State v. Howard

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: April 6, 2026
• Docket: CA2025-07-073
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as State v. Howard, 2026-Ohio-1232.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

BUTLER COUNTY

: STATE OF OHIO, : CASE NO. CA2025-07-073 Appellee, : DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY - vs - : 4/6/2026

: SHIVIEZ MONTREL HOWARD, : Appellant.

CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS Case No. CR2024-10-1513

Michael T. Gmoser, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney, and Michael Greer, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.

Christopher Frederick, for appellant.

____________ DECISION

Per Curiam.

{¶1} This cause came on to be considered upon a notice of appeal filed by

appellant, Shiviez Montrel Howard, the transcript of the docket and journal entries, the

transcript of proceedings and original papers from the Butler County Court of Common

Pleas, and upon the brief filed by appellant's counsel. Butler CA2025-07-073

{¶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 two

potential errors "that might arguably support the appeal," Id. 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 SIEBERT, JJ., concur.

-2- Butler CA2025-07-073

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 Butler County Common Pleas Court 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/ Melena S. Siebert, Judge

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