[Cite as Fox v. Fetro, 2025-Ohio-331.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT SENECA COUNTY
MARA FOX, CASE NO. 13-24-16 PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
RONNIE FETRO, ET AL., OPINION
DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS.
Appeal from Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court Trial Court No. CVG 2400542
Judgment Reversed
Date of Decision: February 3, 2025
APPEARANCES:
Gene P. Murray for Appellant Case No. 13-24-16
MILLER, J.
{¶1} Ronnie Fetro and Carol Fetro (collectively, “the Fetros”) appeal from a
judgment entered by the Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court on April 25, 2024
purportedly restoring the house they were renting to the owner of the property. This
case presents an unusual and troubling situation with sufficient concerns about the
propriety of the trial court’s judgment entry that we are compelled to reverse the
judgment and remand the matter to the trial court.
{¶2} This case originated with the pro se filing of a complaint on April 2,
2024 by Mara Fox seeking the forcible entry and detainer of a rental property she
owned at 351 College Avenue in the City of Fostoria.1 The basis for restitution of
the property was the non-payment of rent and Fox’s desire to have possession of the
property returned to her. The complaint alleged a second claim for relief seeking
back rent and damages, if any. Service of the summons and complaint was
effectuated on April 4, 2024 with a hearing scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 25,
2024.
{¶3} On the day prior to the hearing, counsel for the Fetros entered his
appearance and sought a continuance of the hearing indicating he had only recently
been retained and needed additional time to investigate and evaluate the case, and
1 From the materials in the trial court’s file, we are able to glean that Fox was an employee of the Tiffin- Fostoria Municipal Court.
-2- Case No. 13-24-16
to prepare the defense. A few hours later, Fox filed her objection to the requested
continuance.
{¶4} The hearing took place as scheduled before a visiting judge. What
transpired during the hearing is unknown to us as a transcript of the hearing was not
included as part of the record.2 The only relevant information for our review is a
preprinted form judgment entry with check boxes for the court to mark as well as
additional options for the court to circle. For example, part of the judgment entry
reads:
The Court finds that the Defendant(s) (was/were) (was not/were not) served with the notice required by ORC 1923.04, that the Defendant(s) (was/were) (was not/were not) still in possession of the premises three (3) days later, that the Defendant(s) (was/were) (was not/were not) served with a copy of the Complaint and summons required by ORC 1923.06, and that the Plaintiff(s) (has/has not) (have/have not) established the right to possession of the premises based upon: □ Non-Payment of Rent □ ____________________
{¶5} Significantly, the entry does not provide a place to indicate whether
counsel was present for the hearing. Consequently, the record is unclear if the
Fetros’ counsel appeared with them for the hearing. Regardless, counsel was
provided with a copy of the court’s Judgment Entry Regarding Forcible Entry and
Detainer file stamped at 10:39 a.m. on April 25, 2024. We know counsel received
2 Along with the notice of appeal, counsel for the Fetros filed a Statement and Praecipe indicating a complete transcript was to be filed with the record on appeal. However, it appears from reviewing the assignment of error and appellate brief that counsel determined a transcript would not be needed for resolution of the assigned error.
-3- Case No. 13-24-16
this judgment entry because when counsel filed the notice of appeal a few days later,
he attached a copy of this judgment entry to the notice as required by Loc.R. 3(A).
{¶6} Alarmingly, the trial court’s judgment entry contained in the official
record submitted to this court is patently different from the judgment entry
submitted to this court with the notice of appeal. It appears the original entry was
altered at some point after it was file stamped and a copy provided to the Fetros or
their attorney.3 Unlike the copy attached to the notice of appeal, the judgment entry
in the court’s file has several boxes checked in a different color ink than that used
by the trial judge to sign the entry. Additionally, on the entry in the court’s file,
someone has circled “did” in the line reading: “Defendant(s) (did/did not) appear
at this hearing.” None of the alternatives contained in the paragraph quoted above
were circled and no boxes identifying the reason for granting restitution of the
premises were checked. The only items identical between the two entries appear to
be the judge’s signature, the file stamp, the handwritten address of the rental
property, and the handwritten put out date.4
In their appeal, the Fetros raise a single assignment of error which states:
On grounds that a court speaks through its journal, a trial court’s judgment entry regarding forcible entry and detainer is unenforceable when it is totally devoid of any judgments necessary to effect an eviction, thereby denying the fundamental
3 Alternatively, the Fetros or their counsel would have had to alter their copy of the judgment entry and then attach the altered copy to the notice of appeal. However, the nature of the changes and a visual inspection of the documents renders this possibility unlikely. 4 We note on the judgment entry in the court file that the judge’s signature and put out date are both written in black ink while the hand written address is in blue ink. Likewise, the checked boxes are also in blue ink.
-4- Case No. 13-24-16
and substantial constitutional rights to due process of law for the tenants in this case.
{¶7} The Fetros contend the trial court’s judgment entry is facially invalid
because none of the boxes making findings or rendering a judgment were marked
by the court. Apparently, in drafting the assignment of error, the Fetros’ counsel
relied on the copy of the judgment entry he was provided and was unaware the
judgment entry in the court’s file had been altered to reflect findings purportedly
made by the trial court.
{¶8} The record does not indicate when the boxes making findings were
marked on the judgment entry in the court file. Though, it can be deduced that the
boxes were marked after the judgment entry was file stamped and a copy provided
to the Fetros. Nor does the record indicate who marked the boxes making the
various findings. If the boxes were marked by the visiting judge, there is less
concern than if they were marked by well-intentioned court staff or, worse, by some
other individual. However, even if the findings were added to the judgment entry
by the visiting judge, or done at his direction, such additions to a file stamped
document were improper. If the trial judge was endeavoring to make the judgment
entry more complete, a corrected entry or a nunc pro tunc entry (assuming the
findings were made at the hearing and the entry was truly being made to reflect what
took place on the record) should have been filed.
-5- Case No. 13-24-16
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[Cite as Fox v. Fetro, 2025-Ohio-331.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT SENECA COUNTY
MARA FOX, CASE NO. 13-24-16 PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
RONNIE FETRO, ET AL., OPINION
DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS.
Appeal from Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court Trial Court No. CVG 2400542
Judgment Reversed
Date of Decision: February 3, 2025
APPEARANCES:
Gene P. Murray for Appellant Case No. 13-24-16
MILLER, J.
{¶1} Ronnie Fetro and Carol Fetro (collectively, “the Fetros”) appeal from a
judgment entered by the Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court on April 25, 2024
purportedly restoring the house they were renting to the owner of the property. This
case presents an unusual and troubling situation with sufficient concerns about the
propriety of the trial court’s judgment entry that we are compelled to reverse the
judgment and remand the matter to the trial court.
{¶2} This case originated with the pro se filing of a complaint on April 2,
2024 by Mara Fox seeking the forcible entry and detainer of a rental property she
owned at 351 College Avenue in the City of Fostoria.1 The basis for restitution of
the property was the non-payment of rent and Fox’s desire to have possession of the
property returned to her. The complaint alleged a second claim for relief seeking
back rent and damages, if any. Service of the summons and complaint was
effectuated on April 4, 2024 with a hearing scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 25,
2024.
{¶3} On the day prior to the hearing, counsel for the Fetros entered his
appearance and sought a continuance of the hearing indicating he had only recently
been retained and needed additional time to investigate and evaluate the case, and
1 From the materials in the trial court’s file, we are able to glean that Fox was an employee of the Tiffin- Fostoria Municipal Court.
-2- Case No. 13-24-16
to prepare the defense. A few hours later, Fox filed her objection to the requested
continuance.
{¶4} The hearing took place as scheduled before a visiting judge. What
transpired during the hearing is unknown to us as a transcript of the hearing was not
included as part of the record.2 The only relevant information for our review is a
preprinted form judgment entry with check boxes for the court to mark as well as
additional options for the court to circle. For example, part of the judgment entry
reads:
The Court finds that the Defendant(s) (was/were) (was not/were not) served with the notice required by ORC 1923.04, that the Defendant(s) (was/were) (was not/were not) still in possession of the premises three (3) days later, that the Defendant(s) (was/were) (was not/were not) served with a copy of the Complaint and summons required by ORC 1923.06, and that the Plaintiff(s) (has/has not) (have/have not) established the right to possession of the premises based upon: □ Non-Payment of Rent □ ____________________
{¶5} Significantly, the entry does not provide a place to indicate whether
counsel was present for the hearing. Consequently, the record is unclear if the
Fetros’ counsel appeared with them for the hearing. Regardless, counsel was
provided with a copy of the court’s Judgment Entry Regarding Forcible Entry and
Detainer file stamped at 10:39 a.m. on April 25, 2024. We know counsel received
2 Along with the notice of appeal, counsel for the Fetros filed a Statement and Praecipe indicating a complete transcript was to be filed with the record on appeal. However, it appears from reviewing the assignment of error and appellate brief that counsel determined a transcript would not be needed for resolution of the assigned error.
-3- Case No. 13-24-16
this judgment entry because when counsel filed the notice of appeal a few days later,
he attached a copy of this judgment entry to the notice as required by Loc.R. 3(A).
{¶6} Alarmingly, the trial court’s judgment entry contained in the official
record submitted to this court is patently different from the judgment entry
submitted to this court with the notice of appeal. It appears the original entry was
altered at some point after it was file stamped and a copy provided to the Fetros or
their attorney.3 Unlike the copy attached to the notice of appeal, the judgment entry
in the court’s file has several boxes checked in a different color ink than that used
by the trial judge to sign the entry. Additionally, on the entry in the court’s file,
someone has circled “did” in the line reading: “Defendant(s) (did/did not) appear
at this hearing.” None of the alternatives contained in the paragraph quoted above
were circled and no boxes identifying the reason for granting restitution of the
premises were checked. The only items identical between the two entries appear to
be the judge’s signature, the file stamp, the handwritten address of the rental
property, and the handwritten put out date.4
In their appeal, the Fetros raise a single assignment of error which states:
On grounds that a court speaks through its journal, a trial court’s judgment entry regarding forcible entry and detainer is unenforceable when it is totally devoid of any judgments necessary to effect an eviction, thereby denying the fundamental
3 Alternatively, the Fetros or their counsel would have had to alter their copy of the judgment entry and then attach the altered copy to the notice of appeal. However, the nature of the changes and a visual inspection of the documents renders this possibility unlikely. 4 We note on the judgment entry in the court file that the judge’s signature and put out date are both written in black ink while the hand written address is in blue ink. Likewise, the checked boxes are also in blue ink.
-4- Case No. 13-24-16
and substantial constitutional rights to due process of law for the tenants in this case.
{¶7} The Fetros contend the trial court’s judgment entry is facially invalid
because none of the boxes making findings or rendering a judgment were marked
by the court. Apparently, in drafting the assignment of error, the Fetros’ counsel
relied on the copy of the judgment entry he was provided and was unaware the
judgment entry in the court’s file had been altered to reflect findings purportedly
made by the trial court.
{¶8} The record does not indicate when the boxes making findings were
marked on the judgment entry in the court file. Though, it can be deduced that the
boxes were marked after the judgment entry was file stamped and a copy provided
to the Fetros. Nor does the record indicate who marked the boxes making the
various findings. If the boxes were marked by the visiting judge, there is less
concern than if they were marked by well-intentioned court staff or, worse, by some
other individual. However, even if the findings were added to the judgment entry
by the visiting judge, or done at his direction, such additions to a file stamped
document were improper. If the trial judge was endeavoring to make the judgment
entry more complete, a corrected entry or a nunc pro tunc entry (assuming the
findings were made at the hearing and the entry was truly being made to reflect what
took place on the record) should have been filed.
-5- Case No. 13-24-16
{¶9} “Trial courts ‘dispose of’ claims through their judgment entries.” Smith
v. Platinum Property Mgt., 2024-Ohio-5687, ¶ 5 (1st Dist.). Civ.R. 58(A) instructs
that, upon a decision announced, “the court shall promptly cause the judgment to be
prepared and, the court having signed it, the clerk shall thereupon enter it upon the
journal. A judgment is effective only when entered by the clerk upon the journal.”
Civ.R. 58(A)(1).
{¶10} “‘“A judgment is the judicial determination or sentence of a court
rendered in a cause within its jurisdiction.”’” Platinum Property at ¶ 6, quoting State
ex rel. Curran v. Brookes, 142 Ohio St. 107, 110 (1943), quoting Peter v. Parkinson,
83 Ohio St. 36, 47 (1910); see generally 62 Ohio Jur.3d, Judgments, § 1 (2024).
Civ.R. 54(A) defining “judgment” reads: “‘Judgment’ as used in these rules means
a written entry ordering or declining to order a form of relief, signed by a judge, and
journalized on the docket of the court.” Civ.R. 54(A).
{¶11} Inherent in these rules is the basic premise that it is the court who must
make the decision as to the disputed matters and dispose of claims through a proper
judgment entry ordering, or declining to order, some form of relief. In the matter
before us, it is unknown who marked the boxes granting judgment on the eviction
claim of the complaint and continuing the damage claim for a future hearing.
{¶12} When an appeals court is asked to contemplate the judgment of a lower
court, the reviewing court is frequently guided by a presumption of correctness of
the judgment, and a presumption of regularity in the proceedings below. This
-6- Case No. 13-24-16
typically occurs when our review is hampered by the absence of a trial transcript or
other record pursuant to App.R. 9 (C) or (D). Tretola v. Tretola, 2014-Ohio-5484,
¶ 86 (3d Dist.). Further,
[a] general principle of appellate review is the presumption of regularity, that is, a trial court is presumed to have followed the law unless the contrary is made to appear in the record. Thus, the court of appeals generally presumes regularity in the proceedings below, and all presumptions will be indulged in support of the validity and correctness of the proceedings below. Also, in appeals, all reasonable presumptions consistent with the record will be indulged in favor of the legality of the proceedings below. The law presumes that the decree or judgment was made upon proper grounds; that the court below applied the law correctly; that a trial judge performed one's duty and did not rely upon anything in reaching a decision upon which one should not have relied; and that the action below was justified.
State v. Phillips, 2022-Ohio-1262, ¶ 24 (2d Dist.), quoting 5 Ohio Jurisprudence
3d, Appellate Review, Section 454. See also State v. Frazier, 2024-Ohio-518, ¶
10 (3d Dist.).
{¶13} Although we may be inclined to conclude the proceedings in the trial
court were proper and the trial judge independently reviewed and ruled on issues
raised in Fox’s complaint, it is evident the trial judge did not perform his duty to
ensure a proper judgment entry was filed. It is obvious the Judgment Entry
Regarding Forcible Entry and Detainer contained in the court file was altered after
it was file stamped. The original file stamped entry appears to have had no boxes
marked that made findings or either granted or denied judgment. Further, it is
unknown by whom or when the changes were made to the judgment entry.
-7- Case No. 13-24-16
Consequently, based on the record before us, we find it would be improper and
unjust to apply the presumptions of regularity and correctness in this situation5.
{¶14} Having found error prejudicial to the appellant, we reverse the
judgment of the Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court and remand this matter for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
WALDICK, P.J. and WILLAMOWSKI, J., concur.
5 We caution trial courts that while, in some circumstances, form entries with check boxes can be convenient, they must be used with caution due to the possibilities of incomplete or inconsistent findings or, as in the case here, subsequent alterations to the judgment entry.
-8-