Court Opinion

ID: 2765864
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-31 15:06:16.87046+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:17:40.645117
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Weideman, 2014-Ohio-5768.]

                                   IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                               ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                    PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO,                                   :    OPINION

                 Plaintiff-Appellee,             :
                                                      CASE NO. 2013-P-0100
        - vs -                                   :

JOSEPH W. WEIDEMAN,                              :

                 Defendant-Appellant.            :

Criminal Appeal from the Portage County Court of Common Pleas.
Case No. 2013 CR 0433.

Judgment: Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.

Victor V. Vigluicci, Portage County Prosecutor, and Pamela J. Holder, Assistant
Prosecutor, 241 South Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH, 44266 (For Plaintiff-Appellee).

Richard E. Hackerd, 231 South Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH 44266-3023 (For
Defendant-Appellant).

TIMOTHY P. CANNON, P.J.

        {¶1}     Appellant, Joseph W. Weideman, appeals his sentence by the Portage

County Court of Common Pleas following his guilty plea to one count of operating a

vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OVI), with a specification of five or more

convictions within the last 20 years, a felony of the third degree. For the reasons that

follow, we affirm in part and reverse in part.
         {¶2}   On July 11, 2013, appellant was charged by way of a three-count

indictment: one count of OVI, in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) & (G)(1)(e), a third-

degree felony; one count of OVI, in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(h) & (G)(1)(d), a

third-degree felony; and one count of driving under suspension, in violation of R.C.

4510.11, a first-degree misdemeanor. Both OVI charges were accompanied by an R.C.

2941.1413 specification, appellant having been convicted of five or more felony OVI

offenses within the last 20 years of the date of the current offense.

         {¶3}   Appellant initially pled not guilty to all three counts, but he subsequently

entered into a counseled plea bargain with appellee, the state of Ohio. On August 16,

2013, appellant entered a counseled written plea of guilty to one count of OVI with a

specification. The state entered a nolle prosequi on the remaining two counts.

         {¶4}   On October 1, 2013, the trial court sentenced appellant to a five-year term

of imprisonment for the underlying OVI offense and a three-year term of imprisonment

for the specification, to run consecutively to each other, for a total of eight years.

         {¶5}   Appellant filed a motion for leave to file a delayed appeal on November

25, 2013, which was granted by this court. Appellant now appeals his sentence, raising

three assignments of error. Appellant’s first assignment of error states:

         {¶6}   “The Trial Court’s sentence to a five year prison term on a third degree

felony OVI was contrary to law where ORC 2929.14(A) limits the term to three years

and violated this Court’s controlling precedent as stated in State v. Owen, 2013-Ohio-

2824.”

         {¶7}   Ohio’s felony-sentencing scheme allows judges to exercise discretion

within established statutory bounds. State v. Ries, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2008-P-0064,

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2009-Ohio-1316, ¶13, citing State v. Mathis, 109 Ohio St. 3d 54 (2006), paragraph three

of the syllabus. Despite having significant latitude, sentencing courts are required to

follow statutory direction in choosing a prison term. State v. Belew, 140 Ohio St. 3d 221,

2014-Ohio-2964, ¶10 (Lanzinger, J., dissenting).

       {¶8}   Am.Sub.H.B. No. 86 (“H.B. 86”), enacted by the Ohio General Assembly in

2011, reflects the General Assembly’s intent that appellate review of sentences be

governed by R.C. 2953.08(G).

              The court hearing an appeal under division (A), (B), or (C) of this
              section shall review the record, including the findings underlying the
              sentence or modification given by the sentencing court.

              The appellate court may increase, reduce, or otherwise modify a
              sentence that is appealed under this section or may vacate the
              sentence and remand the matter to the sentencing court for
              resentencing. The appellate court’s standard for review is not
              whether the sentencing court abused its discretion. The appellate
              court may take any action authorized by this division if it clearly and
              convincingly finds either of the following:

              (a) That the record does not support the sentencing court’s findings
              under division (B) or (D) of section 2929.13, division (B)(2)(e) or
              (C)(4) of section 2929.14, or division (I) of section 2929.20 of the
              Revised Code, whichever, if any, is relevant;

              (b) That the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.

R.C. 2953.08(G)(2). Accordingly, this court utilizes R.C. 2953.08(G) as the standard of

review in all felony sentencing appeals. State v. Hettmansperger, 11th Dist. Ashtabula

No. 2014-A-0006, 2014-Ohio-4306, ¶14.

       {¶9}   Here, appellant argues that his five-year sentence on the underlying OVI

offense is contrary to law based on this court’s holding in State v. Owen, 11th Dist. Lake

No. 2012-L-102, 2013-Ohio-2824, which was released approximately three months prior

to the trial court’s imposition of sentence.

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       {¶10} In Owen, this court identified a conflict between Ohio’s OVI Sentencing

Statute [R.C. 4511.19(G)(1)(e)] and Ohio’s General Sentencing Statute, as enacted by

H.B. 86 [R.C. 2929.14(A)(3) & (B)(4)]. Owen at ¶2, ¶18-20. “The OVI statute provides

for a maximum sentence of five years for [third-degree felony OVI]. However, [the

general sentencing statute] * * * has reduced the maximum prison term for third-degree

felonies, with certain exceptions not applicable [to Owen], to three years.” Id. at ¶2. It is

one of those exceptions that distinguishes Owen from the case sub judice.

MANDATORY TERM

       OVI Sentencing Statute

       {¶11} R.C. 4511.19(G)(1)(e) states that OVI is a third-degree felony if the

offender has previously been convicted of a felony OVI. R.C. 4511.19(G)(1)(e)(i)-(ii)

provides for two tiers of mandatory prison terms, pursuant to R.C. 2929.13(G)(2), for

offenders that are convicted and sentenced for violating R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a)

[appellant’s charge] or R.C. 4511.19(A)(2) [Owen’s charge].          The two tiers are as

follows: (1) for an offender who is also convicted of or pleads guilty to a R.C. 2941.1413

specification, the mandatory prison term is one, two, three, four, or five years; (2) for an

offender who is not convicted of or does not plead guilty to a R.C. 2941.1413

specification, the mandatory prison term is either 60 or 120 days. R.C. 2929.13(G)(2).

       General Sentencing Statute

       {¶12} R.C. 2929.14(A)(3)(a) states that a five-year maximum prison sentence

remains in effect for certain enumerated third-degree felonies. “For a felony of the third

degree that is not an offense for which division (A)(3)(a) of this section applies, the

prison term shall be” 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, or 36 months. R.C. 2929.14(A)(3)(b). Although

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OVI is not an offense listed in section (A)(3)(a), third-degree felony OVI offenses are

specifically governed by R.C. 2929.14(B)(4), rather than section (A)(3)(b). See R.C.

2929.14(A).

       {¶13} R.C. 2929.14(B)(4) states that when an offender is sentenced for a third-

degree felony OVI offense under R.C. 2929.13(G)(2), the court “shall impose upon the

offender a mandatory prison term in accordance with that division.” Again, as outlined

above, R.C. 2929.13(G)(2) provides two types of mandatory prison terms: (1) for an

offender who is also convicted of or pleads guilty to a R.C. 2941.1413 specification, the

mandatory prison term is one, two, three, four, or five years; (2) for an offender who is

not convicted of or does not plead guilty to a R.C. 2941.1413 specification, the

mandatory prison term is either 60 or 120 days. Id.

       {¶14} Appellant falls under the first category, as he pled guilty to a R.C.

2941.1413 specification. Thus, his mandatory prison sentence of three years for the

specification complies with both the OVI Sentencing Statute (R.C. 4511.19) and the

General Sentencing statute (R.C. 2929.14). These provisions are not in conflict, and

appellant’s mandatory prison sentence is not contrary to law.

ADDITIONAL TERM

       OVI Sentencing Statute

       {¶15} R.C. 4511.19(G)(1)(e)(i)-(ii) provides that the court may also impose an

additional prison term for the underlying third-degree OVI offense. However, when the

applicable mandatory prison term is 60 or 120 days, that term plus any additional term

“shall not exceed five years.” Id.

       General Sentencing Statute

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       {¶16} R.C. 2929.14(B)(4) also provides that the court may impose an additional

prison term.      However, any additional term must be for “any duration specified in

division (A)(3) of this section.” Id. Thus, any additional prison term must be for 9, 12,

18, 24, 30, or 36 months. R.C. 2929.14 (A)(3)(b).

       {¶17} Further, when the applicable mandatory prison term is 60 or 120 days

under R.C. 2929.13(G)(2), the court must adhere to two other sentencing limitations.

See R.C. 2929.14(B)(4). First, any additional prison term must be reduced by the 60 or

120 mandatory days. Id. Second, any additional term plus the 60 or 120 mandatory

days “shall equal one of the authorized prison terms specified in division (A)(3) of this

section”—i.e., the cumulative prison term imposed under R.C. 2929.14(B)(4) must equal

9, 12, 18, 24, 30, or 36 months. Id.

       Conflict

       {¶18} It is these two statutory provisions that are in conflict. Specifically, there

are two different conflicts that exist: one relates to the cumulative prison term and one

relates to the additional prison term.

       {¶19} Both statutes limit the cumulative prison term only for third-degree OVI

offenders who fall under the mandatory term of 60 or 120 days. The OVI Sentencing

Statute limits this cumulative prison term to a maximum of five years.                R.C.

2929.13(G)(2).      On the other hand, the General Sentencing Statute states this

cumulative prison term must equal 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, or 36 months.              See R.C.

2929.14(B)(4).

       {¶20} This is the conflict that was identified and resolved in Owen. Owen was

neither convicted of nor did she plead guilty to a R.C. 2941.1413 specification. Thus,

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the cumulative total of Owen’s mandatory prison term (120 days) plus any additional

term could not exceed 36 months. Owen at ¶29. Because the trial court sentenced her

to a total of five years in prison, Owen’s sentence was contrary to law. Id. at ¶35. In the

case sub judice, appellant pled guilty to a R.C. 2941.1413 specification; thus, the

cumulative total of his prison sentence was not limited to one of the terms specified in

section (A)(3)(b). Accordingly, Owen is distinguishable and does not control here.

        {¶21} Further, the OVI Sentencing Statute does not appear to limit the additional

prison term that may be imposed on any third-degree felony OVI offender. See R.C.

4511.19(G)(1)(e)(i)-(ii). In fact, the language employed by the legislature in portions of

this section is nearly incomprehensible. (For an example, see the first sentence of R.C.

4511.19(G)(1)(e)(i)-(ii)). However, the General Sentencing Statute states any additional

prison term must be for 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, or 36 months. See R.C. 2929.14(B)(4).

        {¶22} This is the conflict that exists in the case sub judice. As these statutory

provisions are in irreconcilable conflict and both are specific in nature, we hold that the

later enacted General Sentencing Statute prevails over the OVI Sentencing Statute.1

See R.C. 1.52; see generally Owen, supra (providing a detailed analysis of resolving

conflicts between the statutes at issue).

        {¶23} Pursuant to the General Sentencing Statute, appellant’s additional prison

term was required to be only 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, or 36 months. Yet the trial court imposed

an additional term of five years. Accordingly, although the cumulative total of eight

years was not contrary to statute, the additional five-year portion of appellant’s sentence

1. R.C. 4511.19, as last revised, was effective as of September 23, 2011; R.C. 2929.14(B)(4), as revised
by H.B. 86, was effective as of September 30, 2011. See Owen at ¶18-19.

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exceeded the trial court’s authority under R.C. 2929.14(B)(4).                Thus, appellant’s

additional prison term is clearly and convincingly contrary to law.2

        {¶24} As an aside, we note that the Ohio Supreme Court has certified a conflict

on this issue. State v. South, 139 Ohio St. 3d 1402, 2014-Ohio-2245. The conflict is

stated as follows: “When a defendant is convicted of a R.C. 2941.1413 specification,

does Ohio’s OVI statute, R.C. 4511.19 prevail so that a five year sentence can be

imposed for a third degree felony OVI or does R.C. 2929.14(A) require that the

maximum sentence that can be imposed is three years?” Id.

        {¶25} The conflict cases are State v. South, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26967, 2014-

Ohio-374 and State v. Sturgill, 12th Dist. Clermont Nos. CA2013-01-002/003, 2013-

Ohio-4648.       In South, the Ninth District held, as we do today, that the maximum

additional prison term that can be imposed for the underlying OVI offense is 36 months.

South at ¶18.

        {¶26} In Sturgill, the Twelfth District did not differentiate between (1) the

additional term permitted on the underlying OVI offense and (2) the mandatory term, the

length of which depends on the presence of an R.C. 2941.1413 specification. Rather, it

held that the maximum mandatory term permissible on the specification is five years

pursuant to both the OVI Sentencing Statute and the General Sentencing Statute.

Sturgill at ¶44. We agree with this holding, as does the Ninth District. See South at

¶17. However, the Sturgill court further held that a “mandatory additional prison term of

one, two, three, four, or five years on the specification is provided for in R.C.

2941.1413.” Sturgill at ¶44.

2. The state of Ohio concedes this sentencing error in its appellate brief.

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       {¶27} R.C. 2941.1413 provides for when and how the specification may be

charged; it is not, however, the governing sentencing statute for such a specification. In

essence, Sturgill permits a double imposition of the mandatory sentence on the

specification, instead of one sentence on the specification and one sentence on the

underlying OVI offense. We do not believe the statutes should be read to permit this

result. As Sturgill did not directly analyze the issue now before this court, we proceed to

disposition of this matter.

       {¶28} We hold that the additional portion of appellant’s sentence is contrary to

law, but not pursuant to this court’s decision in Owen. Accordingly, appellant’s first

assignment of error has merit to the extent indicated.

       {¶29} Appellant’s second and third assignments of error state:

              [2.] Weideman’s plea was not knowingly made in August, 2013
              because Weideman was not informed of this Court’s decision in
              Owen when he considered, and ultimately accepted, a plea.

              [3.] Weideman was denied effective assistance of counsel when his
              attorneys failed to argue Owen’s limitation on third-degree felony
              OVI sentences.

       {¶30} Appellant argues that because trial counsel failed to inform appellant and

the trial court of the Owen decision, appellant’s plea was not made knowingly and

counsel was ineffective. As held under appellant’s first assignment of error, however,

Owen does not apply to appellant’s plea or sentence. In Owen, this court did not

engage in an analysis regarding whether a conflict existed between the two statutory

provisions as they relate to an R.C. 2929.1413 specification.        The issue in Owen

regarded the cumulative prison term of an offender without a specification; the issue

here is the additional prison term of an offender with a specification.       Accordingly,

                                            9
although we hold appellant’s additional prison term is contrary to law, it did not result

from a failure to argue Owen.

      {¶31} Appellant’s second and third assignments of error are without merit.

      {¶32} For the reasons stated in this opinion, the judgment of the Portage County

Court of Common Pleas is hereby affirmed in part and reversed in part. This matter is

remanded to the trial court for further proceedings. Upon remand, the trial court shall

resentence appellant only on his underlying OVI conviction, pursuant to R.C.

2929.14(B)(4), to an additional term of either 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, or 36 months as outlined

in R.C. 2929.14(A)(3)(b).

DIANE V. GRENDELL, J.,

COLLEEN MARY O’TOOLE, J.,

concur.

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