City of Akron v. Buzek, Unpublished Decision (4-24-2002)
City of Akron v. Buzek, Unpublished Decision (4-24-2002)
Opinion of the Court
This cause was heard upon the record in the trial court. Each error assigned has been reviewed and the following disposition is made: Defendant-Appellant Susan Buzek has appealed from a decision of the Akron Municipal Court that denied her motion to dismiss. This Court affirms.
On July 19, 2001, the trial court overruled Appellant's motion to dismiss and denied Appellant's request for a hearing on the matter. On July 25, 2001, Appellant pled no contest to violating R.C.
The trial court erred in concluding that no constitutional infirmities existed where, as here, the criminal charge is the result of an arbitrary, capricious classification and is otherwise violative of equal protection.
In her second assignment of error, Appellant has asserted that the trial court erred by not finding the classification of poker as a "game of chance" unconstitutional.
"In reviewing the propriety of a criminal indictment issued under Ohio law, a trial court may determine only whether the indictment is valid on its face[.]" State v. Bader (June 20, 2001), Wayne App. Nos. 00CA0087, 00CA0088, 00CA0089, unreported, at 3; see, also, Akron v. Thomas (Jan. 27, 1999), Summit App. No. 19031, unreported, at 3. "A motion to dismiss an indictment tests the sufficiency of the indictment, without regard to the quantity or quality of evidence that may be produced by either [the State] or the defendant." (Quotations omitted.) Bader, at 4. A count of an indictment "is sufficient if it contains in substance, a statement that the accused has committed some public offense therein specified." R.C.
When a defendant in a criminal action files a motion to dismiss which goes beyond the face of the indictment, she is essentially moving for summary judgment. "The Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure, however, do not allow for "summary judgment" on an indictment prior to trial." State v.Varner (1991),
The record reflects that two complaints/warrants were issued against Appellant. The initial one involved operating a gambling house in violation of R.C.
The trial court erred in refusing to allow, although duly requested, a hearing regarding factual issues capable of ascertainment prior to the trial.
As part of her motion to dismiss, Appellant requested a hearing to present evidence in support of her motion. Appellant has asserted that the trial court erred by not allowing her to present expert testimony relating to poker as a game of skill versus a game of chance. Appellant's first assignment of error is rendered moot by our resolution of Appellant's second assignment of error. App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
Judgment affirmed.
The Court finds that there were reasonable grounds for these appeals.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Akron Municipal Court, County of Summit, State of Ohio, 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). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
Exceptions.
BAIRD, P.J., CARR, J. CONCUR.
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