State v. Switzer, Unpublished Decision (12-1-2005)
State v. Switzer, Unpublished Decision (12-1-2005)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On October 20, 2004, defendant was indicted pursuant to a six-count indictment for alleged acts upon a female under sixteen years-old. Count One charged defendant with unlawful conduct with a minor, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} Defendant subsequently pled guilty to Count One. The trial court sentenced him to a term of seventeen months of imprisonment, and ordered it to run concurrently with an unrelated matter, common pleas court case no. 453437. The trial court also determined that defendant is a sexual predator. Defendant now appeals and assigns two errors for our review.
{¶ 4} Defendant's first assignment of error states:
{¶ 5} "The trial court erred in sentencing appellant to more than the minimum prison sentence when he had not previously served a prison term."
{¶ 6} In his first assignment of error, defendant contends that the trial court erred in imposing more than a minimum sentence because he had never previously served a prison term. Defendant also argues that, in light of the United States Supreme Court's recent decision in Blakely v. Washington (2004),
{¶ 7} R.C.
{¶ 8} "(1) the offender was serving a prison term at the time of the offense, or the offender previously had served a prison term; or (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."
{¶ 9} The Ohio Supreme Court has held that, "pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 10} In this matter, defendant has never before served a prison term. However, the trial court considered the minimum sentence, and specifically found that "it would demean the seriousness of the offense and would not adequately protect the public to give you the shortest term." (Tr. 63-64). The court properly articulated the statutory mandates for imposing a longer sentence, then made a record as to why the minimum sentence would demean the seriousness of the offense, including defendant's history of prior offenses, the fact that he committed the instant offense while out on bond in an unrelated matter, the age of the victim, and the nature and circumstances of the offense.
{¶ 11} Further, in accordance with this court's recent decision in State v. Atkins-Boozer, Cuyahoga App. No. 84151,
{¶ 12} In accordance with the foregoing, the first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 13} Defendant's second assignment of error states:
{¶ 14} "The trial court erred when it classified appellant as a sexual predator."
{¶ 15} Defendant next complains that there was insufficient evidence to establish the sexual predator determination.
{¶ 16} A sexual predator is defined in R.C.
{¶ 17} In State v. Eppinger,
{¶ 18} "Clear and convincing evidence is that measure or degree of proof which will produce in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the allegations sought to be established. It is intermediate, being more than a mere preponderance, but not to the extent of such certainty as is required beyond a reasonable doubt as in criminal cases. It does not mean clear and unequivocal."
{¶ 19} In reviewing a trial court's decision based upon clear and convincing evidence, an appellate court must examine the record to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to satisfy the requisite degree of proof. State v. Schiebel (1990),
{¶ 20} Pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 21} R.C.
{¶ 22} Further, "an appellate court should not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court when there exists competent and credible evidence supporting the findings of fact and conclusions of law rendered by the trial court judge." State v.Schiebel, supra, citing Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland (1984),
{¶ 23} In this matter, the trial court noted that defendant "started the victim on an approximately three-day spree of prostitution where she was basically offered around to other people in the neighborhood." The court also noted that defendant has substance abuse issues, is under 25 years old, has a history of juvenile adjudications as well as adult convictions and admitted to viewing pornographic videos "every chance he gets." In addition, defendant had a Static 99 score of 5, the high risk category, which indicates a 33% probability that he will reoffend within five years. We find that the evidence presented at the sexual predator hearing meets the criteria necessary for a sexual predator classification and that the trial court properly applied the factors enumerated in R.C.
{¶ 24} The second assignment of error is without merit. Affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover of appellant its costs herein taxed.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Cooney, P.J., and Corrigan, J., concur.
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