State v. Jones, Unpublished Decision (9-27-2000)
State v. Jones, Unpublished Decision (9-27-2000)
Opinion of the Court
The sole assignment of error, which alleges that the trial court erred in finding Jones to be a habitual sexual offender, is sustained.
Pursuant to R.C.
[A] person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexually oriented offense and who previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more sexually oriented offenses.
R.C.
In State v. West, this court held that the trial court erred in finding West to be a habitual sexual offender solely because he had pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual battery in the same case. There was no evidence that West had been previously convicted of or pleaded guilty to a sexually-oriented offense.
In this case, Jones pleaded guilty to multiple charges at the same time. He was sentenced on all charges simultaneously. There is no evidence in the record that Jones had previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a sexually-oriented offense. Therefore, the trial court erred in finding that Jones was a habitual sexual offender. See State v. West, supra.
Therefore, the judgment of the trial court finding Jones to be a habitual sexual offender is reversed, and the cause is remanded for a determination by the trial court as to whether Jones should be adjudicated a sexual predator or a sexually-oriented offender as contemplated by R.C. Chapter 2950.
Further, a certified copy of this Judgment Entry shall constitute the mandate, which shall be sent to the trial court under App.R. 27. Costs shall be taxed under App.R. 24.
HILDEBRANDT, P.J., DOAN and WINKLER, JJ.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.