Opinion ID: 4472525
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Juvenile and criminal proceedings

Text: {¶ 7} In 2012, the state filed four delinquency complaints3 against Smith in Summit County Juvenile Court related to three different robberies. Because each of 3. A fifth delinquency complaint filed by the state is not relevant to this appeal. 3 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO the charged offenses was a “category two offense” involving a firearm and Smith was 16 years old at the time, he appeared to be eligible for mandatory transfer to adult court under R.C. 2152.10(A)(2). See also R.C. 2152.02(BB) (defining “category two offense”). {¶ 8} The juvenile court held a hearing on three of the delinquency complaints on March 22, 2012. Smith’s father was present at that hearing. At the hearing, Smith waived his right to a probable-cause hearing and stipulated to findings of probable cause in each case. The juvenile court found that Smith’s cases were subject to mandatory transfer and transferred the cases to the general division of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. {¶ 9} The juvenile court held a hearing on the fourth delinquency complaint on March 27, 2012. Although R.C. 2152.12(G) required the court to give written notice of the hearing to Smith’s father at least three days in advance, the court sent him notice only one day in advance, and Smith’s father did not attend the hearing. When the juvenile court inquired about his father’s absence, Smith indicated that he was aware of his right to have his father present after discussing that right with his attorney and he agreed to proceed without him. Then Smith waived his right to a probable-cause hearing and stipulated to a finding of probable cause. The juvenile court then transferred the fourth case to the adult court. {¶ 10} In April 2012, a grand jury indicted Smith on five counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of burglary. Each count included a firearm specification. Smith later pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated robbery (one with a firearm specification), one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of kidnapping. The court dismissed the remaining counts and specifications and imposed an aggregate prison sentence of 16 years. {¶ 11} The Ninth District Court of Appeals affirmed Smith’s convictions and sentences. State v. Smith, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26804, 2015-Ohio-579. 4 January Term, 2020