Opinion
No. 81571.
Decided June 12, 2003.
Criminal appeal from Common Pleas Court Case No. CR-416731.
For plaintiff-appellee: William D. Mason, Esq. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor.
BY: Rebecca J. Maleckar, Esq. Assistant County Prosecutor The Justice Center — 8th Floor 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
For defendant-appellant: Robert L. Tobik, Esq. Cuyahoga County Public Defender.
BY: Patricia Koch Windham, Esq. Assistant Public Defender 1200 West Third Street, N.W. 100 Lakeside Place Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
{¶ 1} Defendant James Carpenter pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and one count of aggravated robbery. Each count carried a one-year firearm specification. In this appeal, he argues that the court failed to ensure that he entered his guilty plea with an understanding of the nature of the charge. He maintains that the court merely explained the offenses with which he was charged, and that explanation was insufficient under Crim.R. 11.
{¶ 2} Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) requires the court to satisfy itself that the accused understands the nature of a charge before pleading guilty. The term "nature of the charge" is not defined in the Rules of Criminal Procedure, but we have never interpreted that phrase to require the court to inform the accused of the actual elements of the charged offense. See State v. Rainey (1982), 3 Ohio App.3d 441, 442. Indeed, that proposition has been repeatedly rejected. See State v. Krcal, Cuyahoga App. No. 80061, 2002-Ohio-3636, at ¶ 25 (collecting cases). Instead, we look to the circumstances of the case to determine whether the accused understood the charge. State v. Swift (1993), 86 Ohio App.3d 407, 412.
{¶ 3} Nothing in the record shows that Carpenter did not understand the nature of the charges to which he pleaded guilty. In fact, the court specifically asked Carpenter "do you understand the offenses, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary?" Carpenter replied affirmatively, and with the absence of any evidence to the contrary, Carpenter's affirmative reply leaves no doubt that he understood the nature of the charges against him. The assigned error is overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
PATRICIA A. BLACKMON, J., CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY. ANNE L. KILBANE, J., DISSENTS WITH SEPARATE OPINION.
{¶ 1} On this appeal from Judge Robert T. Glickman's acceptance of appellant James Carpenter's pleas of guilt, I dissent. The record reveals that the requirements of both Crim.R. 11(C) and R.C. 2943.032 were not met and, therefore, this case should be reversed and remanded.
{¶ 2} Crim.R. 11(C)(2) mandates that the judge must determine that when a defendant enters a guilty plea, it is made knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. Knowledge of the maximum penalty for the offense involved is vital and must be communicated to and understood by the defendant. Since post-release control is a potential part of every prison sentence, with additional incarceration as a sanction or penalty should the control be violated, R.C. 2943.032 requires the judge to "inform the defendant personally" that he may be subject to an additional prison term if he violates the conditions of post-release control.
{¶ 3} At the plea hearing, Carpenter was told:
The Court: The State of Ohio has offered to allow you to plead to two counts, one being aggravated burglary, the other being aggravated robbery. Each one of these counts is a felony of the first degree. Felonies of first degree are potentially punishable by a period of incarceration anywhere from three to ten years in one year increments; do you understand that?
The Defendant: Yes, your Honor
The Court: Also, in each one of these counts, there is a one-year firearm specification. That means you would have to serve one year in the penitentiary prior to beginning any sentence you receive for either charge. Do you understand?
The Defendant: Yes, your Honor.
The Court: so your minimum sentence here is four years. Do you understand that ?
The Defendant: Yes, your Honor.
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The Court: These charges also carry a potential fine of up to $20,000, but I presume, Mr. Carlin, that your client is indigent.
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