{ "id": 720156, "name": "CHRISTOPHER P., Petitioner, v. STATE of New Mexico, Respondent", "name_abbreviation": "Christopher P. v. State", "decision_date": "1991-08-14", "docket_number": "No. 19375", "first_page": "416", "last_page": "420", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "112 N.M. 416" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "816 P.2d 485" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M.", "id": 8835, "name": "Supreme Court of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "73 L.Ed.2d 1354", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "102 S.Ct. 2965", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "S. Ct.", "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "457 U.S. 1136", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6292065, 6292326, 6290984, 6292941, 6291535, 6293424, 6293648, 6293173, 6291327, 6291767, 6292639 ], "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/457/1136-05", "/us/457/1136-06", "/us/457/1136-01", "/us/457/1136-08", "/us/457/1136-03", "/us/457/1136-10", "/us/457/1136-11", "/us/457/1136-09", "/us/457/1136-02", "/us/457/1136-04", "/us/457/1136-07" ] }, { "cite": "97 N.M. 263", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1555190 ], "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "74-75" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/97/0263-01" ] }, { "cite": "451 U.S. 454", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6187407 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "462-63" }, { "page": "1872-73" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/451/0454-01" ] }, { "cite": "111 P.2d 204", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "207" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "286 Pa.Super. 595", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Pa. Super.", "case_ids": [ 162197 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/pa-super/286/0595-01" ] }, { "cite": "388 So.2d 784", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So. 2d", "case_ids": [ 9588220 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/so2d/388/0784-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 Ariz. 446", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ariz.", "case_ids": [ 719991 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ariz/139/0446-01" ] }, { "cite": "365 So.2d 1022", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So. 2d", "case_ids": [ 9625725 ], "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/so2d/365/1022-01" ] }, { "cite": "365 So.2d 1015", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So. 2d", "case_ids": [ 9625622 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/so2d/365/1015-01" ] }, { "cite": "414 U.S. 70", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 11715156 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1973, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "77" }, { "page": "322" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/414/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "387 U.S. 1", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 11333627 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1967, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "55" }, { "page": "1458" }, { "page": "49" }, { "page": "1455" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/387/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "383 U.S. 541", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6172664 ], "weight": 7, "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "560" }, { "page": "1056-57" }, { "page": "554" }, { "page": "1053" }, { "page": "562" }, { "page": "1057" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/383/0541-01" ] }, { "cite": "428 F.2d 169", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 2239980 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/428/0169-01" ] }, { "cite": "704 P.2d 431", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "103 N.M. 177", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "103 N.M. 233", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 711352 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/103/0233-01" ] }, { "cite": "644 P.2d 1039", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "98 N.M. 50", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "97 N.M. 598", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1555178 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/97/0598-01" ] }, { "cite": "801 P.2d 662", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "case_ids": [ 715061 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/111/0080-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 705, "char_count": 13987, "ocr_confidence": 0.754, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.428598356218878e-08, "percentile": 0.341925146987334 }, "sha256": "06b5a8ff6683bb45976ceb954259c7c6b8207a2e7f5a7b856d33addc98f1f5df", "simhash": "1:e1eca56e364447f1", "word_count": 2162 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:49:39.380170+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "RANSOM and MONTGOMERY, JJ., concur." ], "parties": [ "CHRISTOPHER P., Petitioner, v. STATE of New Mexico, Respondent." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nFRANCHINI, Justice.\nThis children\u2019s court case comes before us on a grant of certiorari. Petitioner Christopher P. was charged in the children\u2019s court division of the district court with two counts of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. At the same time the petition alleging delinquency was filed, the children\u2019s court attorney filed a motion to transfer the matter to the adult division of district court pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 32-1-30 (Repl.Pamp.1989).\nThe transfer proceedings were bifurcated. During the initial stage of the proceedings, the children\u2019s court judge determined there were reasonable grounds to believe the child committed the delinquent acts. See \u00a7 32-1-30, A(5). The subsequent stage of the proceedings addressed whether the child was \u201camenable to treatment or rehabilitation as a child through available facilities.\u201d \u00a7 32-1-30, A(4). Prior to the amenability portion of the transfer proceedings, the children\u2019s court judge ordered that Christopher submit to a psychological evaluation to aid the court in its amenability determination. Over objection of the child\u2019s counsel, the court ordered the child to discuss the alleged, delinquent acts with the psychologist conducting the evaluation. The court also ordered that any information about the alleged incident discussed during the examination could be used only for the amenability portion of the transfer hearing and for no other purpose.\nThe child\u2019s counsel and the children\u2019s court attorneys viewed the evaluation through a one-way mirror. During the evaluation, Christopher described his activities before and during the alleged offenses and the feelings he experienced. The record below reflects that the psychologist\u2019s testimony during the amenability proceedings included specific references to the child\u2019s statements and that, at least in part, the psychologist relied on the child\u2019s statements in reaching his conclusion that Christopher was not amenable to treatment as a child.\nThe children\u2019s court granted the transfer motion. The child appealed on several grounds, including a claim that his fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination guaranteed by the United States Constitution was violated when the children\u2019s court ordered him to discuss the alleged crimes during the psychological evaluation. The court of appeals affirmed the transfer order. Ill N.M. 80, 801 P.2d 662. We now reverse the court of appeals. We consider the question of whether the child\u2019s fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination was violated when the child was compelled to discuss the charges against him during a court ordered psychological examination to be used in determining his amenability to treatment.\nThe child does not contest the authority of the children\u2019s court to order him to submit to a psychological evaluation for the purpose of aiding the court in its determination of the question of amenability. See State v. Doe, 97 N.M. 598, 642 P.2d 201 (Ct.App.) (children\u2019s court may appoint experts for mental examination of child under evidence rule governing court-appointed experts), cert, denied, 98 N.M. 50, 644 P.2d 1039 (1982). However, the child challenges the court\u2019s order that he discuss the specifics of the alleged criminal behavior as compelling him to testify against himself in violation of the fifth amendment.\nThe state argues the transfer proceedings are nonadversarial, determine only the forum in which the child will be tried, and that no penalty or determination of guilt attaches as a result of the proceedings. See State v. Doe, 103 N.M. 233, 704 P.2d 1109 (Ct.App.) (transfer proceedings only decide where the child will be tried), cert. denied, 103 N.M. 177, 704 P.2d 431 (1985). Consequently, the state contends the fifth amendment is not applicable to transfer proceedings and that any potential subsequent violation of the fifth amendment is remedied by the court\u2019s order limiting the use of the child\u2019s statements to those proceedings only.\nThe characterization of the transfer proceedings by the state and the court of appeals diminishes the impact of the proceedings on the child. Among the purposes articulated in our Children\u2019s Code, NMSA 1978, \u00a7\u00a7 32-1-1 to -59 (Repl.Pamp. 1989) is the legislative desire \u201cto remove from children committing delinquent acts the adult consequences of criminal behavior.\u201d \u00a7 32-l-2(B). The emphasis of the Code is to \u201cprovide appropriate and distinct dispositional options for treatment and rehabilitation\u201d of children. \u00a7 32-l-2(D). We also note that a designated purpose of the Code is \u201cto provide judicial and other procedures * * * in which the parties are assured a fair hearing and their constitutional and other legal rights are recognized and enforced.\u201d \u00a7 32-l-2(E). Additionally, children are \u201centitled to the same basic rights as an adult, except as otherwise provided in the Children\u2019s Code.\u201d \u00a7 32-1-27(A).\nTransfer proceedings exempt the child from the conceptual framework and protections the Children\u2019s Code envisions and expose the child to adult criminal liability.\n[T]he waiver [transfer] decision does more than determine a judicial forum for an accused youth. It invokes a jurisprudential philosophy that governs the nature of the proceedings as well as the purpose and severity of the sanctions. It also raises the important issues of when a child is no longer a child and what factors, other than age, are relevant for removing some youths from juvenile court jurisdiction.\nForst & Blomquist, Cracking Down on Juveniles: The Changing Ideology of Youth Corrections, 5 Notre Dame J.L., Eth. & Pub. Pol\u2019y 323, 339 (1991); see also Kemplen v. Maryland, 428 F.2d 169 (4th Cir.1970) (nothing is more critical to the accused than whether the accused will be tried as an adult; waiver proceedings can result in dire consequences for the accused).\nIn a landmark decision regarding the administration of juvenile justice, the United States Supreme Court held that the determination of whether to transfer a child to adult court was a \u201ccritically important\u201d proceeding. Kent v. United States, 383 U.S. 541, 560, 86 S.Ct. 1045, 1056-57, 16 L.Ed.2d 84 (1966). The Court recognized \u201cthere is no place in our system of law for reaching a result of such tremendous consequences without ceremony \u2014 without hearing, without effective assistance of counsel * * Id. at 554, 86 S.Ct. at 1053. Although Kent was decided on statutory rather than constitutional grounds, the Court deemed transfer proceedings \u201cmust measure up to the essentials of due process and fair treatment.\u201d Id. at 562, 86 S.Ct. at 1057.\nIn the wake of Kent, the Supreme Court held the fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination applicable to adjudicatory proceedings in juvenile cases. In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 55, 87 S.Ct. 1428, 1458, 18 L.Ed.2d 527 (1967). Considering the consequences that evolve from transfer, the distinction between adjudicatory and transfer proceedings blurs in the context of the fifth amendment. In Gault, the Court determined that \u201cthe availability of the privilege does not turn upon the type of proceeding in which its protection is invoked, but upon the nature of the statement or admission and the exposure which it invites.\u201d Id. at 49, 87 S.Ct. at 1455. In this case, not only was the child compelled to make inculpatory statements for purposes of the transfer proceedings, his exposure was maximized by the presence of the prosecution during the psychologist's examination.\nThe fifth amendment \u201cnot only protects the individual against being involuntarily called as a witness against himself in a criminal prosecution but also privileges him not to answer official questions put to him in any other proceeding, civil or criminal, formal or informal, where his answers might incriminate him in future criminal proceedings.\u201d Lefkowitz v. Turley, 414 U.S. 70, 77, 94 S.Ct. 316, 322, 38 L.Ed.2d 274 (1973). While the court\u2019s order here barred use of the inculpatory statements in further proceedings, it is difficult to imagine how the prosecution could have failed to gain new insights and information from the child\u2019s statements.\nIn our review of cases from other jurisdictions, we find that a majority of states have upheld the authority of children\u2019s courts to order psychological evaluations for consideration in transfer or waiver proceedings. Most states have recognized this authority in the context of state statutory provisions. However, we find no precedents sanctioning a court order compelling a child to make inculpatory statements in the presence of the prosecution for any purpose.\nIn Lippold v. State, 365 So.2d 1015 (Ala.Crim.App.1978), writ denied, 365 So.2d 1022 (1979), the use of a child\u2019s inculpatory statements in transfer proceedings was not considered error where a psychologist had informed the child his statements could be used against him in the proceedings. Although it was not clear the child understood his rights, there was no indication that any of the child\u2019s statements were compelled.\nThe Arizona Court of Appeals held a psychological evaluation was inadmissible in transfer proceedings, where appropriate limitations were not placed on use of the child\u2019s statements. Had appropriate use limitations been in place, refusal to cooperate could be used as evidence of nonamenability. Compelled inculpatory statements were not at issue, and the court recognized the child\u2019s right to remain silent. Matter of Appeal in Pima County, Juvenile Action No. J-77027-1, 139 Ariz. 446, 679 P.2d 92 (Ct.App.1984).\nIn State in Interest of Bruno, 388 So.2d 784 (La.1980), the trial court\u2019s authority to order a psychological evaluation was upheld against a fifth amendment challenge. While the court held both inculpatory and exculpatory statements were admissible for purposes of the transfer proceedings, there is no indication the court considered whether the child could be compelled to make inculpatory statements during the examination.\nCommonwealth v. Dotson, 286 Pa.Super. 595, 429 A.2d 682 (1981), was decided under a state statute imposing an affirmative duty on the juvenile court to find there were reasonable grounds to believe the child was not committable to an institution for the mentally ill or mentally retarded. The reviewing court held the child could be ordered to cooperate with the examining psychiatrist, and if cooperation was withheld, the child would waive the right to challenge the court\u2019s decision regarding whether he was committable. The court stressed its decision did not deny the child\u2019s right to counsel or to have counsel present at the examination, and additionally permitted the child to remain silent.\nTo our knowledge, only one jurisdiction has determined that under any circumstances, a court ordered psychological evaluation for use in determining amenability violates a child\u2019s fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination. R.H. v. State, 111 P.2d 204 (Alaska Ct.App.1989). The court reaches its conclusion despite elaborate precautions taken by the trial court to produce a sanitized report. Id. at 207. The Alaska court\u2019s analysis relies heavily on Estelle v. Smith, 451 U.S. 454, 101 S.Ct. 1866, 68 L.Ed.2d 359 (1981). In Estelle, the respondent underwent a court ordered psychological evaluation for use in determining his competence to stand trial and was not informed of his right to remain silent. The state later called the psychiatrist who conducted the evaluation to testify during the penalty phase of Smith\u2019s capital murder proceedings. The Court held admission of the psychologist\u2019s testimony violated Smith\u2019s fifth amendment privilege, finding no distinction between the guilt and penalty phases of the proceedings for purposes of the protection provided by the fifth amendment. Id. at 462-63, 101 S.Ct. at 1872-73.\nOur court of appeals considered Estelle in deciding a fifth amendment challenge to admission of a psychologist\u2019s testimony in transfer proceedings following a court ordered evaluation. State v. Doe, 97 N.M. 263, 639 P.2d 72 (Ct.App.1981), cert. denied, 98 N.M. 50, 644 P.2d 1039, cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1136, 102 S.Ct. 2965, 73 L.Ed.2d 1354 (1982). The court distinguished Estelle, finding no self-incriminating statements in the record before it. Id. at 265-66, 639 P.2d at 74-75. No such distinction exists in this ease. The record before us is replete with inculpatory statements elicited from the child.\nHaving considered the nature and implications of juvenile transfer proceedings, we adopt the position that these proceedings are a critical stage in a child\u2019s involvement with the juvenile justice system. The provisions of the Children\u2019s Code cited herein, read in the light of Kent, Gault, and Estelle, compel our holding that the fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination extends to transfer proceedings initiated pursuant to Section 32-1-30. We do not suggest the privilege excludes a court ordered evaluation properly limited in scope. We do conclude the child\u2019s fifth amendment rights were violated in the proceedings below by the court\u2019s order compelling him to discuss the alleged offenses with the psychologist without the advice of counsel.\nAccordingly, we reverse the court of appeals and remand this matter for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. We also instruct the children\u2019s court to consider whether it is appropriate for the children\u2019s court attorneys who participated in the transfer proceedings to continue in the prosecution of this matter, given their knowledge of the compelled statements.\nIT IS SO ORDERED.\nRANSOM and MONTGOMERY, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "FRANCHINI, Justice." } ], "attorneys": [ "Billy R. Blackburn, Albuquerque, for petitioner.", "Jacquelyn Robins, Chief Public Defender, Hollis Whitson, Appellate Defender, Santa Fe, for amicus curiae.", "Tom Udall, Atty. Gen., Katherine Zinn, Asst. Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, for respondent." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "816 P.2d 485\nCHRISTOPHER P., Petitioner, v. STATE of New Mexico, Respondent.\nNo. 19375.\nSupreme Court of New Mexico.\nAug. 14, 1991.\nBilly R. Blackburn, Albuquerque, for petitioner.\nJacquelyn Robins, Chief Public Defender, Hollis Whitson, Appellate Defender, Santa Fe, for amicus curiae.\nTom Udall, Atty. Gen., Katherine Zinn, Asst. Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, for respondent." }, "file_name": "0416-01", "first_page_order": 450, "last_page_order": 454 }