In re D.A.G. , 2013 Ohio 3414 ( 2013 )

[Cite as In re D.A.G., 2013-Ohio-3414.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ROSS COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF: :
:
D. A. G. : Case Nos. 13CA3366
: 13CA3367
Adjudicated Delinquent Child :
: DECISION AND JUDGMENT
: ENTRY
:
: Released: 07/26/13
APPEARANCES:
Timothy Young, Ohio State Public Defender, and Charlyn Bohland, Assistant State
Public Defender, Columbus, Ohio, for Appellant.
Matthew S. Schmidt, Ross County Prosecuting Attorney, and Robert C. Hess,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Chillicothe, Ohio, for Appellee.
McFarland, P.J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, D.G., appeals the trial court’s decisions that adjudicated
him a delinquent child and that imposed previously-stayed commitments to the
Department of Youth Services (DYS) after he entered admissions to violating the
conditions of his probation. He contends that his admissions are invalid because
the trial court failed to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1). Specifically,
D.G. claims that the court failed to ascertain that he understood the nature of the
allegations and the consequences of his admissions. He further argues that the
court failed to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(2) because it did not advise
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 2
him of, and ascertain that he understood, his right to remain silent at the
adjudicatory hearing, if one were held. Because the trial court asked D.G. whether
he understood the allegations and explained that admitting the complaint would
result in a commitment of six months up to D.G.’s 21st birthday, the court
substantially complied with Juv.R. 29(D)(1). Moreover, even though the court did
not specifically mention D.G.’s right to remain silent at the hearing, the totality of
the circumstances shows that D.G. was aware of that right and understood that
right.
{¶ 2} D.G. additionally argues that the trial court plainly erred by failing to
appoint a guardian ad litem to represent his interests during the probation violation
proceedings. He contends that Juv.R. 4(B) and R.C. 2151.281(A) required the
court to appoint a guardian ad litem because his interests conflicted with those of
his parents. We disagree. The record does not contain any suggestion that D.G’s
parents held interests inconsistent with D.G.’s interests. In fact, D.G.’s mother
implored the court not to commit D.G. to DYS and to allow him to return home.
Because the record fails to show a potential for conflict between D.G. and his
parents, the trial court did not plainly err by failing to appoint a guardian ad litem.
Accordingly, we overrule D.G.’s two assignments of error and affirm the trial
court’s judgment.
I. FACTS
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 3
{¶ 3} This case involves a consolidated appeal from two juvenile court
judgments finding that D.G. violated the terms of probation previously imposed in
two delinquency cases and that committed him to the Department of Youth
Services (DYS).
A. Case Number 2011DEL208
{¶ 4} On June 17, 2011, a complaint was filed that alleged D.G. was a
delinquent child for committing domestic violence (case number 2011DEL0208).
On June 20, 2011, the court appointed attorney Walter Bevins to act as D.G.’s
counsel and guardian ad litem.
{¶ 5} On September 27, 2011, the magistrate adjudicated D.G. a delinquent
child for committing domestic violence. On October 21, 2011, the court ordered
that D.G. be committed to DYS for a minimum period of six months and a
maximum period not to exceed his 21st birthday. The court suspended the
commitment and placed D.G. on probation.
{¶ 6} On December 8, 2011, April 10, 2012, September 20, 2012, and
October 29, 2012, D.G.’s probation officer filed notices of violation of conditions
of a court order.
B. Case Number 2012DEL0153
{¶ 7} On April 25, 2012, a complaint containing two counts of domestic
violence was filed (case number 2012DEL0153). On April 26, 2012, the court
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 4
appointed attorney Bevins to act as counsel for D.G. The court did not appoint
Bevins as guardian ad litem, and it did not appoint anyone else as D.G.’s guardian
ad litem.
{¶ 8} On June 1, 2012, the magistrate adjudicated D.G. a delinquent child
for committing two acts of domestic violence and found that the domestic violence
acts violated the terms of probation imposed in the 2011 case. On July 12, 2012,
the court committed D.G. to DYS for a minimum of six months and a maximum
period not to exceed his 21st birthday. The court suspended the commitment and
placed D.G. on probation.
{¶ 9} On September 20, 2012, and October 29, 2012, D.G.’s probation
officer filed notices of violation of conditions of a court order.
C. Probation Violations
{¶ 10} On September 20, 2012, D.G.’s probation officer alleged that D.G.
violated probation in both the 2011 and 2012 cases by failing to obey all laws (a
new complaint was filed that alleged D.G. to be delinquent as a result of
committing theft, case number 2012DEL238). On October 2, 2012, the magistrate
held a hearing regarding the probation violations.1 At the start of the hearing,
D.G.’s counsel stated: “Enter admission to the violation your Honor. Waive
1
The magistrate began the hearing by observing that the matter was before her for “arraignments on violations on
2011DEL0208 and disposition on 2012DEL0238.” Although the magistrate did not specifically refer to the 2012
domestic violence case, the magistrate did refer to D.G.’s “probation on these other two charges.”
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 5
reading of the violation, advisement of rights, and possible penalties.” The
magistrate explained:
“[D.G.] the violation is basically you are on probation on these
other two charges and the violation is * * * well basically that you
have been convicted of a * * * theft offense that is pending disposition
and that is a violation of your probation. Do you understand that?
[D.G.] Yes I know * * * I wasn’t taking my medicine and I’m
sorry.
[Magistrate]: Okay. You understand that if you admit the
violation you are stating that it’s true.?
[D.G.] Yes and I admit it.
[Magistrate]: You understand the possible dispositions which
could include * * * imposition of the suspended commitment to
[DYS]?
[D.G.]: Yes.
[Magistrate]: Court will accept the admission to the violation. *
* * [A]nything else you want to tell me [D.G.]?
[D.G.]: No Ma’am.
[Magistrate]: You understand also by admitting the violation
that means there won’t be a trial. You waive that right, you waive the
right to remain silent[?]
[D.G.]: Yes.
[Magistrate]: And you waive your right to cross-examine any
witnesses, okay. You think you are ready to go home?
[D.G.]: I think so.”
{¶ 11} On October 9, 2012, D.G. admitted that he violated probation in the
2011 and 2012 cases.
{¶ 12} On October 29, 2012, D.G.’s probation officer alleged that D.G.
violated probation in the 2011 and 2012 cases by failing to obey his parents,
teachers, and school administrators and by failing to attend school. On that same
date, the magistrate held a hearing regarding the probation violations and regarding
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 6
a new delinquency complaint involving D.G. D.G.’s counsel stated that he
“waive[d] reading of the complaint and * * * advisement of rights and possible
penalties and an admission to the violation.” The magistrate asked D.G.:
“Okay [D.G. do] you understand the violation?
[D.G.] Yes I was * * * what is it called a place that will help
me with * * * I don’t know what it is called. [sic]
[Magistrate]: Do you understand the allegations of the
violation?
[D.G.]: Yes I understand those.
[Magistrate]: Okay and you understand that if you admit the *
**
[D.G.]: Rehab, I wish to go to rehab.
[Magistrate]: Okay but let me; I need you to answer my
questions here.
[D.G.]: Okay.
[Magistrate]: You understand that if you admit the violation
there won’t be a trial on that violation?
[D.G.] Yeah I know.
[Magistrate]: Okay and you understand that means you give up
your right to have that trial and to cross-examine any witnesses and to
call any witnesses on your own behalf do you understand that?
[D.G.] Yes I know.
[Magistrate]: Okay. You also understand that some of these
cases that you are on probation for are felonies and you could be
committed to [DYS] for a minimum period of six months * * *
[D.G.]: Yes your Honor.
[Magistrate]: maximum age twenty-one. You understand that?
[D.G.]: Yes your honor.
[Magistrate]: Okay and is it your voluntary wish and desire to
admit the violation?
[D.G.]: Yes.
[Magistrate]: Anyone made any threats or promises to you to
get you to?
[D.G.]: No.”
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 7
{¶ 13} On January 4, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding the
disposition for the probation violations and for the disposition in a new case. At
the conclusion of the hearing, the magistrate explained to D.G.: “* * * [H]ow long
you are at DYS here again depends on you. * * * * They can keep you until you
are twenty-one or you[] can be out of there early[--]be out of there in six months
possibly.”
{¶ 14} On January 7, 2013, the court lifted the suspended commitments
imposed in the 2011 and 2012 cases and ordered that D.G. be committed to DYS
for a minimum period of six months and a maximum period not to exceed his 21st
birthday. In the 2012 case, the court ordered that the terms be imposed “on each
charge to run consecutively.” In the 2011 case, the court ordered the term “to run
consecutively,” but did not specify to what it was to run consecutively.
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶ 15} Appellant timely appealed the trial court’s judgments and raises
identical assignments of error in each case:
First Assignment of Error:
The juvenile court erred when it accepted [D.G.]’s admission because
the admission was not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent.
Second Assignment of Error:
The juvenile court committed plain error when it failed to appoint a
guardian ad litem for [D.G.], in violation of R.C. 1251.281(A) and
Juv.R. 4(B).
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 8
III. ANALYSIS
A. JUV.R. 29(D)
{¶ 16} In his first assignment of error, D.G. argues that the juvenile court
did not substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) and (2). He argues that the court
did not comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) because it failed to inform him of the
allegations set forth in the complaint and of the consequences of an admission.
D.G. contends that the court’s question whether D.G. understood the allegations of
the violation did not fulfill Juv.R. 29(D)(1)’s requirement to inform him of the
allegations set forth in the complaint. D.G. further asserts that the court did not
explain the cumulative consequences of D.G.’s admission to the violations. He
notes that the court informed him that he could be committed to DYS for a
minimum period of six months but argues that the court failed to explain that he
could be ordered to serve his DYS commitments consecutively, for a total
minimum commitment of eighteen months.
{¶ 17} D.G. additionally argues that the court did not comply with Juv.R.
29(D)(2) because it failed to inform him of his right to remain silent.
1. Failure to Object to the Magistrate’s Decision
{¶ 18} D.G. did not object to the magistrate’s decision or any of her alleged
failures to comply with Juv.R. 29(D). Ordinarily, we would conclude that he
therefore waived the right to challenge those failures on appeal. In re Tabler, 4th
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 9
Dist. No. 06CA30, 2007–Ohio–411, ¶14. However, we previously recognized that
a trial court’s failure to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D) constitutes plain
error. Id. at ¶15. Accord In re Smith, 5th Dist. No. 2004–CA–64, 2005–Ohio–
1434, ¶14; In re Etter, 134 Ohio App.3d 484, 493, 731 N.E.2d 694 (1st Dist. 1998).
2. Procedure for Accepting an Admission
{¶ 19} Juv.R. 29(D) governs the procedure a juvenile court must follow
before accepting an admission to a probation violation. In re L.A.B., 121 Ohio
St.3d 112, 2009–Ohio–354, 902 N.E.2d 471, syllabus. The rule states:
(D) Initial procedure upon entry of an admission. The court
may refuse to accept an admission and shall not accept an admission
without addressing the party personally and determining both of the
following:
(1) The party is making the admission voluntarily with
understanding of the nature of the allegations and the consequences of
the admission;
(2) The party understands that by entering an admission the
party is waiving the right to challenge the witnesses and evidence
against the party, to remain silent, and to introduce evidence at the
adjudicatory hearing.
{¶ 20} A juvenile’s admission under Juv.R. 29 is similar to an adult’s guilty
plea under Crim.R. 11. In re C.S., 115 Ohio St.3d 267, 2007-Ohio-4919, 874
N.E.2d 1177, ¶112, quoting In re Smith, 3rd Dist. No. 14–05–33, 2006–Ohio–2788,
¶13; In re T.B., 8th Dist. Nos. 93422 and 93423, 2010–Ohio–523, ¶7. Juv.R. 29
and Crim.R. 11 require trial courts to personally address the offender on the record
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 10
to ensure that the offender knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently admits
delinquency (in a juvenile matter) or guilt (in an adult criminal matter). C.S. at
¶112; In re A.E., 5th Dist. Nos. 10–CA–107 and 10–CA–108, 2011–Ohio–4746, ¶
48, citing In re Flynn, 101 Ohio App.3d 778, 781, 656 N.E.2d 737 (8th Dist.1995).
The court must “conduct an on-the-record discussion to determine whether the
admission is being entered knowingly and voluntarily.” Tabler at ¶16, citing In re
West, 128 Ohio App.3d 356, 359, 714 N.E.2d 988 (8th Dist. 1998).
{¶ 21} Thus, Juv.R. 29(D) places an affirmative duty upon the juvenile
court to personally address the juvenile and determine that the juvenile understands
the nature of the allegations and the consequences of entering the admission. In re
Beechler, 115 Ohio App.3d 567, 571, 685 N.E.2d 1257 (4th Dist. 1996). Moreover,
the court must “determine that the [juvenile], and not merely the attorney,
understands the nature of the allegations and the consequences of entering the
admission.” Id.{¶ 22} The best way for a juvenile court to ensure that it complies with
Juv.R. 29(D) is for the court to use the language of the rule, “carefully tailored to
the child’s level of understanding, stopping after each right and asking whether the
child understands the right and knows he is waiving it by entering an admission.”
In re Miller, 119 Ohio App.3d 52, 58, 694 N.E.2d 500 (2nd Dist.1997), citing State
v. Ballard, 66 Ohio St.2d 473, 423 N.E.2d 115 (1981). Although the Ohio
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 11
Supreme Court prefers that juvenile courts strictly comply with Juv.R. 29(D), a
reviewing court may uphold an admission as voluntary as long as the juvenile court
substantially complies with the rule and as long as no prejudice occurs. C.S. at
¶113. “’[S]ubstantial compliance means that in the totality of the circumstances,
the juvenile subjectively understood the implications of his plea.’” L.A.B. at ¶58,
quoting C.S. at ¶113; Tabler, supra, citing State v. Nero, 56 Ohio St.3d 106, 108,
564 N.E.2d 474 (1990). A juvenile court’s failure to substantially comply with
Juv.R. 29(D) constitutes prejudicial error that warrants a reversal of the judgment
so that the juvenile may admit anew. C.S. at ¶113; In re Jordan, 11th Dist. No.
2001-T-0067, 2002-Ohio-2820, ¶11; Beechler, 115 Ohio App.3d at 572. We
conduct a de novo review to determine whether a trial court substantially complied
with Juv.R. 29(D). In re C.K., 4th Dist. No. 07CA4, 2007–Ohio–3234, ¶15; In re
Elliot, 4th Dist. Nos. 03CA65 and 03CA66, 2004–Ohio–2770, ¶17.
{¶ 23} In the case at bar, we therefore must determine whether the totality of
the circumstances shows that the juvenile court substantially complied with Juv.R.
29(D)’s requirements such that D.G. subjectively understood the implications of
his admission.
1. Juv.R.(D)(1): The Nature of the Allegations
{¶ 24} In order to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1)’s requirement
that the juvenile court ascertain that the juvenile understands the nature of the
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 12
allegations, the court need not inform the juvenile, “of every element of the charge
brought against him, but he must be made aware of the ‘circumstances of the
crime.’” In re Wood, 9th Dist. No. 04CA0005–M, 2004–Ohio–6539, ¶ 18, quoting
State v. Lane, 11th Dist. Nos. 97–A–056, 97–A–0057, 97–A–0058 (Nov. 19,
1999). Accord In re T.N., 3rd Dist. No. 14-12-13, 2013-Ohio-135, ¶13. As the
court explained in In re Flynn, 101 Ohio App.3d 778, 782, 656 N.E.2d 737 (8th
Dist. 1995):
“’In order for a trial court to determine that a defendant is
making a plea with an understanding of the nature of the charge to
which he is entering a plea, it is not always necessary that the trial
court advise the defendant of the elements of the crime, or to
specifically ask the defendant if he understands the charge, so long as
the totality of the circumstances are [sic] such that the trial court is
warranted in making a determination that the defendant understands
the charge. In other words, under some circumstances, the trial court
may be justified in concluding that a defendant has drawn an
understanding from sources other than the lips of the trial court.’”
Id., quoting State v. Rainey, 3 Ohio App.3d 441, 442, 446 N.E.2d 188 (10th Dist.
1982) (citations omitted). Accord In re Adams, 7th Dist. Nos. 01CA237, 01CA238,
and 02CA120, 2003-Ohio-4112, ¶13; In re Hollis, 8th Dist. No. 71134 (July 10,
1997).
{¶ 25} “When a [juvenile] is represented by counsel, there is a presumption,
however, that the defense counsel did inform the [juvenile] of the nature of the
charges: ‘”even without such express representation, it may be appropriate to
presume that in most cases defense counsel routinely explain the nature of the
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 13
offense in sufficient detail to give the [juvenile] notice of what he is being asked to
admit.”’” In re Argo, 5th Dist. No. CT2003-4938, 2004-Ohio-4928, ¶32, quoting
State v. Carter, 60 Ohio St.2d 34, 38, 396 N.E.2d 757 (1979), quoting Henderson
v. Morgan, 426 U.S. 637, 647, 96 S.Ct. 2253, 49 L.Ed.2d 108 (1976). Accord T.N.
at ¶13, citing Wood at ¶18. However, this presumption “does not eviscerate the
court’s affirmative duty to determine that [the juvenile], and not merely [the]
attorney, underst[ands] the nature of the allegations.” T.N. at ¶18. “Additionally,
serving the complaint * * * upon a defendant also gives rise to a presumption that
the accused was informed of the nature of the charge against him.” Argo at ¶33,
citing United States v. Bousley, 523 U.S. 614, 618, 118 S.Ct. 1604, 1609, 140
L.Ed.2d 828 (1998).
{¶ 26} In the case at bar, the totality of the circumstances demonstrates that
the juvenile court substantially complied with Juv.R. 29(D)(1)’s requirement to
ascertain that D.G. understood the nature of the allegations. Counsel represented
D.G., and D.G.’s counsel was served with copies of the notices of violation of
court order. The notice filed in the 2011 case alleged:
“[D.G.] left the home without permission on October 25, 2012
and did not return. It is believed that [D.G.] was placed in the Ross
County Jail, after being picked up by RCSD for Disorderly
Intoxication. It is reported that [D.G.] lied and said he was his older
brother * * * who is 19 years of age. [D.G.] was also reportedly
picked up by CPD for shoplifting from Family Dollar. * * * *
[D.G.] did not attend school on Friday, October 26, 2012. He
did not have a valid medical excuse.”
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 14
{¶ 27} D.G. received service of the violation summonses, which informed
him that he violated the following conditions of probation: “1. You will obey the
reasonable and proper orders of your parents, teachers, and school administrators[;
and] 2. You will attend school regularly, when in session, with no absences or
tardiness, unless with a valid medical excuse.”
{¶ 28} Under the foregoing circumstances, a presumption arises that D.G.
was informed of the nature of the allegations. T.N., supra; Argo, supra. Moreover,
the court asked D.G. whether he understood the allegations. D.G. responded
affirmatively. Although the court may not have explained the nature of the
probation violations in exhaustive detail, it was not required to do so. Cf. In re
D.L., 4th Dist. No. 09CA26, 2009-Ohio-5294, ¶14 (“While the court may not have
precisely detailed all of the facts that constituted the delinquency charge, nothing
in Juv.R. 29(D) requires that it do so.”). While we find it preferable for the court
to at least summarize the nature of the allegations—instead of simply asking the
juvenile whether he “understands the nature of the allegations”—under the totality
of the circumstances present in the case at bar, we do not believe that the court’s
failure to do so demonstrated lack of substantial compliance with Juv.R. 29(D)(1)
or constituted prejudicial error. The October 29, 2012 probation violation hearing
was not D.G.’s first time in court. Not even one month before, on October 2, he
had admitted violating his probation. He also had been before the court on two
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 15
other probation violations. D.G. had experience with the process and with the
meaning of a probation violation. Thus, we find it disingenuous for D.G. to
assert—after his fourth time before the court on a probation violation—that he did
not subjectively understand the nature of the allegations that he violated probation.
{¶ 29} However, we caution the juvenile court that the somewhat cursory
colloquy it engaged in with D.G. regarding his understanding of the allegations
may not suffice under all circumstances. While not always necessary—but
certainly easy—the best practice to ensure compliance with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) and to
avoid the potential for a reversal on appeal would be to read the allegations to the
juvenile and then to ask whether the juvenile understands the nature of those
allegations.
2. Juv.R. 29(D)(1): Consequences of Admission
{¶ 30} D.G. further argues that the trial court failed to substantially comply
with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) because it failed to inform him that the court could impose
the DYS commitments consecutively to one another.
{¶ 31} Unlike Crim.R. 11(C)(2), which requires a trial court to personally
address a defendant at a plea hearing regarding “the maximum penalty involved,”
Juv.R. 29(D)(1) does not require a juvenile court to inform a juvenile of the
maximum commitment involved. In re A.V., 8th Dist. No. 98339, 2013-Ohio-264,
¶10. Nevertheless, “[s]everal Ohio appellate courts have recognized that although
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 16
Juv.R. 29(D) does not expressly require the court to inform a juvenile of the
maximum penalty, it does require the court to convey the consequences of the
juvenile’s admission.” In re Feaster, 9th Dist. No. 25395, 2011–Ohio–4222, ¶ 9.
Thus, courts have determined that a juvenile court does not substantially comply
with Juv.R. 29(D) if it completely fails to inform the juvenile of the consequences
of the juvenile’s admission. A.V. at ¶15 (court merely informed juvenile that it
“could impose the stayed commitment to [ODYS]” and did not advise juvenile of
specific commitment time period—that she could be committed to DYS for a term
of six months up until her 21st birthday); In re Keeling, 3rd Dist. No. 1–09–51,
2010–Ohio–1713, ¶18; In re Hendrickson, 114 Ohio App.3d 290, 293, 683 N.E.2d
76 (2nd Dist. 1996); Beechler, 115 Ohio App.3d at 572.
{¶ 32} In the case at bar, the court informed D.G. of the consequences of his
admission. The court explained that it could order him committed to DYS for a
minimum period of six months and up to his 21st birthday. At the October 29,
2012 hearing, the magistrate stated: “You also understand that * * * you could be
committed to [DYS] for a minimum period of six months * * * [to a m]aximum
[of] age twenty-one.” D.G. stated that he understood.
{¶ 33} Although D.G. contends Juv.R. 29(D)(1) required the court to further
advise him that it could consecutively impose the suspended commitments
resulting from the probation violations, nothing in Juv.R. 29(D)(1) required it to do
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 17
so. In re A.E., 5th Dist. Nos. 10CA107 and 10CA108, 2011-Ohio-4746, ¶50; In re
S.H., Montgomery App. No. 20107, 2004–Ohio–3779, ¶10. Neither the United
States Constitution nor the Ohio Constitution requires a juvenile court to inform
the juvenile whether commitments imposed for separate delinquent acts will run
consecutively or concurrently. See State v. Johnson, 40 Ohio St.3d 130, 133, 532
N.E.2d 1295 (1988) (construing comparable Crim.R. 11). Thus, a juvenile court’s
failure to inform a juvenile who admits multiple delinquent acts that the court may
order the juvenile to serve any commitments imposed consecutively, rather than
concurrently, is not a violation of Juv.R. 29(D)(1), and does not render the
admission invalid. Id. at syllabus. Instead, the court need only inform the juvenile
of the maximum penalty for each delinquent act. S.H. at ¶10. The court need not
explain that the maximum penalty for separate delinquent acts may run
consecutively to another. Id. Furthermore, Juv.R. 29(D)(1) does not require the
juvenile court to calculate the cumulative minimum or maximum potential
penalties that it may impose for each delinquent act and then inform the juvenile of
the cumulative minimum or maximum potential penalties. See Johnson, 40 Ohio
St.3d at 133 (explaining the analogous Crim.R. 11 requirement to inform offender
of “the maximum penalty” and holding that the court need advise an offender of a
single penalty for a single offense, not the cumulative “total of all sentences
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 18
received for all charges in which a criminal defendant may answer in a single
proceeding”).
{¶ 34} Consequently, we disagree with D.G. that the juvenile court failed to
substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) by failing to inform him that it could
order D.G. to consecutively serve the suspended commitments imposed for each
probation violation.2
3. Juv.R. 29(D)(2): Right to Remain Silent
{¶ 35} D.G. next asserts that the juvenile court prejudicially erred when it
failed to ensure that he understood that by admitting the probation violations, he
waived his right to remain silent.
{¶ 36} Juv.R. 29(D)(2) prohibits a court from accepting an admission
without determining that the juvenile “understands that by entering an admission
the [juvenile] is waiving the right * * * to remain silent * * *.”
{¶ 37} In the case at bar, we agree with D.G. that at the October 29, 2012
hearing, the juvenile court completely omitted any discussion concerning D.G.’s
right to remain silent and did not ask him whether he understood that his admission
would waive that right. However, we do not agree with D.G. that the court’s
omission prejudiced D.G. As we noted earlier, D.G. had been before the juvenile
court several times before and had previously admitted to probation violations.
2
We observe that at the disposition hearing, the court advised D.G. that he could be released from DYS as soon as
six months from the start of his commitment. This statement seems to conflict with its judgment entries that ordered
the commitments to be served consecutively.
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 19
Thus, he was familiar with the process. Moreover, at a probation violation hearing
held just a few weeks earlier, the court had informed D.G. of his right to remain
silent and that he would waive that right by entering an admission. The magistrate
stated: “You understand also by admitting the violation that means there won’t be
a trial. You waive that right, you waive the right to remain silent.” D.G.
responded “yes.”
{¶ 38} Argo, supra, involved a similar situation in which the juvenile court
failed to inform the juvenile of one of the rights specified in Juv.R. 29(D). In
Argo, the court failed to inform the juvenile of the right to present evidence at the
adjudicatory hearing. The court nonetheless upheld the juvenile’s admission. In
rejecting the juvenile’s argument that the court’s failure to mention the right to
present evidence at the adjudicatory hearing, the court explained:
“In Vonn, supra, the Court noted ‘[t]he record shows that four
times either Vonn or his counsel affirmed that Vonn had heard or read
a statement of his rights and understood what they were. Because
there are circumstances in which defendants may be presumed to
recall information provided to them prior to the plea proceeding, cf.
Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 618, 118 S.Ct. 1604, 140
L.Ed.2d 828 (1998) (a defendant with a copy of his indictment before
pleading guilty is presumed to know the nature of the charge against
him), the record of Vonn’s initial appearance and arraignment is
relevant in fact, and well within the Advisory Committee’s
understanding of “other portions ... of the limited record” that should
be open to consideration. It may be considered here.”’ Id. at 75, 122
S.Ct. at 1055.”
Id. at ¶39.
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 20
{¶ 39} The Argo court then observed that the juvenile previously had
signed, in two separate delinquency cases, a form that listed his right to present
evidence and stated that the juvenile understood that right. The court examined the
totality of the circumstances presented in the record and determined that on
previous occasions, the court had adequately informed the juvenile of his right to
present evidence at the adjudicatory hearing. Id. at ¶¶40-47. The court concluded
that the circumstances showed that the juvenile understood that right and that his
admission would waive that right. Id. at ¶47.
{¶ 40} Similarly, in the case at bar, even though the court failed to mention
D.G.’s right to remain silent at the October 29, 2012 hearing, it had mentioned that
same right just a few weeks earlier at a prior probation violation hearing at which
D.G. admitted the violation. Consequently, the totality of the circumstances shows
that the court had adequately informed D.G. of his right to remain silent and that
D.G. understood that his admission waived his right to remain silent. The court’s
failure to explicitly mention one of the three rights set forth in Juv.R. 29(D)(2)
does not, under the circumstances present in the case at bar, render D.G.’s
admission invalid.
{¶ 41} Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule D.G.’s
first assignment of error.
B. Guardian Ad Litem
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 21
{¶ 42} In his second assignment of error, D.G. argues that the trial court
plainly erred by failing to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent his interests in
the 2012 case. He asserts that the court should have appointed a guardian ad litem
to represent his interests because the record shows that an actual conflict existed
between D.G. and his parents.
{¶ 43} D.G. further argues that although the juvenile court appointed
attorney Bevins to act as both counsel and guardian ad litem in the 2011 case,
Bevins never acted as D.G.’s guardian ad litem during the probation violation
proceedings and thus the court should have appointed a new guardian ad litem to
represent his interests regarding the probation violations filed in the 2011 case.
1. Failure to Request Guardian Ad Litem or to Object to Trial Court’s Failure to
Appoint Guardian Ad Litem
{¶ 44} Initially, we note that D.G. did not request the court to appoint a
guardian ad litem in the 2012 case. D.G. also did not object to the court’s failure
to appoint a guardian ad litem in the 2012 case. He further did not object to
attorney Bevins’s dual role in the 2011 case or raise any suggestion that Bevins
failed to act as his guardian ad litem.
{¶ 45} Some courts have held that a juvenile need not request a trial court to
appoint a guardian ad litem or object to a court’s failure to appoint one when a
mandatory duty to do so exists. In re Dennis, 11th Dist. No. 2006-A-0040, 2007-
Ohio-2432, ¶29. Other courts have reviewed an appellant’s failure to request the
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 22
trial court to appoint a guardian ad litem or to object using a plain error analysis.
In re M.T., 6th Dist. No. L-09-1197, 2009-Ohio-6674, ¶¶14-15; In re A.K., 9th Dist.
No. 09CA0025-M, 2009-Ohio-4941, ¶8, reversed on other grounds sub nom In re
Cases Held for the Decision in D.J.S., 130 Ohio St.3d 253, 2011-Ohio-5349, 957
N.E.2d 288; In re Smith, 3rd Dist. No. 14-05-33, 2006-Ohio-2788, ¶35; In re
McHugh Children, 5th Dist. No. 2004CA00091, 2005-Ohio-2345, ¶37. In In re
Slider, 160 Ohio App.3d 159, 2005-Ohio-, 826 N.E.2d 356 (4th Dist.), we briefly
mentioned the plain error doctrine but did not explicitly apply it. We stated:
“Ordinarily, rights are deemed waived it they are not raised
before the trial court and will be enforced upon appeal only if the
error constitutes plain error. However, this court has previously
reversed a finding of delinquency when the trial court failed to
appoint a guardian ad litem or at least inquire further whether a
guardian ad litem was necessary, even though an objection was not
made.”
Id. at ¶11 (citations omitted). Cf. In re A.G.B., 173 Ohio App.3d 263, 2007-Ohio-
4753, 878 N.E.2d 49, ¶15 (plurality opinion, with one judge concurring in
judgment only and one judge dissenting). Thus, based upon our Slider decision,
D.G.’s failure to object or to request a guardian ad litem does not preclude
appellate review.
2. Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem
{¶ 46} A guardian ad litem is a “person appointed to protect the interests of
a party in a juvenile court proceeding.” Juv.R. 2(O). “The role of guardian ad
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 23
litem is to investigate the ward’s situation and then to ask the court to do what the
guardian feels is in the child’s best interest.” In re Baby Girl Baxter, 17 Ohio St.3d
229, 232, 479 N.E.2d 257 (1985).
{¶ 47} Both R.C. 2151.281(A) and Juv.R. 4(B) require a juvenile court to
appoint a guardian ad litem in certain circumstances. R.C. 2151.281(A) provides:
The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the
interest of a child in any proceeding concerning an alleged or
adjudicated delinquent child or unruly child when either of the
following applies:
(1) The child has no parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
(2) The court finds that there is a conflict of interest between
the child and the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
Juv.R. 4(B) provides:
The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the
interests of a child or incompetent adult in a juvenile court proceeding
when:
(1) The child has no parents, guardians, or legal custodian; [or]
(2) The interests of the child and the interests of the parent may
conflict * * *.
{¶ 48} The rule requires a juvenile court to appoint a guardian ad litem upon
the possibility of conflict, but the statute requires the juvenile court to appoint a
guardian ad litem if the court determines that a conflict indeed exists. Both the
statute and the rule are mandatory, and a court’s failure to appoint a guardian ad
litem when required constitutes reversible error. In re S.B., 183 Ohio App.3d 300,
2009-Ohio-3619, 916 N.E.2d 110 (10th Dist.), ¶12, citing In re K.J.F., 2nd Dist.
No. 2003–CA–41, 2004-Ohio-263, ¶23, citing In re Sappington, 123 Ohio App.3d
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 24
448, 452, 704 N.E.2d 339 (2nd Dist.1997), and In re Spradlin, 140 Ohio App.3d
402, 406, 747 N.E.2d 877 (4th Dist. 2000).
{¶ 49} “[T]he juvenile court is in the best position to weigh the relevant
facts in determining whether a potential conflict of interest exists between the
parent and child.” Sappington, 123 Ohio App.3d at 453–454, citing Trickey v.
Trickey, 158 Ohio St. 9, 13, 106 N.E.2d 772 (1952). We thus review the trial
court’s determination regarding whether a potential conflict of interest exists
between the parent and child for an abuse of discretion. In re Wilson, 4th Dist. No.
04CA26, 2004-Ohio-7276, ¶21; Spradlin, 140 Ohio App.3d at 407; Sappington,
123 Ohio App.3d at 453-454. But, see, In re A.K., 9th Dist. No. 26291, 2012-Ohio-
4430, ¶12; In re C.W., 4th Dist. No. 10CA892, 2010-Ohio-5633, ¶9 (stating that
whether the court possessed a mandatory duty to appoint a guardian ad litem is a
question of law). The question is whether the record “reveals a strong enough
possibility of conflict of interest between parent and child to show that the juvenile
court abused its discretion” by not appointing a guardian ad litem. Sappington,
123 Ohio App.3d at 454.
{¶ 50} A “colorable claim of conflict” frequently arises in a delinquency
proceeding when the parent speaks against the child’s penal interests or files
delinquency charges against the child. In re Bostwick, 4th Dist. No., 2005-Ohio-
5123, ¶¶8-9, citing In re Howard, 119 Ohio App.3d 201, 207, 695 N.E.2d 1 (1st
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 25
Dist. 1997). The potential for conflict results because the parent’s interests in
seeking the juvenile court’s assistance may be wholly inconsistent with the child’s
interests. Sappington, 123 Ohio App.3d at 454. Thus, when a parent or legal
guardian instigates a delinquency proceeding or speaks out against the child’s
penal interests, the juvenile court ordinarily must conduct “a ‘thorough inquiry’ * *
* to determine whether a conflict of interest exists such that the court must appoint
a guardian ad litem.” Bostwick at ¶8. However, courts have been unwilling to
adopt a bright-line rule that would require the appointment of a guardian ad litem
in every case in which a child’s parents or legal guardians initiate a delinquency
proceeding against their child. Howard, 119 Ohio App.3d at 207. Instead, the
courts have examined the record to determine whether the parent or legal guardian
expressed any interest inconsistent with the child’s interests.
{¶ 51} For instance, courts have found no potential for conflict when the
victim of the child’s delinquent act was a family member and when neither parent
(nor a legal guardian) spoke against the child’s penal interests or expressed a desire
inconsistent with the child’s interests. In In re Wilkins, 3rd Dist. No. 5-96-1 (June
26, 1996), the court found no conflict of interest between the father and the child
even though the delinquency charge involved the child hitting his father. In
reaching its decision, the court observed that the father did not attempt to persuade
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 26
the court to act in any manner inconsistent with the child’s interests. The court
explained:
“Timothy’s father did not attempt to persuade the court in any
manner that would be consistent with an understanding that he was
not acting in Timothy’s best interests. Indeed, the record reveals just
the opposite; that Timothy’s father was acting in Timothy’s best
interests. When the court suggested an institution remedial in nature,
as opposed to the harsher environment of a DYS facility, Timothy’s
father did not object or demand that Timothy be placed in the latter
facility. Timothy and his father did not argue or have any contentious
words at hearing. In fact, Timothy’s father seemed most concerned
with the court understanding and helping Timothy with his substance
abuse addiction.”
{¶ 52} Similarly, in In re A.K., 9th Dist. No. 09CA0025-M, 2009-Ohio-
4941, supra, the court determined that a potential for conflict did not exist even
when the child’s parents called law enforcement after the child’s sister alleged that
the child had sexually assaulted her. In concluding that a potential for conflict did
not exist, the court observed that the child’s parents did not testify against him and
did not recommend that he be committed. Id. at ¶11. Moreover, the child’s
parents “appeared with him at his adjudication and disposition hearings and, more
than once, expressed concern over the length and severity of the disposition that
[the child] might receive.” Id.
{¶ 53} In contrast, we have found that a trial court abused its discretion by
failing to appoint a guardian ad litem—or by failing to inquire further into whether
a conflict of interest existed sufficient to warrant the court in appointing a guardian
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 27
ad litem—when the facts showed that the child’s legal guardians’ interests were
not aligned with the child’s interests. In Slider, for example, we determined that a
sufficient potential for conflict between the child and the child’s legal guardians
existed when the child’s legal guardians were unwilling to hire an attorney for the
child, when they refused to take the child home with them because they feared for
their daughter’s safety, and when they requested the trial court to institutionalize
the child. In re Slider, 160 Ohio App.3d 159, 2005-Ohio-1457, 826 N.E.2d 356(4th Dist.), ¶12. Accord In re Wilson at ¶18 (concluding that trial court abused its
discretion by failing to appoint guardian ad litem when the child’s step-brother was
the victim, the child’s mother testified for the prosecution, the child’s mother and
father recommended that the child be committed to DYS, and the child previously
victimized other family members); Sappington, 123 Ohio App.3d at 454–455
(determining that the juvenile court abused its discretion by failing to appoint a
guardian ad litem for the child when the child’s parents previously filed domestic
violence charges against the child, had sought to place the child out of the home,
and had convinced the minor that he did not need an attorney); In re K.J.F., supra
(concluding that the juvenile court abused its discretion by failing to appoint a
guardian ad litem for the child’s delinquency-related proceedings, which included
his original adjudication and the subsequent revocation of probation for the rape of
his half-sister, when the child’s step-father stated that the family did not want the
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 28
child to return to their home where the victim lived and when the child’s mother
informed the court that she “did not feel [she] could make choices in [the child’s]
best interest”).
{¶ 54} The case at bar bears more similarity to A.K. and Wilkins than the
Slider/Sappington line of cases. Unlike the parents in Slider and Sappington,
D.G.’s parents did not request the court to institutionalize D.G. Instead, D.G.’s
mother wrote a heart-felt note to the court requesting that the court not commit her
child to DYS and imploring the court to return D.G. to his home. At no point
during the hearing did either D.G.’s mother or father speak against his penal
interest. Thus, even though the charges involved domestic violence against D.G.’s
family members, the record does not demonstrate that a potential for conflict
existed so as to warrant the court in appointing a guardian ad litem. Consequently,
we disagree with D.G. that the trial court plainly erred by failing to appoint a
guardian ad litem to represent him during the probation violation proceedings in
the 2012 case.
{¶ 55} D.G. further asserts that the trial court should have appointed a
guardian ad litem to represent him during the probation violation proceedings in
the 2011 case. However, on June 20, 2011, the court appointed attorney Bevins to
act as counsel and guardian ad litem for D.G. Although D.G. claims that Bevins
failed to act as his guardian ad litem, he has not raised Bevins’s alleged failure as a
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 29
separate assignment of error and also has not asserted that Bevins’s roles as
counsel and guardian ad litem conflicted.3 Therefore, we do not consider either
issue. Nor do we express any opinion regarding the merits of either argument.
Nothing in the record affirmatively demonstrates that attorney Bevins failed to act
as D.G.’s guardian ad litem and counsel throughout the probation violation
proceedings filed in the 2011 case.
{¶ 56} Assuming for the sake of argument that the court possessed some
duty to consider re-appointing a guardian ad litem for D.G. upon the filing of the
October 29, 2012 probation violation, we do not believe that the court abused its
discretion by failing to re-appoint a guardian ad litem. For the same reasons that
we rejected D.G.’s argument that the court abused its discretion and plainly erred
by failing to appoint a guardian ad litem in the 2012 case, we reject his argument
that the trial court plainly erred by failing to appoint a guardian ad litem to
represent him during the probation violation proceedings filed in the 2011 case.
As we determined above, the record does not demonstrate any potential conflict
between D.G. and his parents.
{¶ 57} Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule D.G.’s
second assignment of error and affirm the trial court’s judgment.
3
R.C. 2151.281(H) and Juv.R. 4(C)(2) allow the trial court to appoint a single attorney to serve as both guardian ad
litem and attorney for the child. Nonetheless, “the duty of a lawyer to his client and the duty of a guardian ad litem
to his ward are not always identical and, in fact, may conflict.” In re Baby Girl Baxter, 17 Ohio St.3d at 232. The
conflict typically arises when the guardian ad litem’s determination of the child's best interest differs from the
child’s wishes. Id.
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 30
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 31
Harsha, J., Dissenting:
{¶ 58} To me there is an important distinction between a juvenile
understanding the nature of a probation violation and understanding the factual
allegations that form the basis for a specific probation violation. Prior experience
with the juvenile court may provide the former but not the latter. Because the
court failed to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1), I dissent.
Ross App. Nos. 13CA3366 and 13CA3367 32
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and costs be assessed to Appellant.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Ross County
Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division, to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS
BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is
temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The
purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an
application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by
this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of
the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day
appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days,
the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Exceptions.
Abele, J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion.
Harsha, J.: Dissents with Dissenting Opinion.
For the Court,
BY: _____________________________
Matthew W. McFarland
Presiding Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and
the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.