Court Opinion

ID: 4259910
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-03-30 15:46:33.585408+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:03:09.518155
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Chambliss, 2018-Ohio-1218.]
                            STATE OF OHIO, BELMONT COUNTY

                                  IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                                        SEVENTH DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO,                                  )   CASE NO. 17 BE 0015
                                                )
        PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,                     )
                                                )
VS.                                             )   OPINION
                                                )
CHEVEZ CHAMANUEL CHAMBLISS,                     )
                                                )
        DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.                    )

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS:                           Criminal Appeal from the Court of
                                                    Common Pleas of Belmont County, Ohio
                                                    Case No. 14 CR 255

JUDGMENT:                                           Affirmed.

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee:                             Atty. Daniel P. Fry
                                                    Belmont County Prosecutor
                                                    Atty. J. Kevin Flanagan
                                                    147-A West Main Street
                                                    St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
                                                    No Brief filed.

For Defendant-Appellant:                            Andrew R. Zellers
                                                    Richard G. Zellers & Associates
                                                    3810 Starrs Centre Drive
                                                    Canfield, Ohio 44406

JUDGES:

Hon. Carol Ann Robb
Hon. Gene Donofrio
Hon. Cheryl L. Waite
                                                           Dated: March 28, 2018
[Cite as State v. Chambliss, 2018-Ohio-1218.]
ROBB, P.J.

        {¶1}     Defendant-Appellant Chevez Chambliss appeals Belmont County
Common Pleas Court’s decision to revoke community control and impose an 18
month prison sentence for his burglary conviction. Appointed counsel filed an Anders
brief and moved to withdraw. After an independent review of the case, the conviction
is affirmed and the motion to withdraw is granted.
                                   Statement of the Case
        {¶2}     In early October 2015, a complaint was filed against Appellant in
Belmont County Court, Northern Division for attempted burglary in violation of R.C.
2923.02 and R.C. 2911.12(B), a fifth-degree felony. In late October 2015, the case
was bound over to the Belmont County Grand Jury. 10/20/15 J.E.
        {¶3}     A Bill of Information charging Appellant with burglary in violation of R.C.
3911.12(B), a fourth-degree felony was filed on November 17, 2015. In December
2015 a plea hearing occurred. The parties agreed Appellant met the requirements
for R.C. 2951.041 treatment in lieu of conviction. Appellant entered a guilty plea to
the crime, which was accepted after a plea colloquy advising Appellant of the
constitutional and nonconstitutional rights he was waiving by entering a guilty plea.
12/2/15 J.E.; 11/30/15 Tr. 4-9.            The trial court then ordered treatment in lieu of
conviction. 12/2/15 J.E. Status checks on Appellant’s compliance occurred through
early 2016; Appellant remained compliant or partially complaint with the requirements
for drug court. 12/22/15 J.E.; 1/5/16 J.E.; 1/21/16 J.E.; 2/2/16 J.E.; 2/17/16 J.E.;
3/1/16 J.E.; 3/16/16 J.E.; 4/12/16 J.E.; 4/25/16 J.E. However, on May 18, 2016 the
state filed a motion to terminate treatment in lieu of conviction. The state contended
on February 24, 2016 Appellant sold or offered to sell a controlled substance to a
confidential informant. 5/15/16 Motion. Appellant was advised of the allegation and
a hearing was set.
        {¶4}     At the hearing on the motion to terminate treatment in lieu of conviction,
Appellant chose to voluntarily terminate drug treatment. 6/7/16 J.E. The trial court
set the matter for sentencing on the original burglary charge. 6/7/16 J.E.
        {¶5}     The trial court sentenced Appellant to 3 years of community control
sanctions. He received 6 months in Belmont County Jail followed by 6 months at
                                                                                     -2-

Eastern Ohio Correction Center (EOCC) followed by 12 months of probation at a high
level of supervision, followed by 12 months of probation at a regular supervision
level. 6/30/16 J.E. The trial court indicated a term of incarceration for a violation of
the sentencing order or any terms of community control was 18 months in the
penitentiary, less time served in jail and/or EOCC. 6/30/16 J.E.
      {¶6}   Appellant served both the jail term and EOCC term. 11/23/16 J.E. On
the date of his release from EOCC, November 22, 2016, a hearing was held for
purposes of review. The trial court reviewed the remaining provisions of Appellant’s
community control sentence and once again stated a term of incarceration for a
violation of the sentencing order or community control was 18 months in the
penitentiary less days served in jail and EOCC. 11/23/16 J.E.
      {¶7}   Less than one month following his release from EOCC, the state filed a
motion to revoke community control. 12/12/16 Motion. The motion alleged three
violations of community control sanctions. First, Appellant submitted to a drug screen
on December 7, 2016, that tested positive for amphetamines. Second, Appellant
violated his curfew on December 8, 2016. Third, a theft complaint was filed against
Appellant on December 8, 2016 and was being investigated. 12/12/16 Motion.
      {¶8}   The first stage hearing to revoke community control was held on
February 6, 2017. The second stage hearing was held on February 21, 2017. The
state withdrew the third violation and proceeded on the first two violations. After
hearing testimony from the probation officer and considering the entire record, the
trial court found Appellant violated the terms of his community control. 2/21/17 Tr.
26-27; 2/2217 J.E. The trial court sentenced Appellant to 18 months and credited him
with 223 days (through and including February 21, 2017). 2/21/17 Tr. 27. He was
advised of postrelease control. 2/21/17 Tr. 27.
      {¶9}   Appellant timely appealed.        After a review of the record, appointed
counsel filed an Anders brief and motion to withdraw.
                                    Analysis
      {¶10} When appellate counsel seeks to withdraw and discloses there are no
nonfrivolous arguments for appeal, the filing is known as an Anders brief. Anders v.
                                                                                      -3-

California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396 (1967). In this district, it is also called a
Toney brief. State v. Toney, 23 Ohio App. 2d 203, 262 N.E.2d 419 (7th Dist.1970).
       {¶11} In Toney, this court adopted Anders and set forth the procedure to be
used when counsel of record determines that an indigent's appeal is frivolous:

       3. Where court-appointed counsel, with long and extensive experience
       in criminal practice, concludes that the indigent's appeal is frivolous and
       that there is no assignment of error which could be arguably supported
       on appeal, he should so advise the appointing court by brief and
       request that he be permitted to withdraw as counsel of record.

       4. Court-appointed counsel's conclusions and motion to withdraw as
       counsel of record should be transmitted forthwith to the indigent, and
       the indigent should be granted time to raise any points that he chooses,
       pro se.

       5. It is the duty of the Court of Appeals to fully examine the proceedings
       in the trial court, the brief of appointed counsel, the arguments pro se of
       the indigent, and then determine whether or not the appeal is wholly
       frivolous.

       ***

       7. Where the Court of Appeals determines that an indigent's appeal is
       wholly frivolous, the motion of court-appointed counsel to withdraw as
       counsel of record should be allowed, and the judgment of the trial court
       should be affirmed.

Id. at syllabus.
       {¶12} Appellate counsel filed an Anders brief on August 9, 2017. Appellant
was notified of appellate counsel's Anders brief and was granted 30 days to file his
own written brief. 12/7/17 J.E. Appellant has not filed a brief and the time for filing a
brief has passed. 2/20/18 J.E.
                                                                                     -4-

      {¶13} The sole issue that is reviewable in this appeal is the trial court’s
determination that Appellant violated his community control.
      {¶14} The issue of whether his guilty plea was entered into knowingly,
voluntarily, and intelligently cannot be reviewed at this point; the time to review that
issue has expired. If Appellant wanted to appeal that issue then he should have
done so within 30 days of the June 2016 sentencing entry when he was sentenced
on the burglary conviction and received community control.
      {¶15} Likewise, any sentencing issue is moot. When Appellant’s community
control was revoked and the 18 month sentence imposed, Appellant had less than
one year of that 18 month sentence to serve; he was given credit for 223 days.
Consequently, in February 2018 that prison term expired. The Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction’s web page shows he is still in the penitentiary and
serving time for drug trafficking and drug possession. The admission date for those
offenses was May 2017. The sentence for those offenses was 18 months for drug
possession and 12 months for drug trafficking to be served consecutively to each
other but concurrently with the sentence imposed in this case. 5/18/17 J.E. Case
Number 16 CR 150. Consequently, any sentencing issue is moot.
                             Community Control Revocation
      {¶16} The decision to revoke community control is reviewed for an abuse of
discretion. State v. Smithberger, 7th Dist. No. 16 BE 0033, 2017-Ohio-8015, ¶ 9.
“The term ‘abuse of discretion’ connotes more than an error of law or of judgment; it
implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable. State v.
Adams, 62 Ohio St. 2d 151, 157, 404 N.E.2d 144 (1980).
      {¶17} A community control revocation hearing is not a criminal trial, and the
state does not have the burden of establishing a violation with proof beyond a
reasonable doubt. Smithberger, 2017-Ohio-8015 at ¶ 9. The state need only present
evidence of a substantial nature showing that the probationer has breached a term or
condition of her probation. State v. Hilson, 7th Dist. No. 11–MA–95, 2012–Ohio–
4536, ¶ 10. “[A] revocation hearing is an informal one, ‘structured to assure that the
finding of a * * * violation will be based on verified facts and that the exercise of
discretion will be informed by an accurate knowledge of the (defendant's) behavior.’”
                                                                                     -5-

State v. Orr, 11th Dist. No. 2008-G-2861, 2009-Ohio-5515, ¶ 21, quoting State v.
Alexander, 1st Dist. No. C-070021, 2007-Ohio-5457, at ¶ 7.
      {¶18} The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United
States Constitution requires that the offender be afforded a “probable cause”
determination and an evidentiary hearing, along with (1) written notice of the claimed
violation; (2) disclosure of the evidence against him; (3) an opportunity to be heard in
person and to present evidence; (4) the right to confront and cross-examine adverse
witnesses; (5) a neutral and detached magistrate; and (6) a statement on the record
by the court concerning the evidence relied on and the reasons for the court's action.
State v. Miller, 42 Ohio St. 2d 102, 104, 326 N.E.2d 259 (1975), citing Gagnon v.
Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778, 782, 93 S. Ct. 1756 (1973), and Morrissey v. Brewer, 408
U.S. 471, 489, 92 S. Ct. 2593 (1972).
      {¶19} Crim.R. 32.3 provides the procedural framework that is to occur at a
community control revocation hearing:

      (A) Hearing. The court shall not impose a prison term for violation of the
      conditions of a community control sanction or revoke probation except
      after a hearing at which the defendant shall be present and apprised of
      the grounds on which action is proposed. The defendant may be
      admitted to bail pending hearing.

      (B) Counsel. The defendant shall have the right to be represented by
      retained counsel and shall be so advised. Where a defendant convicted
      of a serious offense is unable to obtain counsel, counsel shall be
      assigned to represent the defendant, unless the defendant after being
      fully advised of his or her right to assigned counsel, knowingly,
      intelligently, and voluntarily waives the right to counsel. Where a
      defendant convicted of a petty offense is unable to obtain counsel, the
      court may assign counsel to represent the defendant.

Crim.R. 32.3(A)-(B).
      {¶20} A review of the record indicates the trial court complied with the due
process requirements and Crim.R. 32.2. The first stage hearing to revoke community
                                                                                     -6-

control was held on February 6, 2017.        2/9/17 J.E.    Appellant was present with
appointed counsel at this hearing. 2/9/17 J.E. He received a copy of the motion to
revoke and thus, was apprised of grounds for the motion. 2/9/17 J.E. The second
stage hearing was scheduled at that hearing. 2/9/17 J.E.
       {¶21} The second stage hearing was held on February 21, 2017. Appellant
was present and represented by appointed counsel. 2/21/17 Tr. The state withdrew
the third violation and proceeded on the first two violations.
       {¶22} Appellant’s probation officer, Ed Gorence, testified at the second stage
hearing and was subject to cross examination. 2/21/17 Tr. He testified about each
alleged violation.
       {¶23} As to the drug violation, Gorence explained Appellant’s drug screen
sample was taken on December 7, 2016 and it tested positive for amphetamines.
2/21/17 Tr. 7. He testified a term of Appellant’s community control was to refrain from
any type of drug use not prescribed by a physician. 2/21/17 Tr. 8. Gorence stated
Appellant did not tell Gorence he was prescribed an amphetamine by a doctor and
did not produce a prescription indicating he had been prescribed an amphetamine.
2/21/17 Tr. 9. Gorence’s testimony further indicated the test results were from an
accredited laboratory accepted by the court. 2/21/17 Tr. 9-10. The drug screen
result, labeled as State’s Exhibit 1, was admitted into evidence. 2/21/17 Tr. 7, 25-26.
       {¶24} During cross-examination, Gorence indicated the laboratory for the drug
testing is located in California and the test was shipped Federal Express from Ohio to
California. 2/21/17 Tr. 16. The results were faxed from the laboratory to his office.
2/21/17 Tr. 17. He explained when there is a positive result the probation department
does not request a retest. 2/21/17 Tr. 18. If the probationer wants a retest, then it is
done at their expense. 2/21/17 Tr. 18. Gorence indicated he is aware of false
positives. 2/21/17 Tr. 18.
       {¶25} As to the curfew violation, Gorence explained a term of Appellant’s
community control was Appellant had to be at his approved residence from 8 p.m. to
6 a.m. 2/21/17 Tr. 10-11. On December 8, 2017, Gorence received a telephone call
from St. Clairsville Police Department that someone had filed a complaint against
Appellant alleging he had committed a theft offense in St. Clairsville. 2/21/17 Tr. 10.
                                                                                    -7-

The probation officer called the Bridgeport Police Department and asked them to go
to Appellant’s approved residence to see if Appellant was there. 2/21/17 Tr. 10-11.
The address Appellant provided to Gorence was Appellant’s mother’s address in the
village of Bridgeport. 2/21/17 Tr. 13. After checking, Bridgeport Police informed
Gorence that Appellant was not at the address provided. 2/21/17 Tr. 11. A couple
days after the incident, Gorence had a lengthy discussion with Appellant’s mother
and she indicated Appellant did not live at her residence and he was not welcome
there. 2/21/17 Tr. 13.
      {¶26} On cross-examination Gorence testified he did not personally go to the
address Appellant provided to him. 2/21/17 Tr. 20-22. Rather, he sent the officers.
2/21/17 Tr. 22.
      {¶27} Appellant was given the opportunity to call witnesses to testify on his
behalf. 2/21/17 Tr. 25. However, he chose not to do so. 2/21/17 Tr. 25.
      {¶28} Given the evidence, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding
probations violations for drug use and curfew violation.
                                    Conclusion
      The trial court did not commit any error in holding the community control
revocation hearing and did not commit any error in finding Appellant violated his
community control. The determination that there was a community control violation is
affirmed. The 18 month sentence has been served and therefore any sentencing
issues are moot. Counsel’s motion to withdraw is granted.

Donofrio, J., concurs.

Waite, J., concurs.