State v. Baker, Unpublished Decision (6-19-2006)
State v. Baker, Unpublished Decision (6-19-2006)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} In January of 2005, Baker was arrested following an incident at the Alley Cat, a bar located in the village of Richwood in Union County. In March of 2005, Baker was indicted by the Union County Grand Jury for one count of obstructing official business in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} In October of 2005, Baker entered a guilty plea to one count of escape in violation of R.C.
{¶ 4} Subsequently, the trial court held a sentencing hearing. At the hearing, the trial court found "that the shortest term would demean the seriousness of the offense and does not adequately protect the public from further violations of law by the defendant." (Sentencing Tr. p. 25.) Accordingly, the trial court sentenced Baker to three years in prison, which was more than the minimum sentence provided for a third degree felony under R.C.
The trial court erred by sentencing the Defendant to a term ofimprisonment greater than the minimum without a sufficient basisof facts to draw the necessary conclusion that that (sic.) theshortest term would demean the seriousness of the offender'sconduct and will not adequately protect the public from thefuture crime by the defendant.
{¶ 5} In the sole assignment of error, Baker asserts that the trial court erred in sentencing him to more than the minimum term of imprisonment allowable for a third degree felony under R.C.
{¶ 6} The Supreme Court of Ohio recently addressed constitutional issues concerning felony sentencing in State v.Foster, supra. In Foster, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that portions of Ohio's felony sentencing framework are unconstitutional and void, including R.C.
{¶ 7} Having found error prejudicial to the appellant herein, in the particulars assigned and argued, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand the matter for further proceedings pursuant to State v. Foster, supra.
Judgment reversed and remanded. Bryant, P.J., and Shaw, J., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State of Ohio v. Bryan M. Baker
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Unpublished