{ "id": 731648, "name": "In the Matter of DANNY R., a Child, and Jesus and Felipa R., His Parents", "name_abbreviation": "In re Danny R.", "decision_date": "1992-05-21", "docket_number": "No. 12531", "first_page": "315", "last_page": "319", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "114 N.M. 315" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "838 P.2d 469" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M. Ct. App.", "id": 9025, "name": "Court of Appeals of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "113 N.M. 324", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 723297 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "329" }, { "page": "619" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/113/0324-01" ] }, { "cite": "888 F.2d 732", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 10533809 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "742" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/888/0732-01" ] }, { "cite": "680 S.W.2d 310", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 9936253 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "314" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw2d/680/0310-01" ] }, { "cite": "109 N.M. 792", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1590262 ], "weight": 4, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "794-95" }, { "page": "69-70" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/109/0792-01" ] }, { "cite": "103 N.M. 778", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 711408 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "780" }, { "page": "584" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/103/0778-01" ] }, { "cite": "91 N.M. 476", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1571189 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "477", "parenthetical": "quoting NMSA 1953, \u00a7 13-14-2(B)" }, { "page": "283", "parenthetical": "quoting NMSA 1953, \u00a7 13-14-2(B)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/91/0476-01" ] }, { "cite": "100 N.M. 678", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1588538 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/100/0678-01" ] }, { "cite": "82 N.M. 508", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5327583 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/82/0508-01" ] }, { "cite": "83 N.M. 42", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5332911 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "44" }, { "page": "1349" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/83/0042-01" ] }, { "cite": "110 N.M. 723", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 716914 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "728-29" }, { "page": "597-98" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/110/0723-01" ] }, { "cite": "90 N.M. 319", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2869816 ], "weight": 4, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "322" }, { "page": "116", "parenthetical": "evidence was sufficient to show that the defendant intended to convert money after it was entrusted to him and thus to support a conviction for embezzlement; the defendant had been alternatively charged with fraud" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/90/0319-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 811, "char_count": 16035, "ocr_confidence": 0.78, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.4916476050659184e-08, "percentile": 0.28119168337613504 }, "sha256": "115826c5095549fcabc4ba5d30fc800659669c05319033fd06004e9d9321c68e", "simhash": "1:d76345168ee896c1", "word_count": 2612 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:11:13.314573+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "BIVINS and BLACK, JJ., concur." ], "parties": [ "In the Matter of DANNY R., a Child, and Jesus and Felipa R., His Parents." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nMINZNER, Judge.\nThe child, who was born on November 27, 1971, appeals the revocation of his probation for embezzlement, contrary to NMSA 1978, Section 30-16-8 (Cum.Supp. 1991), arguing that (1) \u201c[t]he state is barred, by public policy considerations, from prosecuting [him] for embezzlement because he breached the conspiracy,\u201d and (2) \u201c \u2018[e]ntrustment\u2019 under the embezzlement statute should not include entrustment made pursuant to a criminal conspiracy.\u201d We affirm.\nThe relevant facts of this case are as follows. The child was adjudicated a delinquent in August 1988 because he allowed himself to be served alcohol. See NMSA 1978, \u00a7 32-l-3(0)(2) (Repl.Pamp.1989). The children\u2019s court placed him on probation \u201cfor an indeterminate period not to exceed two years\u201d following adjudication and, among other conditions, ordered that he sign a Juvenile Probation Agreement. The Juvenile Probation Agreement provided, among other conditions, that he was to \u201ccomply with all federal, state, county and municipal laws and ordinances,\u201d \u201cnot consume or partake of any controlled substances or alcoholic beverages,\u201d and \u201cnot associate with any person(s) who may be involved in any unlawful acts.\u201d The agreement also obligated the child to attend \u201cFirst Offenders Program through Border Area Mental Health Services and cooperate with them.\u201d\nThe petition to revoke probation filed in March 1990 alleged that the child violated the condition in the Juvenile Probation Agreement that he comply with state law because he committed the delinquent acts of conspiracy and embezzlement on or about August 31, 1989. The petition also alleged that the child \u201cfailed to complete the First Offenders Program.\u201d The allegations regarding conspiracy and failure to complete the program were dismissed prior to the entry of the judgment from which he appeals.\nAt a hearing before the children\u2019s court judge, the child admitted certain allegations of the petition to revoke his probation. He admitted the allegations contained in the second count, that he had been entrusted with sixty dollars by an undercover police officer to purchase marijuana and had converted the money with fraudulent intent to deprive its owner, Tri City Narcotic Enforcement Unit. At that hearing, he orally reserved the right to appeal the following question: \u201cCan it be a crime to embezzle money that was entrusted to him to commit a crime?\u201d But cf. State v. Ortiz, 90 N.M. 319, 563 P.2d 113 (Ct.App.1977) (where defendant, through a police informant, met with Drug Enforcement Administration agents and agreed to purchase heroin for a fixed sum, but disappeared after taking the money, there was sufficient evidence to support a conviction for embezzlement).\nUnder the terms of the judgment from which the child appeals, the children\u2019s court again placed him on probation \u201cfor an indeterminate period of time not to exceed two years.\u201d The court conditioned probation on the child signing a juvenile probation agreement and abiding by its terms. The court ordered that he be committed to the juvenile detention facility for fifteen days, but authorized the juvenile probation officer to credit up to fifteen days of detention if by August 31, 1990 (1) the child repaid the sixty dollars; (2) either paid a seventy-five dollar fine or performed forty hours of community service; and (3) showed verification that he had attended at least six AA meetings. The operation of the judgment was stayed pending appeal.\nOn appeal, the argument reserved at the children\u2019s court hearing seems to have been restated or refined into two arguments. In each argument the child contends, in effect, that Section 30-16-8 should not be construed to encompass his actions underlying the second count of the petition.\nThe first argument made on appeal is that the child has done nothing more than fail to perform an oral sales contract. Based on cases from other jurisdictions, he argues that the legislature never intended that breach of contract be prosecuted as a crime. The child may be arguing that when an action or series of actions can be viewed as a breach of contract, it cannot be prosecuted as a crime. If so, the argument is too broad.\nAs we recently indicated in State v. Crews, 110 N.M. 723, 728-29, 799 P.2d 592, 597-98 (Ct.App.1989), the fact that a breach of contract may be unenforceable in a civil action does not preclude a prosecution for criminal fraud. The success of such a prosecution will depend on whether there is sufficient proof of each of the elements required for conviction by the legislature when it enacted the statute. On these facts, the validity of a conviction for embezzlement would seem to turn on whether there was sufficient evidence that the child had received the money with a specific understanding that it was to be used for a particular purpose and only for that purpose.\nThus, with respect to the first argument raised on appeal, the proper disposition depends on whether the officer can be said to have \u201centrusted\u201d the child with the money and whether the child can be said to have \u201cconverted\u201d the money with \u201cfraudulent intent.\u201d Under our case law, the existence of an entrustment for purposes of embezzlement requires a determination of whether the money was committed or surrendered \u201c \u2018with a certain confidence regarding [the child\u2019s] care, use, or disposal.\u2019 \u201d See State v. Moss, 83 N.M. 42, 44, 487 P.2d 1347, 1349 (Ct.App.1971) (quoting Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary (1966)). Under the Uniform Jury Instruction, \u201c \u2018[converting something to one\u2019s own use\u2019 means keeping another\u2019s property rather than returning it, or using another\u2019s property for one\u2019s own purpose rather than for the purpose\u201d intended by the owner. See SCRA 1986, 14-1641.\nHere, there was no indication that the child knew the officer was working undercover. There was also no indication that the officer had any particular reason to place confidence in the child. Finally, there was no indication regarding when the child formed his intent to convert. Cf. Ortiz, 90 N.M. at 322, 563 P.2d at 116 (evidence was sufficient to show that the defendant intended to convert money after it was entrusted to him and thus to support a conviction for embezzlement; the defendant had been alternatively charged with fraud). Thus, there may have been an insufficient factual basis for concluding that the child had taken the property of another. See 2 Wayne R. LaFave & Austin W. Scott, Jr., Substantive Criminal Law \u00a7 8.6(d) (1986); see also Model Penal Code \u00a7 223.8 commentary at 255-56, 262-66 (1980).\nNevertheless, the child admitted all the elements of the crime, including entrustment. We think he is bound by his admission and, without withdrawing that admission, may not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support the elements of entrustment. See State v. Bonney, 82 N.M. 508, 484 P.2d 350 (Ct.App.1971).\nWith respect.to the second argument made on appeal, we believe the theory advanced by the child is contrary to Section 30-16-8. The child argues that he did not \u201clawfully\u201d possess the money because the agreement was illegal, and that unless he was in lawful possession, he was not guilty of embezzlement. See State v. Pedroncelli, 100 N.M. 678, 675 P.2d 127 (1984). However, neither the statute nor the Uniform Jury Instruction supports this argument. Under Section 30-16-8, the question is whether there has been a conversion with fraudulent intent following an entrustment. Under Uniform Jury Instruction 14-1641, the question is whether there has been a conversion following an entrustment, and \u201cconversion\u201d is defined as keep-, ing another\u2019s property or using it for one\u2019s own purpose rather than for the purpose intended by the owner. There is no exclusion from entrustment for contraband or money used to obtain contraband, and there is no requirement that the state prove a defendant was in lawful possession.\nNotwithstanding the foregoing, this appeal raises another issue, which is whether the fact that this case arises under the Children\u2019s Code requires a different result than this court reached in Ortiz. The Children\u2019s Code is \u201cintended to protect children from the consequences of their own acts so long as it is \u2018consistent with the protection of the public interest.\u2019 \u201d State v. Favela, 91 N.M. 476, 477, 576 P.2d 282, 283 (1978) (quoting NMSA 1953, \u00a7 13-14-2(B)), overruled on other grounds by State v. Pitts, 103 N.M. 778, 780, 714 P.2d 582, 584 (1986). Thus, we hold that this case presents additional policy concerns not present in Ortiz. After a remand for an evidentiary hearing, however, we conclude that the children\u2019s court order should be affirmed.\nWe think there are several specific policies underlying the Code that are relevant to this case. For example, the Code was enacted to \u201cprovide for the care, protection and wholesome mental and physical development of children.\u201d NMSA 1978, \u00a7 32-1-2(A) (Repl.Pamp.1989). Further, the Code was designed \u201cto provide a program of supervision, care and rehabilitation.\u201d \u00a7 32 \u2014 1\u20142(B); see State v. Henry L., 109 N.M. 792, 791 P.2d 67 (Ct.App.1990). \u201cA judgment in proceedings on a petition under the Children\u2019s Code shall not be deemed a conviction of crime____\u201d NMSA 1978, \u00a7 32-1-33 (Repl.Pamp.1989). Finally, the Code was enacted \u201cto provide effective deterrents to acts of juvenile delinquency.\u201d \u00a7 32-l-2(F).\nChildren on probation under the Children\u2019s Code, unlike adults, receive no credit for the time served on probation. See Henry L., 109 N.M. at 794-95, 791 P.2d at 69-70. Jurisdiction obtained by the children\u2019s court over a child is retained until it is terminated by court order or automatically terminated by an event specified by statute. See NMSA 1978, \u00a7 32-l-12(A) (Repl.Pamp.1989).\nThe Juvenile Probation Agreement the child signed must be construed in light of the legislature\u2019s intent in enacting the Code and the nature of probation under the Code. In determining whether the child breached the agreement in this case, the children\u2019s court was entitled to take into account the child\u2019s reason for not making the purchase, as well as whether the officer who gave the child the money knew he was on probation.\nThe act underlying revocation of probation might have resulted from a decision not to purchase marijuana that was entirely consistent with the child\u2019s commitments to abide by state law and to avoid associating with those \u201cwho may be involved in any unlawful acts.\u201d If in refusing to purchase marijuana the child attempted to honor these commitments, in effect he would have made a decision not to breach the agreement. Under these circumstances, affirming the order revoking probation would be inconsistent with the purposes of the Children\u2019s Code. On such facts, it would be more appropriate to construe the agreement as honored. See State v. Neal, 680 S.W.2d 310, 314 (Mo.Ct.App.1984) (\u201cDealing or purporting to deal with an illegal substance ... might create more of an incentive for a change of mind.\u201d). At least one court has disapproved practices of drug enforcement agents who place a defendant in a \u201cCatch-22\u201d situation. See United States v. Kelly, 888 F.2d 732, 742 (11th Cir.1989) (\u201c[W]e cannot accept the \u2018Catch-22\u2019 theory that [defendant], by refusing to aid or abet the transfer of the cocaine out of [his client\u2019s] possession (as the Government\u2019s sting operation intended), thereby , criminally aided and abetted [his client\u2019s] continued possession.\u201d).\nIf the officer who gave the child sixty dollars to purchase marijuana knew he was on probation, the officer might have acted in a manner antithetical to the purposes of the Children\u2019s Code. Cf. NMSA 1978, \u00a7 30-6-3 (Cum.Supp.1991) (defining contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a fourth degree felony). Knowingly soliciting this particular child\u2019s participation in a drug purchase arguably could be viewed as inconsistent with his \u201cwholesome mental and physical development\u201d and with \u201ca program of supervision, care and rehabilitation.\u201d \u00a7 32-l-2(A), (B); cf. State v. Skeetz, 113 N.M. 324, 329, 825 P.2d 614, 619 (Ct.App.1991) (\u201c[W]e do not believe that the war on drugs should be waged by creating more addicts____\u201d).\nFor these reasons, we initially proposed to conclude the state failed to prove a breach of the agreement that justifies revocation of the child\u2019s probation, and thus the state failed to make a sufficient showing to support the order revoking probation. See generally NMSA 1978, \u00a7 32-1-43 (Repl.Pamp.1989) (probation and parole revocation; disposition). Having come to a tentative resolution of this appeal, we ordered that a copy of the proposed disposition be served on the parties to the appeal and invited the state\u2019s response. The state\u2019s memorandum in opposition persuaded us that the propriety of the proposed disposition depended on facts not in the record. Accordingly, we remanded for an evidentiary hearing on the factual issues raised by the state\u2019s memorandum.\nThe children\u2019s court made findings and the clerk forwarded a supplemental record. The supplemental record contains an order dated June 28, 1991, after this case had been fully briefed but before it was submitted to a panel for decision, closing the case on the ground that \u201cit is in the best interest of the child that the probationary supervision be terminated at this time.\u201d The order recites that it was entered pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 32-l-38(D) (Repl.Pamp.1989), which states: \u201cA child shall be released by an agency and probation ... shall be terminated by probation services ... when it appears that the purpose of the order has been achieved before the expiration of the period of the judgment.\u201d We believe that the decision to terminate probation is evidence that the disposition the children\u2019s court made after rendering judgment was in this child\u2019s best interest. We are not persuaded, however, that the appeal then became moot. See \u00a7 32-1-33 (disposition not admissible except in sentencing proceedings after conviction of a felony for purpose of a presentence study and report).\nThe findings made on remand provide no basis for a conclusion that the child made a decision not to commit a crime. Ordinarily, since a showing of a deliberate decision not to commit a crime is in the nature of an affirmative defense, we think the burden rested with the child to make that showing. The findings made on remand do establish that the officer who approached the child did not know he was on probation. Thus, the findings made on remand support a conclusion that the child breached the condition imposed by the agreement he signed in 1988 to abide by state law. He breached that agreement by the act of embezzlement he admitted. The record does not support any other construction of his act, nor on these facts is there a policy justification for excusing the act and setting aside the judgment.\nWe conclude on the basis of the supplemental record in this case that the order from which the child appealed should be affirmed. We expressly hold that once mandate issues from this court, the children\u2019s court\u2019s jurisdiction over the child with respect to the act for which his probation was revoked will have ended. See \u00a7 32-l-12(A). The order we have affirmed left the child on probation subject to conditions, but since his probation has been terminated, the conditions on which probation depended are no longer enforceable. Further, the child is now twenty. Therefore, the decision of the children\u2019s court is affirmed. The jurisdiction of the children\u2019s court over the child will terminate once mandate issues from this court.\nIT IS SO ORDERED.\nBIVINS and BLACK, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "MINZNER, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Tom Udall, Atty. Gen., Max Shepherd, Asst. Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, for appellee.", "Sammy R. Quintana, Chief Public Defender, Hollis Ann Whitson, Appellate Defender, Santa Fe, for the Child." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "838 P.2d 469\nIn the Matter of DANNY R., a Child, and Jesus and Felipa R., His Parents.\nNo. 12531.\nCourt of Appeals of New Mexico.\nMay 21, 1992.\nRehearing Denied July 20, 1992.\nCertiorari Denied Aug. 25, 1992.\nTom Udall, Atty. Gen., Max Shepherd, Asst. Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, for appellee.\nSammy R. Quintana, Chief Public Defender, Hollis Ann Whitson, Appellate Defender, Santa Fe, for the Child." }, "file_name": "0315-01", "first_page_order": 349, "last_page_order": 353 }