State v. Nickelson , 2023 Ohio 2105 ( 2023 )

[Cite as State v. Nickelson, 2023-Ohio-2105.]
COURT OF APPEALS
ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. William B. Hoffman, J.
Plaintiff-Appellant : Hon. Andrew J. King, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 22-COA-037
ALISSA NICKELSON :
:
Defendant-Appellee : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Ashland County Court of
Common Pleas, Case No. 21-CRI-162
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: June 26, 2023
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendant-Appellee
CHRISTOPHER R. TUNNELL BENJAMIN W. ZUSHIN
Ashland County Prosecutor 3465 South Arliington Road
BY: NADINE HAUPTMAN Suite E, 213
Assistant Prosecutor Akron, OH 44312
110 Cottage Street. 3rd Floor
Ashland, OH 44805
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 2
Gwin, P.J.
{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant the State of Ohio appeals from the October 7, 2022
sentencing entry of the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas sentencing defendant-
appellee Alissa Nickelson [“Nickelson”] to community control sanctions and reserving a
nine-month prison sentence.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶2} On August 12, 2021, an Ashland County Grand Jury returned a three-
count indictment against Nickelson, a Michigan resident, charging her in: Counts One and
Two with Complicity in the Commission of an Offense, in violation of R.C. 2923.03(A)(2)
and 2923.03(F), felonies of the second-degree; and Count Three with Falsification, in
violation of R.C. 2921.13(A)(3) and 2921.13(F)(1), a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Count One alleged Nickelson was complicit in committing the offense of Aggravated
Trafficking in Drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2) and 2925.03(C)(1)(d); and Count
Two alleged she was complicit in the offense of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, in
violation of R.C. 2925.11 (A) and 2925.11 (C)(1)(c). The drug at issue in both counts
was Flualprazolam, a Schedule I drug, between five and fifty times the bulk amount.
{¶3} In exchange for Nickelson’s guilty plea, the state reduced Count Two to
Complicity in the Commission of an Offense, a felony of the third degree. Waiver of
Constitutional Rights and Plea of Guilty, filed Aug. 23, 2022 [Docket Entry No. 29]; Sent.
T. at 17-18. The state further moved to dismiss Counts One and Three of the Indictment.
Judgment Entry, filed Aug. 23, 2022 at 2. [Docket Entry No. 30]. The trial court accepted
Nickelson’s change of plea and set the matter for sentencing on September 26, 2022.
Id.Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 3
{¶4} Due to unforeseen medical issues with the judge, a visiting judge was
assigned and the sentencing hearing was continued to September 29, 2022. Judgement
Entry, filed September 22, 2022. [Docket Entry No. 31].
{¶5} During the sentencing hearing, the state requested a sentence of
incarceration which “could be in a local jail or prison.” Sent. T. at 6. The state deferred to
the visiting judge’s discretion to determine the length of incarceration. Id.{¶6} On September 29, 2022, the trial judge sentenced Nickelson as follows,
Okay. I am going to in this case, because again, I appreciate the
Prosecutor's position, and the things that you said, Mike, in terms of the
Criminal Rule Agreement that was ultimately entered into and the
significance of the Felony of the 3rd Degree as opposed to the Felony of
the 4th or 5th Degree in this case.
So, I am going to select from the range of imprisonment, the
minimum, nine months but not order you to prison. I am reserving that. You
are not going to prison, so you can just take a deeper breath now and
understand that.
***
So again, the minimum term in prison for a Felony of the 3rd Degree
is nine months. I am selecting that minimum, but not ordering you there. I
am reserving it or suspending it is a term that you hear.
And I am going to Order one year of supervision.
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 4
Sent. T. at 22-23. The trial court advised Nickelson, “Of course you know that a violation
could result in your going back to jail or could result in the most draconian sanction that
would be going to prison for the nine months that are reserved.” Id. at 26.
{¶7} The visiting judge ordered that Nickelson be supervised during the first six
months of her probation at a “High ORAS level, with a minimum of one face-to-face
contact with [her] supervising officer.” Judgment Entry-Sentencing, filed Oct. 7, 2022.
The remainder of her term was to be supervised at a “Moderate ORAS level with a
minimum of one face to face contact every three months….” Id. (emphasis in original).
Assignments of Error
{¶8} The state raises two Assignments of Error,
{¶9} “I. A SENTENCING COURT ABUSES ITS DISCRETION, AND IMPOSES
A SENTENCE THAT IS OTHERWISE CONTRARY TO LAW, WHEN IT FASHIONS [A]
SENTENCE PURSUANT TO A BLANKET SENTENCING POLICY BASED ON
PERSONAL CONVICTION AND MORAL OPPOSITION TO PRISON AS A
SENTENCING OPTION FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF DRUG POSSESSION
OFFENSES.
{¶10} “II. [A] SENTENCE THAT IMPOSES BOTH A PRISON TERM AND
COMMUNITY CONTROL SANCTIONS, AND FAILS TO OTHERWISE COMPLY WITH
R.C. CHAPTER 2929, IS CONTRARY TO LAW.”
I.
{¶11} In the state’s First Assignment of Error, the state maintains that Nickelson’s
sentence is contrary to law because the visiting judge followed a blanket policy of not
sentencing defendants convicted of drug possession offenses to a term of incarceration.
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 5
Standard of Appellate Review
{¶12} The state is permitted to appeal as a matter of right a sentence imposed
upon a defendant who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony if the sentence is contrary
to law. R.C. 2953.08(B)(2).
{¶13} A court reviewing a criminal sentence is required by R.C. 2953.08(F) to
review the entire trial-court record, including any oral or written statements and
presentence-investigation reports. R.C. 2953.08(F)(1) through (4).
{¶14} We review felony sentences using the standard of review set forth in R.C.
2953.08. State v. Marcum, 146 Ohio St.3d 516, 2016-Ohio-1002, 59 N.E.3d 1231, ¶22;
State v. Howell, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2015CA00004, 2015-Ohio-4049, ¶31. R.C.
2953.08(G)(2) provides we may either increase, reduce, modify, or vacate a sentence
and remand for resentencing where we clearly and convincingly find that either the record
does not support the sentencing court’s findings under R.C. 2929.13(B) or (D),
2929.14(B)(2)(e) or (C)(4), or 2929.20(I), or the sentence is otherwise contrary to law.
See, also, State v. Bonnell, 140 Ohio St.3d 209, 2014-Ohio-3177, 16 N.E.2d 659, ¶28.
Our standard of review is de novo. State v. Gwynne, 158 Ohio St.3d 279, 2019-Ohio-
4761, 141 N.E.3d 169, ¶ 27.
{¶15} The Ohio Supreme Court reviewed the issue of “whether a sentence is
“contrary to law” under R.C. 2953.08(G)(2)(b) when an appellate court finds that the
record does not support a sentence with respect to R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12. State v.
Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649. Although a court imposing
a felony sentence must consider the purposes of felony sentencing under R.C. 2929.11
and the sentencing factors under R.C. 2929.12, “neither R.C. 2929.11 nor 2929.12
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 6
requires [the] court to make any specific factual findings on the record.” Id. at ¶ 20, citing
State v. Wilson, 129 Ohio St.3d 214, 2011-Ohio-2669, 951 N.E.2d 381, ¶ 31, and State
v. Arnett, 88 Ohio St.3d 208, 215, 724 N.E.2d 793 (2000). 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.
State v. Jones, 163 Ohio St.3d 242, 2020-Ohio-6729, 169 N.E.3d 649, ¶39. The Ohio
Supreme Court further elucidated in State v. Toles, 166 Ohio St.3d 397, 2021-Ohio-3531,
186 N.E.3d 784, ¶10, “R.C. 2953.08, as amended, precludes second-guessing a
sentence imposed by the trial court based on its weighing of the considerations in R.C.
2929.11 and 2929.12.”
{¶16} “‘Otherwise contrary to law’ means “‘in violation of statute or legal
regulations at a given time.’” Jones at ¶34 quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 328 (6th Ed.
1990). Accordingly, when a trial court imposes a sentence based on factors or
considerations that are extraneous to those that are permitted by R.C. 2929.11 and
2929.12, that sentence is contrary to law. Claims that raise these types of issues are
therefore reviewable. State v. Bryant, 168 Ohio St.3d 250, 2022-Ohio-1878, 198 N.E.3d
68, ¶22.
Purposes and Principles of Felony Sentencing - R.C. 2929.11
{¶17} R.C. 2929.11(A) governs the purposes and principles of felony sentencing
and provides that a sentence imposed for a felony shall be reasonably calculated to
achieve the two overriding purposes of felony sentencing, which are (1) to protect the
public from future crime by the offender and others, and (2) to punish the offender using
the minimum sanctions that the court determines will accomplish those purposes. In
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 7
order to achieve these purposes and principles, the trial court must consider the need for
incapacitating the offender, deterring the offender and others from future crime,
rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public,
or both. R.C. 2929.11(A). Additionally, the sentence “must be commensurate with, and
not demeaning to, the seriousness of the offender’s conduct and its impact on the victims
and consistent with sentences imposed for similar crimes by similar offenders.” R.C.
2929.11(B).
Seriousness and Recidivism - R.C. 2929.12
{¶18} R.C. 2929.12 is a guidance statute that sets forth the seriousness and
recidivism criteria that a trial court “shall consider” in fashioning a felony sentence.
Subsections (B) and (C) establish the factors indicating whether the offender’s conduct is
more serious or less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense. These
factors include the physical or mental injury suffered by the victim due to the age of the
victim; the physical, psychological, or economic harm suffered by the victim; whether the
offender’s relationship with the victim facilitated the offense; the defendant’s prior criminal
record; whether the defendant was under a court sanction at the time of the offense;
whether the defendant shows any remorse; and any other relevant factors. R.C.
2929.12(B). The court must also consider any factors indicating the offender’s conduct
is less serious than conduct normally constituting the offense, including any mitigating
factors. R.C. 2929.12(C). Subsections (D) and (E) contain the factors bearing on whether
the offender is likely or not likely to commit future crimes.
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 8
Issue for Appellate Review: Whether Nickelson’s sentence was imposed
based on impermissible considerations—i.e., considerations that fall outside those that
are contained in R.C. 2929.11 and 2929.12.
{¶19} A “blanket policy” is a policy that is imposed as a matter of course without
any consideration of the facts and circumstances of each case. State v. Beasley, 152
Ohio St.3d 470, 2018-Ohio-16, 97 N.E.3d 474, ¶13. The state argues that the sentence
is contrary to law because in a separate case, the trial judge made certain comments on
the record.1 However, we find no evidence in the record of this case that the judge made
similar comments. Although a trial court abuses its discretion when it adheres to a blanket
policy, that is not what occurred here. State v. Hill, Slip Op. No. 2021-0913, 2022-Ohio-
4544 (Dec. 20, 2022), ¶16. The visiting judge reviewed the PSI, heard the arguments
from the state’s attorney, Nickelson’s attorney, and from Nickelson. In the case at bar,
the state agreed that the factors concerning recidivism contained in R.C. 2929.12(D) and
(E) were equally balanced. Sent. T. at 6. The visiting judge noted that Nickelson’s Ohio
Risk Assessment System score (ORAS) was “really low.” Sent. T. at 11. He further noted
that Nickelson was amenable to community control. Judgment Entry-Sentencing, filed
Oct. 7, 2022 at 2. The visiting judge considered the state’s position, the fact that the
charges were reduced, and that the offense was a felony of the third degree, rather than
a felony of the fourth or fifth degree. Sent. T. at 22. Unlike the case cited by the state in
which no prison sentence was reserved, in the case at bar the visiting judge reserved a
prison sentence in the event Nickelson were to violate her community control sanctions.
1 State v. Coffman, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 22-COA-036.
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 9
Upon review, we find that the trial court’s sentencing on the charge complies with
applicable rules and sentencing statutes.
{¶20} Although a trial court’s statements concerning its “policy” may be unwise,
in the case at bar we find that under the facts of this case, the trial court did not arbitrarily
refuse to consider the facts and circumstances presented. State v. Garcia, 5th Dist.
Tuscarawas No. 2018AP060024, 2018-Ohio-4818, ¶ 21. The record supports that the
visiting judge sentenced Nickelson based upon the facts and circumstances before him,
not on a blanket policy that affects all defendants regardless of their situation. If we
remove the remarks made by the visiting judge, the state can cite to nothing within the
record of Nickelson’s case that would prohibit any judge from imposing the identical
sentence. Here the visiting judge’s reasoning is not legally incorrect or untenable and the
decision does not reach an end or purpose not justified by reason and the evidence. The
decision to impose community control sanctions does not amount to a denial of justice.
{¶21} Upon a thorough review, we find the record clearly and convincingly
supports the sentence imposed by the visiting judge. We find the visiting judge properly
considered the purposes and principles of sentencing set forth in R.C. 2929.11, as well
as the applicable factors set forth in R.C. 2929.12, along with all other relevant factors
and circumstances. Nickelson’s sentence was within the applicable statutory range, and
within the judge’s discretion to impose. Therefore, we have no basis for concluding that
it is contrary to law.
{¶22} We hold that the state has not shown that the trial court imposed the
sentence based on impermissible considerations—i.e., considerations that fall outside
those that are contained in R.C. 2929.11 and R.C. 2929.12.
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 10
{¶23} The state’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
II.
{¶24} In the Second Assignment of Error, the state argues the sentence
impermissibly consists of both a nine-month prison term (suspended) and community
control sanctions - the sentencing court had discretion to do one or the other but not
both. [Appellant’s Brief at 22]. The state further argues that the visiting judge did not
properly impose community control and did not properly transfer Community Control to
the State of Michigan.
Standard of Appellate Review
{¶25} R.C. 2929.15(A)(1) governs the authority of the trial court to impose
conditions of community control. That section provides that when sentencing an offender
for a felony, the trial court may impose one or more community sanctions, including
residential, nonresidential, and financial sanctions, and any other conditions that it
considers “appropriate.” The General Assembly has thus granted broad discretion to trial
courts in imposing community-control sanctions. We review the trial court’s imposition of
community-control sanctions under an abuse-of-discretion standard. State v. Talty, 103
Ohio St.3d 177, 2004-Ohio-4888, 814 N.E.2d 1201, ¶10. Generally, a court will not be
found to have abused its discretion in fashioning a community-control sanction as long as
the condition is reasonably related to the probationary goals of doing justice, rehabilitating
the offender, and insuring good behavior. Id. at ¶ 12. This means courts must “consider
whether the condition (1) is reasonably related to rehabilitating the offender, (2) has some
relationship to the crime of which the offender was convicted, and (3) relates to conduct
which is criminal or reasonably related to future criminality and serves the statutory ends
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 11
of probation.” State v. Jones, 49 Ohio St.3d 51, 53, 550 N.E.2d 469(1990).
Issue for Appellate Review: Whether the conditions of Nickelson’s
community control are reasonably related to the probationary goals of doing justice,
rehabilitating the offender, and insuring good behavior
{¶26} Terms of incarceration in a community-based correctional facility, a halfway
house, or a local jail are called “community residential sanctions,” and a court sentencing
for a felony is authorized to impose “a term of up to six months in a jail.” R.C. 2929.16(A).
Local probation, day reporting, house arrest, community service, and curfew are classified
as “nonresidential sanctions.” R.C. 2929.17 (“the court imposing a sentence for a felony
upon an offender who is not required to serve a mandatory prison term may impose any
nonresidential sanction or combination of nonresidential sanctions”). Restitution, fines,
and costs are “financial sanctions.” R.C. 2929.18(A). In short, the statutes authorize a
broad variety of community-control sanctions, and trial courts are empowered to “impose
any other conditions of release under a community control sanction that the court
considers appropriate * * *.” R.C. 2929.15(A)(1). State v. Amos, 140 Ohio St.3d 238,
2014-Ohio-3160, 17 N.E.3d 528, ¶11. The statute makes clear the legislature intended
trial courts should have discretion to fashion community-control sentences that punish
and protect but do not unnecessarily waste scarce resources. Id. at ¶ 12. This statute
by its plain terms directs the trial court to conserve resources when possible by imposing
a “fine-only” sentence for a felony offense. Id. at ¶ 13.
{¶27} The Ohio Supreme Court has stated that “[p]ursuant to R.C. 2929.19(B)(5)
[now R.C. 2929.19(B)(4)], and 2929.15(B) a trial court sentencing an offender to a
community control sanction must, at the time of the sentencing, notify the offender of the
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 12
specific prison term that may be imposed for a violation of the conditions of the sanction,
as a prerequisite to imposing a prison term on the offender for a subsequent violation.”
State v. Brooks, 103 Ohio St.3d 134, 2004-Ohio-4746, 814 N.E.2d 837, paragraph two of
the syllabus. (Emphasis added).
{¶28} The visiting judge clearly and unequivocally reserved a nine-month prison
sentence in the event Nickelson were to violate her community control provisions. Sent.
T. at 22-23; 26; Judgment Entry-Sentencing at 1-2. The judge’s reference to “jail” was in
reference to the court’s authority to impose a longer time under the same sanction,
impose a more restrictive sanction, or impose a prison term for a violation of community
control. R.C. 2929.19(B)(4).
{¶29} The state clearly indicated that the local probation department, not the trial
court, contacts the out of state probation department. Sent. T. at 24. The trial judge
acknowledged that until the probation department in Michigan accepts supervision,
Nickelson would remain under the supervision of the Ashland County Probation
Department. Id. at 24. The visiting judge further directed the local probation department
contact the out-of-state probation department to request the transfer. Id. at 25. The
visiting judge further noted that, “The Defendant SHALL abide by and follow general rules,
regulations and/or special condition recommendations of the Adult Parole Authority, and
she shall obey all laws and all orders of the Court.” Judgment Entry-Sentencing at 3.
Further, Nickelson’s community control is to be supervised throughout its term.
{¶30} R.C. 2929.15(A) authorizes a trial court to require an offender “abide by
the law.” In addition to requiring an offender to “abide by the law,” R.C. 2929.15(A)
gives the trial court discretion to “impose any other conditions of release under a
Ashland County, Case No. 22-COA-037 13
community control sanction that the court considers appropriate, including, but n ot
limited to, requiring that the offender not ingest or be injected with a drug of abuse....”
{¶31} Thus, the state’s argument that the visiting judge did not properly impose
conditions of community control, or cause a proper transfer of the community control is
not supported by the record. [Appellant’s brief at 22].
{¶32} We find that the conditions given to Nickelson are not overly broad, are
reasonably related to rehabilitating her, have some relationship to the crime of which
Nickelson was convicted, and relates to conduct which is criminal or reasonably related
to future criminality and serves the statutory ends of probation. State v. Jones, 49 Ohio
St.3d 51, 53, 550 N.E.2d 469(1990). We hold the sentence is not contrary to law.
{¶33} The state’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
{¶34} The judgment of the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
By Gwin, P.J.,
Hoffman, J., and
King, J., concur