[Cite as State v. Meredith, 2023-Ohio-4038.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO 

SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

COLUMBIANA COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.

JEFFREY DEAN MEREDITH,

Defendant-Appellant.

OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY

Case No. 22 CO 0039

Criminal Appeal from the

Court of Common Pleas of Columbiana County, Ohio

Case No. 2021 CR 277

BEFORE:

Mark A. Hanni, Cheryl L. Waite, David A. D’Apolito, Judges.

JUDGMENT:

Affirmed.

Atty. Vito J. Abruzzino, Columbiana County Prosecutor, and Atty. Shelley M. Pratt,

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Columbiana County Prosecutor's Office, for PlaintiffAppellee and

Atty. Robert T. McDowall, Jr., Robert T. McDowall Co., LLC, for Defendant-Appellant.

Dated: November 7, 2023
– 2 –

Case No. 22 CO 0039

HANNI, J.

{¶1} Defendant-Appellant, Jeffrey Dean Meredith, appeals from a Columbiana 

County Common Pleas Court judgment convicting him of one count of forgery, four counts 

of tampering with records, and one count of improper use of a certificate of title, following 

a bench trial.

{¶2} Beverly Meredith is Appellant’s mother. Beverly died on February 18, 2020. 

Beverly had owned a Jeep Renegade valued at $23,592 to $25,687. 

{¶3} According to witnesses, Appellant took the title to the Jeep to notary Melinda 

Hannan on February 18, 2020, just after Beverly passed away, and asked her to notarize 

a title transfer from Beverly to him. Beverly’s alleged signature was already on the title. 

Hannan notarized the title despite the fact that Beverly was not present. Despite believing 

that she notarized the title on February 18, Hannan dated the title February 14, 2020. 

She stated that she was confused as to why she would have written the date as February 

14, but thought it may have been because the date February 14 was already filled in on 

one spot on the title and she just copied that date.

{¶4} Kevin Ragan, an investigator for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles became 

involved. He learned the title to the Jeep had already been transferred into Appellant’s 

name. Ragan compared Beverly’s alleged signature on the title to a known sample of her 

signature. He concluded the two signatures did not match.

{¶5} A Columbiana County Grand Jury indicted Appellant on one count of 

forgery, a fourth-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2913.31(A)(3); one count of tampering 

with records, a third-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2913.42(A)(1); one count of 

tampering with records, a fourth-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2913.42(A)(1); one 

count of tampering with records, a third-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2913.42(A)(2); 

one count of tampering with records, a fourth-degree felony in violation of R.C. 

2913.42(A)(2); and one count of improper use of a certificate of title, an unclassified felony 

in violation of R.C. 4505.19(A)(4).
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Case No. 22 CO 0039

{¶6} Appellant waived his right to a jury trial and the matter proceeded to a bench 

trial on June 16, 2022. The trial court found him guilty on all counts and, later that day, 

proceeded to sentencing. 

{¶7} The trial court sentenced Appellant to 12 months in prison on each of the 

tampering with records counts and found that each of the tampering with records counts 

merged for sentencing purposes. It sentenced him to 12 months on the forgery count 

and two years in prison on the improper use of a certificate of title count and found that 

these counts merged for sentencing purposes. The court ordered Appellant to serve his 

sentences concurrently with each other for an aggregate sentence of two years.

{¶8} On Appellant’s motion, this court granted him leave to file a delayed appeal 

on December 1, 2022. Appellant now raises a single assignment of error for our review. 

{¶9} Appellant’s sole assignment of error states:

DEFENDANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL 

UNDER THE SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE 

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND UNDER SECTION TEN, 

ARTICLE ONE OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION DURING HIS PLEA 

NEGOTIATIONS, TRIAL, AND SENTENCING.

{¶10} Appellant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective. 

{¶11} To prove an allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel, the appellant 

must satisfy a two-prong test. First, appellant must establish that counsel's performance 

has fallen below an objective standard of reasonable representation. Strickland v. 

Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); State v. Bradley, 

42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989), paragraph two of the syllabus. Second, 

appellant must demonstrate that he was prejudiced by counsel's performance. Id. To 

show that he has been prejudiced by counsel's deficient performance, appellant must 

prove that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the trial would have been different.

Bradley, at paragraph three of the syllabus.

{¶12} Appellant bears the burden of proof on the issue of counsel’s 

ineffectiveness. State v. Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d 279, 289, 714 N.E.2d 905 (1999). In 

Ohio, a licensed attorney is presumed competent. Id.
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Case No. 22 CO 0039

{¶13} Appellant first contends his counsel was ineffective at the plea bargaining 

stage. He claims counsel failed to review discovery materials with him prior to presenting 

him with the State’s plea offer. He points out that the trial court told him that he had to 

accept the State’s offer at that time, or go to trial. Thus, Appellant argues he was put in 

the position of either having to accept the plea offer without having seen discovery or 

proceeding to trial.

{¶14} At the May 20, 2022 pretrial hearing discussing a plea offer from the State, 

the following colloquy took place between Appellant and the court:

THE COURT: Okay. You understand that I don’t know what the offer is, 

but after today there is no going back. We are going to have to go forward 

with a trial and then you are at the mercy of the Court.

THE DEFENDANT: I haven’t even seen a copy of discovery, your Honor.

THE COURT: You haven’t seen discovery?

THE DEFENDANT: No, I haven’t, no.

THE COURT: Okay. Well, that is something that you need to get done 

before - - sooner rather than later; all right?

THE DEFENDANT: Okay. Yes, ma’am.

(5/20/22 Tr. 2-3). 

{¶15} Appellant next contends his counsel failed to advise him that the improper 

use of a certificate of title charge carried with it a mandatory term of incarceration.1 At 

sentencing, when it was brought to Appellant’s attention that the charge carried a 

mandatory term of incarceration, Appellant engaged in the following colloquy with the 

court:

1

It should be noted that while both parties state the penalty for a violation of R.C. 4505.19 is a mandatory 

jail or prison sentence, this is inaccurate. The statute states: “Whoever violates this section shall be fined 

not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned in the county jail not less than six months nor more than 

one year, or both, or in a state correctional institution not less than one year nor more than five years.” R.C. 

4505.19(B). (Emphasis added). Thus, the statute allows for a fine, a jail sentence, or both a fine and a jail 

sentence, or a prison sentence. Thus, Appellant did not face mandatory time as he claims.
– 5 –

Case No. 22 CO 0039

THE DEFENDANT: I had no idea there was even mandatory time with any 

of these charges, ma’am. I didn’t. I’ve been filing over there for a year, and 

I just got brought back in front of this court. I mean, I tried to communicate 

with counsel and stuff but.

THE COURT: Well, I think last week, you and I had a very direct 

conversation.

THE DEFENDANT: Right.

THE COURT: And, as a matter of fact, your counsel and the State both 

provided to the Court what the offer was at that time.

THE DEFENDANT: I had - - I had no idea there was mandatory time. 

Nobody said - - I never knowed that what was what [sic.]. That was never 

explained to me. Nothing was explained to me what was what, what could 

carry this, you could go to jail for this. Especially that Number Six. I did not 

know that that was mandatory time. I had no idea any of these was 

mandatory time. I mean - -

(Trial Tr. 137-138). 

{¶16} In order to find defense counsel was ineffective during the plea bargaining 

stage of the proceedings, the defendant must show that but for the ineffective advice of 

counsel: (1) there is a reasonable probability that the plea offer would have been 

presented to the court; (2) the court would have accepted its terms; and (3) the conviction 

or sentence imposed would have been less severe than that actually imposed upon the 

defendant. State v. Marsh, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 12 MA 40, 2013-Ohio-757, ¶ 22, citing 

Lafler v. Cooper, 566 U.S. 156, 164, 132 S.Ct. 1376, 182 L.Ed. 398 (2012). Appellant 

cannot meet all of these elements.

{¶17} Appellant can meet the first element. The court held a hearing on May 20, 

2022. The court noted that it did not know the terms of the plea offer but that it was aware 

there had been an offer. (May 20, 2022 Tr. 2). Thus, there is a reasonable probability 

the offer would have been presented to the court. 
– 6 –

Case No. 22 CO 0039

{¶18} Appellant cannot meet the second element, however. The terms of the plea 

offer do not appear on the record. And the court stated that it did not know the terms. 

Thus, we are unable to say that the trial court would have accepted its terms.

{¶19} Additionally, Appellant cannot meet the third element. At sentencing, in 

briefly mentioning the plea offer, the court stated: “I don’t remember the specifics of it. I 

know there was some pleading to certain charges and dismissal of another.” (Trial Tr.

138). The court ultimately merged together Appellant’s convictions for Counts two 

through five and for Counts one and six. It then ordered the remaining sentences to be 

served concurrently for an aggregate sentence of two years. The record does not provide 

us with information to determine if Appellant’s conviction or sentence would have been 

less severe had he accepted the plea offer than the sentence that was actually imposed 

by the court. 

{¶20} Because Appellant cannot demonstrate two of the three required elements, 

we cannot find his counsel was ineffective at the plea bargaining phase.

{¶21} Additionally, Appellant argues his counsel was ineffective for failing to call 

Appellant’s wife, Michelle Meredith, as a witness. He asserts she had personal 

knowledge of all of the events at issue. 

{¶22} On June 7, 2022, Appellant’s counsel filed a notice that he intended to call 

Michelle Meredith as a witness at trial. Counsel did not, however, call Mrs. Meredith to 

testify. After the court sentenced Appellant, Appellant stated: “He called no witnesses. I 

need - - I need new counsel. How do I get it appealed?” (Trial Tr. 148).

{¶23} Whether or not to call a particular witness is a matter that falls within trial 

strategy. State v. Treesh, 90 Ohio St.3d 460, 490, 739 N.E.2d 749 (2001). This court will 

not second guess trial counsel’s tactics. Trial tactics are generally not subject to question 

by a reviewing court. State v. Fryling, 85 Ohio App.3d 557, 562, 620 N.E.2d 862 (3d 

Dist.1992). In this case, the record does not reflect what Mrs. Meredith may have testified 

to. Counsel may have determined that Mrs. Meredith’s testimony would have been 

detrimental to Appellant’s case. This was a matter of trial strategy. Thus, counsel was 

not ineffective for failing to call Mrs. Meredith to testify.

{¶24} Accordingly, Appellant’s sole assignment of error is without merit and is 

overruled.
– 7 –

Case No. 22 CO 0039

{¶25} For the reasons stated above, the trial court’s judgment is hereby affirmed.

Waite, J., concurs.

D’Apolito, P.J., concurs.
[Cite as State v. Meredith, 2023-Ohio-4038.]

For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, the assignment of error is 

overruled and it is the final judgment and order of this Court that the judgment of the Court 

of Common Pleas of Columbiana County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs to be waived.

A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate in 

this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that a 

certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into execution.

NOTICE TO COUNSEL

This document constitutes a final judgment entry.