In Re L.M., 89348 (8-9-2007)
In Re L.M., 89348 (8-9-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On September 12, 2006, Cleveland Police filed a delinquency complaint alleging that L.M. is delinquent by reason of having committed three violations of R.C.
{¶ 3} The matter proceeded to a hearing on December 14, 2006. At this time, the magistrate again advised L.M. of his constitutional rights and also explained the possible penalties as follows:
{¶ 4} "Count No. 1 as charged carries with it a potential term of incarceration at the Ohio Department of Youth Services. Because its an aggravated felony of the first degree, it carries with it in the body of the Complaint a potential term of incarceration of one year and you could be kept at the Ohio Department of Youth Services until you reach the age of 21.
{¶ 5} "Additionally, the [firearm specification]-although probationable, if it were — if you were to be incarcerated, that would run consecutive to the term of the body of the Complaint subjecting you to a minimum term of incarceration of two years at the Ohio Department of Youth Services and you could be kept there until you turn 21.
{¶ 6} "* * * [Y]ou face those potential terms of incarceration in Counts 1, 2, and 3. Those three terms could run consecutive or concurrent to each other, you face a minimum of six years at the Ohio Department of Youth Services. *Page 3
{¶ 7} "In exchange for that plea, the State of Ohio is proposing the deletion of the three-year firearm specifications in Counts 1, 2, and 3 as well as the nollying of Counts 4 and 5, possession of criminal tools.
{¶ 8} "* * * [D]o you understand the potential term of incarceration that you face here this morning?
{¶ 9} "[L.M.]: Yes, your Honor."
{¶ 10} Thereafter, the state requested to amend the complaint to delete all of the three-year firearm specifications and to dismiss the allegations of possession of criminal tools. The magistrate so amended the complaint and then accepted L.M.'s admission to the remainder of the complaint.
{¶ 11} The matter proceeded to a dispositional hearing. The trial court concluded that L.M. is delinquent in connection with the remaining allegations and ordered him committed to the Ohio Department of Youth Services for the three aggravated robbery charges for three concurrent indefinite terms "consisting of a minimum of (12) twelve months and a maximum period not to exceed the child's attainment of (21) twenty-one years" plus a consecutive term of an "indefinite term consisting of a minimum of (12) twelve months and a maximum period not to exceed the child's attainment of (21) twenty-one years" for the firearm specifications. L.M. now appeals. *Page 4
{¶ 12} For his sole assignment of error, L.M. asserts that the trial court erred in accepting his admission to the amended delinquency complaint because the magistrate improperly explained the possible penalties for the offenses.
{¶ 13} A plea of true in a Juvenile delinquency matter is governed by Juv.R. 29 which provides in relevant part as follows:
{¶ 14} "(D) Initial procedure upon entry of an admission. The court may refuse to accept an admission and shall not accept an admission without addressing the party personally and determining both of the following:
{¶ 15} "(1) The party is making the admission voluntarily with an understanding of the nature of the allegations and consequences of the admission;
{¶ 16} "(2) The party understands that by entering an admission, the party is waiving the right to challenge the witnesses and evidence against the party, to remain silent, and to introduce evidence at the adjudicatory hearing."
{¶ 17} The rule places an affirmative duty upon the juvenile court to personally address the juvenile before the court and determine that the juvenile, and not merely the attorney, understands the nature of the allegations and the consequences of entering the admission. In reBeechler (1996),
{¶ 18} The court must substantially comply with the requirements of Juv.R. 29. In re J.J., Summit App. No. 21386,
{¶ 19} If the court fails to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D), the adjudication must be reversed so that the minor "may plead anew."In re C. P.,
{¶ 20} As to the possible consequences of the admission, due process considerations mandate that the court inform the juvenile of the dispositional options. In re Hendrickson (1996),
{¶ 21} In this matter, the magistrate did not clearly indicate that L.M. could receive probation for the firearm specification, contrary to the provisions of R.C.
Affirmed.
*Page 7It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to said 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.
*Page 1JAMES J. SWEENEY, P.J., AND CHRISTINE T. MCMONAGLE, J., CONCUR
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.