State v. Ramsey, Unpublished Decision (12-22-1997)
State v. Ramsey, Unpublished Decision (12-22-1997)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
Defendant-appellant, Roger Ramsey, appeals his sentencing and his classification as a sexual predator. Ramsey sets forth seven assignments of error.On October 23, 1996, the Clermont County Grand Jury returned a ten count indictment against Ramsey. The first seven counts charged Ramsey with sexual battery under R.C.
This court will address Ramsey's assignments of error out of order. Under Ramsey's second assignment of error, he complains that his adjudication as a sexual predator under R.C. Chapter 2950 (the "sexual predator law") violates the Ex Post Facto Clause of the United States Constitution, and Article
In State v. Lyttle (Dec. 22, 1997), Butler App. No. CA97-03-060, unreported, this court upheld the constitutionality of R.C. Chapter 2950 under similar circumstances. This court concluded that the sexual predator law is not punitive, and therefore did not violate the Ex Post Facto Clause. Id. at 22. This court also held that the various provisions in the law were remedial, not substantive, and therefore did not violate the Ohio constitutional prohibition against retroactive legislation. Id. at 26. In light of this court's decision in Lyttle, Ramsey's second and seventh assignments of error are overruled.
Under Ramsey's first assignment of error, he argues that his adjudication as a sexual predator under R.C.
Under his fourth assignment of error, Ramsey complains that he was denied effective assistance of counsel during the sexual predator classification hearing. Under his fifth assignment of error, Ramsey complains that the trial court failed to provide notice of that hearing as required.
With regard to notification under the sexual predator law, R.C.
The court shall give the offender and the prosecutor who prosecuted the offender for the sexually oriented offense notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing. At the hearing, the offender and the prosecutor shall have an opportunity to testify, present evidence, call and examine witnesses and expert witnesses, and cross-examine witnesses and expert witnesses regarding the determination as to whether the offender is a sexual predator.
(Emphasis added.)
In State v. McCane (Dec. 1, 1997), Clermont App. No. CA97-03-023, unreported, this court rejected the state's argument that notice of a sentencing hearing was sufficient notice of the sexual predator classification hearing required under R.C.
After reviewing the record, it is apparent that the trial court failed to notify Ramsey that it intended to hold a sexual predator classification hearing. The cause must be remanded for a new classification hearing. Ramsey's fifth assignment of error is sustained. Since the trial court must hold a new sexual predator classification hearing, Ramsey's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel at the first hearing is moot, and this court will not address the fourth assignment of error.
Under his third assignment of error, Ramsey asserts that R.C.
All statutes enjoy a strong presumption of constitutionality, and the party asserting that a statute is unconstitutional must prove that assertion beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Collier (1991),
Ramsey has not alleged that R.C. Chapter 2950 is subject to invalidation for facial vagueness by reaching a "substantial amount of protected conduct." See Kolender at 359,
Under his sixth assignment of error, Ramsey complains that the trial court erred in sentencing him to consecutive prison terms based upon its conclusion that he is likely to commit some crime in the future. Ramsey claims that various sentencing provisions requiring consideration of a defendant's likelihood of recidivism violate his right to due process. See R.C.
This court rejects Ramsey's argument that his sentencing violated principals of due process. Ramsey's sixth assignment of error is overruled.
Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
KOEHLER and POWELL, JJ., concur.
If multiple prison terms are imposed upon 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 * * * (c) The offender's history of criminal conduct demonstrates that consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public from future crime by the offender.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.