State v. Chase

2021 Ohio 1006

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: March 29, 2021
• Docket: 2020-L-070, 2020-L-071
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Chase, 2021-Ohio-1006.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

LAKE COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO, : OPINION

Plaintiff-Appellee, : CASE NOS. 2020-L-070 - vs - : 2020-L-071

RICHARD A. CHASE, JR., :

Defendant-Appellant. :

Criminal Appeals from the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, Case Nos. 2018 CR 001302 and 2018 CR 000996.

Judgment: Affirmed.

Charles E. Coulson, Lake County Prosecutor, Teri Daniel and Jennifer A. McGee, Assistant Prosecutors, Lake County Administration Building, 105 Main Street, P.O. Box 490, Painesville, Ohio 44077 (For Plaintiff-Appellee).

Stephen J. Futterer, Willoughby Professional Building, 38052 Euclid Avenue, #105, Willoughby, Ohio 44094 (For Defendant-Appellant).

THOMAS R. WRIGHT, J.

{¶1} Appellant, Richard A. Chase, Jr., challenges his concurrent prison

sentences of one year for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree,

and five years for aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the second degree, after

pleading guilty to both offenses. We affirm.

{¶2} The first offense occurred on September 18, 2018, when Chase was

stopped in Mentor for an unilluminated license plate. Chase was arrested for driving under suspension. Officers then did an inventory search of the car and found a glass

methamphetamine pipe and a disguised soda can containing 0.26 grams of

methamphetamine.

{¶3} The second charge stemmed from an October 11, 2018 incident. Chase

called police because someone had broken into his work van. Upon arrival, police saw

the man responsible for the break-in throw something into the van. Officers arrested the

suspect, and with Chase’s consent, they searched the van and found two scales, $565 in

cash, a dollar bill with white powder on it, a glass smoking pipe with residue, and 27.66

grams of methamphetamine.

{¶4} Sentencing was set for July 2, 2019. On July 1, 2019, Chase moved for a

three-week continuance because he was recovering from injuries sustained in a

motorcycle accident. Sentencing was rescheduled for August 19, 2019, but Chase failed

to appear, and the court issued a warrant for his arrest. Chase was subsequently arrested

at his home, and sentence was imposed November 6, 2019.

{¶5} Chase’s first of three assigned errors asserts:

{¶6} “[1.] The trial court erred in its sentence of defendant-appellant in that clear

and convincing evidence in the record shows that the trial court did not properly weigh

the principles and purposes of felony sentencing in R.C. 2929.11 or the seriousness and

recidivism factors in R.C. 2929.12.”

{¶7} Chase argues that the trial court did not properly consider the factors and

considerations in R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12 when it sentenced him to five years in

prison on the second charge of aggravated possession, improperly used his

nonappearance at his sentencing hearing against him, failed to consider his drug

2 dependence, and incorrectly found he lacked remorse. Chase further argues that his

criminal history did not support a five-year sentence.

{¶8} R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12 require the sentencing court to consider certain

factors when imposing a felony sentence but do not mandate judicial fact-finding. State

v. Foster, 109 Ohio St.3d 1, 2006-Ohio-856, 845 N.E.2d 470, ¶ 42. “‘A silent record raises

the presumption that a trial court considered the factors contained in R.C. 2929.12.’”

State v. Sheffey, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2016-A-0075, 2017-Ohio-5634, ¶ 14, quoting

State v. Adams, 37 Ohio St.3d 295, 525 N.E.2d 1361 (1988), paragraph three of the

syllabus.

{¶9} Moreover, the Ohio Supreme Court very recently held that “[n]othing in R.C.

2953.08(G)(2) permits an appellate court to independently weigh the evidence in the

record and substitute its judgment for that of the trial court concerning the sentence that

best reflects compliance with R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.” State v. Jones, __ Ohio.St.3d

__, 2020-Ohio-6729, __ N.E.3d __, ¶ 42. “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.” (Emphasis

added.) Id. at ¶ 39.

{¶10} Given the holding in Jones, we cannot review whether Chase’s sentence is

supported by the record under R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. We will address Chase’s

argument to the limited extent that Chase claims (1) the trial court’s explicit findings lack

support in the record, and (2) the trial court explicitly relied on facts that it was precluded

from considering by law. See Jones at ¶ 47-49 (Fischer, J., concurring).

3 {¶11} First, Chase argues the trial court improperly used his nonappearance

against him and did not reasonably make inquiry as to why he did not appear for

sentencing. Contrary to Chase’s argument, nonappearance for court-ordered hearings is

a proper factor for a trial court to consider when imposing an individual felony sentence.

See R.C. 2929.12 (in addition to considering the factors set forth in the divisions of this

statute, the sentencing court may consider any other facts that are relevant to achieving

the purposes and principles of felony sentencing); see also State v. Stouffer, 11th Dist.

Lake No. 2015-L-032, 2015-Ohio-4637, ¶ 16-17; State v. Anderson, 1st Dist. Hamilton

No. C-030449, 2004-Ohio-760, ¶ 15.

{¶12} Further, Chase’s trial counsel moved for a three-week continuance due to

Chase’s accident and injuries. That continuance was granted, and no secondary motion

was made. Chase failed to appear after being granted his requested continuance to heal

from his injuries and provided no reason for his failure to appear despite having the

opportunity to do so. Inquiry was not required.

{¶13} Next, Chase argues the court erred when it stated that Chase fails to

acknowledge and deal with his drug abuse problem.

{¶14} The court stated at the sentencing hearing:

JUDGE: * * * [T]here are factors that make the offense more serious. Certainly the amount is above the minimum needed in order to achieve the felony of the second degree. * * * Defendant has not responded favorably to previously imposed sanctions. Alcohol and drug abuse may be related to the offense and the offender denies a problem or refuses to contend with the problem. * * * And the amount involved here is more than just using, it’s a trafficking amount.

{¶15} Chase points our attention to his presentence questionnaire where he

admits to using methamphetamine to cope with the death of his daughter; his urinalysis

4 at the presentence referral that is positive for marijuana; several assessments and

diagnoses indicating he suffers from substance abuse issues and methamphetamine use

disorder; and statements by his mother at sentencing.

{¶16} In a presentence investigation report, however, Chase acknowledges he

abuses alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana but denies that he needs

substance abuse treatment.

{¶17} Additionally, Chase argues that the trial court erred when it considered the

amount of drugs he possessed in determining his sentence because the weight of

methamphetamine was already considered when he was charged with a second degree

felony. He argues this creates a “double-whammy.”

{¶18} However, the court did not consider the amount of the drug in isolation but

in response to Chase’s claim that the large quantity of methamphetamine he possessed

was for personal use. The court did not believe this claim and instead found his

possession was more serious in light of the amount, the scales, and the large quantity of

cash found with it. Additionally, trial courts are permitted to consider the weight of drugs

seized in determining the seriousness of the offense. See State v. Hull, 11th Dist. No.

2016-L-035, 2017-Ohio-157, 77 N.E.3d 484, ¶ 42; State v. Miller, 11th Dist. Lake No.

2018-L-133, 2019-Ohio-2290, ¶ 26. Accordingly, Chase’s argument that the court could

not consider the weight of the drug in sentencing lacks merit.

{¶19} Chase next contends that the court’s statement regarding his lack of

acknowledgement of his drug problem was used to prove he is not genuinely remorseful.

However, the trial court made no finding that Chase was not remorseful.

5 {¶20} Finally, Chase argues that his criminal history does not support a five-year

prison term and that the trial court erred when it considered his juvenile record.

{¶21} While weighing the R.C. 2929.12 recidivism factors the trial court stated:

JUDGE: In terms of recidivism, the Defendant does have a criminal history, and history of delinquency adjudications. As a juvenile it includes theft felony five; another theft, habitually truant; no operator’s license; curfew violations; underage possession of cigarettes; another theft. As an adult receiving stolen property in ’99; another receiving stolen property in 2000; criminal mischief in 2001; disorderly conduct fighting in 2002; open container in ’06; attempted possession of cocaine in ’07; disorderly conduct, littering, dumping rubbish in ’15 * * *.

{¶22} Chase cites State v. Hand in support of his argument that the court

improperly used his juvenile criminal record to enhance his prison term beyond a

mandatory minimum sentence in violation of the Due Process Clauses of Article I, Section

16 of the Ohio Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States

Constitution. State v. Hand, 149 Ohio St.3d 94, 2016-Ohio-5504, 73 N.E.3d 448. In

Hand, the Ohio Supreme concluded that R.C. 2901.08(A), which requires a juvenile

adjudication be treated as a previous conviction for charging and sentencing purposes,

is unconstitutional and violates the right to due process. Id. at paragraph one of the

syllabus. However, Hand does not preclude a trial court from considering a defendant’s

juvenile record when reviewing the likelihood of recidivism under R.C. 2929.12. The

Court noted this distinction, explaining: “[T]here is a significant difference between

allowing a trial judge to consider an adjudication during adult sentencing and requiring a

mandatory prison term to be imposed because of it.” Id. at ¶ 20. See also State v.

McBride, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2017-T-0050, 2017-Ohio-9349, ¶ 12 (“Nothing in Hand

prohibits a trial court from considering a defendant’s prior criminal history, including his

6 juvenile delinquency adjudications, when considering and weighing the recidivism factors

in R.C. 2929.12.” (Emphasis sic.)). Therefore, Chase’s argument relying on Hand lacks

merit.

{¶23} Regarding his adult convictions, Chase argues the trial court summarized

his criminal record in an “unreasonable damaging description.” However, Chase does

not establish that the trial court did anything other than accurately recite his prior

convictions. That is not unreasonable, and that it was damaging is not error but a function

of Chase’s past transgressions.

{¶24} Thus, all of his arguments under his first assigned error lack merit and are

overruled.

{¶25} Chase’s second assigned error contends:

{¶26} “[2.] The trial court erred in requiring defendant-appellant to waive his Sixth

Amendment Right to Counsel in the Written Plea Agreement in the plea hearing; and in

the trial court’s subsequent Order Denying Motion for Appointment of Counsel; in violation

of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.”

{¶27} In his second assignment of error, Chase advances two arguments: first,

that the trial court erred when it required him to waive his constitutional right to counsel

at his change of plea hearing; and second, that the trial court erred when it denied him

appointment of counsel in violation of his constitutional rights to counsel and due process.

{¶28} “‘Before accepting a guilty or no-contest plea, the court must make the

determinations and give the warnings required by Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(a) and (b) and notify

the defendant of the constitutional rights listed in Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c).’” State v. Gensert,

11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2015-T-0084, 2016-Ohio-1163, 61 N.E.3d 636, ¶ 11, quoting

7 State v. Veney, 120 Ohio St.3d 176, 2008-Ohio-5200, 897 N.E.2d 621, ¶ 13. A trial court’s

compliance with Crim.R. 11(C) is reviewed for substantial compliance as to the

nonconstitutional rights and for strict compliance as to the constitutional rights. Id. at ¶

12-14. While advising him of his Crim.R. 11(C)(2)(c) rights, the court asked:

JUDGE : Do you understand that if you were not pleading guilty today you would always be represented throughout this case by an attorney, even if you could no longer afford counsel? Counsel would be appointed by the court, paid for by the taxpayers, free to you?

RICHARD CHASE: Yes, sir.

***

JUDGE: Do you voluntarily give up all the rights that I just explained to you, and wish to have this Court accept your plea of guilty * * *?

{¶29} Chase argues that this exchange amounted to the trial court requiring him

to waive his right to counsel. However, this was merely an advisement that Chase had

the right to be represented throughout trial if he were not pleading guilty and that counsel

would be provided to him.

{¶30} Moreover, Chase was represented by counsel throughout his plea and

sentencing. And Chase acknowledged this representation at his plea hearing:

JUDGE: Have you had enough time to discuss what you’re doing in these cases with your attorney?

JUDGE: Has your attorney done everything you’ve asked him to do for you in these cases?

8 {¶31} Thus, Chase was both represented by counsel throughout the proceedings,

and he was not required to waive this right.

{¶32} Next, Chase argues that the trial court erred when it failed to advise him of

his right to appeal and his right to appointed appellate counsel. As he argues, Chase was

not advised of his right to appeal at his sentencing hearing. However, “[c]ourts have held

that ‘[w]here a defendant has been convicted following a guilty or no contest plea, the

court is not constitutionally required to advise the defendant of his appeal rights.’” State

v. Perkins, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 2018-T-0012, 2018-Ohio-5335, ¶ 19, quoting State v.

Houston, 6th Dist. Erie No. E-03-059, 2004-Ohio-6462, ¶ 8; accord State v. Lowe, 2d Dist.

Clark No. 2016-CA-18, 2017-Ohio-27, ¶ 9. Moreover, Chase was permitted to file a

delayed appeal and was appointed counsel to represent him. Therefore, even if the court

erred, Chase suffered no prejudice as a result. Perkins at ¶ 19 (finding no reversible error

because appellant suffered no prejudice from the trial court’s alleged error).

{¶33} Finally, Chase argues the trial court erred when it denied his June 18, 2020

motion for appointment of counsel. However, this court had already granted Chase’s

motion for leave to file a delayed appeal and advised him to file a motion for appointment

of counsel. And we subsequently appointed appellate counsel. Therefore, Chase was

not denied the right to counsel, and his second assigned error lacks merit.

{¶34} Chase’s third and final assigned error claims he was denied the effective

assistance of trial counsel:

{¶35} “[3.] The Defendant-Appellant’s Counsel’s performance was deficient which

prejudiced the defendant-appellant and resulted in an unreliable and fundamentally unfair

outcome of the proceedings.”

9 {¶36} Chase argues that trial counsel was ineffective because he neglected to file

a motion to suppress the evidence seized in the second charge. He contends that the

police officer’s search of his van exceeded the scope of consent when the officer

searched inside his toolbox and that his attorney should have moved to suppress the

evidence.

{¶37} To prevail on a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellant must

demonstrate (1) his counsel was deficient in some aspect of his representation, and (2)

there is a reasonable probability, were it not for counsel’s errors, the result of the

proceedings would have been different. State v. Hope, 2019-Ohio-2174, 137 N.E.3d 549,

¶ 88 (11th Dist.), citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 669, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80

L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).

{¶38} In Ohio, every properly licensed attorney is presumed to be competent, and

a defendant bears the burden of proving otherwise. Hope at ¶ 89, citing State v. Smith,

17 Ohio St.3d 98, 100, 477 N.E.2d 1128 (1985). “Counsel’s performance will not be

deemed ineffective unless and until counsel’s performance is proved to have fallen below

an objective standard of reasonable representation and, in addition, prejudice arises from

counsel’s performance.” State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 142, 538 N.E.2d 373

(1989). Prejudice is established by “a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s

unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A

reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.”

Strickland at 694.

{¶39} “[A] guilty plea ‘represents a break in the chain of events which has

preceded it in the criminal process.’” State v. Haynes, 11th Dist. Trumbull No. 93-T-4911,

10 1995 WL 237075, *1 (Mar. 3, 1995), quoting State v. Spates, 64 Ohio St.3d 269, 272, 595

N.E.2d 351 (1992). “[l]f a criminal defendant admits his guilt in open court, he waives the

right to challenge the propriety of any action taken by the court or counsel prior to that

point in the proceeding unless it affected the knowing and voluntary character of the

plea.” Id.

{¶40} Thus, a plea of guilty waives a defendant’s right to assert an ineffective

assistance claim unless it is shown that counsel’s errors affected the knowing and

voluntary nature of the plea. Haynes at *2, citing State v. Barnett, 73 Ohio App.3d 244,

249, 596 N.E.2d 1101 (2d Dist.1991).

{¶41} Here, Chase waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the second-degree

felony charge that resulted from the search of his van. He has failed to show that any

alleged ineffective assistance affected the knowing, intelligent, or voluntary nature of

his plea, and therefore his third assigned error is without merit.

{¶42} Accordingly, the trial court’s decision is affirmed.

MARY JANE TRAPP, P.J.,

MATT LYNCH, J.,

concur.