Court Opinion

ID: 4553364
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-05 17:10:54.596798+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:25:34.218365
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Marcum, 2020-Ohio-3962.]

                      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                         FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                              HOCKING COUNTY

 STATE OF OHIO,                  :
                                 :   Case No. 19CA7
      Plaintiff-Appellee,        :
                                 :
      vs.                        :   DECISION AND JUDGMENT
                                 :   ENTRY
 JAMES MARCUM                    :
                                 :
      Defendant-Appellant.       :
_____________________________________________________________
                           APPEARANCES:

 Benjamin Fickel, Hocking County Prosecutor, Logan, Ohio, for Appellee.

 Ryan Shepler, Kermen & Shepler, LLC, Logan, Ohio, for Appellant.
 _____________________________________________________________

 Smith, P.J.

         {¶1} This is an appeal from a Hocking County Court of Common

 Pleas judgment entry that sentenced Appellant, James Marcum, to three

 concurrent five-year terms of community control, with a requirement that he

 enter a community based correctional facility (“CBCF”) and successfully

 complete the program and follow through with the recommendations. The

 trial court advised Marcum that a violation of community control may result

 in more restrictive community control sanctions or the imposition of

 separate, reserved prison terms, ordered to be served consecutively for an
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                         2

aggregate period of forty-two months. After reviewing the facts of the case

and applicable law, we hold that the trial court’s sentence was not clearly

and convincingly contrary to law. Therefore, we overrule Appellant’s

assignment of error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                   FACTS

      {¶2} On March 9, 2018, the State charged Appellant with identity

fraud in violation of R.C. 2913.49(B)(2), two counts of forgery in violation

R.C. 2913.31(A)(1), and two counts of passing bad checks in violation of

R.C. 2913.11(B). Appellant pleaded not guilty to all charges.

      {¶3} On January 8, 2019, Marcum reached a plea agreement with the

State whereby he would plead guilty to identity fraud and the two counts of

forgery, with the remaining two counts being dismissed. As part of the

agreement, the State agreed to recommend community control sanctions,

including the completion of a CBCF program and restitution. During the

plea hearing, the trial court found that Marcum was eligible for community

control sanctions. After a colloquy with Marcum, the trial court accepted

the pleas.

      {¶4} The trial court then proceeded to sentencing and asked “[a]s to

reserved sentences, would those be consecutive?” The State responded:

“Considering his past record, I would say yes.” Defense counsel stated “I
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                            3

believe that the State is entitled to that.” The trial court then imposed three

concurrent five-year terms of community control sanctions, with a

requirement that Marcum enter and successfully complete a CBCF program.

The trial court also informed Marcum that if he violated the community

control sanctions, the trial court could lengthen or impose a more restrictive

community control sanction, or a “reserved term of imprisonment on count

one would be 18 months; Count Two, 12 months; and Count Five, 12

months. Those would be consecutive to each other for a total of 42 months

total reserve time of imprisonment.” The trial court also issued a judgment

entry of sentencing that in pertinent part stated: “[D]efendant’s violation of

Community Control may result in more restrictive Community Control

Sanctions or a term of eighteen (18) months in prison on Count 1; twelve

(12) months in prison on Count 2; and twelve (12) months in prison on

Count 5[,] sentences to be served consecutive to each other, total term of 42

months in prison.” (Emphasis added.) It is from this judgment that

Appellant appeals, asserting a single assignment of error.

                         ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

      “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY SENTENCING THE
      DEFENDANT TO CONCURRENT TERMS OF
      COMMUNITY CONTOL BUT CONSECUTIVE
      RESERVED TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT.”
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                          4

      {¶5} Marcum argues his sentence is contrary to law because when the

trial court informed him that he could receive consecutive prison terms if he

violated his community control sanctions it did not make the findings

required by R.C. 2929.14(B)(4) for the imposition of consecutive sentences.

Consequently, Appellant argues that we should reverse the judgment of the

trial court and remand the case “with instructions to advise the defendant of

underlying concurrent sentences.”

      {¶6} In response, the State concedes that the trial court made no

findings pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at sentencing. Nevertheless, the

State contends that the sentence is not contrary to law. The State argues that

the trial court imposed a sentence of community control sanctions, but

“reserved” prison terms that could be imposed if Marcum would violate his

community control sanctions. The State further argues that the findings

required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) for the imposition of consecutive sentences

are required only at the time that a court actually imposes consecutive

sentences, not when it merely notifies a defendant of prison sentences that

could be imposed as a punishment for violating community control

sanctions. Therefore, the State argues, because the trial court in this case

merely reserved prison sentences as a punishment to be imposed only if

Marcum violates his community control, no findings were necessary under
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                             5

R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). Thus, the State argues Marcum’s sentence is not

contrary to law and the trial court’s judgment should be affirmed.

                              Standard of Review

      {¶7} We may reverse a felony sentence only “if the court clearly and

convincingly finds either that ‘the record does not support the sentencing

court's findings’ under the specified statutory provisions or ‘the sentence is

otherwise contrary to law.’ ” State v. Taylor, 4th Dist. Lawrence No.

15CA12, 2016-Ohio-2781, ¶ 40, quoting State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St. 3d

516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶ 1. “ ‘Clear and convincing

evidence is that measure or degree of proof * * * which will produce in the

mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to

be established.’ ” Marcum, supra, at ¶ 22, quoting Cross v. Ledford, 161

Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118, paragraph three of the syllabus (1954).

      {¶8} It has previously been explained as follows regarding the

deferential nature of this standard of review:

      “ ‘This is a very deferential standard of review, as the question is

      not whether the trial court had clear and convincing evidence to

      support its findings, but rather, whether we clearly and

      convincingly find that the record fails to support the trial court's

      findings.’ ”
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                       6

State v. Ray, 2d Dist. Champaign No. 2017-CA-33, 2018-Ohio-3293, ¶ 11,

quoting State v. Cochran, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2016-CA-33, 2017-Ohio-217,

¶ 7. “A failure to make the findings required by R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) renders

a consecutive sentence contrary to law.” State v. Tackett, 4th Dist. Meigs

Nos. 18CA22, 18CA23, 2019-Ohio-4960, ¶ 7, citing State v. Bever, 4th Dist.

Washington No. 13CA21, 2014-Ohio-600, ¶ 17.

                               Legal Analysis

      {¶9} Pursuant to R.C. 2929.15, under the appropriate circumstances,

such as when a prison term is not required, a court may impose community

control sanctions as a sentence for a felony offense. R.C. 2929.16(1)-(6)

sets out a non-exhaustive list of residential community control sanctions that

include entering a CBCF, jail, halfway house, etc. R.C. 2929.17(A)-(D) sets

out a non-exhaustive list of non-residential community control sanctions that

includes a term of day reporting, house arrest with electronic monitoring,

community service, drug treatment program, etc.

      A trial court has three options for punishing offenders who

      violate community control sanctions. The court may (1) lengthen

      the term of the community control sanction, (2) impose a more

      restrictive community control sanction, or (3) impose a prison

      term on the offender.
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                                                      7

State v. McPherson, 142 Ohio App. 3d 274, 278, 755 N.E.2d 426 (4th Dist.

2001); see also R.C. 2929.15(B)(1)(a)-(c).

         {¶10} Initially, we note that it appears a trial court is not prohibited,

per se, from sentencing an offender to concurrent terms of community

control but consecutive prison terms as a possible punishment for violating

those community control sanctions. See e.g. State v. Dusek, 4th Dist.

Hocking No. 18CA18, 2019-Ohio-3477, ¶ 4 (the trial court imposed

concurrent community control sanctions but notified appellant that violating

those sanctions could result in consecutive prison terms).1 “R.C.

2929.19(B)(4) requires the trial court, when imposing a community control

sanction, notify the offender that if the conditions of the sanction

are violated, the court may impose a prison term and shall include

the specific prison term that may be imposed.” (Emphasis added.) State v.

White, 4th Dist. Hocking Nos. 16CA23 and 17CA1, 2017-Ohio-8275, ¶ 17.

However, as the Twelfth District Court of Appeals has recognized:

         [I]t is possible that the specific prison term of which notice is

         given pursuant to R.C. 2929.19(B)(4) may never be ordered to

         be served. For instance, should the defendant be found to have

1
 This is primarily because “ ‘ * * *when the defendant violates community control, the court imposes an
appropriate sanction for that misconduct, but not for the original or underlying crime.’ ” State v. Hart, 4th
Dist. Athens No. 13CA8, 2014-Ohio-3733, ¶ 23, quoting State v. Beverly, 4th Dist. Ross No. 01CA2603,
2002–Ohio–118, *3.
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                         8

      violated the terms of community control, the sentencing court

      may elect pursuant to R.C. 2929.15(B)(1)(a) or (b) to sentence

      the defendant to a non-prison term sanction; or, if the sentencing

      court elects to sentence the defendant to a prison term, pursuant

      to R.C. 2929.15(B)(2), the prison term may be less than the

      specific prison term of which notice was given when the

      defendant was originally sentenced to community control.

State v. Duncan, 12th Dist. Butler Nos. CA2015-05-086, CA2015-06-

108, 2016-Ohio-5559, 61 N.E.3d 61, ¶ 18.

     {¶11} White and Duncan make clear that when imposing community

control sanctions as a sentence, a trial court must notify the defendant of any

permissible possible punishments, including a specific prison term that may

be imposed if the offender violates their community control sanctions.

Consequently, it is axiomatic that as long as the offender had notice of the

permissible, possible punishments, the court has discretion which

punishments to impose if a violation occurs, including consecutive prison

terms. Further, no punishment, regardless of its nature, is actually imposed

until after the defendant commits a violation. See e.g. State v. Gray, 4th

Dist. Scioto No. 18CA3857, 2019-Ohio-5317, ¶ 1. Therefore, only after an

offender violates his or her community control sanctions, and if the court
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                          9

decides that the appropriate punishment is consecutive prison terms, is the

punishment imposed. It is at that time that the court must make the findings

for the imposition of consecutive sentences under R.C. 2929.14(C)(4). State

v. Howard, 2020-Ohio-3195, -- N.E.3d --, ¶ 24-27 (explaining that when a

defendant is initially sentenced to community control, the imposition of

prison terms for a violation of community control is only “potential in

nature” and thus, “R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) becomes relevant when ‘multiple

prison terms are imposed.’ ”); see also State v. Bika, 11th Dist. Portage Nos.

2018-P-0096, 2018-P-0097, 2019-Ohio-3841. Notably, in Howard, the

Supreme Court of Ohio reversed “the portion of the Tenth District's decision

concluding that the trial court had not been required to make consecutive-

sentences findings when it revoked Howard's community control and

imposed consecutive sentences.” Howard at ¶ 25.

      {¶12} In this case, the trial court’s statements at the sentencing

hearing and in the sentencing entry informed Marcum that if he violated his

community control sanctions he could be subject to more restrictive

community control sanctions or consecutive prison terms for an aggregate

forty-two month prison term. Therefore, the court fulfilled its obligation of

notifying Marcum of the specific prison terms that may be one of the two

possible punishments that the court could impose if he violated his
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                      10

community control sanctions. However, the trial court only has to make the

R.C. 2929.14(C) findings required for the imposition of consecutive

sentences if and when a community control violation occurs which the court

determines warrants the imposition of consecutive sentences.

                                 Conclusion

      {¶13} Accordingly, we do not find that the trial court’s sentence was

clearly and convincingly contrary to law by merely notifying Marcum at his

sentencing hearing that if he violates his community control sanctions he

could be sentenced to consecutive prison sentences even though the court

made no findings pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) at that time. Therefore, we

affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                              JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Hocking App. No. 19CA7                                                         11

                           JUDGMENT ENTRY

      It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and costs be
assessed to Appellant.

      The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

      It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing
the Hocking County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into
execution.

       IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE
UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL
COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to
exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a
continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio
an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If
a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the
expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a
notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal
period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme
Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the
appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date
of such dismissal.

      A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Abele, J. & Hess, J. Concur in Judgment and Opinion.

                                        For the Court,
                                        ______________________________
                                        Jason P. Smith
                                        Presiding Judge

                          NOTICE TO COUNSEL

      Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final
judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from
the date of filing with the clerk.