State v. Hopkins

2026 Ohio 395

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO PREBLE COUNTY

:

STATE OF OHIO, CASE NO. CA2025-04-020 :

Appellee, DECISION AND : JUDGMENT ENTRY vs. 2/9/2026 :

GEORGE A. HOPKINS, :

Appellant.

:

CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM PREBLE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS Case No. 24CR014422

Eric E. Marit, Preble County Prosecuting Attorney, and Kathryn West, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.

Vanzant Law Office, and James B. Vanzant, for appellant.

______________

DECISION

Per Curiam.

{¶1} This cause came on to be considered upon a notice of appeal filed by appellant, George A. Hopkins, the transcript of the docket and journal entries, the

Preble CA2025-04-020

transcript of proceedings and original papers from the Preble County Court of Common Pleas, and upon the brief filed by appellant's counsel.

{¶2} Appellant's counsel has filed a brief with this court pursuant to Anders v.

California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), which (1) indicates that a careful review of the record from the proceedings below fails to disclose any errors by the trial court prejudicial to the rights of appellant upon which an assignment of error may be predicated; (2) lists three potential errors "that might arguably support the appeal," Anders, at 744; (3) requests that this court review the record independently to determine whether the proceedings are free from prejudicial error and without infringement of appellant's constitutional rights; (4) requests permission to withdraw as counsel for appellant on the basis that the appeal is wholly frivolous; and (5) certifies that a copy of both the brief and motion to withdraw have been served upon appellant.

{¶3} Having allowed appellant sufficient time to respond, and no response having been received, we have accordingly examined the record and find no error prejudicial to appellant's rights in the proceedings in the trial court. The motion of counsel for appellant requesting to withdraw as counsel is granted, and this appeal is dismissed for the reason that it is wholly frivolous.

HENDRICKSON, P.J., PIPER and M. POWELL, JJ., concur.

3

Preble CA2025-04-020

_ ______________ JUDGMENT ENTRY

The brief of appellant, filed pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), properly before this court and having been considered by the court, it is ordered that the motion of counsel for appellant requesting to withdraw as counsel is granted, and this appeal is hereby dismissed for the reason that it is wholly frivolous.

It is further ordered that a mandate be sent to the Preble County Court of Common Pleas for execution upon this judgment and that a certified copy of this Decision and Judgment Entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.

Costs to be taxed to appellant.

/s/ Robert A. Hendrickson, Presiding Judge

/s/ Robin N. Piper, Judge

/s/ Mike Powell, Judge