People v. McCloud CA1/2

Filed 3/26/21 P. v. McCloud CA1/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or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

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION TWO

THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent,
A158898
v.
BYRON McCLOUD, (Solano County
Super. Ct. No. VC31353)
Defendant and Appellant.

Byron McCloud appeals from an order denying his petition for
conditional release under Welfare and Institutions Code section 6608 of the
Sexually Violent Predator Act.1 McCloud contends the trial court erred in
determining his petition was frivolous and denying the petition without a
hearing. He also argues he was entitled to appointment of counsel and an
expert before the trial court could decide whether his petition warranted a
hearing.
We conclude the trial court did not err in denying the petition, and we
are not persuaded that court-appointed counsel and a court-appointed expert
were required in this case either by statute or as a matter of due process.
Accordingly, we affirm.

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions
Code.

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 FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
McCloud’s History of Convictions of Sex Crimes and SVP Status
McCloud has been convicted of 17 sexually violent crimes against six
different victims. The offenses against the first five victims were committed
in 1979, with McCloud breaking into the victims’ homes and sexually
assaulting them. The first victim was a 10-year-old girl. McCloud was
convicted of these crimes and sent to prison. He was paroled in March 1991,
and seven months later, when he was 37 years old, McCloud broke into the
home of a 69-year-old woman and sexually assaulted her. (People v. McCloud
(2013) 213 Cal.App.4th 1076, 1080 (McCloud I).)
In July 2011, a jury determined McCloud was a sexually violent
predator (SVP), and he was committed to the custody of the Department of
State Hospitals (DSH).2 (McCloud I, supra, 213 Cal.App.4th at p. 1078.)
McCloud has been continuously incarcerated or institutionalized since 1991.
Previous Petition for Conditional Release
In 2015, McCloud petitioned for conditional release without the
concurrence of the DSH. The trial court (Hon. E. Bradley Nelson) appointed
counsel and appointed an independent evaluator to examine McCloud. Five
witnesses—including four experts—testified at an evidentiary hearing, which
was conducted over multiple days. On January 8, 2018, at the conclusion of
the hearing, Judge Nelson denied the petition, finding McCloud failed to
prove he was no longer an SVP or that he was suitable for conditional
release. (People v. McCloud (No. A153615, July 19, 2019) [nonpub. opn.].)

2 A “sexually violent predator” is “a person who has been convicted of a
sexually violent offense against one or more victims and who has a diagnosed
mental disorder that makes the person a danger to the health and safety of
others in that it is likely that he or she will engage in sexually violent
criminal behavior.” (§ 6600, subd. (a)(1).)

2
Current Petition for Conditional Release
On August 8, 2019, McCloud, representing himself, filed another
petition for conditional release without the concurrence of the DSH. The
typewritten petition included eight attached exhibits.
The first exhibit consisted of five non-consecutive pages from his DSH–
Coalinga Annual Evaluation dated June 14, 2019 (2019 Annual Report), a
report which was itself 38-pages long.3 It showed McCloud had a current
diagnosis under DSM-5 of “Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder,
Nonconsenting Females,” among other things. The evaluation, prepared by
consulting psychologist Rebecca Martin, concluded that McCloud’s mental
condition had not changed in the previous year; that as a result of his
diagnosed mental disorders, McCloud remained a danger to the health and
safety of others in that he was likely to engage in future sexually violent
criminal behavior if not detained and treated in a custodial environment; and
that he was not a suitable candidate for either unconditional release or
release to a less restrictive community setting. The excerpt included
information that McCloud had discontinued his participation in the sexual
offense treatment program (SOTP) in July 2013. The report noted that
McCloud was asked to participate in an interview for this evaluation, but

3 Under section 6604.9, subdivision (a), SVP’s committed to the DSH
must have an examination of their mental condition at least once a year. The
resulting report of the annual examination must “include consideration of
whether the committed person currently meets the definition of a sexually
violent predator and whether conditional release to a less restrictive
alternative . . . or unconditional discharge . . . is in the best interest of the
person and conditions can be imposed that would adequately protect the
community.” (§ 6604.9, subd. (b).) The DSH is required to file this annual
report with the court and serve copies of the report to the prosecuting agency
and the committed person. (Id. subd. (c).)

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declined, and that he did not participate in an interview during a “previous
update” in 2018. The consulting psychologist’s evaluation was thus
completed “based on a review of the records and consultation with DSH-C
staff familiar with the patient.”
McCloud alleged the 2019 Annual Report was based on stale reports
and information. He alleged the annual examinations (under § 6604.9) were
“void” from 2015 through 2019 “absent . . . promulgated standardized
assessment protocol.”4 McCloud, who was born in 1954, noted that “various
studies have concluded that recidivism rates decrease significantly among
older male sex offenders.” He alleged his diagnosis of “nonconsent” (as a type
of paraphilic disorder) was “ ‘force-fitting’ a diagnosis [which] violates ethical
standards.”5 McCloud also alleged the 2019 Annual Report “relied upon
antisocial personality.”
McCloud alleged he “voluntarily entered num[e]rous treatment
programs,” citing the excerpt of the 2019 Annual Report.6 He alleged the

4 Here, McCloud cited two other attached exhibits. The first appears to
be pages from a memo from the State Auditor dated March 2015, with the
title “California Department of State Hospitals[;] [¶] It Could Increase the
Consistency of Its Evaluations of Sex Offenders by Improving Its Assessment
Protocol and Training.” The second exhibit appears to be a DSH notice of
proposed regulations for SVP standardized assessment protocols inviting
public comments starting on February 15, 2018.
5Here, McCloud cited an exhibit that consisted of two pages of what
appeared to be a longer journal article copyrighted by the American
Psychological Association in 2006.
6 It was reported that McCloud participated in various groups while
committed including computer lab, public speaking, piano instruction, guitar
skills, graphic arts, “Changing Your Thinking,” “Chess for Social Interaction
and Wellbeing,” “Treatment Readiness,” “Cycles of Abuse,” “Interpersonal
Group Dynamics and Team Building,” and “Warhammer Gaming for Social

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report “does not inform court that SOTP changed repeatedly.” He stated he
was willing to participate in transitional treatment, citing an exhibit that
appears to be a letter approving him for a residential program for substance
abuse. This letter, from Transitional and Recovery Housing for Veterans
dated June 20, 2019, indicates McCloud was approved by a VA liaison to
enter Dignity’s Alcove Inc., a six-month drug and alcohol and 18-month
transitional housing program that required participation in weekly groups
such as anger management, relapse prevention, AA/NA and money
management. Notably, the letter did not mention treatment for sex offenders
or otherwise indicate that program could benefit SVP’s or protect the public
from SVP’s.
The petition concluded, “Thus McCloud qualify [sic] for conditional
release because the petition was not based upon frivolous ground, willingness
to attend treatment in a less restrictive environment [sic]. [¶] McCloud also
request[s] court appoint conflict free coun[se]l and an expert with show
cause.”
District Attorney Response
The Solano County District Attorney filed a response to the petition
arguing the petition was frivolous and should be denied without a hearing.
Attached as an exhibit to the response was the complete 38-page 2019
Annual Report with a cover letter from the Director of the DSH addressed to
the Solano County Superior Court, in which the Director stated he agreed
with consulting psychologist Martin’s findings and recommendations.

Skills.” The report noted, “McCloud discontinued his SOTP participation in
July 2013.”

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Trial Court Order Denying McCloud’s Petition
On October 11, 2019, the trial court (Hon. E. Bradley Nelson) denied
the petition without a hearing. In his written order, Judge Nelson noted that
he previously denied McCloud’s earlier petition following an evidentiary
hearing that included four expert witnesses. The court explained: “Petitioner
has now filed a new petition for conditional release, also without the
concurrence of the DSH. However, unlike his prior petition, this one is not
supported by a medical evaluation nor by any facts upon which a court could
find that petitioner’s condition has so changed that a hearing is warranted.
Indeed, petitioner attaches as Exhibit A to his new petition the most recent
[section] 6604.9 annual evaluation by the Department of State Hospitals-
Coalinga regarding his commitment. In this evaluation, dated June 14, 2019,
DSH’s consulting psychologist specifically states that Petitioner’s mental
condition ‘HAS NOT’ changed, that he still meets the statutory definition of a
sexually violent predator, and that he is not suitable for either unconditional
or conditional release (emphasis not added).
“Consequently, the current petition is denied because it is frivolous, i.e.
totally and completely without merit and, because it does not contain any
facts upon which a court could find that petitioner’s condition has so changed
that a hearing is warranted.” (Bolding and fn. deleted.)
DISCUSSION
A. The Trial Court Did Not Err in Denying McCloud’s Petition
1. Applicable Law and Standard of Review
A person who has been committed as an SVP has a right under section
6608, subdivision (a), to petition the court for conditional release with or
without the recommendation or concurrence of the Director of the DSH.
When a person petitions for conditional release without the concurrence of

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the DSH (as McCloud did in this case), the trial court is required to “endeavor
whenever possible to review the petition and determine if it is based upon
frivolous grounds and, if so, . . . deny the petition without a hearing.” (§ 6608,
subd. (a), italics added.)7
Thus, section 6608 provides a two-step process when a committed
person files a petition for conditional release without DSH concurrence.
“First, the trial court makes a threshold determination as to whether the
petition for conditional release is based upon frivolous grounds.” (Olsen,
supra, 229 Cal.App.4th at p. 996.) Our high court has described this first
step as “an apparent attempt to deter multiple unsubstantiated requests and
to reduce the administrative burden that might otherwise occur.” (Hubbart
v. Superior Court (1999) 19 Cal.4th 1138, 1148, fn. 14.)
In the second step, the trial court conducts an evidentiary hearing “to
determine whether the person committed would be a danger to the health
and safety of others in that it is likely that he or she will engage in sexually
violent criminal behavior due to his or her diagnosed mental disorder if under
supervision and treatment in the community.” (§ 6608, subd. (g).)8 At the
hearing, the petitioner has “the burden of proof by a preponderance of the

7 “A frivolous petition is one that ‘indisputably has no merit.’ ” (People
v. McKee (2010) 47 Cal.4th 1172, 1192 (McKee).) Courts will find a petition to
be based on frivolous grounds when “any reasonable attorney would agree
that the petition on its face and any supporting attachments [a]re totally and
completely without merit.” (People v. Olsen (2014) 229 Cal.App.4th 981, 999
(Olsen); People v. Collins (2003) 110 Cal.App.4th 340, 349 (Collins).)
8If the petitioner proves to the trial court that petitioner “would not be
a danger to others due to his or her diagnosed mental disorder while under
supervision and treatment in the community, the court shall order the
committed person placed with an appropriate forensic conditional release
program operated by the state for one year.” (§ 6608, subd. (g).)

7
evidence, unless the report required by Section 6604.9 [the DSH annual
report] determines that conditional release to a less restrictive alternative is
in the best interest of the person and that conditions can be imposed that
would adequately protect the community, in which case the burden of proof
shall be on the state to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that
conditional release is not appropriate.” (§ 6608, subd. (k).)
In the first step, “the trial court reviews the petition and any
supporting attachments to determine ‘ “if the [petitioner]’s position has some
merit on the issue of whether he or she may qualify for conditional
release.” ’ ” (Olsen, supra, 229 Cal.App.4th at p. 996.) The trial court also is
permitted to consider the DSH’s annual report (even if the report is not
attached to the petition) in deciding the threshold question of frivolousness.
This means that when the DSH annual report indicates the petitioner is not
suitable for conditional release, “the court may consider whether the petition
for conditional release makes a contrary showing.” (Ibid.) The People may
respond to the petition, although their response should “be limited to the
issue of whether the face of the petition and its supporting attachments show
that the petition is frivolous because any reasonable attorney would agree
that the petition is completely and totally without merit.” (Id. at p. 998.)
In deciding whether a petition warrants a hearing, “the trial court may
make a limited determination of credibility and summarily deny the petition
if, on the face of the petition and/or supporting evidence and any reports filed
in opposition, the court determines the petition is so unworthy of belief that
no reasonable trier of fact would credit it. In such a case, conducting the
hearing would needlessly impose on the trial court the administrative burden
the frivolousness review is meant to avoid.” (People v. LaBlanc (2015) 238
Cal.App.4th 1059, 1071, fn. 8 (LaBlanc).)

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 Section 6608 further provides that if, as was the case here, a petitioner
has filed a previous petition for conditional release without the concurrence of
the DSH and the previous petition was denied on the merits (either as
frivolous or because the court determined the petitioner’s condition had not so
changed that he or she would not be a danger to others), “the court shall deny
the subsequent petition unless it contains facts upon which a court could find
that the condition of the committed person had so changed that a hearing
was warranted.” (§ 6608, subd. (a), italics added.)
When a trial court denies a petition without a hearing, the appellate
court “review[s] the facial adequacy of the petition to state a basis for relief.”
(People v. Reynolds (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 1402, 1407 (Reynolds).)
McCloud urges this court to review the trial court’s decision
independently, likening a section 6608 petition to a petition for writ of habeas
corpus. He points out that when a trial court denies a habeas corpus petition
without an evidentiary hearing, the appellate court reviews the decision de
novo as a question of law. (E.g. In re Stevenson (2013) 213 Cal.App.4th 841,
857; In re Crockett (2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 751, 759.) We also note that when
“the trial court’s findings [a]re based solely upon documentary evidence, we
independently review the record.” (In re Rosenkrantz (2002) 29 Cal.4th 616,
677.)
Respondent asserts our review is for abuse of discretion. This is the
standard of review appellate courts generally apply when reviewing denials
of section 6608 petitions based on frivolousness. (E.g., LaBlanc, supra, 238
Cal.App.4th at p. 1071; Olsen, supra, 229 Cal.App.4th at p. 994; Reynolds,
supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at p. 1408; Collins, supra, 110 Cal.App.4th at p. 349;
but see People v. Smith (2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 947, 953 [concluding there

9
was “no substantial evidence to support a finding that appellant’s petition is
totally and completely without merit”].)
We need not resolve the issue, however, because under either standard,
we conclude the trial court did not err.
2. Analysis
The purpose of a hearing under section 6608 “is to determine whether
the [petitioner] would be a danger to the health and safety of others in that it
is likely that he or she will engage in sexually violent criminal behavior due
to his or her diagnosed mental disorder while under supervision and
treatment in the community. [Citation.] A petition which does not make at
least a prima facie showing of this fact is not entitled to a hearing.”
(Reynolds, supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at p. 1410.)
Here, the excerpt of the 2019 Annual Report attached to McCloud’s
petition showed the DSH concluded he was not a suitable candidate for
conditional release and his mental condition has not “changed in the past
year such that he no longer meets the statutory definition of a Sexually
Violent Predator.” McCloud’s allegations did not make a contrary showing.
(Olsen, supra, 229 Cal.App.4th at p. 996.) In Reynolds, the Court of Appeal
concluded a petition was frivolous where “the petition neither alleged, nor did
it otherwise demonstrate, that [the petitioner was] no longer a sexually
violent predator.” (Reynolds, supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at p. 1411.) Likewise,
McCloud did not allege that he was no longer an SVP, nor did he allege facts
showing he was a suitable candidate for conditional release. Because his
petition did not make a prima facie showing for relief, he was not entitled to a
hearing. (Id. at p. 1410.)
McCloud asserts the trial court erred in denying his petition without a
hearing because “the petition set forth facts that would show he was suitable

10
for treatment in the community and that the evaluation that the court
relie[d] on for its ruling was flawed.” We are not persuaded. A jury found
McCloud to be an SVP in 2011. In January 2018 after a multi-day
evidentiary hearing, the trial court found McCloud failed to prove either that
he was no longer an SVP or that he was suitable for conditional release.
McCloud’s current allegations about the deficiencies in the DSH evaluations,
even if proved, would not show that he is no longer an SVP or that he is a
suitable candidate for conditional release.9 And the fact that McCloud has
been approved by a VA liaison to enter a transitional drug and alcohol
program for veterans—with no reference whatsoever to whether it offers sex
offender treatment or ensures conditions to protect the community—is
insufficient to show he is suitable for treatment in the community.
McCloud also claims his advanced age alone warranted a hearing. We
agree with respondent, however, that McCloud’s vague assertion that
recidivism rates decrease among older male sex offenders is insufficient. We
do not doubt that in other circumstances, allegations of “[t]he ‘sheer passage
of time,’ ” aging, and declining medical condition may be enough to warrant a
hearing on whether a petitioner is suitable for conditional release. (See
LaBlanc, supra, 238 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1075–1076.) But, in this case, Judge
Nelson conducted a hearing with four expert witnesses, and determined
McCloud was not suitable for conditional release in 2018 when McCloud was
63 years old. The mere passage of a year and a half, with no additional
allegations that McCloud’s condition had changed in that time, does not

9 And given that McCloud was found to meet the definition of an SVP in
2011 following a jury trial, and he failed to prove he was no longer an SVP
following an evidentiary hearing in 2018, his citation to a journal article from
2006 (which concerned diagnoses of sex offenders) is insufficient to show he is
entitled to another hearing on whether he meets the definition of an SVP.

11
warrant a hearing. (See Reynolds, supra, 181 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1409–1411
[passage of four years since initial commitment and fact that recidivism rates
drop as offenders age did not establish a prima facie basis for relief
warranting a hearing].)
We further observe that the trial court denied McCloud’s petition both
because it was frivolous and because it did not contain any facts upon which
a court could find that his condition had so changed that a hearing was
warranted. McCloud does not separately dispute the court’s latter rationale
for denying the petition. Under any standard of review, we conclude the trial
court did not err in determining McCloud’s successive petition did not
“contain[] facts upon which a court could find that the condition of the
committed person had so changed that a hearing was warranted.” (§ 6608,
subd. (a).) As a result, the court correctly “den[ied] the subsequent petition.”
(Ibid.)
B. Neither Statute nor Due Process Required Appointment of Counsel or
Appointment of an Expert Before the Trial Court Denied the Petition
Next, McCloud contends the court denied him assistance of counsel and
an expert in violation of his statutory and due process rights.
1. Appointment of Counsel
Section 6608, subdivision (a), provides in part, “The person petitioning
for conditional release under this subdivision shall be entitled to assistance of
counsel in all hearings under this section.” (Italics added.) Under the plain
language of the statute, a person is not entitled to counsel until there is a
hearing. Thus, a person is not entitled to counsel to prepare a petition, and a
person whose petition is denied without a hearing is not entitled to counsel.
This serves the purpose of frivolousness review, which is to avoid
unnecessary administrative burden. (See LaBlanc, supra, 238 Cal.App.4th at

12
p. 1071, fn. 8 [frivolousness review is meant to avoid needless imposition on
the trial court of administrative burden].)
Although McCloud concedes a reasonable reading of section 6608
means “the right to assistance of counsel . . . does not arise . . . until after the
court first determines the petition is deserving of a hearing,” he argues this
interpretation must be rejected because it results in a violation of due
process.10 But we do not believe due process requires the appointment of
counsel before the committed person has set forth facts making a prima facie
case for conditional release.
We rely on case law developed in the context of petitions for
postconviction relief, where courts have held due process does not require the
appointment of counsel before the prisoner makes a prima facie case for
relief. (People v. Shipman (1965) 62 Cal.2d 226, 232; People v. Fryhaat (2019)
35 Cal.App.5th 969, 980–981.) In Shipman, the California Supreme Court
observed, “Unless we make the filing of adequately detailed factual
allegations stating a prima facie case a condition to appointing counsel, there
would be no alternative but to require the state to appoint counsel for every
prisoner who asserts that there may be some possible ground for challenging
his conviction. Neither the United States Constitution nor the California
Constitution compels that alternative.” (Shipman, at p. 232.) There, a
prisoner filed a petition for writ of error coram nobis, and the court held, “in

10 McCloud also asserts the denial of assistance of counsel in the filing
of a petition violates equal protection, but he makes no argument in support
of this claim, and we deem it waived. (See Central Valley Gas Storage, LLC
v. Southam (2017) 11 Cal.App.5th 686, 695 [“ ‘When a point is asserted
without argument and authority for the proposition, “it is deemed to be
without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court” ’ ”].)

13
the absence of adequate factual allegations stating a prima facie case, counsel
need not be appointed . . . .” (Id. at pp. 229, 232.)
The same reasoning applies here. McCloud offers no authority
demonstrating the state or federal constitution compels the state to appoint
counsel for every committed person who seeks conditional release without the
concurrence of the DSH. Therefore, in the absence of adequate factual
allegations stating a prima facie case for conditional release, counsel need not
be appointed.
In sum, we conclude a petitioner is not entitled to appointment of
counsel under section 6608 until the trial court determines the petition
warrants a hearing, and this statutory scheme does not violate due process.
2. Appointment of an Expert
When a hearing is required, section 6608, subdivision (g), provides,
“The committed person shall have the right to the appointment of experts, if
he or she so requests.” McCloud acknowledges this statutory right to
appointment of an expert arises “only in the context of a hearing.” This
means a petitioner must state a prima facie case for conditional release
before section 6608 mandates the appointment of an expert.
McCloud argues this does not satisfy due process. He relies on McKee,
supra, 47 Cal.4th 1172. At the time McKee was decided, section 6608 did not
explicitly provide for the appointment of an expert, and the court construed
the statute in conjunction with section 6605 “to mandate appointment of an
expert for an indigent SVP who petitions the court for release.”11 (Id. at p.
1193.)

11Section 6605, which governs petitions for unconditional discharge,
provides, “The court shall appoint an expert if the person is indigent and
requests an appointment.” (§ 6605, subd. (a)(3).) Petitions for unconditional
discharge, however, differ from petitions for conditional release in that they

14
 McCloud relies on the following reasoning in McKee: “If the state
involuntarily commits someone on the basis of expert opinion about future
dangerousness, places the burden on that person to disprove future
dangerousness, and then makes it difficult for him to access to his own expert
because of his indigence to challenge his continuing commitment, that
schema would indeed raise a serious due process concern.” (McKee, supra, 47
Cal.4th at p. 1192.)
As McCloud recognizes, after McKee was decided, section 6608 was
amended to provide for the appointment of experts when a hearing is
warranted. We conclude this satisfies due process under the same reasoning
that applies to appointment of counsel. If there were no requirement that a
committed person file a petition setting forth a prima facie case for
conditional release, there would be no alternative but to require the state to
appoint an expert every time a committed person seeks conditional release.
We do not believe due process compels this result.
McCloud next argues that his petition should be deemed to have been
made under section 6604.9, subdivision (a). As we have described, section
6604.9 requires annual examinations and reports of SVP committed to state
hospitals. In this context, the statute also provides, “The [committed] person
may retain or, if he or she is indigent and so requests, the court may appoint,
a qualified expert or professional person to examine him or her, and the
expert or professional person shall have access to all records concerning the
person.” (§ 6604.9, subd. (a).)

require authorization from the Director of the DSH. (See §§ 6604.9, subd. (d),
6608, subd. (m); McKee, supra, 47 Cal.4th at p. 1187 [if Department of Mental
Health does not authorize a petition under section 6605, then the committed
person may file for conditional release and after a year on conditional release
may petition for unconditional discharge].)

15
 McCloud’s petition for conditional release did include a request for
appointment of counsel and an expert. But there is no indication that
McCloud’s request for an expert was made under section 6604.9 or was
related to his annual examination. We see no reason to construe the petition
as something other than what it appears to be. McCloud is free to request an
expert examination under section 6604.9, subdivision (a) in the future.12
DISPOSITION
The order denying the petition for conditional release and request for
appointment of counsel and appointment of an expert is affirmed.

12 So, too, McCloud remains free in the future under section 6608 to file
a petition seeking conditional release even without the concurrence of the
director.

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 _________________________
Miller, J.

WE CONCUR:

_________________________
Richman, Acting P.J.

_________________________
Stewart, J.

A158898, People v. McCloud

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