Court Opinion

ID: 9370474
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-13 19:08:34.750159+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:21.520295
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Brown, 2023-Ohio-411.]

                   IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                           ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                TRUMBULL COUNTY

STATE OF OHIO,                                    CASE NO. 2022-T-0078

                   Plaintiff-Appellee,
                                                  Criminal Appeal from the
          - vs -                                  Eastern District Court

JASON E. BROWN,
                                                  Trial Court No. 2015 CRB 00269 E
                   Defendant-Appellant.

                                           OPINION

                                     Decided: February 13, 2023
                                        Judgment: Affirmed

Dennis Watkins, Trumbull County Prosecutor, and Deena L. DeVico, Assistant
Prosecutor, Administration Building, Fourth Floor, 160 High Street, N.W., Warren, OH
44481 (For Plaintiff-Appellee).

Benjamin R. Sorber, Dicaudo, Pitchford & Yoder, LLC, 209 South Main Street, Third
Floor, Akron, OH 44308 (For Defendant-Appellant).

JOHN J. EKLUND, P.J.

          {¶1}     Appellant, Jason Brown, appeals from the Trumbull County Eastern District

Court after the court denied his R.C. 2953.32 motion to seal his conviction record. We

affirm.

          {¶2}     In 2015, appellant was charged with one count of domestic violence, a

misdemeanor of the first degree in violation of R.C. 2919.25(A). Appellant entered a plea

to an amended charge of menacing, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, in violation of

R.C. 2903.22. The court sentenced appellant to 30 days jail, with 28 days suspended and
credit for two days served, six months’ probation, and a no contact order with the victim,

Gina Fitzgerald. Appellant completed all terms of his sentence.

       {¶3}   On February 8, 2022, appellant filed a motion to seal his record of conviction

pursuant to R.C. 2953.32. A hearing on the motion was set for March 23, 2022 and

continued at the State’s request to ensure the presence of Fitzgerald. On March 23, the

State said, “[w]e would leave it up to the Court and just ask that you take into consideration

the victim’s wishes here.” The matter was reset to April 14, 2022.

       {¶4}   At the April 14 hearing, appellant proceeded pro se. He referenced several

paper documents which are not contained in the record. Appellant said that those

documents were important because they painted “a picture of what really took place” at

the time of his underlying conviction. The court attempted to direct appellant to focus on

the statutory considerations for sealing a record of conviction rather than relitigating the

incident.

       {¶5}   However, appellant engaged in a lengthy discourse about his menacing

conviction. He said “There’s two sides to every story. And unfortunately, my side of the

story has never had a chance to be heard. That’s why I’m here today, your honor.” He

continued:

        The problem here is I wasn’t the only one that could have made
        better decisions that night, and I believe I’ll prove it. Bad decisions
        were made by both of us. * * * I brought with me today some
        evidence, some evidence that is sure to drop some jaws and is
        guaranteed to show why this expungement should be granted,
        some evidence to show how Miss Fitzgerald uses this court to be a
        victim all while trying to snuggle up to me behind its back and take
        advantage of its powers.

        ***

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        What I will prove beyond a reasonable doubt is that Miss Fitzgerald
        is just as much at fault as I am and, therefore, justification for
        granting this expungement.

       {¶6}   The court interrupted appellant to explain the purpose of a hearing to seal

a record and again attempted to redirect him to that purpose. Appellant said he has “never

been able to give my side of the story though.”

       {¶7}   After appellant’s testimony, the court questioned Fitzgerald. She objected

to the sealing of appellant’s record because his behavior continued to be erratic. She

stated there had been no contact between herself and appellant since the conviction.

Neither appellant nor the State asked Fitzgerald any questions.

       {¶8}   Probation Officer Tim Hunter testified about appellant’s record and stated

appellant was an eligible offender under the statute.

       {¶9}   The State objected to sealing appellant’s record saying, “[i]t seems like he

could fly off the handle at any second. And he also clearly did not want to accept any sort

of blame even for something that happened so long ago.”

       {¶10} At the conclusion of the hearing, the State objected to the admission of

appellant’s documents because he did not authenticate or introduce any of the material

during his testimony. The court sustained that objection and excluded the documents.

Appellant’s documents are not part of the record because appellant did not introduce

them to the trial court.

       {¶11} On May 26, 2022, the court issued an order denying appellant’s motion to

seal his record of conviction. The court found that appellant was an eligible offender, that

more than one year had lapsed from the discharge of the offense, and that no criminal

proceedings were pending against him. However, the court found that “based upon the

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Case No. 2022-T-0078
testimony and the evidence presented that the Government’s need to maintain record

outweighs the applicant’s interest in this matter.” Therefore, the court denied appellant’s

motion to seal his record of conviction.

       {¶12} Appellant timely appealed asserting two assignments of error.

                              Assignments of Error and Analysis

       {¶13} Appellant’s first assignment of error states:

       {¶14} “[1.] The trial court erred in denying Mr. Brown’s Motion to Expunge/Seal

the Record (Judgment Entry May 26, 2022, p.2).”

       {¶15} Appellant argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to seal his

record of conviction. He notes that the State did not object to sealing his conviction at the

first hearing date and only objected because of appellant’s behavior at the April 14

hearing. He argues the State did not proffer any evidence of a “legitimate government

need to maintain the record” or that appellant is likely to reoffend. He does not believe

that the State has a legitimate interest in maintaining the record of conviction for a seven-

year-old fourth degree misdemeanor menacing charge and that Fitzgerald’s interests in

maintaining the record are minimal where she acknowledged that there had been no

contact between herself and appellant after the conviction.

       {¶16} Prior to ordering a record of conviction sealed, R.C. 2953.32(C)(1) provides

that the court shall do each of the following:

       (a) Determine whether the applicant is an eligible offender * * *.

       (b) Determine whether criminal proceedings are pending against the
           applicant;

       (c) If the applicant is an eligible offender who applies pursuant to
           division (A)(1) of this section, determine whether the applicant
           has been rehabilitated to the satisfaction of the court;
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Case No. 2022-T-0078
       (d) If the prosecutor has filed an objection in accordance with division
           (B) of this section, consider the reasons against granting the
           application specified by the prosecutor in the objection;

       (e) Weigh the interests of the applicant in having the records
           pertaining to the applicant's conviction or bail forfeiture sealed
           against the legitimate needs, if any, of the government to maintain
           those records;

       (f) * * *

Here, there is no question that appellant is an eligible offender and that there were no

criminal proceedings pending against appellant.

       {¶17} The sealing of a criminal record is “‘an act of grace created by the state,’”

which is “‘a privilege, not a right.’” State v. Talameh, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2011-P-0074,

2012-Ohio-4205, quoting State v. Simon, 87 Ohio St.3d 531, 533, 721 N.E.2d 1041

(2000), quoting State v. Hamilton, 75 Ohio St.3d 636, 639, 665 N.E.2d 669 (1996). R.C.

2953.32 emphasizes the applicant’s “interest in having the record sealed” against the

public’s interest in being able to review the record, which is a relevant, legitimate

government need. Id., citing State v. M.D., 8th Dist. No. 97300, 2012-Ohio-1545, ¶ 7 and

State v. Hilbert, 145 Ohio App.3d 824, 827, 764 N.E.2d 1064 (8th Dist. 2001). Courts

“must liberally construe R.C. 2953.32 in favor of promoting the individual’s interest in

having the records sealed.” Id., citing Hilbert. “Sealing of a record of conviction pursuant

to R.C. 2953.32 is a postconviction remedy that is civil in nature.” State v. Potts, 11th Dist.

Trumbull No. 2019-T-0038, 2020-Ohio-989, ¶ 20, citing State v. LaSalle, 96 Ohio St.3d

178, 2002-Ohio-4009, ¶ 19. There is no requirement that the court set forth its reasoning

when granting or denying a motion to seal. State v. Krutowsky, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.

81545, 2003-Ohio-1731, ¶ 14.

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       {¶18} We review the trial court’s decision to seal a record of conviction for an

abuse of discretion. Talameh, supra, at ¶ 20. “‘The term “abuse of discretion” is one of

art, connoting judgment exercised by a court which neither comports with reason, nor the

record.’ State v. Underwood, 11th 12 Case No. 2022-A-0040 Dist. Lake No. 2008-L-113,

2009-Ohio-208 [2009 WL 1177050], ¶ 30, citing State v. Ferranto, 112 Ohio St. 667, 676-

678 [148 N.E. 362] (1925).” State v. Raia, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2013-P-0020, 2014-

Ohio-2707, ¶ 9. Stated differently, an abuse of discretion is “the trial court’s ‘failure to

exercise sound, reasonable, and legal decision-making.’” Id., quoting State v. Beechler,

2d Dist. Clark No. 09-CA-54, 2010-Ohio-1900, ¶ 62, quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 11

(8th Ed.Rev.2004). “When an appellate court is reviewing a pure issue of law, ‘the mere

fact that the reviewing court would decide the issue differently is enough to find error[.] *

* * By contrast, where the issue on review has been confined to the discretion of the trial

court, the mere fact that the reviewing court would have reached a different result is not

enough, without more, to find error.’” Id., quoting Beechler at ¶ 67.

       {¶19} The applicant bears the burden of demonstrating that the interest in having

the record of conviction sealed is equal to or greater than the government’s need to

maintain those records. State v. Shaffer, 11th Dist. Geauga No. 2009-G-2929, 2010-Ohio-

6565, ¶ 18, citing State v. Haney, 70 Ohio App.3d 135, 139, 590 N.E.2d 445 (10th 1990).

“‘[T]here is no requirement that the state present any evidence at this hearing.’” Id.,

quoting State v. Haney, 70 Ohio App.3d 135, 139, 590 N.E.2d 445 (10th Dist. 1991).

       {¶20} In addition to considering the interests of the applicant, a trial court also

considers “whether the rehabilitation of the movant ‘has been attained to the satisfaction

of the court.’ This highlights that the issue of rehabilitation is peculiarly subjective,

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requiring great deference to the trial court on the part of a reviewing court.” State v.

Brooks, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 25033, 2012-Ohio-3278, ¶ 15, quoting R.C.

2953.32. “Failure of proof of rehabilitation is an independent ground upon which to deny

a motion to seal, since the trial court must make both findings in the movant's favor before

it seals the records.” Id. at ¶ 28. “The most common way of proving rehabilitation is to

offer proof along the lines of ‘I learned my lesson, I regret having committed my criminal

act, and I will never do this again,’ which necessarily involves an admission of guilt. It is

not, however, the only possible way to prove rehabilitation.” Id. at ¶ 21.

       {¶21} Appellant cites a string of cases which stand for the proposition that a trial

court may not deny sealing a record of conviction based solely of the circumstances and

nature of the underlying conviction. See, e.g., State v. M.J., 11th Dist. No. 2018-A-0046,

2019-Ohio-1420, ¶ 23. While this is a true proposition of law, nothing in the record

suggests the trial court denied his motion to seal his record of conviction because of the

nature of the underlying offense.

       {¶22} Here, appellant offered lengthy testimony to the court regarding why he

believed he was entitled to have his record sealed. However, his testimony to the court

was primarily focused on relitigating the underlying conviction. Appellant did acknowledge

wrongdoing and stated he had completed anger management, adhered to the terms of

the no contact order, and completed probation. However, in nearly the same breath,

appellant minimized his actions by stating Fitzgerald was also to blame and said “justice

would be served by acknowledging that we both made bad decisions that night. And

therefore, I respectfully ask this Honorable Court to grant my expungement.”

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       {¶23} At several points, the trial court attempted to redirect appellant to focus on

the factors set forth in R.C. 2953.32, yet he still focused on proving “beyond a reasonable

doubt” that “Miss Fitzgerald is just as much at fault as I am, and therefore, justification for

granting this expungement.”

       {¶24} Additionally, while appellant attempted to reference several character

letters during the hearing, it is telling that appellant said those character references

originated from a federal conviction in 2014, one year before appellant pled to the

underlying menacing conviction. Further, those exhibits were not introduced at the

hearing and are not available for this Court to review.

       {¶25} Fitzgerald objected to sealing appellant’s record because she did not

believe he had been rehabilitated. She said, “I just don’t feel that there’s any change,”

noting appellant’s continued argumentative behavior and constant need to be right. The

State’s objection similarly identified appellant’s erratic behavior, saying that while in court

it appeared appellant “could fly off the handle at any second.”

       {¶26} Where the question of rehabilitation is “peculiarly subjective,” we must give

great deference to the trial court. Brooks, 2012-Ohio-3278 at ¶ 15. This case presents an

appellant whose acknowledgements of wrongdoing did not demonstrate rehabilitation,

but instead demonstrated a person whose idea of justice was to continue to blame the

victim of a crime seven years later. The trial court here did not articulate a lack of

rehabilitation as grounds for denying appellant’s motion. However, it was not required to

do so. See State v. Krutowsky, 2003-Ohio-1731, ¶ 14. But, the record below supports a

conclusion that appellant was not rehabilitated. This buttresses our conclusion that the

trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying appellant’s motion.

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       {¶27} In addition to the issue of rehabilitation, the trial court weighs the interests

of the applicant against the legitimate need of the government. State v. Shaffer, 2010-

Ohio-6565, at ¶ 12. Here, appellant focused almost exclusively on sharing the blame with

Fitzgerald rather than demonstrating his interest in sealing the record even after the trial

court repeatedly tried to redirect him. Appellant did not meet his burden to identify how

his interest in having his conviction sealed outweighed the public's right to access the

records. The State was not required to present its own evidence of what its interests were

or how they outweighed appellant’s. See State v. Haney, 70 Ohio App.3d at 139. The trial

court did not abuse its discretion in denying his motion to seal his record of conviction.

See State v. Dewey, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2020-A-0036, 2021-Ohio-1005, ¶ 19.

       {¶28} Accordingly, appellant’s first assignment of error is without merit.

       {¶29} Appellant’s second assignment of error states:

       {¶30} “[2.] The trial court erred in excluding evidence proffered by Mr. Brown

during the Court’s deliberations.”

       {¶31} In this assignment of error, appellant makes two arguments: first, that the

trial court improperly excluded documents which he intended to use in support of sealing

his record; second, that the trial court did not allow appellant to cross-examine Fitzgerald.

Appellant believes that the trial court inappropriately treated the hearing as an adversarial

proceeding rather than an information gathering proceeding with the essential purpose of

providing a “reviewing court with all relevant information bearing on an applicant’s

eligibility * * *.” State v. Hamilton, 75 Ohio St.3d 636, 641, 665 N.E.2d 669 (1996).

       {¶32} First, we address the exclusion of appellant’s documents. Evid.R. 901(A)

provides: “The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to

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admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in

question is what its proponent claims.”

         {¶33} “A trial court’s ruling on the admission of evidence is generally reviewed for

an abuse of discretion.” State v. Dotson, 11th Dist. No. 2017-T-0103, 2019-Ohio-2393,

139 N.E.3d 430, ¶ 49.

         {¶34} Here, appellant did not identify or authenticate any of the documents he

sought to admit as evidence. Although several documents were mentioned obliquely

throughout the hearing, no single document was identified or authenticated. Appellant

failed to provide sufficient evidence to support a finding that the documents in question

were what he said they were.

         {¶35} Further, appellant’s documents are not part of the record on appeal. “An

appellant has the duty to ensure that the record or whatever parts thereof are necessary

for the determination of the appeal are filed with the appellate court.” Aurora v. Belinger,

11th Dist. No. 2007-P-0041, 180 Ohio App.3d 178, 2008-Ohio-6772, 904 N.E.2d 916, ¶

30. Where the record does not contain any information about appellant’s materials, we

cannot conclude the trial court abused its discretion in excluding those materials.

         {¶36} Next, we address whether the trial court denied appellant the opportunity to

question Fitzgerald. As appellant has correctly noted, a hearing under R.C. 2953.32 is

not an adversarial proceeding. The purpose is for the court to gather relevant information

bearing on the applicant’s eligibility to have a record of conviction sealed. At a hearing on

a motion to seal, there is no constitutional right to cross-examine a witness or confront an

accuser. See State v. Zedak, 9th Dist. Summit No. 15125, 1991 WL 260154, *1 (Dec. 4,

1991).

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       {¶37} Significantly, appellant did not seek to question Fitzgerald. During the

hearing, the trial court questioned Fitzgerald and neither the State nor appellant sought

to cross-examine her. We will not find error here where there is no indication that the court

denied appellant the opportunity to question Fitzgerald.

       {¶38} Accordingly, appellant’s second assignment of error is without merit.

       {¶39} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Trumbull County Eastern

District Court is affirmed.

MARY JANE TRAPP, J.,

MATT LYNCH, J.,

concur.

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