert the
parole regulations cause some parole-eligible prisoners to be denied release
and remain incarcerated at the expense of the taxpayer. They claim the
parole regulations thus contravene one of section 32’s objectives—the
reduction of public spending on the prison population. (See Prop. 57, § 2 [“[I]t
24
is the purpose and intent of the people of the State of California to … [s]ave
money by reducing wasteful spending on prisons.”].) We are not persuaded.
By establishing a parole consideration system that did not previously
exist—and ensuring the release of some prisoners who would not otherwise
have been subject to parole consideration—the parole regulations clearly
advance the goal of reducing incarceration-related costs. Insofar as the
petitioners argue the parole regulations do not do enough to reduce public
expenditures, that alleged shortcoming does not establish an incompatibility
between section 32 and the parole regulations. Nor does it require us to
interpret section 32 in a manner that its language does not support. (People
v. Morales (2016) 63 Cal.4th 399, 408 [“Certainly, one purpose was to save
money, and the measure has done so by causing the release of some prisoners
…. But the purpose of saving money does not mean we should interpret the
statute in every way that might maximize any monetary savings.”].)
4
Conclusion
Section 32 guarantees parole consideration for eligible persons who
have been sentenced to prison for a nonviolent felony offense. But it does not
mandate any specific parole consideration procedures. Rather, it vests
authority with CDCR to craft the specific processes under which parole
suitability is determined. (Gadlin, supra, 10 Cal.5th at p. 934.) CDCR
25
properly exercised this authority in its enactment and implementation of the
parole regulations.14
D
The Parole Regulations Do Not Violate the Due Process Clause
The trial courts found the parole regulations are unconstitutional, in
the alternative, on grounds that the parole regulations deprive prospective
parolees of their rights to procedural due process. The courts found the
parole regulations run afoul of the California Constitution’s due process
clause for the reasons previously discussed—i.e., because they do not
guarantee the appointment of legal counsel for prisoners undergoing parole
consideration, in-person parole hearings, or multi-member parole panels. On
appeal, the petitioners contend the parole regulations violate their due
process rights for these same reasons. They also assert the parole regulation
setting forth the criteria for parole release decisions is void-for-vagueness.
The People assert the parole regulations afford prisoners the
procedural due process to which they are entitled. The People claim the
parole regulations ensure that eligible prisoners receive reasonable notice
and a reasonable opportunity to be heard, both before the parole release
decision is made and prior to any subsequent review of an adverse decision.
Further, the People claim the additional safeguards promoted by the
petitioners would impose undue fiscal and administrative burdens on the
state that are not commensurate with the limited liberty interests at stake in
14 The petitioners assert in passing that the parole regulations are
unconstitutional because they “impermissibly amend” Proposition 57. The
petitioners provide no substantive analysis or pertinent legal authorities
supporting their claim that the parole regulations impermissibly amended a
voter initiative. Therefore, the argument is waived. (Cahill v. San Diego Gas
& Electric Co. (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 939, 956.)
26
a parole release decision. In response to the petitioners’ void-for-vagueness
challenge, the People assert the parole criteria regulation is sufficiently
definite to guide the Board’s exercise of discretion when making parole
release determinations.
Once again, we agree with the People.
1
Legal Standards
Parole release proceedings are “informal, in contrast to judicial or
formal administrative proceedings.” (In re Rosenkrantz (2002) 29 Cal.4th
616, 654–655 (Rosenkrantz).) “[P]arole release decisions concern an inmate’s
anticipation or hope of freedom, and entail the Board’s attempt to predict by
subjective analysis whether the inmate will be able to live in society without
committing additional antisocial acts.” (Id. at p. 655.) The Board must
consider criteria set forth in regulations established by CDCR. (Id. at
pp. 653–654; In re Shaputis (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1241, 1256 (Shaputis)
[regulations “guide the Board’s assessment of whether [an] inmate … is
suitable for parole”].) However, the Board has broad discretion in making
parole release decisions. (Rosenkrantz, at p. 655.) “ ‘The [Board’s] discretion
in parole matters has been described as ‘great’ [citation] and ‘almost
unlimited’ [citation].’ ” (Ibid., quoting In re Powell (1988) 45 Cal.3d 894, 902
(Powell).)
“Although broad, the [B]oard’s discretion is not absolute. That
discretion … is subject to the prisoner’s right to procedural due process.”
(Powell, supra, 45 Cal.3d at p. 902.) A prisoner “is not entitled to … receive
parole, [but] he is entitled to have his application for the[] benefit[] ‘duly
considered.’ ” (In re Minnis (1972) 7 Cal.3d 639, 646 (Minnis).) By way of
example, the Board may not categorically deny parole to all persons who have
27
been imprisoned for committing a particular offense. (Id. at pp. 642–648.)
Because “a right to due consideration of parole applications necessarily gives
rise to a concomitant right to an available remedy.… [¶] ... [¶] ... due process
requires that the [Board] support its determinations with a statement of its
reasons therefor.” (In re Sturm (1974) 11 Cal.3d 258, 268–270.) Further,
courts may conduct limited judicial review of parole denials to determine
whether the denials are supported by “some evidence,” given that a denial
without “some evidence” would be “arbitrary and capricious, thereby
depriving the prisoner of due process of law.” (Rosenkrantz, supra, 29 Cal.4th
at p. 657–658; see Shaputis, 44 Cal.4th at pp. 1254–1255 [clarifying scope of
judicial review].)
In assessing a due process claim, we conduct a “case by case
determination of whether a particular incident of due process is required for
parole decisions ….” (Sturm, supra, 11 Cal.3d at p. 266.) We apply the
balancing test announced in People v. Ramirez (1979) 25 Cal.3d 260 (plur.
opn. of Mosk, J.) (Ramirez), to assess the amount of process that is required
under the circumstances.15 Under the Ramirez test, we consider the
following factors: “(1) the private interest that will be affected by the official
action, (2) the risk of an erroneous deprivation of such interest through the
procedures used, and the probable value, if any, of additional or substitute
procedural safeguards, (3) the dignitary interest in informing individuals of
the nature, grounds and consequences of the action and in enabling them to
present their side of the story before a responsible governmental official, and
(4) the governmental interest, including the function involved and the fiscal
15 Although the Ramirez decision was a plurality decision, a unanimous
Supreme Court subsequently applied the Ramirez balancing test in In re
Jackson (1987) 43 Cal.3d 501.
28
and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute procedural
requirement would entail.”16 (Id. at p. 269.)
The Ramirez balancing test recognizes “that ‘due process is flexible and
calls for such procedural protections as the particular situation demands.’ ”
(Ramirez, supra, 25 Cal.3d at p. 268; see Minnis, supra, 7 Cal.3d at p. 649
[“The exact boundaries of due process ‘are undefinable, and its content varies
according to specific factual contexts.’ ”].) In some contexts, due process may
require “formal hearing procedures that include the rights of confrontation
and cross-examination, as well as a limited right to an attorney.” (Ramirez,
at p. 269.) “In others, due process may require only that the administrative
agency comply with the statutory limitations on its authority.” (Ibid.)
2
Prisoners Do Not Have a Due Process
Right to Legal Counsel for Parole Proceedings
At the outset, we will address the question of whether due process
mandates the assistance of legal counsel for prospective parolees in parole
release proceedings. We need not conduct a full-blown Ramirez analysis or
engage in an extended discussion on this question because our Supreme
Court has already answered this question in the negative.
In In re Schoengarth (1967) 66 Cal.2d 295, a prisoner filed a petition for
writ of habeas corpus challenging the denial of his request for appointment of
legal counsel during parole proceedings. The Supreme Court denied the
petition and ruled the prisoner had no constitutional right to legal counsel.
16 “[O]ther than the addition of the dignity factor, the Ramirez balancing
test for determining what procedural protections are warranted, given the
governmental and private interests involved, is essentially identical to that
employed under the federal analysis.” (Ryan v. California Interscholastic
Federation-San Diego Section (2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 1048, 1071, citing
Matthews v. Eldridge (1976) 424 U.S. 319, 335, 347–349.)
29
(Id. at pp. 304, 306.) As the Court explained, “[t]he proceedings of the
[Board] are wholly administrative in nature, and that agency’s determination
of … [the] conditions of parole is not a judicial act.” (Id. at p. 304.) Therefore,
a prisoner has “no right to the appointment of counsel in proceedings of the
[Board] to determine whether and under what conditions a prisoner should
be granted parole,” and no “such appointment [of counsel is] compelled by any
constitutional mandate.” (Ibid.)
Five years later, in Minnis, a prisoner challenged the validity of the
parole procedures that were adopted by the Board’s predecessor, alleging the
procedures deprived him of “due process because he receive[d] ‘no [legal]
representation at the sentencing[.]’ ” (Minnis, supra, 7 Cal.3d at p. 650.) The
Supreme Court again rejected the claim that due process entitles a prisoner
to the assistance of legal counsel during parole proceedings. It reasoned that
parole proceedings are “administrative in nature. [Citations.] Consequently,
due process takes on a different significance in evaluating [the parole]
agency’s determination on … parole-granting than it had at trial.” (Ibid.)
Citing Schoengarth, the Court reaffirmed its prior holding that “counsel is
not necessary to insure fairness” in parole proceedings. (Minnis, at p. 650.)
Under the doctrine of stare decisis, the California Supreme Court’s
holdings in Schoengarth and Minnis are binding on this court. (Auto Equity
Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court (1962) 57 Cal.2d 450, 455.) Accordingly, we
conclude prisoners do not have a procedural due process right to the
assistance of legal counsel during parole proceedings.
30
3
Prisoners Do Not Have a Due Process Right
to In-Person Parole Hearings or Multi-Member Parole Panels
We turn now to the more difficult question of whether determinately-
sentenced nonviolent prisoners have due process rights to in-person parole
hearings and/or parole panels consisting of at least two or more panelists.
Under the first factor of the Ramirez test, we begin by identifying the
private interest at stake in a parole release proceeding. “ ‘The essence of
parole is release from prison, before the completion of sentence, on the
condition that the prisoner abide by certain rules during the balance of the
sentence.’ ” (Samson v. California (2006) 547 U.S. 843, 850, quoting
Morrissey v. Brewer (1972) 408 U.S. 471, 477.) The parolee “ ‘is not free from
legal restraint, but is constructively a prisoner in the legal custody of state
prison authorities until officially discharged from parole.’ ” (In re Taylor
(2015) 60 Cal.4th 1019, 1037.) Thus, a parole revocation decision “deprives
an individual[] not of the absolute liberty to which every citizen is entitled,
but only of the conditional liberty properly dependent on observance of
special parole restrictions.” (Morrissey, at p. 480; see Taylor, at p. 1037.)
“ ‘An incarcerated individual for whom a parole date has not been set
possesses less of an expectation of liberty than one for whom a release date
previously has been established by the Board.’ ” (In re J.G. (2008) 159
Cal.App.4th 1056, 1064 (J.G.).) That is because parole revocation involves
the loss of conditional freedom, whereas “parole release decisions concern an
inmate’s mere anticipation or hope of freedom.” (Sturm, supra, 11 Cal.3d at
p. 266, italics added.) Therefore, in a parole consideration proceeding, the
private interest at stake is not a prisoner’s interest in his or her conditional
liberty; rather, it is the mere expectancy of his or her conditional liberty—a
“limited liberty interest.” (J.G., at p. 1064; accord Greenholtz v. Inmates of
31
Nebraska Penal and Correctional Complex (1979) 442 U.S. 1, 10 (Greenholtz)
[“ ‘It is not sophistic to attach greater importance to a person’s justifiable
reliance in maintaining his conditional freedom so long as he abides by the
conditions of his release, than to his mere anticipation or hope of freedom.’ ”].)
Next, under the second Ramirez factor, we assess the parole
regulations, the extent to which the parole regulations protect against the
erroneous and arbitrary deprivation of a prisoner’s expectancy of conditional
freedom, and the probable value, if any, of additional procedural safeguards.
In conducting this assessment, we remain mindful that “due process does not
mandate that all governmental decision making comply with standards that
assure perfect, error-free determinations.” (California Consumer Health Care
Council, Inc. v. Department of Managed Health Care (2008) 161 Cal.App.4th
684, 691; see Mackey v. Montrym (1979) 443 U.S. 1, 13 [“the Due Process
Clause has never been construed to require that the procedures used to guard
against an erroneous deprivation of a protectible ‘property’ ... interest be so
comprehensive as to preclude any possibility of error”].)
The parole regulations provide that a prisoner who is deemed eligible
for parole consideration and referred to the Board is entitled to receive notice
of the referral. (Regs., tit. 15, § 3492, subd. (c).) The prisoner is “provided
information about the nonviolent offender parole process, including the
opportunity to submit a written statement to the Board” prior to the parole
decision. (Ibid.) If the prisoner submits a statement to the Board, the parole
criteria require the hearing officer to consider the prisoner’s statement, in
addition to all other relevant and available information pertaining to the
prisoner. (Id., §§ 2449.4, subd. (b); 2449.5, subd. (h) [“[A] [w]ritten
statement[] submitted by the inmate … shall be considered.”].)
32
Collectively, these procedural requirements ensure that a prisoner
eligible for parole has a reasonable opportunity to inform the Board of any
considerations weighing in favor of his or her parole suitability. For example,
the prisoner can discuss any existing mitigating factors pertaining to his or
her current conviction(s) or prior criminal behavior (Regs., tit. 15, § 2449.5,
subds. (c), (e)), or attempt to explain away or blunt the impact of any
aggravating factors (id., subds. (b), (d), (f)). The prisoner can also highlight
his or her rehabilitation in prison, including whether he or she has followed
institutional rules, successfully participated in vocational, educational, or
work assignments, or taken advantage of rehabilitative or self-help
programming. (Id., subd. (g).) By providing the prisoner notice and an
opportunity to submit a written statement concerning parole suitability, the
parole regulations reduce the risk that the Board will base its parole
decisions on incomplete, incorrect, or otherwise flawed information.
Moreover, once the hearing officer has determined whether the
prisoner is suitable for parole, the hearing officer must then issue a written
parole decision, supported by a statement of reasons. (Regs., tit. 15, § 2449.4,
subd. (d).) The requirement of a written parole decision reduces the
likelihood a hearing officer will render an arbitrary and unsupported parole
denial. It guarantees that a prisoner will be apprised of the reasons for his or
her parole decision, thus allowing the prisoner to make a more informed
choice as to whether to challenge the parole decision. (Sturm, supra, 11
Cal.3d at p. 267.) If a prisoner elects to challenge his or her parole denial, the
written statement requirement facilitates the challenge by ensuring that a
reviewing court has an adequate basis upon which to decide whether the
parole decision is supported by “some evidence,” as due process requires.
(Rosenkrantz, supra, 29 Cal.4th at p. 656; Sturm, at p. 270.)
33
The parole regulations afford additional process by allowing a prisoner
to request review of an adverse parole decision. (Regs., tit. 15, §§ 2449.4,
subd. (i); 2449.7, subd. (a).) A prisoner seeking review has an opportunity to
articulate why he or she believes the initial parole decision was incorrect and
provide additional information not available to the hearing officer when the
initial parole decision was made. (Id., subd. (a).) The review is conducted by
a hearing officer who was not involved in the initial parole decision. (Id.,
subds. (c)–(d).) Further, the parole regulations do not provide the prosecuting
agency or the victims of the prisoner’s crimes a means by which to seek
review of a decision granting parole. Thus, it appears the review procedure
advantages only the prisoner who is seeking parole release. This non-
reciprocal review procedure further minimizes the risk of an arbitrary or
capricious parole denial. (See Stevens v. Workers’ Comp. Appeals Bd. (2015)
241 Cal.App.4th 1074, 1099 [“[A]s a result of the multiple layers of review,
the risks of erroneous deprivations … appear to be fewer].)
The petitioners contend prisoners would benefit from an additional
procedural safeguard—a requirement that each parole release decision be
made by a panel of at least two hearing officers. However, it is not apparent
to us—and the petitioners have not tried to explain to us—how additional
panelists would reduce the likelihood of an arbitrary parole release decision.
A parole release decision is, after all, “an attempt to predict by subjective
analysis whether the inmate will be able to live in society without committing
additional antisocial acts ….” (Sturm, supra, 11 Cal.3d at p. 266; In re Busch
(2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 953, 966 [“The decision whether to grant parole is an
inherently subjective determination”].) Such an evaluation “is not so readily
adapted to procedural due process safeguards as are decisions that turn on
specific factual questions ….” (Ramirez, supra, 25 Cal.3d at p. 273; San Jose
34
Police Officers Association v. City of San Jose (1988) 199 Cal.App.3d 1471,
1482–1483 [there are “problems with imposing additional procedural
safeguards on inherently subjective, evaluative judgments”].)
We suppose it is conceivable the addition of a second (or third, fourth,
or even fifth) hearing officer might aid some prisoners in some cases. For
instance, additional hearing officers inclined to grant parole release to a
given prisoner might carry the day whereas a single parole officer, left to his
or her own devices, might otherwise have denied parole release. But it seems
equally possible that the addition of more hearing officers to the equation
would cause some prisoners to be denied parole release when they might
otherwise have been granted parole release if the decision had been left to
one hearing officer. In short, we have little reason to believe that more
panelists necessarily mean more (and more sound) parole release decisions.
We also question whether additional hearing officers would
substantially promote the accuracy of the information on which parole
release decisions are made. The Supreme Court has opined that when multi-
member panels conduct parole release proceedings for indeterminately-
sentenced prisoners, it can be the case that only one panelist devotes his or
her full attention to the prisoner’s parole suitability while the second panelist
“usually reads [the] file pertaining to the next inmate who will appear ….”
(Sturm, supra, 11 Cal.3d at p. 262.) According to the Court, the first “panel
member states his proposed decision to the other panel member” and “[t]here
is rarely any disagreement between the two ….” (Ibid.) The Court’s
observation bolsters our conclusion that the purported advantages of multi-
member parole panels are, at most, unclear.
The petitioners contend prisoners would also benefit from in-person
parole hearings. We agree hearings “may be useful in resolving conflicting
35
information and in the introduction of subjective factors into the decision-
making process that might otherwise not be considered; it thereby may often
tend to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the exclusion decision.”
(Ramirez, supra, 25 Cal.3d at p. 275.) The prisoner’s body language may
assist the parole decision-maker “in assessing signs of remorse and the effect
of age,” (J.G., supra, 159 Cal.App.4th at p. 1059)—factors that may in turn
impact the parole suitability decision. (Regs., tit. 15, § 2449.5, subd. (a).)
“And even in cases in which [in-person] participation [at a parole hearing] is
unlikely to affect the outcome of the [parole] decision, it nevertheless
promotes important dignitary values that underlie due process.” (Ramirez, at
p. 275; see Cramer v. Gillermina R. (1981) 125 Cal.App.3d 380, 392–393.)
However, under the fourth Ramirez factor, these potential benefits
cannot be considered in isolation without accounting for the weighty fiscal
and administrative burdens that in-person parole hearings would impose on
the government. The appellate record contains a declaration from the
Board’s Executive Officer in which she averred there were approximately
4,000 nonviolent, determinately-sentenced inmates who were eligible for
early parole consideration. She further averred there were about 2,700 more
inmates who would become eligible for early parole consideration within one
year. This evidence suggests the Board conducts early parole consideration
reviews—and would be required to conduct in-person parole hearings if we
36
were to adopt the petitioners’ argument—for thousands of determinately-
sentenced inmates each year.17
These in-person parole hearings would be exceptionally costly for the
government. Based on the costs associated with in-person parole hearings for
indeterminately-sentenced prisoners, the People estimate it would cost the
Board tens of millions of dollars annually to conduct in-person parole
hearings for all eligible determinately-sentenced nonviolent prisoners.18
Furthermore, we can reasonably infer in-person parole hearings would
consume substantially more time than a documentary review of a prisoner’s
parole suitability—both to prepare for the in-person hearing and to conduct
the in-person hearing. Therefore, it is apparent in-person parole hearings for
determinately-sentenced nonviolent felons would place painful fiscal and
administrative strain on the government.
Finally, with respect to the Ramirez factor concerning dignitary
interests, we note that the parole regulations permit prisoners to make their
case for parole release in ways other than in-person parole hearings. As
noted, they allow prisoners to file a written statement before an initial parole
decision and, if necessary, in a second written statement explaining why the
initial parole decision is incorrect. (Regs., tit. 15, §§ 2449.7, subd. (a); 3492,
17 We grant the People’s request for judicial notice of administrative
notices and statements pertaining to the adoption of parole regulations.
(Evid. Code, § 452, subd. (c).) One of those statements indicates that nearly
30,000 inmates were screened for early parole consideration after voters
passed Proposition 57. (See Cal. Dept. of Corrections, Credit Earning and
Parole Consideration Final Statement of Reasons, April 30, 2018, pp. 481,
552.)
18 The People note the Governor allocated $8.2 million in his proposed
annual budget for the implementation of the early parole consideration
process for indeterminately-sentenced felons.
37
subd. (c).) Prisoners receive these opportunities annually, assuming they
remain incarcerated and eligible for parole consideration. (Id., §§ 2449.4,
subd. (h); 3492, subd. (b).) These opportunities promote the dignitary values
of the persons seeking parole release. (See Rodriguez v. Department of Real
Estate (1996) 51 Cal.App.4th 1289, 1298–1299 [broker’s dignitary interest
satisfied because broker could oppose suspension of his or her license with
written statement].)
Balancing all these factors, we conclude the parole regulations do not
violate the procedural due process rights of prisoners. We acknowledge in-
person parole hearings might increase the accuracy of some parole release
decisions and promote the dignity interests of prisoners. However, in our
view, those potential benefits simply do not prevail over all the other factors
weighing against a new constitutionally-based right to annual, in-person
parole hearings. We are particularly cognizant of the fact that prisoners have
limited liberty interests in parole release proceedings, as well as the obvious
and considerable fiscal and administrative burdens flowing from in-person
parole hearings. And while the parole regulations may not assure error-free
parole decisions in all cases, they contain numerous features that reduce the
risk of arbitrary parole decisions. Many of those same features promote
prisoners’ dignitary interests. Considering all these factors, we conclude the
parole regulations afford prisoners reasonable notice and a reasonable
38
opportunity to be heard. That is all due process requires.19 (Jonathan Neil
& Associates v. Jones (2004) 33 Cal.4th 917, 936, fn. 7.)
4
The Parole Criteria Regulation Does Not Offend Due Process
In their appellate brief, the petitioners claim the regulation setting
forth the criteria for parole suitability determinations (Regs. tit. 15, § 2449.5)
is void-for-vagueness. The petitioners assert the regulation is impermissibly
vague because it does not identify the specific amount or type of
rehabilitative programming in which a prisoner must engage to ensure that
he or she will be found suitable for parole.
19 Lower federal court decisions construing the due process clause of the
federal Constitution do not bind us in our interpretation of the due process
clause of the California Constitution. (Qualified Patients Association v. City
of Anaheim (2010) 187 Cal.App.4th 734, 764.) However, we note—and find
persuasive—that numerous lower federal courts have found the parole
regulations do not violate prisoners’ procedural due process rights under the
federal Constitution. (Young v. Lozano (E.D. Cal. Oct. 26, 2020, No. 2:20-cv-
0350 TLN KJN P) 2020 U.S. Dist. Lexis 198856, at *8–9 [“There is no federal
requirement that petitioner be physically present at the Proposition 57 parole
consideration hearing … [or] that his suitability hearing be conducted with a
minimum of two commissioners ….”]; Garcia v. Callahan (C.D. Cal. Jan. 8,
2020, No. CV 19-00661-VAP (DFM)) 2020 U.S. Dist. Lexis 28564, at *4
[“Although Petitioner did not receive an in-person hearing, such a hearing is
not required.”]; see also, e.g., Cleveland v. Warden (C.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2019,
No. 2:19-cv-09730-DSF (GJS)) 2019 U.S. Dist. Lexis 219185, at *10–11;
Hewitt v. Board of Parole Hearings (E.D. Cal. Oct. 25, 2019, No.: 1:19-cv-
00501-SAB (PC)) 2019 U.S. Dist. Lexis 185482, at *6–7; Stephens v. Kunz
(C.D. Cal. Sept. 18, 2019, No. CV 19-1008-AB (KS)) 2019 U.S. Dist. Lexis
212017, at *10.) Further, we note that there is federal appellate authority
standing for the proposition that in-person parole hearings are not
guaranteed by the federal due process clause. (Franklin v. Shields (4th Cir.
1977) 569 F.2d 784, 800 [en banc] [“[W]e discern no constitutional
requirement that each prisoner receive a personal [parole] hearing ….”].)
39
Moreno and Smith did not challenge the parole criteria regulation on
vagueness grounds in their petitions for writs of habeas corpus and none of
the trial courts granted habeas relief based on the alleged vagueness of the
parole criteria regulation. Therefore, we have doubts the petitioners’ void-
for-vagueness challenge is properly before us. However, assuming the
general due process violations alleged in the petitioners’ habeas corpus
petitions adequately encompassed the void-for-vagueness challenges they
now raise,20 and further assuming those challenges are ripe for our review,
we conclude the parole criteria regulation is sufficiently definite to survive
the petitioners’ vagueness challenge.
“The due process clauses of the federal and state Constitutions require
a reasonable degree of certainty in legislation [and regulation].” (Menefield v.
Board of Parole Hearings (2017) 13 Cal.App.5th 387, 396.) However,
regulations governing parole release decisions do not proscribe criminal
behavior; instead, they guide the exercise of administrative decision-making.
(Hess v. Board of Parole & Post-Prison Supervision (9th Cir. 2008) 514 F.3d
909, 914.) Therefore, due process “does not require the same precision in the
drafting of parole release [regulations] as is required in the drafting of penal
laws.” (Ibid.; accord Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, Hoffman Estates, Inc.
(1982) 455 U.S. 489, 498 [“The degree of vagueness that the Constitution
tolerates … depends in part on the nature of the enactment.].)
Title 15, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 15, section 2449.5 sets forth the
factors a hearing officer is required to consider when determining whether a
nonviolent determinately-sentenced prisoner is suitable for early parole. The
hearing officer must consider aggravating and mitigating factors relating to
20 “The void-for-vagueness doctrine is a component of the constitutional
requirement of due process of law.” (Ivory Education Institute v. Department
of Fish & Wildlife (2018) 28 Cal.App.5th 975, 982.)
40
the prisoner’s current conviction(s), prior criminal conviction(s) and criminal
behavior, and the institutional behavior, work history, and rehabilitative
programming, in addition to any statements the prisoner, the prosecuting
agency, and/or the crime victim(s) submitted. (Regs., tit. 15, § 2449.5.)
The portion of the regulation concerning the prisoner’s institutional
behavior, work history, and rehabilitative programming states in pertinent
part that the hearing officer can consider, as a mitigating factor weighing in
favor of parole, whether the prisoner “has successfully participated in
vocational, educational, or work assignments for a sustained period of time,”
or “successfully participated in rehabilitative or self-help programming to
address the circumstances that contributed to his or her criminal behavior,
such as substance abuse, domestic violence, or gang involvement, if any, for a
sustained period of time.” (Regs., tit. 15, § 2449.5, subd. (g)(2)–(3).) This
portion of the regulation affords reasonable and sufficient notice to prisoners
of the nature and type of rehabilitative behavior that will constitute a
mitigating factor during a parole release decision. Therefore, it is sufficiently
definite to survive the petitioners’ void-for-vagueness challenge.
To the extent the petitioners contend that due process demands greater
specificity to inform prisoners whether they will receive parole or the weight
that will be placed on each parole factor, the petitioners are mistaken. As
noted, a parole release decision is subjective and predictive. (Rosenkrantz,
supra, 29 Cal.4th at pp. 654-655.) “[T]here is no set of facts which, if shown,
mandate a decision favorable to the individual.” (Greenholtz, supra, 442 U.S.
at p. 10.) A parole release decision “may be made ‘for a variety of reasons and
often involve[s] no more than informed predictions as to what would best
serve [correctional purposes] or the safety and welfare of the inmate.’ ”
(Ibid.) “[T]he precise manner in which the specified factors relevant to parole
41
suitability are considered and balanced lies within the discretion of the
[parole authority] ….” (Rosenkrantz, at p. 677; see In re Lawrence (2008) 44
Cal.4th 1181, 1212 [“It is not the existence or nonexistence of suitability or
unsuitability factors that forms the crux of the parole decision; the significant
circumstance is how those factors interrelate to support a conclusion of
current dangerousness to the public.”].) The parole criteria regulation
specifies the factors that the Board, in its discretion, may weigh and balance
during each individual prisoner’s parole consideration proceeding. Therefore,
the parole criteria regulation is not unconstitutionally vague.
IV
DISPOSITION
The orders granting the petitions for writs of habeas corpus are
reversed.
McCONNELL, P. J.
WE CONCUR:
BENKE, J.
O’ROURKE, J.
42