State v. Wells, Unpublished Decision (10-3-2002)
State v. Wells, Unpublished Decision (10-3-2002)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
{¶ 1} Defendant-Appellant, Christopher Wells ("Appellant"), appeals his conviction and sentence for attempted felonious assault entered by the Seneca County Common Pleas Court. Appellant's failure to file a transcript of the trial court's proceedings precludes this Court from reviewing his contentions with regards to his first and second assignments of error. Additionally, although Appellant contends that the trial court erred by stating in its judgment entry that the amount of restitution would increase in the future, we find this issue to not be ripe for review considering no modification or increase in the amount of restitution ordered has been made.{¶ 2} Facts and procedural history pertinent to the issues on appeal are as follows. On March 13, 2002, Appellant pled guilty and was convicted of one count of attempted felonious assault, a felony in the third degree. Thereafter, Appellant was sentenced to a maximum term of five years in prison. Additionally, the trial court ordered Appellant to pay $342,874.74 in restitution. The sentence was journalized in a March 14, 2002 entry, wherein the trial court stated that the restitution amount "will be increased in the future." From this decision, Appellant appeals, asserting three assignments of error for our review. Notably, no record or transcript of the trial court's proceedings have been filed with this Court.
{¶ 4} At the outset, we note that Ohio felony sentencing law requires a trial court to make various findings before it may properly impose a sentence. A trial court must be in strict compliance with the relevant sentencing statutes by making all necessary findings on the record at the hearing on sentencing.1 Furthermore, when required, the court must state its particular reasons for doing so.2
{¶ 5} Herein, Appellant has failed to file a transcript of the proceedings in the trial court. Both the Ohio Supreme Court and this Court have noted that "[w]hen a party seeks an appeal, the appellant bears the burden of demonstrating error by reference to the record of the proceedings below, and it is the appellant's duty to provide the reviewing court with an adequate transcript."3 App.R. 9 provides the procedure for making the transcript a part of the record. This rule also provides alternatives if for some reason a transcript is not available.4 This Court "must presume the regularity of the trial court proceedings" in the absence of a complete and adequate record.5 By failing to file a transcript, Appellant has not demonstrated his claimed error. Therefore, we must find that the trial court properly instituted the maximum sentence imposed and affirm the court's decision.
{¶ 6} For these reasons, Appellant's first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 8} Appellant claims in his second assignment of error that the trial court is mandated by R.C.
{¶ 9} As discussed under Appellant's first assignment of error, he has failed to file a transcript of the trial court's proceedings. Accordingly, we are unable to review whether the court considered his ability to pay. As such, we must presume the regularity of the trial court proceedings and affirm its decision.
{¶ 10} Consequently, Appellant's second assignment of error is hereby overruled.
{¶ 12} "Double jeopardy restrictions prevent a trial court from modifying a completed sentence by increasing it after execution of that sentence has commenced."9 An addition to an already valid sentence would upset the defendant's legitimate expectation of finality.10 Moreover, once execution of a sentence commences, as is the case herein, the trial court may not amend the sentence to increase the punishment.11 Despite this authority, we find Appellant's contention to be premature and not ripe12 for review because there has yet to be a modification or increase to his already valid sentence. Accordingly, we overrule Appellant's third assignment of error.
{¶ 13} Having found no error prejudicial to Appellant herein, in the particulars assigned and argued, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed. HADLEY and BRYANT, JJ., concur.
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