Missouri Cases February 23, 2021: State ex rel. Hunt v. Seay

Case Description

TYLER P. COYLE, Columbia, Mo, for Relator.

HONORABLE MEGAN SEAY, Salem, Mo - Respondent Acting Pro Se.

(Lynch, J., Burrell, J., and Sheffield, J.)

PER CURIAM.

PERMANENT WRIT IN MANDAMUS ISSUED

Michael Shawn Hunt ("Relator") filed a petition for writ of mandamus asking this Court to vacate an order of the circuit court ("Respondent") which denied his release on probation. Finding no evidence to support Respondent's conclusion that probation was not appropriate, the Court hereby issues its permanent writ in mandamus directing Respondent to vacate the order of March 23, 2020, and grant Relator's release on probation pursuant to section 559.115.3.

The facts are not in dispute. Relator was charged with the class D felony of hindering a prosecution in August 2014. The trial court suspended the imposition of his sentence and placed him on three years’ probation in May 2018. That term of probation was revoked in December 2019 for a failure to report. Respondent then executed a four-year sentence, but retained jurisdiction for 120 days under section 559.115.3 (commonly known as the shock incarceration program ("SIP")). On March 3, 2020, the Department of Corrections ("DOC") issued a "Notice of Statutory Discharge" finding that his participation in the SIP was "acceptable." The notice stated that, "[u]nless otherwise ordered by the Court, [Relator]’s statutory discharge will be effective 04/03/20."

On March 23, 2020, Respondent held a hearing pursuant to section 559.115. At the conclusion of the hearing, Respondent found as follows:

At this time [Respondent] is going to find that it would be an abuse of discretion to release [Relator]. The Court is going to Order that [Relator]’s four-year sentence be executed. [Respondent]’s opinion in this situation was that I was hesitant to actually even accept the plea bargain at the time given the severity of his involvement in my opinion with the loss of a life and therefore I do believe that [Relator] would not be a successful candidate on probation. [Relator's] been on probation that's the reason he came back before me is that he didn't successfully complete probation so therefore I'm going to execute his sentence.

Respondent then entered a formal order on March 23, 2020, wherein Respondent

[622 S.W.3d 187]

found that Relator successfully completed the SIP, but determined that it would be an abuse of discretion to release him under section 559.115.

"The procedural means for challenging the denial of probation is through a writ of mandamus." State ex rel. Cullen v. Cardona , 568 S.W.3d 492, 494 (Mo. App. E.D. 2019). One seeking mandamus relief must prove a clear and unequivocal right to the thing claimed. State ex rel. Young v. Wood , 254 S.W.3d 871, 872 (Mo. banc 2008). "This Court reviews a writ of mandamus for an abuse of discretion.... if the respondent's actions are wrong as a matter of law, then he or she has abused any discretion he or she may have had, and mandamus is appropriate." State ex rel. Valentine v. Orr , 366 S.W.3d 534, 538 (Mo. banc 2012) (citations omitted). "We must defer to the lower court's factual findings where they are supported by competent and substantial evidence, but we review legal questions de novo." State ex rel. Upshaw v. Cardona , 606 S.W.3d 228, 230 (Mo. App. E.D. 2020).

Under section 559.115.3, the trial court is "required" to release an offender on probation if he or she successfully completes the program absent a finding that probation would not be appropriate. State ex rel. Mertens v. Brown , 198 S.W.3d 616, 618 (Mo. banc 2006) ; see also section 559.115.3 (offender "shall be released on probation" absent the proper finding). A trial court's "determination that probation was not appropriate must be supported by evidence." Cullen , 568 S.W.3d at 495 (discussing identical language in section 217.362 ); see also Upshaw , 606 S.W.3d at 230-31 (holding that a finding that probation would not be appropriate under section 217.362 must be supported by competent evidence in the record).

Here, Respondent has failed to point to evidence in the record that would justify a finding that probation would not be appropriate in Relator's case. Relator was assigned to the SIP and DOC advised Respondent of Relator's successful completion. Although Relator was given a statutory discharge date, Respondent revoked his release due to second thoughts regarding Relator's involvement in a serious crime and his unsuccessful completion of a prior probationary term.

"Pre-sentencing evidence does not, by itself, make [Relator] unfit for probation." State ex rel. Beggs v. Dormire , 91 S.W.3d 605, 607 (Mo. banc 2002) (eight prior convictions, one may have been a violent offense, and numerous failures to appear). "In making its determination whether an offender is fit or unfit for probation, a court may look to evidence concerning the offender's conduct prior to sentencing. However, it may not base its decision exclusively upon that evidence." State ex rel. Dane v. State , 115 S.W.3d 876, 878 (Mo. App. W.D. 2003). The only rationale Respondent provides constitutes pre-sentencing evidence (nature of the crime and prior probation) which, standing alone, is insufficient as a matter of law to support a finding that probation would not be appropriate under section 559.115.3.

[622 S.W.3d 188]

Accordingly, the Court hereby issues its permanent writ in mandamus directing Respondent to vacate the order of March 23, 2020, and grant Relator's release on probation pursuant to section 559.115.3.