State v. Harper, Ca2006-06-132 (7-16-2007)
State v. Harper, Ca2006-06-132 (7-16-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On September 28, 2005, appellant, a 20-year-old male, was indicted on one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor between the ages of 13 and 16 years old in violation of R.C.
{¶ 3} On May 12, 2006, the trial court conducted a sentencing and sexual classification hearing. The trial court indicated that it had reviewed the presentence investigation reports and the reports filed by Dr. Bobbi Hopes and Dr. Kara Marciani following their separate sexual offender assessments, and the doctors' reports were admitted as evidence, without objection by either party. Neither the state nor appellant offered any additional evidence. After considering all the evidence presented, the trial court found appellant to be a sexual predator pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 4} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN CLASSIFYING MR. HARPER A SEXUAL PREDATOR."
{¶ 5} A sexual predator is defined in R.C.
{¶ 6} In determining an offender's likelihood of recidivism, a trial court must consider all relevant factors, including those listed in R.C.
{¶ 7} The weight to be given the factors in R.C.
{¶ 8} After reviewing these factors together with the evidence and testimony presented by the parties, the trial court must determine by clear and convincing evidence whether the offender is a sexual predator.Wells at ¶ 9; Miller at ¶ 7; R.C.
{¶ 9} According to the record, the trial court admitted into evidence the reports of Dr. Hopes and Dr. Marciani, which included multiple objective testing methods. Dr. Hopes concluded that appellant presents a moderate risk of committing one or more sexually-oriented offenses, and Dr. Marciani concluded that appellant presents a moderate to high risk of committing one ore more sexually-oriented offenses.
{¶ 10} In addition, the trial court considered the presentence investigation report, which described the details of the offense, and the factors listed in R.C.
{¶ 11} After reviewing the record, we find that the trial court properly considered the statutory factors required for classifying an offender a sexual predator, and find that the record contains clear and convincing evidence to support the trial court's classification of appellant as a sexual predator. Appellant argues that he should not have been classified a sexual predator, because he has committed only one sexually-oriented offense. However, an offender may be classified a sexual predator after committing a single sexually-oriented offense, as long as the record contains clear and convincing evidence that the offender is likely to commit sexually-oriented offenses in the future. See State v. Boshko,
{¶ 12} Further, we disagree with appellant's argument that the trial court placed undue emphasis on the results of appellant's Static-99 evaluation. According to the record, the trial court indicated that it considered all of the evidence submitted, including the various testing methods used by the doctors, the presentence investigation report, and the parties arguments at the hearing. While the court may have placed more emphasis on some aspects of the evidence in reaching its decision, it was in the trial court's discretion to do so.
{¶ 13} Likewise, we disagree with appellant's argument that the trial court's finding that he is likely to commit future sexually-oriented offenses is inconsistent with its finding that appellant is amenable to community control. A sexual predator classification and community control sentence are separate and distinct, and the trial court is required to consider different factors for each. See R.C.
{¶ 14} Judgment affirmed.
*Page 1YOUNG, P.J., and WALSH, J., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State of Ohio v. Rutledge Ray Harper, Jr.
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published