Court Opinion

ID: 2693682
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-01 22:04:59.906593+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:57:52.473399
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Wilson, 2012-Ohio-4756.]

         IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO                                    :

        Plaintiff-Appellee                       :   C.A. CASE NO. 24978

vs.                                              :   T.C. CASE NO. 2011-CR-0145

TERRY R. WILSON                                  :   (CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM
                                                      COMMON PLEAS COURT)
        Defendant-Appellant                      :

                                             .........

                                             OPINION

                            Rendered on the 12th day of October, 2012.

                                             .........

Mathias H. Heck, Jr., Prosecuting Attorney, Kirsten A. Brandt, Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney, Atty. Reg. No. 0070162, P.O. Box 972, 301 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio
45422
      Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee

Brandin D. Marlow, Atty. Reg. No. 0076381, 150 North Limestone Street, Suite 219,
Springfield, Ohio 45501
      Attorney for Defendant-Appellant

                                             .........

GRADY, P.J.:

        {¶ 1} On October 17, 2011, Defendant Terry R. Wilson entered guilty pleas to three

counts of gross sexual imposition involving two children, one under ten years of age and the

other thirteen. On November 8, 2011, the trial court imposed concurrent 48-month sentences
for two of the offenses and a sentence of 48 months for the third offense, to run consecutive to

the other two 48-month sentences.

       {¶ 2} Defendant filed a motion for leave to file an untimely notice of appeal from his

convictions. We granted the motion. He presents two assignments of error, both concerning

the sentences the court imposed.

       {¶ 3} First Assignment of Error:

       “THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED OHIO REVISED CODE § 2929.11 WHEN IT

FAILED TO CONSIDER IF ITS SENTENCE ACCOMPLISHES SENTENCING

PURPOSES        WITHOUT         IMPOSING        AN     UNNECESSARY            BURDEN        ON

GOVERNMENT.”

       {¶ 4} R.C. 2929.11 sets out the overriding purposes and principles of sentencing the

court must consider when imposing a felony sentence. Those overriding purposes are to

punish the offender and to protect the public from future crime committed by the offender and

others. R.C. 2929.11 was amended by H.B. 86, effective September 30, 2011, to require the

court to impose the minimum sanctions that the court determines “will accomplish those

purposes without imposing an unnecessary burden on state or local government resources.”

       {¶ 5} Defendant argues that while the trial court indicated why it was imposing more

than the minimum and consecutive sentences, nothing suggests, other than the court’s general

statement that the court considered the purposes and principles of sentencing, that the court

also considered the minimum sanctions that would accomplish those purposes without

imposing an unnecessary burden on state resources.

       {¶ 6} Although resource burdens are a relevant sentencing criterion under newly

enacted language in R.C. 2929.11(A), a sentencing court is not required to elevate resource
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conservation above seriousness and recidivism factors. State v. Luyando, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga

No. 97203, 2012-Ohio-1947, ¶ 14, citing State v. Burton, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 06AP-690,

2007-Ohio-1941, ¶ 19. Accord, State v. Ober, 2d Dist. Greene No. 97 CA 0019, 1997 WL

624811 (Oct. 10, 1997). “Where the interests of public protection and punishment are well

served by a prison sentence, the claim is difficult to make that the prison sentence imposes an

unnecessary burden on government resources.”          State v. Bowshier, 2d Dist. Clark No.

08-CA-58, 2009-Ohio-3429, ¶ 14, citing Ohio Felony Sentencing Law, 2007 Ed. Griffin and

Katz, at 966.

       {¶ 7} When determining whether a prison sentence is warranted, the trial court must

consider the benefit to society in assuring that Defendant will not be free to continue to

re-offend. State v. Vlahopoulos, 154 Ohio App.3d 450, 2003-Ohio-5070, 797 N.E.2d 580, ¶

5 (8th Dist.).     “Many people sleep better at night knowing that certain offenders are

incarcerated.     They would no doubt consider a lengthy incarceration worth the cost of

housing those offenders.” Id.

       {¶ 8} Prior to imposing sentence upon Defendant, the trial court considered the

pre-sentence investigation report, the statements of the parties, and the sentencing memoranda

submitted.      The trial court explained that it considered “the purposes and principles of

sentencing in the Ohio Revised Code” including “the seriousness and recidivism factors

contained therein.” A sentencing court satisfies its obligations under R.C. 2929.11 and R.C.

2929.12 when it considers the general guidance factors set forth in those sections. State v.

Watkins, 186 Ohio App.3d 619, 2010-Ohio-740, 929 N.E.2d 1072, ¶ 39 (2d Dist.). The court

is not required to make specific findings or to use the exact wording of the statute. Id.
                                                                                             4

       {¶ 9} The trial court acknowledged that Defendant had pled guilty to the charges,

“which eliminated the necessity of the victims testifying.”      The court pointed out that

Defendant’s convictions were part of a course of conduct, victimizing multiple young female

relatives, and that the harm caused by those offenses “was so great and unusual that no single

prison term can adequately reflect the seriousness of the offender’s conduct.” Furthermore,

the court found that Defendant’s “history of this kind of criminal conduct demonstrates that

consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the defendant.”

       {¶ 10} The court’s statement that in imposing Defendant’s sentences it considered the

purposes and principles of sentencing encompasses the “unnecessary burden on government

resources” constraint against excessive sentences in R.C. 2929.11(A). Having said that, the

court satisfied its burden to make the determination that a lesser sentence would not suffice.

Watkins. Further, the reasons the court gave for the sentences it imposed demonstrate that the

court’s determination was not incorrect. Defendant offers no basis to conclude otherwise.

       {¶ 11} The first assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶ 12} Second Assignment of Error:

       “OHIO REVISED CODE § 2929.11 VIOLATES WILSON’S PROCEDURAL DUE

PROCESS RIGHTS BECAUSE IT FAILS TO REQUIRE A TRIAL COURT TO PLACE ON

THE RECORD THE SPECIFIC FACTS IT CONSIDERS WHEN ORDERING

CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES.”

       {¶ 13} Wilson complains that R.C. 2929.11 is unconstitutional, as a violation of his

due process rights of notice and an opportunity to be heard, because it does not require the
                                                                                              5

sentencing court to specify the facts on which it relies to make the findings that section

requires:

       Due process under the Ohio and United States Constitutions demands that the

       right to notice and an opportunity to be heard must be granted at a meaningful

       time and in a meaningful manner where the state seeks to infringe a protected

       liberty or property interest. Greene v. Lindsey (1982),456 U.S. 444, 102 S.Ct.

       1874, 72 L.Ed.2d 249; Boddie v. Connecticut (1971),401 U.S. 371, 378, 91

       S.Ct. 780, 786, 28 L.Ed.2d 113; Williams v. Dollison (1980), 62 Ohio St.2d

       297, 299, 16. O.O.3d 350, 351, 405 N.E.2d 714, 716. However, the concept

       of due process is flexible and varies depending on the importance attached to

       the interest and the particular circumstances under which the deprivation may

       occur. Walters v. Natl. Assn. Of Radiation Survivors (1985), 473 U.S. 305,

       320, 105 S.Ct. 3180, 3189, 87 L.Ed.2d 220, 232.

State v. Hochhausler, 76 Ohio St.3d 455, 459, 668 N.E.2d 457 (1996).

       {¶ 14} Defendant entered guilty pleas to the three offenses of which he was convicted.

 Those pleas constitute a complete admission of his guilt. Crim. R. 11(B). Defendant’s

acknowledgment of his guilt narrows the due process right on which he relies with respect to

the sentencing court’s notification to the Defendant of the facts on which it relied in imposing

sentences for those offenses.

       {¶ 15} The court did notify Defendant of the facts on which it relied in the court’s

references to Defendant’s “course of conduct in victimizing young female victims” and his
                                                                                           6

“history” of such conduct. Due process does not require the court to give a defendant who

pleads guilty prior notice of those facts or to delineate them in a more specific way.

       {¶ 16} With respect to his consecutive sentences, Defendant’s argument is misplaced.

 R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires the court, when imposing consecutive sentences, to make one or

more of three alternative findings:

       (a) The offender committed one or more of the multiple

                       offenses while the offender was waiting trial or

                       sentencing, was under a sanction imposed

                       pursuant to section 2929.16, 2929.17, or 2929.18

                       of the Revised Code, or was under post-release

                       control for a prior offense.

       (b) At least two of the multiple offenses were committed as part of one or more

       courses of conduct, and the harm caused by two or more of the multiple

       offenses so committed was so great or unusual that no single prison term for

       any of the offenses committed as part of any of the courses of conduct

       adequately reflects the seriousness of the offender’s conduct.

       (c) The offender’s history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive

       sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the offender.

       {¶ 17} The particular findings the court made accord with the findings that R.C.

2929.14(C)(4)(b) and (c) contemplate.

       {¶ 18} There is no constitutional requirement that a sentencing court make findings of

fact before ordering consecutive sentences.           State v. Hodge, 128 Ohio St.3d 1,
                                                                                                7

2010-Ohio-6320, 941 N.E.2d 768, ¶ 26. While R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) requires a sentencing

court to make specific findings before imposing consecutive sentences, the statute does not

require a sentencing court to specifically identify the factual bases for those findings. In other

words, contrary to Defendant’s assertion, a sentencing court is not required to explicitly

identify the matters upon which it relied in imposing consecutive sentences.

       {¶ 19} Prior to entering his guilty pleas, Defendant was made aware of the charges

against him in the form of the indictment, a bill of particulars, and full discovery pursuant to

both Crim. R. 16 and the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Management Plan.

Additionally, prior to sentencing, Defendant was given further information as contained in the

State’s sentencing memorandum and in the pre-sentencing investigation report, which

included not only the details of the gross sexual imposition convictions, but also Defendant’s

criminal history.   Therefore, Defendant had notice of what the trial court was referring to

with respect to a course of conduct, the harm caused to the victims, and the extent of his

criminal history. Defendant’s claim that he was denied his due process rights to notice and a

meaningful opportunity to be heard is without merit.

       {¶ 20} Defendant’s second assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶ 21} The judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.

Froelich, J., concurring:

       {¶ 22} I concur, but am concerned that the decision will be read as minimizing, if not

negating, the legislature’s amendment of R.C. 2929.11(A).             2011 H.B. 86, effective

September 30, 2011, added the requirement that a court accomplish the purposes of felony

sentencing (protection of the public and punishment of the offender) “using the minimum
                                                                                              8

sanctions that the court determines accomplish those purposes without imposing an

unnecessary burden on state or local government resources.”

       {¶ 23} Similar language (“The sentence shall not impose an unnecessary burden on

state or local government resources”) was previously included in R.C. 2929.13(A), which

applied to various specific offenses and degrees of offenses, but was removed by H.B. 86.

The difference between former R.C. 2929.13(A) and current R.C. 2929.11(A) is the change of

the word “sentence” to “sanctions” and the requirement of the court’s “using the minimum

sanctions” that the court determines do not impose an unnecessary burden on resources.

       {¶ 24} State v. Luyando, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97203, 2012-Ohio-1947, was correct

that “although resource burdens are relevant sentencing considerations under former R.C.

2929.13(A) and newly enacted language in R.C. 2929.11, a sentencing court is not required to

elevate resource conservation above seriousness and recidivism factors.”          Id.   at ¶ 14.

However, the mandate that the court impose the minimum sanctions means more than we

discussed in State v. Bowshier, 2d Dist. Clark No. 08-CA-58, 2009-Ohio-3429, which was

decided under former R.C. 2929.13(A).         I find the language to mean that there is a

requirement for the imposition of the minimum sanctions necessary to achieve the goals of

punishment and protection (without an unnecessary burden on government resources) and that

a silent record, or even one that by rote statement says that the purpose and principles and

seriousness and recidivism factors were considered, would not support a greater sanction.

       {¶ 25} Here, I agree with the majority that the trial court made a sufficient record that

the minimum sanction would not accomplish those goals and that the sanction’s burden on

government resources was “necessary.”
                                                                                                9

Hall, J., concurring:

       {¶ 26} I agree that, in this case, the trial court satisfied its R.C. 2929.11(A) sentencing

obligation by stating that it considered “the purposes and principles of sentencing” and “the

seriousness and recidivism factors” of the Ohio Revised Code. I also agree that by

stating that it considered the purposes and principles of sentencing, the trial court had

included                  R.C.          2929.11(A)’s           minimum-sanctions             and

unnecessary-burden-on-government-resources language. The court was not required to

refer separately to either the minimum sanction or the government’s burden. This is

consistent with our prior jurisprudence. “Furthermore, even if there is no specific

mention of those statutes in the record, ‘it is presumed that the trial court gave proper

consideration to those statutes.’” State v. Miller, Clark No. 09CA28, 2010–Ohio–2138,

43, quoting State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008–Ohio–4912, 896 N.E.2d 124, Fn.4.

       {¶ 27} The “minimum sanctions” in this statute should not be mistaken for a

minimum prison sentence within a statutory range. A sentencing court is not required to make

findings or give any reasons for more than a minimum prison sentence. State v. Foster, 109

Ohio St.3d 1, 2006–Ohio–856, 845 N.E.2d 470. “Minimum sanctions” are those conditions,

circumstances, programing, restrictions or incarceration that the sentencing court determines

will accomplish the overriding purposes of felony sentencing without imposing an

unnecessary burden on government resources. The second sentence in R.C.2929.11(A) defines

the “overriding purposes of felony sentencing.” They are to protect and to punish using the

minimum sanctions that accomplish protection and punishment without imposing an

unnecessary burden on government resources. Thus, if a court considers the purposes and
                                                                                          10

principles of sentencing, the court has necessarily considered both “minimum sanctions” and

“unnecessary burden.”

       {¶ 28} Finally, I question whether trial courts are in a position to evaluate what the

minimum sanctions are that accomplish the purposes of felony sentencing that will not burden

government resources. Resource burdens are the province of the executive and legislative

branches of government. And, unlike R.C. 2929.12, which gives courts guidance in evaluating

seriousness and likelihood of recidivism, R.C. 2929.11(A) gives no guidance whatsoever in

evaluating whether a sanction burdens resources.

Copies mailed to:

Kirsten A. Brandt, Esq.
Brandin D. Marlow, Esq.
Hon. Gregory F. Singer