State v. White, Unpublished Decision (2-9-2000)
State v. White, Unpublished Decision (2-9-2000)
Opinion of the Court
Pursuant to R.C.
The classification of [Defendant] as a sexual predator should be reversed as R.C. CH. 2950 (sic) is unconstitutional.
In his first assignment of error, Defendant has asserted that R.C. Chapter 2950 violates Section
This Court, however, has previously declined to followWilliams. State v. Criss (Jan. 12, 2000), Summit App. No. 19298, unreported, at 12. In Criss, this Court concluded that R.C. Chapter 2950 constitutes a valid use of the state's police power and, therefore, does not violate Section
The classification of [Defendant] as a sexual predator should be reversed as the trial court failed to provide [Defendant] with the meaningful hearing required by R.C. CH. 2950 (sic).
In his second assignment of error, Defendant has asserted that he was denied the right to a meaningful hearing. Defendant's argument is without merit.
Pursuant to R.C.
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.
Defendant has claimed that the trial court limited the hearing to an argument of the statutory factors and the introduction of documentary evidence, thereby foreclosing his access to the meaningful hearing contemplated by R.C.
After reviewing the record, this Court is persuaded that Defendant had a fair and meaningful hearing. Defendant's counsel presented arguments and exhibits on Defendant's behalf, and Defendant testified on his own behalf. Although the State did not present witnesses at the hearing, the trial court did not prohibit either party from doing so. Accordingly, the trial court did not deny Defendant the right to a meaningful hearing. Defendant's second assignment of error is overruled.
The classification of [Defendant] as a sexual predator should be reversed as the State failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that [Defendant] was a sexual predator.
In his third assignment of error, Defendant has essentially asserted that there was insufficient evidence to support the trial court's determination that he is a sexual predator. This Court disagrees.
R.C.
[p]rior to January 1, 1997, the offender was convicted of or pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced for, a sexually oriented offense, the offender is imprisoned in a state correctional institution on or after January 1, 1997, and, prior to the offender's release from imprisonment, the court determines pursuant to division (C) of section
2950.09 of the Revised Code that the offender is a sexual predator.
Because Defendant was sentenced prior to the effective date of this section and remained imprisoned after the effective date of this section, the trial court was required to proceed under division (C) of R.C.
R.C.
The factors that a trial court must consider when making its sexual predator determination include: (1) the offender's age; (2) the offender's prior criminal record; (3) the age of the victim; (4) whether the sexually oriented offense for which sentence was imposed involved multiple victims; (5) whether the offender used drugs or alcohol to impair the victim or to prevent the victim from resisting; (6) whether the offender has completed his sentence for any prior criminal conviction or, if the prior offense was a sex offense or a sexually oriented offense, whether the offender participated in available programs for sexual offenders; (7) any mental illness or mental disability of the offender; (8) the nature of the offender's conduct and whether that conduct was part of a demonstrated pattern of abuse; (9) whether the offender displayed cruelty or made one or more threats of cruelty during the commission of the crime; and (10) any additional behavioral characteristics that contributed to the offender's conduct. See R.C.
Felonious sexual penetration, a violation of former R.C.
At the hearing in this matter, the State did not present any witnesses. The State did, however, submit to the trial court the Akron Police Department's report of the investigation. Defendant had been given an opportunity to review the report and had, in fact, requested that a specific page of the report be submitted to the trial court at the hearing. The report was accordingly marked as a joint exhibit.
The State then proceeded to argue the criteria of R.C.
The police report indicated that both Brandon and Kenneth informed the police that Defendant threatened to physically harm them if they told anyone what had happened. Further, Brandon stated that Defendant molested Ashley in his presence. Kenneth also told the police that he saw Defendant molesting Ashley; however, Defendant was unaware that Kenneth had observed the incident.
The State presented evidence of several of the factors of R.C.
Judgment affirmed.
The Court finds that there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common Pleas, County of Summit, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(E).
Costs taxed to Appellant.
Exceptions.
BETH WHITMORE, FOR THE COURT.
BAIRD, P.J., CARR, J., CONCUR.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.