State v. Austin, Unpublished Decision (3-4-2005)
State v. Austin, Unpublished Decision (3-4-2005)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} "The trial court erred in sentencing appellant to a term of imprisonment over and above the statutory prescribed minimum sentence without stating the findings required by R.C.
{¶ 3} The straightforward issue on appeal is whether the trial court, when imposing a sentence — which is neither the minimum nor maximum sentence — upon a defendant who has previously served a prison sentence, must make any findings in open court in imposing that sentence.
{¶ 4} We conclude the answer is no and overrule the assignment of error.
{¶ 5} From the sentencing hearing, it is clear that Austin had previously served a prison term. On February 10, 2005, this court, on its own motion, supplemented the record with the presentence investigation report and verified that Austin had previously served a prison term.
{¶ 6} Seemingly, Austin contends that the trial court should have found that he was not a first offender and that he had previously served a prison term. (Appellant's Brief, p. 3).
{¶ 7} R.C.
{¶ 8} ". . . if the court imposing a sentence upon an offender for a felony elects or is required to impose a prison term on the offender, the court shall impose the shortest prison term authorized for the offense pursuant to division (A) of this section, unless one or more of the following applies:
{¶ 9} "(1) The offender was serving a prison term at the time of the offense, or the offender previously had served a prison term.
{¶ 10} "(2) The court finds on the record that the shortest prison term will demean the seriousness of the offender's conduct or will not adequately protect the public from future crime by the offender or others."
{¶ 11} R.C.
{¶ 12} The judgment will be affirmed.
Brogan, P.J. and Grady, J., concur.
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