H-2070.2  _______________________________________________

 

                    SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1610

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

 

By House Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Representatives Delvin, Costa, Ballasiotes, Padden, Tokuda, Kremen, Chappell, Morris, Campbell, Hatfield, Cody, Regala, Romero, Hickel, Sheldon, Robertson and Kessler)

 

Read first time 03/01/95.

 

Increasing involvement of victims in criminal prosecutions.



    AN ACT Relating to increasing the involvement of victims in the prosecution of criminal cases; amending RCW 9.94A.080 and 9.94A.090; and reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.440.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 9.94A.080 and 1981 c 137 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

    The prosecutor and the attorney for the defendant, or the defendant when acting pro se, may engage in discussions with a view toward reaching an agreement that, upon the entering of a plea to a charged offense or to a lesser or related offense, the prosecutor will do any of the following:

    (1) Move for dismissal of other charges or counts;

    (2) Recommend a particular sentence within the sentence range applicable to the offense or offenses to which the offender pled guilty;

    (3) Recommend a particular sentence outside of the sentence range;

    (4) Agree to file a particular charge or count;

    (5) Agree not to file other charges or counts; or

    (6) Make any other promise to the defendant, except that in no instance may the prosecutor agree not to allege prior convictions.

    In a case involving a crime against persons as defined in RCW 9.94A.440, the prosecutor shall make reasonable efforts to inform the victim of the violent offense of the nature of and reasons for the plea agreement, including all offenses the prosecutor has agreed not to file, and ascertain any objections or comments the victim has to the plea agreement.

    The court shall not participate in any discussions under this section.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 9.94A.090 and 1984 c 209 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) If a plea agreement has been reached by the prosecutor and the defendant pursuant to RCW 9.94A.080, they shall at the time of the defendant's plea state to the court, on the record, the nature of the agreement and the reasons for the agreement.  The prosecutor shall inform the court on the record whether the victim or victims of all crimes against persons, as defined in RCW 9.94A.440, covered by the plea agreement have expressed any objections to or comments on the nature of and reasons for the plea agreement.  The court, at the time of the plea, shall determine if the agreement is consistent with the interests of justice and with the prosecuting standards.  The court shall consider the objections and comments of the victim of a crime against persons covered in the plea agreement in determining whether the plea agreement is consistent with the interests of justice and the prosecuting standards.  If the court determines it is not consistent with the interests of justice and with the prosecuting standards, the court shall, on the record, inform the defendant and the prosecutor that they are not bound by the agreement and that the defendant may withdraw the defendant's plea of guilty, if one has been made, and enter a plea of not guilty.

    (2) The sentencing judge is not bound by any recommendations contained in an allowed plea agreement and the defendant shall be so informed at the time of plea.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 9.94A.440 and 1992 c 145 s 11 and 1992 c 75 s 5 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    (1) Decision not to prosecute.

    STANDARD:  A prosecuting attorney may decline to prosecute, even though technically sufficient evidence to prosecute exists, in situations where prosecution would serve no public purpose, would defeat the underlying purpose of the law in question or would result in decreased respect for the law.

    GUIDELINE/COMMENTARY:

    Examples

    The following are examples of reasons not to prosecute which could satisfy the standard.

    (a) Contrary to Legislative Intent - It may be proper to decline to charge where the application of criminal sanctions would be clearly contrary to the intent of the legislature in enacting the particular statute.

    (b) Antiquated Statute - It may be proper to decline to charge where the statute in question is antiquated in that:

    (i) It has not been enforced for many years; and

    (ii) Most members of society act as if it were no longer in existence; and

    (iii) It serves no deterrent or protective purpose in today's society; and

    (iv) The statute has not been recently reconsidered by the legislature.

    This reason is not to be construed as the basis for declining cases because the law in question is unpopular or because it is difficult to enforce.

    (c) De Minimus Violation - It may be proper to decline to charge where the violation of law is only technical or insubstantial and where no public interest or deterrent purpose would be served by prosecution.

    (d) Confinement on Other Charges - It may be proper to decline to charge because the accused has been sentenced on another charge to a lengthy period of confinement; and

    (i) Conviction of the new offense would not merit any additional direct or collateral punishment;

    (ii) The new offense is either a misdemeanor or a felony which is not particularly aggravated; and

    (iii) Conviction of the new offense would not serve any significant deterrent purpose.

    (e) Pending Conviction on Another Charge - It may be proper to decline to charge because the accused is facing a pending prosecution in the same or another county; and

    (i) Conviction of the new offense would not merit any additional direct or collateral punishment;

    (ii) Conviction in the pending prosecution is imminent;

    (iii) The new offense is either a misdemeanor or a felony which is not particularly aggravated; and

    (iv) Conviction of the new offense would not serve any significant deterrent purpose.

    (f) High Disproportionate Cost of Prosecution - It may be proper to decline to charge where the cost of locating or transporting, or the burden on, prosecution witnesses is highly disproportionate to the importance of prosecuting the offense in question.  This reason should be limited to minor cases and should not be relied upon in serious cases.

    (g) Improper Motives of Complainant - It may be proper to decline charges because the motives of the complainant are improper and prosecution would serve no public purpose, would defeat the underlying purpose of the law in question or would result in decreased respect for the law.

    (h) Immunity - It may be proper to decline to charge where immunity is to be given to an accused in order to prosecute another where the accused's information or testimony will reasonably lead to the conviction of others who are responsible for more serious criminal conduct or who represent a greater danger to the public interest.

    (i) Victim Request - It may be proper to decline to charge because the victim requests that no criminal charges be filed and the case involves the following crimes or situations:

    (i) Assault cases where the victim has suffered little or no injury;

    (ii) Crimes against property, not involving violence, where no major loss was suffered;

    (iii) Where doing so would not jeopardize the safety of society.

    Care should be taken to insure that the victim's request is freely made and is not the product of threats or pressure by the accused.

    The presence of these factors may also justify the decision to dismiss a prosecution which has been commenced.

    Notification

    The prosecutor is encouraged to notify the victim, when practical, and the law enforcement personnel, of the decision not to prosecute.

    (2) Decision to prosecute.

    STANDARD:

    Crimes against persons will be filed if sufficient admissible evidence exists, which, when considered with the most plausible, reasonably foreseeable defense that could be raised under the evidence, would justify conviction by a reasonable and objective fact-finder.  With regard to offenses prohibited by RCW 9A.44.040, 9A.44.050, 9A.44.073, 9A.44.076, 9A.44.079, 9A.44.083, 9A.44.086, 9A.44.089, and 9A.64.020 the prosecutor should avoid prefiling agreements or diversions intended to place the accused in a program of treatment or counseling, so that treatment, if determined to be beneficial, can be provided pursuant to RCW 9.94A.120(7).

    Crimes against property/other crimes will be filed if the admissible evidence is of such convincing force as to make it probable that a reasonable and objective fact-finder would convict after hearing all the admissible evidence and the most plausible defense that could be raised.

    See table below for the crimes within these categories.

 

        CATEGORIZATION OF CRIMES FOR PROSECUTING STANDARDS

 

    CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS

    Aggravated Murder

    1st Degree Murder

    2nd Degree Murder

    1st Degree Kidnaping

    1st Degree Assault

    1st Degree Assault of a Child

    1st Degree Rape

    1st Degree Robbery

    1st Degree Rape of a Child

    1st Degree Arson

    2nd Degree Kidnaping

    2nd Degree Assault

    2nd Degree Assault of a Child

    2nd Degree Rape

    2nd Degree Robbery

    1st Degree Burglary

    1st Degree Manslaughter

    2nd Degree Manslaughter

    1st Degree Extortion

    Indecent Liberties

    Incest

    2nd Degree Rape of a Child

    Vehicular Homicide

    Vehicular Assault

    3rd Degree Rape

    3rd Degree Rape of a Child

    1st Degree Child Molestation

    2nd Degree Child Molestation

    3rd Degree Child Molestation

    2nd Degree Extortion

    1st Degree Promoting Prostitution

    Intimidating a Juror

    Communication with a Minor

    Intimidating a Witness

    Intimidating a Public Servant

    Bomb Threat (if against person)

    3rd Degree Assault

    3rd Degree Assault of a Child

    Unlawful Imprisonment

    Promoting a Suicide Attempt

    Riot (if against person)

 

    CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY/OTHER CRIMES

    2nd Degree Arson

    1st Degree Escape

    2nd Degree Burglary

    1st Degree Theft

    1st Degree Perjury

    1st Degree Introducing Contraband

    1st Degree Possession of Stolen Property

    Bribery

    Bribing a Witness

    Bribe received by a Witness

    Bomb Threat (if against property)

    1st Degree Malicious Mischief

    2nd Degree Theft

    2nd Degree Escape

    2nd Degree Introducing Contraband

    2nd Degree Possession of Stolen Property

    2nd Degree Malicious Mischief

    1st Degree Reckless Burning

    Taking a Motor Vehicle without Authorization

    Forgery

    2nd Degree Perjury

    2nd Degree Promoting Prostitution

    Tampering with a Witness

    Trading in Public Office

    Trading in Special Influence

    Receiving/Granting Unlawful Compensation

    Bigamy

    Eluding a Pursuing Police Vehicle

    Willful Failure to Return from Furlough

    Escape from Community Custody

    Riot (if against property)

    Thefts of Livestock

 

    ALL OTHER UNCLASSIFIED FELONIES

    Selection of Charges/Degree of Charge

    (1) The prosecutor should file charges which adequately describe the nature of defendant's conduct.  Other offenses may be charged only if they are necessary to ensure that the charges:

    (a) Will significantly enhance the strength of the state's case at trial; or

    (b) Will result in restitution to all victims.

    (2) The prosecutor should not overcharge to obtain a guilty plea.  Overcharging includes:

    (a) Charging a higher degree;

    (b) Charging additional counts.

    This standard is intended to direct prosecutors to charge those crimes which demonstrate the nature and seriousness of a defendant's criminal conduct, but to decline to charge crimes which are not necessary to such an indication.  Crimes which do not merge as a matter of law, but which arise from the same course of conduct, do not all have to be charged.

 

    GUIDELINES/COMMENTARY:

    Police Investigation

    A prosecuting attorney is dependent upon law enforcement agencies to conduct the necessary factual investigation which must precede the decision to prosecute.  The prosecuting attorney shall ensure that a thorough factual investigation has been conducted before a decision to prosecute is made.  In ordinary circumstances the investigation should include the following:

    (1) The interviewing of all material witnesses, together with the obtaining of written statements whenever possible;

    (2) The completion of necessary laboratory tests; and

    (3) The obtaining, in accordance with constitutional requirements, of the suspect's version of the events.

    If the initial investigation is incomplete, a prosecuting attorney should insist upon further investigation before a decision to prosecute is made, and specify what the investigation needs to include.

    Exceptions

    In certain situations, a prosecuting attorney may authorize filing of a criminal complaint before the investigation is complete if:

    (1) Probable cause exists to believe the suspect is guilty; and

    (2) The suspect presents a danger to the community or is likely to flee if not apprehended; or

    (3) The arrest of the suspect is necessary to complete the investigation of the crime.

    In the event that the exception to the standard is applied, the prosecuting attorney shall obtain a commitment from the law enforcement agency involved to complete the investigation in a timely manner.  If the subsequent investigation does not produce sufficient evidence to meet the normal charging standard, the complaint should be dismissed.

    Investigation Techniques

    The prosecutor should be fully advised of the investigatory techniques that were used in the case investigation including:

    (1) Polygraph testing;

    (2) Hypnosis;

    (3) Electronic surveillance;

    (4) Use of informants.

    Pre-Filing Discussions with Defendant

    Discussions with the defendant or his/her representative regarding the selection or disposition of charges may occur prior to the filing of charges, and potential agreements can be reached.

    Pre-Filing Discussions with Victim(s)

    Discussions with the victim(s) or victims' representatives regarding the selection or disposition of charges may occur before the filing of charges.  The discussions may be considered by the prosecutor in charging and disposition decisions, and should be considered before reaching any agreement with the defendant regarding these decisions.

 


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