State v. Robinson, Unpublished Decision (11-5-2004)
State v. Robinson, Unpublished Decision (11-5-2004)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Robinson raises two assignments of error, in which he objects to two of the terms of his probation. Because these assignments of error are related, we will address them together.
{¶ 3} "1. The trial court erred in imposing as a condition of probation that Defendant-Appellant submit to random drug screens and urine tests.
{¶ 4} "2. The trial court erred in imposing as a condition of probation that Defendant-Appellant be subject to an 11:00 p.m. Curfew."
{¶ 5} In February 2003, Cane obtained a protection order against Robinson that forbade him from having any contact with her. The circumstances surrounding the issuance of the protection order are not apparent from the record except that, for purposes of the presentence investigation, Cane indicated that she had been raped by Robinson in February 2003. On March 24, 2003, Robinson called Cane's cellular phone from his house at 9:00 a.m. and again at 10:45 a.m. A police officer was present with Cane during the second call.
{¶ 6} Following his plea of guilty to a violation of the protection order and his sentencing, the trial court imposed thirteen "Conditions of Probation," which included the following:
{¶ 7} "7. I understand that curfew is 11:00 p.m. every night. To be out past this hour, I will first secure permission from my Probation Officer.
{¶ 8} "* * *
{¶ 9} "8. I will not possess, use, sell, distribute or have under my control any alcoholic beverage or any narcotic drugs * * *, barbiturates * * *, or any schedule I, II, III, IV, or V controled substances * * *. I will submit to drug and alcoholtesting as requested by the Probation Department or any other Lawenforcement agency while on probation."
{¶ 10} (Emphasis sic.)
{¶ 11} There is no suggestion in the record or in the briefs that Robinson was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he contacted Cane on March 24, 2003, or that he had a substance abuse problem. The curfew also does not relate directly to the circumstances of the offense because Robinson violated the protective order during the day by making phone calls from his house. Because there is no direct connection between these community control sanctions and the underlying offense, Robinson claims that the trial court erred in imposing such restrictions. Robinson contends that these restrictions are unrelated to his crime or his rehabilitation and that they are, therefore, "invalid" restrictions on his liberty.
{¶ 12} The trial court has broad discretion in imposing conditions of probation. See State v. Talty,
{¶ 13} The conditions questioned in this case appear to be part of thirteen standard, non-case specific, conditions that the trial court routinely imposes upon persons it places on probation. No doubt, these conditions are rarely challenged. When they are challenged, however, they must pass muster under theJones test.
{¶ 14} Accordingly, the conditions that Robinson be subject to an eleven p.m. curfew and to drug and alcohol testing will be vacated. If the trial court wishes to reimpose these conditions, its order doing so must explain how these conditions are reasonably related to Robinson's rehabilitation or to the offense of which he was convicted.
{¶ 15} The first and second assignments of error are sustained.
Fain, P.J. and Brogan, J., concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.