State v. Curtis, Unpublished Decision (6-8-2005)
State v. Curtis, Unpublished Decision (6-8-2005)
Opinion of the Court
Defendant-appellant Steven Curtis appeals the sentences imposed by the trial court following his no-contest plea to community-control violations. We sustain his second assignment of error, vacate his sentences, and remand the case for resentencing.
On November 5, 2001, Curtis pleaded guilty to two counts of nonsupport of dependents in violation of R.C.
In his first assignment of error, Curtis asserts that the trial court erred when it failed to specify the specific prison term that it would impose if Curtis violated the conditions of community control. The record is clear that the trial court fulfilled the requirements of R.C.
Curtis's second assignment of error is that the trial court erred when it sentenced him to the maximum allowable term for each count and ordered the terms to be served consecutively.
Curtis first argues that because he had not served a prior prison term, he should have been sentenced to the minimum term. R.C.
Having concluded that the trial court did not err in imposing more than the minimum sentence, we now consider the maximum sentences imposed by the trial court. R.C.
Here, it is not clear upon which ground the trial court imposed the maximum sentences. The court stated, "Although, also, he was on community control when he committed the theft offense and driving without a license charge, so he's eligible for [the] maximum sentence." Because imposing a maximum sentence based on the commission of an offense while on community control is contrary to law, the trial court erred in sentencing Curtis to one-year prison terms. Accordingly, we sustain the second assignment of error with respect to the maximum sentence.
Curtis also claims that the trial court erred in ordering that the sentences be served consecutively. We disagree. The trial court made the findings required to impose consecutive sentences.4 The record supports those findings. Further, Blakely does not apply to the imposition of consecutive sentences.5
We conclude that the trial court did not err in imposing more than the minimum sentence and in ordering the sentences to be served consecutively. But because the trial court did not make the proper findings to impose maximum sentences, we vacate the sentences and remand the case for resentencing in accordance with law.
Further, a certified copy of this Judgment Entry shall constitute the mandate, which shall be sent to the trial court under App.R. 27. Costs shall be taxed under App.R. 24.
Painter, P.J., Sundermann and Hendon, JJ.
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