Court Opinion

ID: 2699025
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 17:58:47.108746+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:50:45.267742
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Takos, 2013-Ohio-565.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                     RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                       JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO                                  :       Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J.
                                               :       Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
                          Plaintiff-Appellee   :       Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
                                               :
-vs-                                           :
                                               :       Case No. 2012-CA-0078
JEFFREY MICHAEL TAKOS                          :
                                               :
                     Defendant-Appellant       :       OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                           Criminal appeal from the Richland County
                                                   Court of Common Pleas Court, Case No.
                                                   2012-CR-50H

JUDGMENT:                                          Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                            February 5, 2013

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                             For Defendant-Appellant

JAMES J. MAYER, JR.                                ANDREW M. KVOCHICK
Richland County Prosecuting Attorney               Weldon, Huston & Keyser, LLP
38 S. Park Street                                  76 N. Mulberry Street
Mansfield, OH 44902                                Mansfield, OH 44902
[Cite as State v. Takos, 2013-Ohio-565.]

Delaney, P.J.,

        {¶1}     Appellant Jeffrey Takos was indicted with Theft, a felony of the fifth

degree, Receiving Stolen Property, a felony of the fifth degree, Misuse of a Credit Card,

a misdemeanor of the first degree, Forgery, a felony of the fifth degree, Falsification, a

misdemeanor of the first degree, and Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third

degree.

        {¶2}     On June 27, 2012, Takos entered a guilty plea to Theft, a felony of the fifth

degree, and Attempted Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the fourth degree. The

state dismissed the balance of the charges.

        {¶3}     On August 1, 2012, the trial court sentenced Takos to a maximum

sentence of twelve months on the theft charge consecutive to a maximum sentence of

eighteen months on the attempted tampering with evidence charge. Defense counsel

objected.

        {¶4}     In its sentencing entry form, the trial court checked boxes indicating that

consecutive sentences were "necessary to protect the public from future crime or to

punish the offender and consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the

seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the offender poses to the public

and because * * * The offender committed one or more of the offenses while under a

community control sanction or PRC for a prior offense * * * The offender's history of

criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the

public from future crime by the offender."

        {¶5}     Appellate counsel for Takos has filed a motion to withdraw and a brief

pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493(1967),
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                                  3

rehearing denied, 388 U.S. 924, 87 S.Ct. 2094, 18 L.Ed.2d 1377(1967), indicating that

the within appeal is wholly frivolous and setting forth four proposed assignments of

error. Takos did not file a pro se brief alleging any additional assignments of error. The

state did not file a brief in this case.

       {¶6}    Counsel raises the following proposed Assignments of Error:

       {¶7}    “I.   WHETHER         THE     TRIAL       COURT   ERRED   IN   IMPOSING

CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES.

       {¶8}    “II. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN IMPOSING MAXIMUM

SENTENCES.

       {¶9}    “III. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO CONSIDER

COMMUNITY CONTROL SANCTIONS FOR FELONIES OF THE FOURTH AND FIFTH

DEGREE.

       {¶10} “IV. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY

CONSIDERING UNPROVEN ALLEGATIONS AT SENTENCING.”

                                           I, II, III, and IV

       {¶11} Because we find the issues raised in Takos’ Assignments of Error are

closely related, for ease of discussion, we shall address the Assignments of Error

together.

       {¶12} Takos argues that the trial erred court because it failed to consider

community control sanctions for a felonies of the fourth and fifth degree as required by

R.C. 2929.13(B)(1)(a).

       {¶13} R.C. 2929.13 Sentencing guidelines for various specific offenses and

degrees of offenses provides in relevant part,
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                                  4

             (B)(1)(a) Except as provided in division (B)(1)(b) of this section, if

      an offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony of the fourth or fifth

      degree that is not an offense of violence, the court shall sentence the

      offender to a community control sanction of at least one year's duration if

      all of the following apply:

             (i) The offender previously has not been convicted of or pleaded

      guilty to a felony offense or to an offense of violence that is a

      misdemeanor and that the offender committed within two years prior to the

      offense for which sentence is being imposed.

             (ii) The most serious charge against the offender at the time of

      sentencing is a felony of the fourth or fifth degree.

             (iii) If the court made a request of the department of rehabilitation

      and correction pursuant to division (B)(1)(c) of this section, the

      department, within the forty-five-day period specified in that division,

      provided the court with the names of, contact information for, and program

      details of one or more community control sanctions of at least one year's

      duration that are available for persons sentenced by the court.

      {¶14} In the case at bar, the record reflects that Takos admitted at the

sentencing hearing that he has past felony convictions. Accordingly, the presumption in

favor of community control sanctions does not apply to Takos. R.C. 2929.13(B)(1)(a)(i).

      {¶15} Accordingly, we agree with counsel's conclusion that no arguably

meritorious claims exist upon which to base an appeal challenging the trial court's

decision not to sentence Takos to community control sanctions.
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                                     5

       {¶16} Takos also argues that the trial court erred by giving him the maximum

sentence.

       {¶17} In State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008–Ohio–4912, 896 N.E.2d 124,

the Ohio Supreme Court reviewed its decision in State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1,

2006–Ohio–856, 845 N.E.2d 470 as it relates to the sentencing statutes and appellate

review of felony sentencing. See, State v. Snyder, Licking App. No. 2008–CA–25,

2080–Ohio–6709, 2008 WL 5265826.

       {¶18} In Kalish, the Court discussed the affect of the Foster decision on felony

sentencing. The Court stated, in Foster, the Ohio Supreme Court severed the judicial

fact-finding portions of R.C. 2929.14, holding that “trial courts have full discretion to

impose a prison sentence within the statutory range and are no longer required to make

findings or give their reasons for imposing maximum, consecutive, or more than the

minimum sentences.” Kalish at ¶ 1 and 11, 896 N.E.2d 124, citing Foster at ¶ 100, See

also, State v. Payne, 114 Ohio St.3d 502, 2007–Ohio–4642, 873 N.E.2d 306; State v.

Firouzmandi, Licking App. No. 2006–CA–41, 2006–Ohio–5823, 2006 WL 3185175.

       {¶19} Kalish held in reviewing felony sentences and applying Foster to the

remaining sentencing statutes, the appellate courts must use a two-step approach.

“First, they must examine the sentencing court's compliance with all applicable rules

and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine whether the sentence is clearly and

convincingly contrary to law. If this first prong is satisfied, the trial court's decision in

imposing the term of imprisonment shall be reviewed under an abuse of discretion

standard.” Kalish at ¶ 4: State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006–Ohio–856, 845 N.E.2d

470.
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                                    6

       {¶20} The Supreme Court held, in Kalish, the trial court's sentencing decision

was not contrary to law. “The trial court expressly stated that it considered the purposes

and principles of R.C. 2929.11, as well as the factors listed in R.C. 2929.12. Moreover,

it properly applied post release control, and the sentence was within the permissible

range. Accordingly, the sentence is not clearly and convincingly contrary to law.” Kalish

at ¶ 18. The Court further held the trial court “gave careful and substantial deliberation

to the relevant statutory considerations” and there was “nothing in the record to suggest

that the court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.” Kalish at ¶ 20.

       {¶21} We first find the trial court's sentence was not contrary to law. We also find

the trial court considered the applicable felony sentencing statutes, determined Takos

was not amenable to community control sanctions, and determined the overriding

purposes of felony sentencing warranted the maximum prison terms for each offense.

       {¶22} In the case at bar, the trial court conducted a sentencing hearing in open

court. Takos concedes that the trial court considered statements from him and his legal

counsel; the overriding purposes of felony sentencing; the statutory factors set forth in

R.C. 2929.12 and 2929.13; the Pre-Sentence Investigation report, which indicated that

Takos had a prior criminal history, and the seriousness and recidivism factors, before

deciding on a prison term.

       {¶23} Based on the record, the transcript of the sentencing hearing and the

subsequent judgment entry, this Court cannot find that the trial court acted

unreasonably, arbitrarily, or unconscionably, or that the trial court violated Takos’ rights

to due process under the Ohio and United States Constitutions in its sentencing him.
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                                  7

Further, the sentence in this case is not so grossly disproportionate to the offense as to

shock the sense of justice in the community.

      {¶24} Upon review, we agree with counsel's conclusion that no arguably

meritorious claims exist upon which to base an appeal challenging the trial court's

decision to impose the maximum sentences.

      {¶25} Takos further maintains the trial court improperly imposed consecutive

sentences.

      {¶26} 2011 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 86, which became effective on September 30,

2011, revived the language provided in former R.C. 2929.14(E) and moved it to R.C.

2929.14(C)(4). The revisions to the felony sentencing statutes under 2011 Am.Sub.H.B.

No. 86 now require a trial court to make specific findings when imposing consecutive

sentences. R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) provides, in relevant part:

             (4) If multiple prison terms are imposed on an offender for

      convictions of multiple offenses the court may require the offender to

      serve the prison terms consecutively if the court finds that the consecutive

      service is necessary to protect the public from future crime or to punish

      the offender and that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to

      the seriousness of the offender's conduct and to the danger the offender

      poses to the public, and if the court also finds any of the following:

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

      while the offender was awaiting 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.
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                               8

             (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.

(Emphasis added). In Section 11, the legislature explained that in amending former R.C.

2929.14(E)(4), it intended “to simultaneously repeal and revive the amended language

in those divisions that was invalidated and severed by the Ohio Supreme Court's

decision in State v. Foster (2006), 109 Ohio St.3d 1.” The General Assembly further

explained that the amended language in those divisions “is subject to reenactment

under the United States Supreme Court's decision in Oregon v. Ice (2009), 555 U.S.

160, and the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in State v. Hodge (2010), ––– Ohio St.3d –

–––, Slip Opinion No. 2010–Ohio–6320.” Thus, it is the legislature's intent that courts

interpret the language in R.C. 2929.14(C)(4) in the same manner as the courts did prior

to State v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006–Ohio–856, 845 N.E.2d 470.

      {¶27} We have consistently stated that the record must clearly demonstrate that

consecutive sentences are not only appropriate, but are also clearly supported by the

record. See, State v. Fauntleroy, 5th Dist. No. CT2012-0001, 2012-Ohio-4955; State v.

Bonnell, 5th Dist. No. 12CAA3022, 2012Ohio-515.
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                                       9

       {¶28} When it is clear from the record that the trial court engaged in the

appropriate analysis, little can be gained by sending the case back for the trial court to,

in essence, recite the “magic” or “talismanic” words when imposing consecutive

sentences. In other words, because the record supports the trial court’s imposition of

consecutive sentences, the trial court cannot err in imposing consecutive sentences

after remand. Our review on appeal of any subsequent resentencing will be directed at

looking at the entire trial court record to determine if that record supports the trial court’s

findings that the R.C. 2929.14(C) factors were met. See, State v. Alexander, 1st Dist.

Nos. C–110828, C–110829, 2012–Ohio–3349, ¶ 18; State v. Frasca, 11th Dist. 2011–

T–0108, 2012–Ohio–3746, ¶ 57.

       {¶29} In the case at bar the PSI reviewed by the trial court reveals numerous

prior charges, many similar in nature to the conduct alleged in this case. The trial judge

remarked,

               Presentence study indicates what the Court knew it would. The

       Defendant has been on a crime wave for the last several years and

       continues to be. 13 arrests in 14 years.

                                             ***

               Now, I’m asking Mr. Takos. To what effect do we, now place you on

       community control when you have proven that you are not amenable,

       have never been amenable to supervision? To what effect would I do

       that?

                                             ***
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                               10

             That’s what I figured. We get down to push to shove, you say I’ll

      take the minimum sentence rather than probation. That’s more realistic in

      some ways, because there’s no question you’ve never been amenable.

                                           ***

             The first time I saw you in this courthouse, I said here’s a young

      man, an intelligent young man. Maybe had –I guess maybe had a juvenile

      record, but I said here’s a guy, we give him a chance, put him on

      probation, give him supervision, get him started in school, get him started

      toward making a life for himself, this man is going to make it.

                                           ***

             It’s been a while ago. But since that time and since the time I

      believe that you really had a shot of making it, you got five pages of rap,

      including three separate felonies. So we’ll see. We’ll wait and see what

      happens, Mr. Takos. You turn the corner, you get yourself straight and

      turn away from this criminal crap that you’ve been involved in for all these

      years, make something special out of yourself as opposed to an inmate

      and a fool and we will be able and willing to do something different. Until

      you do, we treat you the way you act.

Sent. T., Aug 1, 2012 at 16; 17; 20.

      {¶30} Upon review, we agree with counsel's conclusion that no arguably

meritorious claims exist upon which to base an appeal challenging the trial court's

decision to impose the consecutive sentences.
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                              11

       {¶31} Takos next argues that the trial court considered unproven allegations in

determining his sentence.

       {¶32} We agree with counsel's conclusion that the record fails to demonstrate

that the unproven allegations were the deciding factor in the trial court’s sentencing

decision. As noted above, there is sufficient independent evidence to support the trial

court’s sentencing decision, which renders any consideration of the unproven

allegations harmless, there is no prejudice and reversal is unwarranted.

       {¶33} Upon review, we agree with counsel's conclusion that no arguably

meritorious claims exist upon which to base an appeal challenging any consideration by

the trial court of unproven allegations.

       {¶34} Takos’ four assignments of error are overruled in their entirety, and the

decision of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.

By Delaney, P.J.,

Hoffman, J., and

Farmer, J., concur

                                             _________________________________
                                             HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY

                                             _________________________________
                                             HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN

                                             _________________________________
                                             HON. SHEILA G. FARMER

PAD:clw 0107
Richland County, Case No. 2012-CA-0078                                               12

Hoffman, J., concurring

      {¶35} I concur in the majority opinion with the singular exception that I find the

statute requires the trial court recite the “magic” or “talismanic” words when imposing

consecutive sentences.

      {¶36} In find the trial court complied with such requirement by checking the

appropriate boxes on its sentencing entry form.

                                                  ________________________________
                                                  HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
[Cite as State v. Takos, 2013-Ohio-565.]

              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO

                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                                     :
                                                  :
                             Plaintiff-Appellee   :
                                                  :
                                                  :
-vs-                                              :       JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                                  :
JEFFREY MICHAEL TAKOS                             :
                                                  :
                                                  :
                        Defendant-Appellant       :       CASE NO. 2012-CA-0078

       For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the decision of

the Richland County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Costs to Appellant.

                                                      _________________________________
                                                      HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY

                                                      _________________________________
                                                      HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN

                                                      _________________________________
                                                      HON. SHEILA G. FARMER