State v. Smith, 91374 (11-6-2008)
State v. Smith, 91374 (11-6-2008)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} In these consolidated appeals, defendants-appellants, Jade and Jarod Smith, appeal the sentences imposed following their guilty pleas for felonious assault. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
{¶ 3} On February 25, 2008, in Case No. CR-502283-A, Jarod Smith pled guilty to one count of felonious assault. Likewise, on that same date, in Case No. CR-502283-B, Jade Smith pled guilty to a single count of felonious assault. On March 31, 2008, at separate sentencing hearings, the trial court sentenced Jarod and Jade each to six years imprisonment.
{¶ 4} Both Jade and Jarod now appeal their sentences and present a single assignment of error for our review. Their sole assignment of error states:
{¶ 5} "The trial court committed reversible error by failing to set forth on the record the findings required by section
{¶ 6} Within this assignment of error, appellants argue that the trial court failed to meet the requirements in R.C.
{¶ 7} In 2006, the Supreme Court of Ohio in State v. Foster,
{¶ 8} Thus, the trial court is no longer required to meet the mandates of R.C.
{¶ 9} "In applying Foster to the existing statutes, appellate courts must apply a two-step approach. First, they must examine the sentencing court's compliance with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing the sentence to determine whether *Page 5 the sentence is clearly and convincingly contrary to law. If this first prong is satisfied, the trial court's decision shall be reviewed under an abuse-of-discretion standard." Kalish, supra at _4.1
{¶ 10} In the instant matter, we find that the trial court complied with all applicable rules and statutes in imposing appellants' sentences, and thus, the sentences were not contrary to law. The trial court sentenced appellants within the statutory ranges provided by R.C.
{¶ 11} Additionally, the trial court considered the principles and purposes of sentencing as required by R.C.
{¶ 12} Moreover, the trial court properly applied postrelease control in both *Page 6 cases. Accordingly, appellants' sentences were not clearly and convincingly contrary to law.
{¶ 13} We next consider whether the trial court abused its discretion in sentencing appellant within the permissible range. A review of both Jade and Jarod's sentencing transcripts indicates that the trial court gave careful consideration to the overriding principles and purposes of sentencing. At both Jade's and Jarod's sentencing hearings, the trial court observed that, while appellants did not have an adult criminal record due to their young age, Jade did have an extensive juvenile history and Jarod had committed numerous violent crimes as a juvenile. The trial court also reiterated the facts of the incident, noting the purpose and planning of the crime, as well as the complete lack of regard for human life. The trial court also stated its concern for appellants' failure to take responsibility for the crime.
{¶ 14} After reviewing the record, we conclude that, in both cases, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing appellants each to six-year prison sentences. Accordingly, appellants' sentences were properly imposed and their sole assignment of error is overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellants costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution. The defendants' convictions having been affirmed, any bail pending appeal is terminated. Case *Page 7 remanded to the trial court for execution of sentence.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
COLLEEN CONWAY COONEY, P.J., and KENNETH A. ROCCO, J., CONCUR.
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