People v. Alberto S., 226 Cal. App. 3d 1459 (Cal. Ct. App. 1991). · Go Syfert
People v. Alberto S., 226 Cal. App. 3d 1459 (Cal. Ct. App. 1991). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
32 citation events (18 in the last 25 years) across 1 distinct court.
Strongest positive: People v. Ramirez CA4/3 (calctapp, 2025-10-15)
Treatment trajectory · 1991 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1991 2008 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 12 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Ramirez CA4/3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
(See People v. Parks (2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 1, 7 [where trial court asked parties to address lesser included offenses but convicted the defendant of lesser related offense, the defendant had no notice court was considering lesser related offenses]; In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1465 [noting “silence at the time the [erroneous] decision was announced cannot support an inference of [the defendant’s] consent” where “[n]o mention was made during the proceedings of lesser, nonincluded offenses”].) Accordingly, we reduce Ramirez’s conviction on count 21 to sodomy (§ 286, …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Guevara CA1/2
Cal. Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
(People v. Mendoza (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 72, 79 [sodomy]; Muniz, at p. 1517 [oral copulation]; In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1464 [rape].) “Generally, a crime which requires specific intent cannot be a lesser included offense of a general intent crime.” (In re Alberto S., at p. 1464.) Muniz held that sexual battery is not a lesser included offense of forcible oral copulation because the proof of a specific intent or purpose required for sexual battery (“for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse”) is not required for proof of forcible oral copulation.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Fernando C.
Cal. Ct. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
(In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1464 [ 277 Cal.Rptr. 475 ].) Appellant argues the juvenile court should not have declared him a ward based on fighting in public under section 415, subdivision (1) because that offense was neither charged in the petition nor a lesser included offense of fighting on school grounds.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Parks (2×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
(In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1465 [ 277 Cal.Rptr. 475 ]; People v. Delahoussaye (1989) 213 Cal.App.3d 1, 11-13 [ 261 Cal.Rptr. 287 ]; People v. Delgado (1989) 210 Cal.App.3d 458, 463-464 [ 258 Cal.Rptr. 365 ].) The District Attorney of Los Angeles County, appearing as amicus curiae, urges this court to decline the Attorney General’s concession on the ground that Parks impliedly consented to conviction of assault with a firearm.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Whitham
Cal. Ct. App. · 1995 · confidence medium
(See, e.g., People v. Hernandez (1988) 47 Cal.3d 315, 344, fn. 16 [ 253 Cal.Rptr. 199 , 763 P.2d 1289 ] [sodomy]; People v. Thornton (1974) 11 Cal.3d 738, 765 [ 114 Cal.Rptr. 467 , 523 P.2d 267 ] [sodomy and oral copulation] 12 ; People v. Senior (1992) 3 Cal.App.4th 765, 776 [ 5 Cal.Rptr.2d 14 ] [oral copulation and foreign object penetration]; In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1464 [ 277 Cal.Rptr. 475 ] [rape].) It would seem anomalous to permit prosecution of single instances of such conduct without requiring a sexual gratification specific intent element, while requiring such an…
cited Cited as authority (rule) People v. Johnny R.
Cal. Ct. App. · 1995 · confidence medium
(In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1465-1466 [ 277 Cal.Rptr. 475 ].) Disposition The judgment is reversed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Jose M.
Cal. Ct. App. · 1994 · confidence medium
(In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1464 [ 277 Cal.Rptr. 475 ].) “Section 1159 authorizes the trier of fact to ‘find the defendant guilty of any offense, the commission of which is necessarily included in that with which he is charged, or of an attempt to commit the offense.’ An offense is necessarily included in another if (1) the *1477 greater statutory offense cannot be committed without committing the lesser because all of the elements of the lesser offense are included in the elements of the greater; or (2) if the charging allegations of the accusatory pleading include lan…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Silva v. Babak S.
Cal. Ct. App. · 1993 · confidence medium
Since the supplemental petition in this case did not allege the theory articulated by the People, the court’s order may not be sustained on this basis. 4 (In re Ronald E. (1977) 19 Cal.3d 315, 326 [ 137 Cal.Rptr. 781 , 562 P.2d 684 ]; In re Arthur N. (1976) 16 Cal.3d 226, 233 [ 127 Cal.Rptr. 641 , 545 P.2d 1345 ]; In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1464-1466 [ 277 Cal.Rptr. 475 ]; People v. Mosley (1988) 198 Cal.App.3d 1167, 1172-1174 [ 244 Cal.Rptr. 264 ]; §§ 656, 776, 777.) Likewise, the juvenile court’s apparent reliance upon the minor’s failure to contact the probation of…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Rush
Cal. Ct. App. · 1993 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
In affirming the conviction of this *26 specifically pleaded, factually included, lesser offense it was held that the specific language of the accusatory pleading may be used to determine the necessarily included offenses in a given case, even when the lesser offense is not otherwise included within the elements of the greater offense. ( People v. Marshall, supra, 48 Cal.2d at pp. 399-406.) Thus, it has been held that unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor may be included within a charge of forcible rape when the defendant had received notice of the victim's age at the preliminary hearing. (…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Rush
Cal. Ct. App. · 1993 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
(People v. Delgado (1989) 210 Cal.App.3d 458, 463 [ 258 Cal.Rptr. 365 ]; People v. Puckett (1975) 44 Cal.App.3d 607, 611-612 [ 118 Cal.Rptr. 884 ]; cf. In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1464-1466 [ 277 Cal.Rptr. 475 ].) In People v. Lohbauer (1981) 29 Cal.3d 364, 368-369 [ 173 Cal.Rptr. 453 , 627 P.2d 183 ], the concept of a lesser offense included within the specific language of the pleadings was explained, as follows: “As to a lesser included offense, the required notice is given when the specific language of the accusatory pleading adequately warns the defendant that the People…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." In re I.A.
Cal. Ct. App. · 2020 · signal: see also · confidence medium
(Id. at pp. 464-465 [challenge to conviction of lesser offense permissible where defendant maintained his innocence through trial]; see also In re Alberto S. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1459, 1465 [same]; People v. Delahoussaye (1989) 213 Cal.App.3d 1, 113 [challenge permitted where court implied it could convict defendant of lesser offense].) We would reach the same conclusion even if I.A. had not objected to the redesignated offenses.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." People v. Thomas (2×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1991 · signal: see also · confidence low
“An offense is necessarily included within a charged offense ‘if under the statutory definition of the charged offense it cannot be committed without committing the lesser offense, or if the charging allegations of the accusatory pleading include language describing the offense in such a way that if committed as specified the lesser offense is necessarily committed.’ ” (People v. Toro (1989) 47 Cal.3d 966, 972 [ 254 Cal.Rptr. 811 , 766 P.2d 577 ] [battery with serious bodily injury is not a lesser included offense of attempted murder], quoting People v. Geiger (1984) 35 Cal.3d 510, 517…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
In Re ALBERTO S., a Person Coming Under the Juvenile Court Law; THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
ALBERTO S., Defendant and Appellant; In Re ALBERTO S. on Habeas Corpus
Docket Nos. H006880, H007726.
California Court of Appeal.
Jan 18, 1991.
226 Cal. App. 3d 1459
91 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 648
1991 Cal. App. LEXIS 50
Counsel, Joan Isserlis, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant., John K. Van de Kamp, Attorney General, Richard B. Iglehart, Chief Assistant Attorney General, John H. Sugiyama, Assistant Attorney General, Laurence K. Sullivan and Martin S. Kaye, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Agliano.
Cited by 15 opinions  |  Published

Opinion

AGLIANO, P. J.

Alberto S., a minor charged in juvenile court with rape (Pen. Code, § 261, subd. (2)), [1] appeals from a judgment of wardship entered upon a finding by the court that he had committed the lesser offense of sexual battery (Pen. Code, § 243.4). He contends the judgment is invalid because he was given no notice and he did not consent to the court’s finding of an offense which was not charged in the petition. We agree, and therefore reverse the judgment.

By a petition filed pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 602, the minor was charged with raping Julie M., also a minor. The petition alleged: “[Minor], on or between September 21, 1989 to September 22, 1989, at and in the County of Santa Clara, State of California, did accomplish an act of sexual intercourse with Julie M., a person not the spouse of said minor, against said [minor’s] will by means of force, violence and fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury; thereby violating section 261(2) of the Penal Code of the State of California, a felony.” The minor denied the allegation, and a jurisdictional hearing commenced on February 9, 1990.

The People presented evidence by way of expert testimony to show that Julie had a low IQ which impeded her ability to articulate abstract concepts. The victim herself then testified. She stated, essentially, that she had gone to an apartment late one evening wearing a nightgown and coat in response to a telephone caller inviting her to a party. When she arrived at[*1463] the apartment, she went to use the master bathroom. As she walked out of the bathroom, the minor was waiting in the bedroom. He placed his arms around her waist, pulled her gently to the floor, lifted her nightgown and inserted his penis into her vagina. She testified she stated “no, no, no,” at some point before actual intercourse began. She did not struggle, call for help, or say anything further to the minor. Julie stated the minor did not threaten her in any manner or use any force to accomplish the intercourse, but that she had been afraid. She testified the minor was on top of her for an hour. Suffice it to say her testimony during direct and cross-examinations was fraught with inconsistencies.

The minor argued that nothing whatever had occurred between him and the victim, but that she had fabricated the story. The minor did not testify. He did, however, present evidence to controvert the People’s case, including evidence that the alleged event could not have occurred at the location noted in the police report.

After the close of evidence, the People moved to amend the petition to add an allegation of violation of section 261, subdivision (1), sexual intercourse with a person incapable of giving consent due to a mental disorder or developmental disability. The petition was so amended. In closing, the defense argued that the evidence was insufficient to support liability for either charged offense. The idea that the minor might be found liable for a lesser related uncharged offense was not mentioned at any time during the proceedings, by either the parties or the court.

The court ruled the evidence was insufficient to sustain the petition under either charged offense, but then found “there is sufficient evidence to sustain a petition on a violation of a lesser included offense of a violation of Penal Code section 243.3, sexual battery, as a felony.” [2] The minor made no comment with respect to this finding at the time.

On appeal, the minor contends the trial court erred in characterizing sexual battery as a lesser included offense within section 261 (rape), with which he was charged. He maintains the court lacked jurisdiction to sustain the petition on the uncharged crime of sexual battery, having acquitted him of the section 261 charges.

The minor maintains, and respondent agrees, that sexual battery is not included in the charge of rape. “An offense is necessarily[*1464] included within a charged offense ‘if under the statutory definition of the charged offense it cannot be committed without committing the lesser offense, or if the charging allegations of the accusatory pleading include language describing the offense in such a way that if committed as specified the lesser offense is necessarily committed.’ (People v. Geiger [1984] 35 Cal.3d 510, 517, fn. 4.)” (People v. Toro (1989) 47 Cal.3d 966, 972 [254 Cal.Rptr. 811, 766 P.2d 577].) Sexual battery is a specific intent crime, while rape requires only general intent. Generally, a crime which requires specific intent cannot be a lesser included offense of a general intent crime. The exception to this rule is an attempt to commit a general intent crime, because all attempts require specific intent to commit the crime. (1 Witkin & Epstein, Cal. Criminal Law (2d ed. 1988) § 143, p. 160.) We find that the crime of sexual battery is not necessarily included within the crime of rape. Furthermore, the language set forth in the petition did not describe the charged offense in such a way that, if committed, it would necessarily include a commission of sexual battery.

Juvenile court proceedings are controlled by the same concerns and rules as adult criminal proceedings with respect to the due process right to notice of specific charges or factual allegations. (In re Robert G. (1982) 31 Cal.3d 437, 441-443 [182 Cal.Rptr. 644, 644 P.2d 837].) “It is fundamental that ‘When a defendant pleads not guilty, the court lacks jurisdiction to convict him of an offense that is neither charged nor necessarily included in the alleged crime. [Citations.] This reasoning rests upon a constitutional basis: “Due process of law requires that an accused be advised of the charges against him in order that he may have a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present his defense and not be taken by surprise by evidence offered at his trial.” [Citation.]’ (People v. West (1970) 3 Cal.3d 595, 612 . . . .)” (People v. Lohbauer (1981) 29 Cal.3d 364, 368 [173 Cal.Rptr. 453, 627 P.2d 183].)

“However, an exception to this rule has long been recognized in cases where a defendant expressly or impliedly consents to have the trier of fact consider a nonincluded offense: ‘Since a defendant who requests or acquiesces in conviction of a lesser offense cannot legitimately claim lack of notice, the court has jurisdiction to convict him of that offense.’ [Citation.]” (People v. Toro, supra, 47 Cal.3d at p. 973.)

Respondent argues that the minor’s silence at the time the court announced its decision constituted implied acquiescence to the sexual battery conviction, and that therefore the court had jurisdiction to convict him of the offense. This argument is not supported by the record.

Courts have found implied consent to conviction of a lesser related offense when defendant requests jury instructions on the lesser offense.[*1465] (People v. Fain (1983) 34 Cal.3d 350, 353, fn. 1 [193 Cal.Rptr. 890, 667 P.2d 694]; People v. Ramos (1972) 25 Cal.App.3d 529, 539 [101 Cal.Rptr. 230]; People v. Chavira (1970) 3 Cal.App.3d 988, 991-992 [83 Cal.Rptr. 851].) Courts have also found consent when instructions are given by the court, sua sponte, and no defense objection was raised, despite ample opportunity, to either the instructions or the verdict forms by which the nonincluded offense was submitted to the jury. (People v. Toro, supra, 47 Cal.3d 966, 974.) Additionally, consent has been found based on a defendant’s request for conviction of a lesser offense (People v. Geiger (1984) 35 Cal.3d 510, 527528 [199 Cal.Rptr. 45, 674 P.2d 1303, 50 A.L.R.4th 1055]), stipulation that the lesser included offense is necessarily included (People v. Calder (1970) 6 Cal.App.3d 931 [86 Cal.Rptr. 446]), or engagement in a slow plea procedure (submission of the matter on the preliminary transcript), without evidence or argument on the defendant’s behalf (People v. Francis (1969) 71 Cal.2d 66, 75-76 [75 Cal.Rptr. 199, 450 P.2d 591]).

In each of the above cited instances, the defendant had some warning, or notice, of the possibility that he might be convicted of a lesser related offense. Thus, the due process requirements articulated in Lohbauer, supra, 29 Cal.3d at page 368, were addressed.

The present case, however, involves a situation where minor had no warning or notice that he was subject to the charge of the lesser related offense. Two courts have ruled recently in factually similar cases that a defendant’s failure to object to a court’s finding him or her guilty of a lesser related offense after the decision is announced does not support a reasonable inference of consent to conviction of the offense. (People v. Delahoussaye (1989) 213 Cal.App.3d 1, 11-13 [261 Cal.Rptr. 287]; People v. Delgado (1989) 210 Cal.App.3d 458, 463-464 [258 Cal.Rptr. 365].) We likewise find under the facts of this case that the minor’s silence at the time the decision was announced cannot support an inference of his consent to the sexual battery finding. Here, minor denied the crimes charged, and asked for trial by the court. No mention was made during the proceedings of lesser, nonincluded offenses. When the court expressed its doubt as to the charged offenses, it concluded that sexual battery was a lesser included offense in the charge of rape. However, it was not. (See People v. Delahoussaye, supra, 213 Cal.App.3d at p. 13.) Under these circumstances, defendant’s failure to object does not imply consent to the conviction.

Respondent argues that the Delgado and Delahoussaye cases were wrongly decided, and that we should find consent on defendant’s part by his failure to object to the sexual battery conviction at the time it was announced or at the later disposition hearing. They contend the fact that defendant could have objected after the court announced its decision, but[*1466] did not, is the equivalent of the defendant acquiescing to the conviction. We cannot agree.

While an objection at this point would have afforded the court an opportunity to correct its mistake and acquit the minor outright, it would not have affected the fact that the court had no jurisdiction to find minor had committed the uncharged offense. The court had already found that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the charged offenses and had, in effect, acquitted the minor. The minor cannot be held accountable for the court’s action, which exceeded the bound of its authority.

The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded to the trial court with directions to dismiss the petition. In light of the decision reached in this appeal, defendant’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus is moot.

Premo, J., and Cottle, J., concurred.

1

All further statutory references will be to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.

2

The court noted shortly thereafter that it had misspoken; that it was finding a violation of section 243.4, which is the sexual battery section. Section 243.4 provides, in relevant part: “(a) Any person who touches an intimate part of another person while that person is unlawfully restrained by the accused or an accomplice, and if the touching is against the will of the person touched and is for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse, is guilty of sexual battery . . . .”