State v. Peters, Unpublished Decision (11-7-2003)
State v. Peters, Unpublished Decision (11-7-2003)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant Heather Peters appeals her sentence in Belmont County Court, Western Division of R.C.{¶ 4} "The Trial Court Erred By Imposing A Fine Which Exceeded The Defendant's Ability To Pay And Was Within A Time Which Would Create An Undue Hardship To The Defendant Or The Defendant's Dependents, In Violation Of R.C.
{¶ 5} Under these assignments of error, appellant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in ordering jail time and a fine. However, we decline to address the merits of this appeal. The sentence in the original sentencing journal is the same as the sentence in the reimposition of sentence journal entry.1 Therefore, any alleged sentencing error could have and should have been raised in the initial direct appeal. It appears that appellant was aware, in the initial appeal, of her right to appeal the sentence. The notice of the appeal filed in that appeal states that she is appealing from the "Opinion and Decision entered in this matter on October 15, 2001, and the Sentencing Order of October 23, 2001." However, appellant did not raise any sentencing errors in that appeal, but instead waited until this court affirmed the original conviction and the trial court reimposed the sentence before appealing the alleged sentencing errors.
{¶ 6} In the interest of judicial economy, appellant was required to raise any sentencing error in the initial direct appeal. The trial court's order staying imposition of the sentence pending appeal did not affect the right of appellant to raise any alleged sentencing error in that first appeal. The sentence was in effect at the time of the first appeal and, therefore, any issues regarding this sentence were ripe for appeal at that time. As we have previously stated, "Any issues as to the sentence could have, and should have, been raised in the appeal already decided by this court." State v. Funkhouser (June 2, 2003), 7th Dist. 03 BE 25, J.E. (appealing a reimposition of a sentence). Therefore, appellant waives the right to appeal in a second direct appeal all issues that could have and should have been raised in the previous appeal.
{¶ 7} For the foregoing reasons, the sentence is hereby affirmed and this appeal is dismissed since any alleged error should have been raised in the initial appeal. Failure to raise those alleged errors resulted in waiver of those issues.
Waite, P.J., and Donofrio, J., concur.
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