In Matter of Lee J., S-06-030 (5-18-2007)
In Matter of Lee J., S-06-030 (5-18-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} "ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I *Page 2
{¶ 3} "Ohio Revised Code section
{¶ 4} "ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
{¶ 5} "The juvenile court erred when it failed to make the proper findings to impose a discretionary serious youthful offender sentence upon Lee Johnson, in violation of R.C.
{¶ 6} "ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
{¶ 7} "The trial court abused its discretion when it found Lee Johnson to be a serious youthful offender, and then imposed and suspended a sentence to the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
{¶ 8} "ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
{¶ 9} "Lee Johnson was denied the effective assistance of counsel as guaranteed by the
{¶ 10} A complaint was filed on December 10, 2003, alleging that appellant, age 14, was a delinquent child because he committed what would constitute felonious assault, a violation of R.C.
{¶ 11} Following a second hearing, the court entered a judgment entry on April 14, 2004. The court found appellant to be a delinquent child and a serious youth offender. The court further found that continued residence in his home would be contrary to the child's best interests and welfare and that reasonable efforts had been made to prevent removal from the home; that appellant is not able to be rehabilitated within the community; and that, pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 12} Following a hearing on June 21, 2005, the court found on August 18, 2005, that appellant had successfully completed the program at Abraxas and the court placed appellant on community control probation. Legal custody of appellant was given to his aunt and uncle.
{¶ 13} On February 24, 2006, appellant's probation officer moved for a hearing to consider lifting the stay on appellant's sentence because appellant had committed additional misdemeanors and was arrested on January 29, 2006. Following a hearing, the court held on March 16, 2006, that temporary custody was returned to the Sandusky County Juvenile Detention Center until appellant could be transferred to the Ohio Department of Youth Services for institutionalization for a minimum of one year. Appellant then sought a delayed appeal from the April 14, 2004 judgment, which this court permitted.
{¶ 14} In his first assignment of error, appellant argues that, pursuant to State v. Foster,
{¶ 15} We disagree for several reasons. Appellant pled guilty to the delinquency charges. The court then imposed an agreed-upon sentence. Appellant cannot now challenge that his constitutional rights were violated. In re Gerken, 5th Dist. No. 2006-COA-010,
{¶ 16} Appellant's first assignment of error is not well taken.
{¶ 17} In his second and third assignments of error, appellant argues that the court erred when it failed to make the findings required by R.C.
{¶ 18} Unlike R.C.
{¶ 19} Furthermore, at the dispositional hearing, the prosecution recommended that the court adopt the recommendations of the probation officer. Appellant's counsel then stated that: "I have had an opportunity to discuss with [appellant] regarding the recommendations of [the probation officer], and we are in agreement and ask that you accept his recommendations." Therefore, we find that appellant and the state agreed upon a sentence. The court imposed the agreed sentence with the exception that the court reduced the juvenile detention to one year rather than imposing the two-year recommendation. Therefore, appellant cannot appeal his sentence. R.C.
{¶ 20} We find appellant's second and third assignments of error not well-taken.
{¶ 21} In his fourth assignment of error, appellant argues that his appointed counsel rendered ineffective assistance in violation of appellant's constitutional rights under the United States and Ohio Constitutions. A claim of ineffective assistance requires that appellant demonstrate both that his counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonable representation and caused prejudice to appellant's case. Strickland v. Washington (1984),
{¶ 22} Appellant's claims of ineffective assistance are based on counsel's failure to raise the issues presented in this appeal. Since none of the errors assigned on appeal have merit, we find that trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to raise them. Finally, appellant argues that *Page 7 his trial counsel did not zealously advocate for him. However, he acknowledges that the sentence imposed was based upon his agreement with the probation officer's recommendations. Therefore, we find there was no showing of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Appellant's fourth assignment is not well-taken.
{¶ 23} Having found that the trial court did not commit error prejudicial to appellant, the judgment of the Sandusky Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, is affirmed. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24. Judgment for the clerk's expense incurred in preparation of the record, fees allowed by law, and the fee for filing the appeal is awarded to Sandusky County.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27. See, also, 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Peter M. Handwork, J., JUDGE
Mark L. Pietrykowski P.J., JUDGE
William J. Skow, J., JUDGE
*Page 1CONCUR.
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