State v. Reed, E-07-005 (3-31-2008)
State v. Reed, E-07-005 (3-31-2008)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} The guilty plea was made to five counts of a ten count indictment. In exchange for appellant's plea, the state agreed to enter a nolle prosequi on the remaining counts. Appellant also agreed to forfeit all right and interest to property seized at the time of his arrest or during the execution of any warrant. Both the appellant and state reserved the right to argue for the appropriate sentence at the sentencing hearing.
{¶ 3} The sentencing proceeded on December 12 and 14, 2006. In a judgment entry filed on December 15, 2006, the trial court imposed the following sentences: (1) Count 2, a term of imprisonment of four years with mandatory time; (2) Count 4, a term of imprisonment of six years with mandatory time; (3) Count 5, a term of *Page 3 imprisonment of six years with mandatory time; (4) Count 6, a term of imprisonment of four years with mandatory time; and (5) Count 10, a term of imprisonment of two years.
{¶ 4} The trial court ordered that the sentences on Counts 4 and 5 run concurrently with each other and be served consecutively to the sentences imposed on Counts 2 and 6. The sentences for Counts 2, 4, 5, and 6 were ordered to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed in Count 10. The court also imposed fines totaling $40,000.
{¶ 5} Counsel for appellant has filed both an appellate brief and a motion for leave to withdraw as counsel for appellant, pursuant toAnders v. California (1967),
{¶ 6} Anders v. California concerns the extent of the duty of court-appointed counsel to pursue an appeal on behalf of an indigent defendant. In the case, the Supreme Court of the United States established a procedure to follow in circumstances where appointed counsel concludes that there is no merit to an appeal and seeks to withdraw as counsel on an appeal.
{¶ 7} Under Anders v. California, counsel must undertake a "conscientious examination" of the case and, if he determines an appeal would be "wholly frivolous," he must advise the court and seek permission to withdraw. Id.,
{¶ 9} Counsel has met these requirements, including furnishing a copy of his brief and motion to withdraw to appellant. Appellant has chosen not to submit a brief on his own in support of his appeal.
{¶ 10} Counsel identified one potential issue for appeal:
{¶ 11} "Whether the trial court erred when it sentenced the defendant/appellant to a sentence allowable by law."
{¶ 12} Counsel identified one potential assignment of error:
{¶ 13} "The trial court abused its discretion when it imposed a sentence allowable by law upon the defendant."
{¶ 14} Appellant pled guilty and was sentenced after the issuance of the Supreme Court of Ohio's decision in State v. Foster,
{¶ 15} Under Foster sentencing courts are to continue to consider "the statutory considerations" or "factors" in the "general guidance statutes" — R.C.
{¶ 16} No specific language must be used to show consideration of the statutory factors. State v. Arnett (2000),
{¶ 17} "A trial court's discretion to impose a sentence within the statutory guidelines is very broad and an appellate court cannot hold that a trial court abused its discretion by imposing a severe sentence on a defendant where that sentence is within *Page 6
limits authorized by the applicable statute. State v. Harmon, 6th Dist. No. L-05-1078,
{¶ 18} Appellant's record includes a 1989 conviction for aggravated drug trafficking. He was placed on probation and violated the term of his probation. The original sentence of 18 months imprisonment was imposed. In 1995, appellant was convicted of two counts of aggravated drug trafficking.
{¶ 19} At sentencing the trial court commented on appellant's criminal history and failure to respond favorably to past probation. Both are proper statutory sentencing factors under R.C.
{¶ 20} Upon our own independent review of the record, we find no other meritorious grounds for appeal. Accordingly, we find this appeal to be without merit and wholly frivolous. Appellant's counsel's motion to withdraw is found well-taken and is hereby granted.
{¶ 21} On consideration whereof, the court finds that substantial justice has been done the party complaining, and that the judgment of the Erie County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. *Page 7 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 Erie 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.
Mark L. Pietrykowski, P.J., William J. Skow, J., Thomas J. Osowik, J. CONCUR. *Page 1
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.