State v. Barnes, Unpublished Decision (11-9-2006)
State v. Barnes, Unpublished Decision (11-9-2006)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Appellant was indicted by a Cuyahoga Grand Jury on seven counts in two separate cases. After negotiations with the State, appellant entered a guilty plea to four of the charges, some of which the State amended from the original indictment. Specifically, in trial court case number CR-441912, court of appeals case number 86654, appellant pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape, a felony of the second degree in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} Appellant was sentenced to the maximum 18 months on the gross sexual imposition, the maximum eight years on the felonious assault, and the maximum eight years on the attempted rape. Appellant was also sentenced to a more than minimum term of three years on the abduction charge. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently; appellant was thus sentenced to a total eight-year term. Appellant now appeals, asserting five assignments of error for our review.
{¶ 4} In his first assignment of error, appellant contends that his plea was not knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently made because the trial court failed to inform him of the length of time that he would be subject to post-release control and the maximum penalty that could be imposed for a violation of post-release control.
{¶ 5} Pursuant to Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(b), a trial court may not accept a guilty plea from a criminal defendant in a felony case without first addressing the defendant personally and informing him or her of the effect of the plea and determining that he or she understands the consequences of the guilty plea. Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) requires a trial court to inform a criminal defendant of the maximum penalty for the offense. Post-release control is part of the offender's sentence. R.C.
{¶ 6} The trial court, however, need only substantially comply with those requirements of Crim.R. 11 that do not involve the waiver of a constitutional right. State v. Ballard (1981),
{¶ 7} With regard to post-release control, R.C.
{¶ 8} The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that with respect to a plea hearing, a trial court's lack of notification regarding post-release control could in some instances form a basis to vacate a plea. State v. Jordan,
{¶ 9} Here, the trial court, prior to accepting appellant's plea, explained to him that he would be subject to post-release control and a violation thereof would result in his being subject to further prosecution. After the court accepted appellant's plea, the assistant prosecuting attorney expanded upon the post-release control requirement, noting that appellant would be under such control for a five-year period after his release from prison. The court reiterated that appellant "would be under a period of post-release control" (without referencing the term), and subject to further indictment for a violation of his post-release control. This advisement, however, took place after the plea; the plea was not reentered or reaffirmed.
{¶ 10} With reluctance, we find that the court did not substantially comply with Crim.R. 11(C), in that the court failed to notify appellant of the mandatory five-year term prior to the plea. As such, appellant's plea was not knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily entered, and his first assignment of error is sustained.
{¶ 11} Based on our resolution of appellant's first assignment of error, his remaining assignments of error are moot and we decline to address them. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
Plea vacated; case remanded to the lower court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
It is ordered that appellant recover of appellee the 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.
Sweeney, P.J., and Gallagher, J., Concur.
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