Opinion
2023 CA 00084
03-28-2024
STATE OF OHIO Plaintiff-Appellee v. SASHA RAPPUHN Defendant-Appellant
For Plaintiff-Appellee Jenny Wells Licking County Prosecutor By: Kenneth W. Oswalt Assistant Prosecutor For Defendant-Appellant Todd W. Barstow
Character of Proceeding: Appeal from the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 23CR00434
For Plaintiff-Appellee Jenny Wells Licking County Prosecutor By: Kenneth W. Oswalt Assistant Prosecutor
For Defendant-Appellant Todd W. Barstow
JUDGES: Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J. Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
OPINION
GWIN, P.J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Sasha Rappuhn ["Rappuhn"] appeals her convictions and sentences after a negotiated guilty plea in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On June 20, 2023, Rappuhn was indicted on two counts of Violating a Protection Order, both felonies of the fifth degree in violation of R.C. 2919.27. [Docket Entry No. 10].
{¶3} On September 20, 2023, Rappuhn filed a motion to change her plea. [Docket Entry No. 21]. On October 18, 2023, Rappuhn filed a written Admission of Guilty to the charges. [Docket Entry No. 25]. The entry stated that the parties jointly agreed to recommend a six-month sentence. Id.
{¶4} At the change of plea hearing held October 18, 2023, the prosecutor's recitation of the facts revealed that on June 17, 2023, Newark Police officers were dispatched to a Taco Bell in Newark. Plea T., Oct. 18, 2023 at 9. S.M., who worked at the Taco Bell, had a protection order against Rappuhn. H.B., another Taco Bell employee, and Rappuhn's spouse, was also present. Id. at 10. H.B. also had a protection order against Rappuhn. S.B. told the police that she observed Rappuhn loitering at the restaurant. Id. at 9-10. When the police found Rappuhn in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant, she explained that she had been at the Taco Bell to try to speak to her wife, H.B. Id. at 10. Further, Rappuhn had previously been convicted of violating a protection order in Licking County Municipal Court Case No. 23 CRB 301. Id.
{¶5} After explaining her constitutional and non-constitutional rights, the trial judge accepted Rappuhn's guilty pleas. A pre-sentence investigation report had been filed with the trial court. The trial judge sentenced Rappuhn to Community Control for a period of three years. He further ordered Rappuhn to enter into and successfully complete a community-based corrections facility program, STAR. Rappuhn was notified that if she violates the terms of her Community Control, she will be sentenced to a term of one year on Count One and one year on Count Two, consecutive.
{¶6} Rappuhn vehemently disagreed claiming she did not need treatment, and she needed to go back to Michigan to care for her son.
Assignment of Error
(¶7} Rappuhn raises one Assignment of Error, {¶8} "I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANT BY SENTENCING HER IN CONTRAVENTION OF OHIO'S SENTENCING STATUTES."
Law and Analysis
{¶9} We review felony sentences using the standard of review set forth in R.C. 2953.08. State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶22; State v. Howell, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2015CA00004, 2015-Ohio-4049, ¶31. R.C. 2953.08(G)(2) provides we may either increase, reduce, modify, or vacate a sentence and remand for resentencing where we clearly and convincingly find that either the record does not support the sentencing court's findings under R.C. 2929.13(B) or (D), 2929.14(B)(2)(e) or (C)(4), or 2929.20(I), or the sentence is otherwise contrary to law. See, also, State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.2d 659, ¶28.
{¶10} Clear and convincing evidence is that evidence "which will provide in the mind of the trier of facts a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established." Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954), paragraph three of the syllabus. See also, In re Adoption of Holcomb, 18 Ohio St.3d 361, 481 N.E.2d 613 (1985). "Where the degree of proof required to sustain an issue must be clear and convincing, a reviewing court will examine the record to determine whether the trier of facts had sufficient evidence before it to satisfy the requisite degree of proof." Cross, 161 Ohio St. at 477, 120 N.E.2d 118.
{¶11} The Ohio Supreme Court reviewed the issue of "whether a sentence is "contrary to law" under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(b) when an appellate court finds that the record does not support a sentence with respect to R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649. Although a court imposing a felony sentence must consider the purposes of felony sentencing under R.C. 2929.11 and the sentencing factors under R.C. 2929.12, "neither R.C. 2929.11 nor 2929.12 requires [the] court to make any specific factual findings on the record." Id. at ¶ 20, citing State v. Wilson, 129 Ohio St.3d 214, 2011-Ohio-2669, 951 N.E.2d 381, ¶ 31, and State v. Arnett, 88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 724 N.E.2d 793 (2000). R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(b) does not provide a basis for an appellate court to modify or vacate a sentence based on its view that the sentence is not supported by the record under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649, ¶39. The Ohio Supreme Court further elucidated in State v. Toles, 166 Ohio St.3d 397, 2021 -Ohio-3531, 186 N.E.3d 784, ¶10, "R.C. 2953.08, as amended, precludes second-guessing a sentence imposed by the trial court based on its weighing of the considerations in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12."
{¶12} "'Otherwise contrary to law' means "'in violation of statute or legal regulations at a given time.'" Jones at ¶ 34 quoting Black's Law Dictionary 328 (6th Ed. 1990). Accordingly, when a trial court imposes a sentence based on factors or considerations that are extraneous to those that are permitted by R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12, that sentence is contrary to law. Claims that raise these types of issues are therefore reviewable. State v. Bryant, 168 Ohio St.3d 250, 2022-Ohio-1878, 198 N.E.3d 68, ¶22.
Purposes and Principles of Felony Sentencing - R.C. 2929.11
{¶13} R.C. 2929.11(A) governs the purposes and principles of felony sentencing and provides that a sentence imposed for a felony shall be reasonably calculated to achieve the two overriding purposes of felony sentencing, which are (1) to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others, and (2) to punish the offender using the minimum sanctions that the court determines will accomplish those purposes. In order to achieve these purposes and principles, the trial court must consider the need for incapacitating the offender, deterring the offender and others from future crime, rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public, or both. R.C. 2929.11(A). Additionally, the sentence "must be commensurate with, and not demeaning to, the seriousness of the offender's conduct and its impact on the victims and consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes by similar offenders." R.C. 2929.11(B).
Seriousness and Recidivism - R.C. 2929.12
{¶14} R.C. 2929.12 is a guidance statute that sets forth the seriousness and recidivism criteria that a trial court "shall consider" in fashioning a felony sentence. Subsections (B) and (C) establish the factors indicating whether the offender's conduct is more serious or less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense. These factors include the physical or mental injury suffered by the victim due to the age of the victim; the physical, psychological, or economic harm suffered by the victim; whether the offender's relationship with the victim facilitated the offense; the defendant's prior criminal record; whether the defendant was under a court sanction at the time of the offense; whether the defendant shows any remorse; and any other relevant factors. R.C. 2929.12(B). The court must also consider any factors indicating the offender's conduct is less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense, including any mitigating factors. R.C. 2929.12(C). Subsections (D) and (E) contain the factors bearing on whether the offender is likely or not likely to commit future crimes.
Issue for Appellate Review: Whether Rappuhn's sentence was imposed based on impermissible considerations-i.e., considerations that fall outside those that are contained in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.
{¶15} In the instant case, the record demonstrates the trial court reviewed Rappuhn's PSI and listened to the statements from the prosecutor, defense counsel, and Rappuhn. In open court and in its sentencing entry, the trial court indicated it considered the seriousness and recidivism factors under R.C. 2929.11, R.C. 2929.12 and R.C. 2929.13. The maximum sentence for a fifth-degree felony is twelve months in prison. R.C. 2929.14(A)(5). Instead, the trial court sentenced Rappuhn to community control. The trial court sentenced Rappuhn to a sentence that is permissible for felonies of the fifth degree and she has not demonstrated that the trial court imposed the sentence "based on impermissible considerations-i.e., considerations that fall outside those that are contained in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12." State v. Cottrell, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2022-0061, 2023-Ohio-1391, ¶ 21, citing Bryant, supra.
{¶16} Rappuhn's argument that her sentence violates the general assembly's intent to minimize the unnecessary burden on state and local government resources is not well taken. In State v. Ober, 2nd Dist. No. 97CA0019, 1997 WL 624811 (Oct. 10, 1997), the Court considered this same issue. The Ober court concluded, "[although resource burdens may be a relevant sentencing criterion, R.C. 2929.13(D) does not require trial courts to elevate resource conservation above the seriousness and recidivism factors." Id.
{¶17} Several other appellate courts, including our own, considering these issues have reached the same conclusion. See, e.g., State v. Hyland, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2005-05-103, 2006-Ohio-339, ¶ 32; State v. Brooks, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 97APA-11-1543, 1998 WL 514111 (Aug. 18, 1998); State v. Stewart, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 74691, 1999 WL 126940 (Mar. 4, 1999); State v. Fox, 3rd Dist. Wyandot No. 16-2000-17, 2001 WL 218433 (Mar. 6, 2001); State v. Banks, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 12-COA-045, 2013-Ohio-2847, ¶27; State v. Miller, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 04-COA-003, 2004-Ohio-4636. We agree with the reasoning of the Ober court and other courts considering this issue and find no merit to Rappuhn's argument.
{¶18} Likewise, Rappuhn's appeal to this Court to adopt Justice Donnelly's dissenting opinion in State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649 is unconvincing. [Appellant's brief at 4]. Article IV of the Ohio Constitution designates a system of "superior" and "inferior" courts, each possessing a distinct function. The Constitution does not grant to a court of common pleas or to a court of appeals jurisdiction to reverse or vacate a decision made by a superior court. See, State ex rel. Cordray v. Marshall, 123 Ohio St.3d 229, 2009-Ohio-4986, 915 N.E.2d 666, ¶32; State, ex rel. Potain v. Mathews, 59 Ohio St.2d 29, 32, 391 N.E.2d 343, 345 (1979); R.C. 2305.01. Unless "anarchy [is] to prevail within [our] judicial system, a precedent of [a higher court] must be followed by the lower [] courts no matter how misguided the judges of those courts may think it to be." Hutto v. Davis, 454 U.S. 370, 375, 102 S.Ct. 703, 70 L.Ed.2d 556 (1982).
{¶19} Upon review, we find that the trial court's sentencing complies with applicable rules and sentencing statutes. While Rappuhn may disagree with the weight given to these factors by the trial judge, her sentence was within the applicable statutory range and not based on impermissible considerations-i.e., considerations that fall outside those that are contained in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12; therefore, we have no basis for concluding that it is contrary to law. State v. Elkins, 5th Dist. Knox No. 22CA000021, 2023-Ohio-1358, ¶ 22.
{¶20} Rappuhn's sole Assignment of Error is overruled.
{¶21} The judgment of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Gwin, P.J., Hoffman, J., and Baldwin, J., concur