* State of Washington v. Jacob Daniel Level

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
STATE OF WASHINGTON,
Respondent,
v.
JACOB DANIEL LEVEL,
Appellant.
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No. 37463-7-III
PUBLISHED OPINION
PENNELL, C.J. — Jacob Level appeals his conviction for unlawfully possessing
a stolen motor vehicle. He argues the amended information failed to adequately allege
the required element of knowledge. Although Mr. Level did not preserve this argument
prior to appeal, we agree with Mr. Level that the deficiency in the information requires
reversal. Even under the liberal standard applicable to unpreserved informational errors,
the charging document’s allegation that Mr. Level “unlawfully” possessed a stolen
vehicle was insufficient to convey an inference Mr. Level knew he both possessed the
vehicle and that it was stolen.
FILED
AUGUST 24, 2021
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
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No. 37463-7-III
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2
While we reverse Mr. Level’s conviction, we do so without prejudice. Contrary to
Mr. Level’s arguments, the alleged vehicle in this case—a moped—meets the statutory
definition of a motor vehicle and is not subject to any exceptions. Thus, this matter may
be subject to retrial.
FACTS
A police officer stopped Jacob Level for driving a moped without wearing a
helmet. The condition of the moped led the officer to suspect it was stolen. A review of
the moped’s VIN (vehicle identification number) confirmed this suspicion.
The State charged Mr. Level with possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The
amended information, in pertinent part, charged Mr. Level with
the crime of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Count 5, the maximum
penalty for which is 10 yrs. imprisonment and/or $20,000 fine, plus
restitution, assessments and court costs, in that the said Jacob Daniel Level
in the County of Stevens, State of Washington, on or about July 22, 2019,
did unlawfully possess a stolen motor vehicle, to-wit: a Taotao Scooter, the
property of Joseph Gonzales;
Contrary to RCW 9A.56.068(1), and against the peace and dignity of
the State of Washington.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 55.
A jury convicted Mr. Level of the stolen vehicle charge. He timely appeals.
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ANALYSIS
Sufficiency of charging document
The crime of possession of a stolen motor vehicle includes an element of
knowledge. The type of knowledge required has two components: the defendant must
both knowingly possess the motor vehicle and also act “with knowledge that the motor
vehicle had been stolen.” 11A WASHINGTON PRACTICE: WASHINGTON PATTERN JURY
I NSTRUCTIONS: CRIMINAL 77.21, at 177 (4th ed. 2016). Mr. Level claims the charge failed
to apprise him of any component of knowledge, thereby violating his constitutional right
to notice and requiring reversal of his conviction.
Because Mr. Level’s claim is being raised for the first time on appeal, it is
governed by a standard that liberally construes the charging document in favor of validity.
An information is sufficient under this standard if it contains some language from which
notice of each required element of the offense can be found. State v. Marcum, 116 Wn.
App. 526, 534, 66 P.3d 690 (2003). “[A]ll essential elements of a crime, including
nonstatutory elements such as knowledge, must be included.” Id. If facts supporting one
or more elements cannot fairly be implied, prejudice is presumed and the charge must be
reversed. State v. Hugdahl, 195 Wn.2d 319, 325, 458 P.3d 760 (2020).
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No. 37463-7-III
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The State argues the element of knowledge can be implied from the allegation that
Mr. Level “unlawfully” possessed “a stolen motor vehicle.” CP at 55. The Supreme Court
has issued two decisions addressing the issue of whether an allegation that an act was
done unlawfully is sufficient to confer notice of some sort of criminal intent: State v.
Johnson, 119 Wn.2d 143, 829 P.2d 1078 (1992) and State v. Kjorsvik, 117 Wn.2d 93,
812 P.2d 86 (1991). In both cases, our Supreme Court declined to adopt a universal rule
regarding the impact of the word “unlawfully.” But the decisions provide relevant
guidance.
In Kjorsvik, the defendant was charged with first degree robbery. 117 Wn.2d at 95.
The information alleged Mr. Kjorsvik “‘did unlawfully take personal property, to-wit:
lawful United States currency from the person and in the presence of Chris V. Balls,
against his will, by the use or threatened use of immediate force, violence and fear of
injury to such person or his property’” while armed with a knife. Id. at 96. Mr. Kjorsvik
appealed, arguing for the first time that the information omitted the common law element
of intent. The Supreme Court held that under the applicable liberal standard of review, the
charging document was sufficient. Common sense dictates that one who unlawfully takes
money by use or threat of deadly force does so intentionally, not by accident. Therefore,
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No. 37463-7-III
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the allegations set forth in Mr. Kjorsvik’s information were sufficient to confer an
inference of intent.
Johnson involved a drug trafficking charge. The information alleged Mr. Johnson
“‘did unlawfully deliver a controlled substance; to wit: cocaine.’” Johnson, 119 Wn.2d at
145. Unlike what happened in Kjorsvik, Mr. Johnson preserved an objection in the trial
court to the sufficiency of the information. The objection was unsuccessful, but on appeal
the Supreme Court reversed. Using the strict standard of construction applicable to
preserved errors, the court held that the adverb “unlawfully” was insufficient to convey
the element of intent. Id. at 149-50. The court stated the outcome might not have been the
same had Mr. Johnson not preserved an objection at trial. The court pointed to its decision
in Kjorsvik and explained that the adverb “unlawfully” may sometimes be sufficient to
allege intent. Id.
Cases from this court have indicated that an allegation of “‘unlawful and
felonious’” conduct is sufficient to imply guilty knowledge in the context of drug
delivery and firearm offenses. State v. Nieblas-Duarte, 55 Wn. App. 376, 380-81, 777
P.2d 583 (1989) (drugs); State v. Cuble, 109 Wn. App. 362, 368, 35 P.3d 404 (2001)
(firearms). But none of our decisions have held that knowledge can be inferred from the
use of “unlawfully” in the context of a possession of stolen property charge.
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No. 37463-7-III
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We discern from prior case law that the adverb “unlawfully” can convey a mental
state element (such as knowledge or intent) when permitted by common sense inferences.
Thus, where the mental state required for an offense is straightforward or where the facts
alleged in the charge would be hard to accomplish without the defendant holding the
required mental state, the requisite mental state may be inferred under a liberal standard
of review. But as recognized in Johnson and Kjorsvik, there is no bright line rule. Even
when the liberal standard of review applies, our case law requires a charging document
be sufficiently specific as to the elements of the offense so that it does not require
independent research. See City of Auburn v. Brooke, 119 Wn.2d 623, 635, 836 P.2d 212
(1992).
When it comes to crimes punishing simple possession of contraband, the mental
state required by the law is not a matter of obvious common sense. See Rehaif v.
United States, __U.S.__, 139 S. Ct. 2191, 2194, 204 L. Ed. 2d 594 (2019). Sometimes
the legislature prohibits possession without any knowledge requirement. Id. at 2197;
State v. Blake, 197 Wn.2d 170, 179, 481 P.3d 521 (2021). Other times, the legislature
requires knowledge only as to the corpus of the object possessed. See Marcum, 116 Wn.
App. at 535 (felon in possession statute requires proof only of knowing possession of a
firearm, not knowledge that possession is illegal). In still other circumstances—like the
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No. 37463-7-III
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one here—proof of knowledge is multifaceted; the State must not only prove knowing
possession of a specific object, but also that the defendant knew of the object’s illicit
properties.
According to the State, Mr. Level could have discerned the level of knowledge
required for his offense by consulting the applicable statutes. See RCW 9A.56.140(1)
(“‘Possessing stolen property’ means knowingly to receive, retain, possess, conceal, or
dispose of stolen property knowing that it has been stolen and to withhold or appropriate
the same to the use of any person other than the true owner or person entitled thereto.”).
Apart from the fact that the amended information in this case failed to cite the statute
defining possession of stolen property,1 this argument runs counter to the governing case
law. Brooke, 119 Wn.2d at 627, 635 (holding that citing the governing code and title of
the offense is insufficient to charge a crime, even under a liberal standard of review,
unless the wording used apprises the defendant of all essential elements of the offense).
The case law governing unlawful possession offenses shows the mere fact
possession of a certain object is “unlawful” does not mean the possession was
accompanied by a specific type of knowledge. Given the state of the law, an
1 The only statute cited in the amended information for the count in question is
RCW 9A.56.068(1), which states: “A person is guilty of possession of a stolen motor
vehicle if he or she [possesses] a stolen motor vehicle.” (Alteration in original.)
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No. 37463-7-III
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information’s allegation that the defendant acted unlawfully is insufficient to convey an
inference that the conduct was done with a mental state of knowledge. This is true even
under the liberal standard of review applicable to challenges raised for the first time on
appeal. Thus, the inclusion of the adverb “unlawfully” in Mr. Level’s amended
information does not satisfy the requirements of sufficient notice.
The remaining language in the State’s amended information is insufficient to fill in
the gaps. Unlike Kjorsvik, this is not a case where the required element of knowledge is
apparent from the information’s description of Mr. Level’s alleged conduct. Because
possession can sometimes be without the type of knowledge required for a stolen motor
vehicle charge, one can easily read the contents of the amended information without
inferring all necessary elements of the offense. The State tries to salvage the amended
information by pointing to the allegation that the moped was the property of someone
other than Mr. Level. That contention is inadequate. It says nothing about Mr. Level’s
knowledge. It merely confirms that the moped was stolen. Even under the liberal standard
of appellate review applicable to an unpreserved challenge to an information’s
sufficiency, the conviction for this charge against Mr. Level must be reversed.
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No. 37463-7-III
State v. Level
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Whether a moped is a motor vehicle
In addition to challenging the contents of the amended information, Mr. Level
argues his conviction cannot stand because a moped does not qualify as a motor vehicle
under Washington’s stolen motor vehicle statute. Should Mr. Level prevail on this
argument, retrial would be precluded. We therefore address the merits of Mr. Level’s
claim. Our analysis of this statutory claim is de novo. State v. Ervin, 169 Wn.2d 815, 820,
239 P.3d 354 (2010).
“A person is guilty of possession of a stolen vehicle if he or she [possesses] a
stolen motor vehicle.” RCW 9A.56.068(1) (alteration in original). The criminal statute
does not define motor vehicle. However, in State v. Van Wolvelaere, the Supreme Court
settled on the following definition based on cross-referenced statutes:2 “[A] motor vehicle
is a self-propelled device (a description of its mechanics) that is capable of moving and
2 Although the stolen vehicle statute does not define motor vehicle, the
Washington Criminal Code, Title 9A RCW, states a “‘[v]ehicle’ means a ‘motor vehicle’
as defined in the vehicle and traffic laws, any aircraft, or any vessel equipped for
propulsion by mechanical means or by sail.” RCW 9A.04.110(29) (emphasis added). The
vehicle and traffic laws define a “vehicle” as a “device capable of being moved upon a
public highway and in, upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be
transported or drawn upon a public highway.” Former RCW 46.04.670 (2011). A motor
vehicle is further defined as a “vehicle that is self-propelled [or] a vehicle that is
propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon
rails.” Former RCW 46.04.320 (2010).
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No. 37463-7-III
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transporting people or property on a public highway (a description of its function).”
195 Wn.2d 597, 601, 461 P.3d 1173 (2020).
A moped readily meets the statute-derived definition set forth in Van Wolvelaere.
Being “motorized,” it meets the mechanical definition of being self-propelled. See
RCW 46.04.304. With a speed of up to 30 miles per hour, a moped is capable of
transporting people on a public highway. See id.
Mr. Level challenges this understanding of Van Wolvelaere, pointing out the
legislature used the word “device” when describing a moped instead of the word
“vehicle.” Id. This contrasts with the definition of a snowmobile, which was addressed in
Van Wolvelaere. Unlike a moped, a snowmobile is defined as a “self-propelled vehicle.”
RCW 46.04.546.
Mr. Level’s attempt to distinguish Van Wolvelaere is unconvincing. The
legislature defined “vehicle” by describing it as a “device.” Former RCW 46.04.670
(2011). The statute defining “moped” specifies that a moped must be “motorized.”
RCW 46.04.304. When crafting a generalized definition of motor vehicles for purposes
of the criminal statute in Van Wolvelaere, the Supreme Court used the word “device,”
not “vehicle.” 195 Wn.2d at 601. It is abundantly clear, based on the combination of
definitional statutes and the Supreme Court’s decision in Van Wolvelaere, that a moped
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No. 37463-7-III
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meets the general statutory definition of a motor vehicle.
Mr. Level also argues that even if a moped meets Van Wolvelaere’s definition,
a moped still does not qualify for prosecution as a stolen vehicle because mopeds are
excluded from the definitional scheme relied on in Van Wolvelaere. The statutory
exclusions cited by Mr. Level are set forth in RCW 46.04.320(3)(d) (motor vehicle) and
RCW 46.04.670(2)(b) (vehicle). Br. of Appellant at 11. These two statutes do contain
exclusions regarding mopeds; however, the exclusions do not help Mr. Level. The two
cited statutes exclude mopeds from the definition of a “motor vehicle” and “vehicle” only
for purposes of chapter 46.70 RCW. This chapter has to do with vehicle distribution and
sales. Mopeds are not excluded from the motor vehicle definition for other purposes.3
Significantly, mopeds are not excluded from the motor vehicle definition for purposes of
the theft and robbery chapter of the Washington Criminal Code, Title 9A RCW. Because
the statutory exception is limited in a way that is inapplicable to this case, we do not find
mopeds excluded from Van Wolvelaere’s motor vehicle definition.
3 Prior to 1994, mopeds were subject to a different definition. See F INAL B. REP.
ON E NGROSSED SUBSTITUTE H.B. 2224, 53d Leg., Reg. Sess. (Wash. 1994). Under the
version of RCW 46.04.670 that had been in effect since 1991, mopeds were “considered
motor vehicles for purposes of vehicle registration (Chapter 46.12), but not for vehicle
dealer regulation (Chapter 46.70).” Id. at 1. The 1994 amendment meant “[m]opeds are
considered vehicles except in the case of dealer licensing statutes.” Id. at 2.
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No. 37463-7-III
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Mopeds meet the general statutory definition of a motor vehicle and no exceptions
to the definition apply in the current context. Given these circumstances, a moped
qualifies for prosecution under the stolen motor vehicle statute, RCW 9A.56.068.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Level’s conviction for possession of a stolen motor vehicle is reversed without
prejudice. We remand to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the terms
of this decision.
_________________________________
Pennell, C.J.
WE CONCUR:
______________________________
Siddoway, J.
______________________________
Fearing, J.
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