State v. Stislow, Unpublished Decision (8-11-2006)
State v. Stislow, Unpublished Decision (8-11-2006)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} In 1997, Stislow pled guilty to one count of complicity to breaking and entering, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} Stislow completed his prison term and subsequent post-release control. On September 30, 2005, Stislow filed an application for expungement. The trial court held an in-chambers hearing on the motion. Thereafter, the trial court denied Stislow's application for expungement.
{¶ 4} Stislow has timely appealed the trial court's judgment entry to this court. Stislow raises the following assignment of error:
{¶ 5} "The trial court erred to the prejudice of the appellant:
{¶ 6} "(1) in concluding that the appellant was not a first offender; and
{¶ 7} "(2) in failing to follow the mandates of R.C. 2953.32."
{¶ 8} Initially, we will address whether Stislow was a "first offender." The determination of whether an applicant qualifies as a first offender is a question of law, and, therefore, we will conduct a de novo review of this issue.1
{¶ 9} We note "[t]he statutory law in effect at the time of the filing of an R.C.
{¶ 10} "`First Offender' means anyone who has been convicted of an offense in this state or any other jurisdiction and who previously or subsequently has not been convicted of the same or a different offense in this state or any other jurisdiction. When two or more convictions result from or are connected with the same act or result from offenses committed at the same time, they shall be counted as one conviction. * * *."5
{¶ 11} In State v. Potts, this court observed the tendency of this court to adopt a "same day" test to determine whether the offenses were the "same act" for the purposes of R.C.
{¶ 12} In State v. Potts, this court noted that the First and Eight Appellate Districts held that offenses occurring the next day following the commission of the initial offense were not part of the same act for the purposes of a first offender analysis.9
{¶ 13} Stislow's six convictions stemmed from two distinct instances. Some of the crimes were committed on August 9, 1996, in Painesville Township. The remainder of the crimes were committed on August 16, 1996, in Painesville and Leroy Townships. The crimes were separated by one full week and occurred in different locations. Accordingly, Stislow's convictions did not result from the same act and were not committed at the same time. Stislow does not qualify as a first offender.
{¶ 14} Even though Stislow does not qualify as a first offender and is, therefore, not entitled to have his record sealed, we will briefly examine whether any of the preclusions set for in R.C.
{¶ 15} "Sections
{¶ 16} "* * *
{¶ 17} "(C) convictions of an offense of violence when the offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree or a felony and when the offense is not a violation of section
{¶ 18} "* * *
{¶ 19} "(E) Convictions of a felony of the first or second degree."
{¶ 20} Stislow argues that his convictions were not offenses of violence. We agree. None of his offenses fall within the definition of offenses of violence.10
{¶ 21} However, we note that Stislow pled guilty to two counts of complicity to burglary, which are second-degree felonies. As such, Stislow was not eligible to have his record sealed.11
{¶ 22} Finally, Stislow contends the trial court and the state did not follow the requisite procedures at the hearing. First, Stislow suggests that the prosecutor should not have been allowed to argue at the hearing because the state did not file written objections. The Supreme Court of Ohio has addressed this very issue and held that a prosecutor may argue issues at the hearing that were not raised in written objections filed pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 23} Finally, Stislow argues that the trial court did not consider the factors set forth in R.C.
{¶ 24} We note that Stislow has not filed a transcript of the hearing. Pursuant to App.R. 9, the appellant has a duty to file a transcript of all portions of proceedings necessary for the court to consider the appeal. When an appellant fails to provide a complete transcript, or those portions that support the claimed error, the reviewing court has no choice but to presume the regularity of the proceedings and affirm the judgment of the trial court.14
{¶ 25} Further, due to our prior analysis, Stislow was precluded from having his record sealed, because he does not qualify as a first offender and he had two second-degree felony convictions. Therefore, the trial court did not need to engage in an analysis of the specific factors set forth in R.C.
{¶ 26} Stislow's assignment of error is without merit.
{¶ 27} The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Donald R. Ford, P.J., concurs, Colleen Mary O'Toole, J., concurs in judgment only.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State of Ohio v. Michael Stislow
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Unpublished