Griffin v. McFaul, 89648 (5-2-2007)
Griffin v. McFaul, 89648 (5-2-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} In State v. Griffin, Cuyahoga App. No. 83724,
{¶ 3} Griffin complains, however, that he was not notified at the sentencing hearing after the remand that he would be subject to post-release control. Additionally he avers that he was released from prison on August 6, 2004 after completing his maximum three-year term. Griffin notes that his release from prison was prior to the August 19, 2004 release date of this court's journal entry and *Page 4 opinion (which was journalized on August 30, 2004) as well as prior to his resentencing, which was journalized on November 30, 2004.
{¶ 4} Griffin requests that this court order his release as well as order that the escape charge in Case No. CR-491600 be dismissed because the adult parole authority lacked jurisdiction to impose post-release control and because he had already completed his sentence before the court of appeals ordered resentencing. Respondent has filed a motion for summary judgment attached to which are copies of the sentencing entries after remand in Case Nos. CR-410027, CR-412141 and CR-420954. For the reasons stated below, we grant the motion for summary judgment.
{¶ 5} Griffin primarily relies on Hernandez v. Kelly,
{¶ 6} The Supreme Court granted Hernandez's request for a writ of habeas corpus and ordered that he be released.
"The Adult Parole Authority was not authorized to put Hernandez on postrelease control and sanction him for violating the terms of that control in the absence of appropriate notification of postrelease control by the trial court and incorporation of postrelease control in its sentencing entry. In that his journalized sentence has expired, Hernandez is entitled to the writ and release from prison and from further postrelease control."
Id. at 401. Griffin argues, therefore, that — given the similarities between his circumstances and those of Hernandez — Griffin is entitled to relief in habeas corpus.
{¶ 7} Griffin fails to recognize, however, that the Supreme Court has distinguished the circumstances present in cases in which the trial court issued a journal entry imposing post-release control from those inHernandez where the trial court neither notified Hernandez regarding post-release control nor stated in the sentencing entry that he was subject to post-release control.
*Page 6"The petitioners' sentencing entries, although they mistakenly included wording that suggested that imposition of postrelease control was discretionary, contained sufficient language to authorize the Adult Parole Authority to exercise postrelease control over the petitioners. Consequently, in accordance with our general precedent, habeas corpus is not available to contest any error in the sentencing entries, and petitioners have or had an adequate remedy by way of appeal to challenge the imposition of postrelease control."
Watkins v. Collins,
{¶ 8} Additionally, we note that this court has already determined that, due to action by the General Assembly, provisions of the Revised Code are now controlling.
"Moreover, Hernandez has been superceded by statute. State v. Baker, Hamilton App. No. C-050791,
2006 Ohio 4902 , fn. 5; R.C.2929.191 ; R.C.2967.28 (B), as amended, effective July 11, 2006, during the pendency of this appeal. The effect of those amendments to the law, specifically as they relate to sanctions for alleged postrelease control violations, are relevant to appellant's argument."According to Section 5(A) of Am. Sub. H.B. 137, R.C.
2929.191 was enacted for the purpose of `reaffirming] that, under the amended sections [of the Ohio Criminal Code] as they existed prior to [July 11, 2006]: by operation of law and without any need for prior notification or warning, every convicted offender sentenced to a prison term * * * for a felony sex offense * * * always is subject to a period of post-release control after the offender's release from imprisonment pursuant to and for the period of time described in division (B) of section2967.28 of the Revised Code; * * *.' (Emphasis added). Section (B) of Am. Sub. H.B. 137 states the enactment and its related statutory amendments were intended as `remedial in nature.'"The statutory provisions thus were meant to supercede Hernandez. The law now permits an offender to be placed under post-release control regardless of the trial court's failure to inform him of that possibility. State v. Baker, supra at fn. 5. Laws of a remedial nature may be applied retroactively. EPI of Cleveland v. Limbach (1989),
42 Ohio St.3d 103 ,537 N.E.2d 651 ."
State v. Fitzgerald, Cuyahoga App. No. 86443,
{¶ 9} We also note that the petition is not verified as required by R.C.
{¶ 10} Although Griffin did file an "Affidavit of Indigency," attached to which are a list of civil filings during the last five years and a sheet identified as his trust account with the sheriff's office, the statement is not certified as required by R.C.
{¶ 11} Accordingly, respondent's motion for summary judgment is granted. Petitioner to pay costs. The clerk is directed to serve upon the parties notice of
{¶ 12} this judgment and its date of entry upon the journal. Civ. R. 58(B).
Petition denied.
SEAN C. GALLAGHER, PRESIDING JUDGE
KENNETH A. ROCCO, J., and CHRISTINE T. MCMONAGLE, J., CONCUR
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.