In re Keeling , 2010 Ohio 1713 ( 2010 )

[Cite as In re Keeling, 2010-Ohio-1713.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
ALLEN COUNTY
IN RE:
CASE NO. 1-09-51
DUSTIN KEELING,
ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT OPINION
CHILD - APPELLANT.
Appeal from Allen County Common Pleas Court
Juvenile Division
Trial Court No. 09 JG 26494
Judgment Reversed and Cause Remanded
Date of Decision: April 19, 2010
APPEARANCES:
Elizabeth R. Miller for Appellant
Christina L. Steffan for Appellee
Case No. 1-09-51
ROGERS, J.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant, Dustin Keeling, appeals the judgment of the
Court of Common Pleas of Allen County, Juvenile Division, adjudicating him a
delinquent child, ordering him to serve a minimum period of one year and a
maximum period not to exceed his twenty-first birthday at the Ohio Department of
Youth Services (hereinafter “DYS”), and ordering him to pay $531 in restitution.
On appeal, Keeling argues that his admission to the charge of delinquency was not
knowing, intelligent, and voluntary; that the trial court abused its discretion in
failing to consider community service prior to ordering him to pay a financial
sanction; and, that he was denied effective assistance of counsel. Finding that
Keeling’s admission was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary, we reverse the
judgment of the trial court and remand for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion.
{¶2} In May 2009, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office filed a complaint
alleging that Keeling was a delinquent child on one count of burglary in violation
of R.C. 2911.12(A)(2), a felony of the second degree if committed by an adult.
The complaint arose from an incident during which Keeling entered the residence
of a neighbor, Brandon Daniels, and removed a total of approximately $962 to
$972 in cash from a bank bag, the kitchen counter, and a vehicle parked in the
garage. Subsequently, Keeling entered a denial to the allegations.
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{¶3} In June 2009, the trial court appointed Keeling counsel.
{¶4} In July 2009, the trial court held an adjudicatory hearing at which
Keeling withdrew his prior denial of the offense and entered an admission to
burglary pursuant to a plea agreement. In exchange, the State agreed to
recommend his commitment to a juvenile residential center in lieu of DYS. The
transcript reflects that the following colloquy took place:
[Trial Court]: Do you understand that part of [the plea]
agreement includes that you would be entering an admission to
the charge of delinquency by reason of burglary, a felony of the
second degree?
[Keeling]: I do, sir.
[Trial Court]: That means there won’t be a trial?
[Keeling]: Yes, sir.
[Trial Court]: You’re giving up your right to cross examine
witnesses. You’re giving up your right to challenge any
evidence. You’re giving up your right to present evidence on
your own behalf, and you’re giving up your right to remain
silent. Do you understand all of that?
[Keeling]: Yes, sir.
[Trial Court]: Do you also understand, as I think the attorneys
have made clear, that this is a recommendation the prosecutor is
going to make. Apparently the Department of Youth Services is
also going to make that recommendation. The ultimate
dispositional order is going to be up to the Court?
[Keeling]: Yes, sir.
**
[Trial Court]: Dustin, I need to ask then, at this time, do you
now plead . . . how do you now plead to the charge of the
delinquency by reason of burglary, a felony of the second degree.
[Keeling]: Admission.
[Trial Court]: Are you entering the admission voluntarily?
[Keeling] Yes, sir.
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[Trial Court]: No one promised you anything or threatened you
in any way to enter the admission other than the agreement that
the attorneys just outlined to the Court. Is that correct?
[Keeling]: Yes.
[Trial Court]: And you’re entering the admission, then, simply
because what it says there in the complaint is true.
[Keeling]: Yes, sir.
(July 2008 Adjudicatory Hearing Tr., pp. 9-11).
{¶5} Thereafter, the trial court accepted Keeling’s plea and the State
recited the following facts:
[The State]: * * * On or about May 11, 2009, here in Allen
County, Ohio, the defendant went into his neighbor’s house at
11635 Reservoir Road and took out of it a bank bag which
contained within it approximately $830. This was inside their
residence . . . the residence of Brandon Daniels and Shelly
Daniels. He went inside their home without permission and took
the $8301 and left. He spent an unknown amount of money and
ended up returning roughly $400. $431.
(July 2008 Adjudicatory Hearing Tr., p. 11).
{¶6} Thereafter, the trial court found Keeling to be a delinquent child
beyond a reasonable doubt. Later that month, the trial court held a hearing on the
issue of restitution, to which Keeling did not object.
{¶7} In August 2009, the trial court held a dispositional hearing and
ordered Keeling to pay $531 in restitution to Daniels, representing the amount
Keeling took reduced by the amount recovered by law enforcement. Additionally,
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At the July 2009 restitution hearing, the victim testified that a total of approximately $962 to $972 was
taken from the residence including from the bank bag, the kitchen counter, and a vehicle in the garage.
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the trial court ordered Keeling to serve at DYS a minimum period of one year and
maximum period not to exceed his twenty-first birthday.
{¶8} It is from this judgment that Keeling appeals, presenting the
following assignments of error for our review.
Assignment of Error No. I
DUSTIN K.’S ADMISSION TO THE DELINQUENCY
CHARGE WAS NOT KNOWING, INTELLIGENT, AND
VOLUNTARY IN VIOLATION OF THE FIFTH AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 10 AND 16 OF
THE OHIO CONSTITUTION, AND JUVENILE RULE 29.
(ADJUDICATION, T.PP. 9-10).
Assignment of Error No. II
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION WHEN IT
KNEW DUSTIN K. WAS INDIGENT AND FAILED TO
CONSIDER COMMUNITY SERVICE PRIOR TO
ORDERING HIM TO PAY FINANCIAL SANCTIONS, IN
VIOLATION OF R.C. 2152.20(D). (DISPOSITION, T.PP. 2-8);
(A-3).
Assignment of Error No. III
DUSTIN K. WAS DENIED THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE
OF COUNSEL IN VIOLATION OF THE SIXTH AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION; SECTION 10, ARTICLE I OF THE OHIO
CONSTITUTION. (RESTITUTION, T.PP. 3-36);
(DISPOSITION, T.PP. 2-8); (A-2—A-5).
{¶9} Due to the nature of Keeling’s arguments, we elect to address his
second and third assignments of error together.
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Assignment of Error No. I
{¶10} In his first assignment of error, Keeling argues that his admission to
the delinquency allegation was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary in violation
of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, Article
I, Sections 10 and 16 of the Ohio Constitution, and Juv.R. 29. Specifically,
Keeling asserts that the trial court did not even minimally comply with Juv.R.
29(D)(1), claiming that it failed to ensure that he understood the nature of the
burglary allegation prior to accepting his admission; that the trial court failed to
ascertain whether he understood the consequences of his admission, specifically
that he could be committed to DYS for a minimum period of one year and
maximum period up to his twenty-first birthday; and, that the trial court failed to
advise him that he could be ordered to pay restitution and court costs, or that,
alternately, the court could impose a term of community service in lieu of financial
sanctions.
{¶11} The State responds that the record demonstrates Keeling understood
the nature of the allegation because after he entered his admission, the State
recited the facts of the offense, and Keeling then admitted he committed the acts
recited. The State contends that, had Keeling denied the State’s recitation of the
facts or given a conflicting version of events, the trial court would have sua sponte
withdrawn his admission and set the matter for a hearing. Further, the State argues
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that Keeling was aware of the consequences of his admission because there was a
lengthy discussion at the beginning of the hearing between the State, trial counsel,
and the trial court concerning the State’s recommendation that Keeling be sent to a
juvenile residential center; because Keeling was on parole at the time of the
hearing and had already served time at DYS; because the trial court had advised
him that, despite the State’s recommendation that he be sent to a juvenile
residential center, the final disposition was in the trial court’s discretion; and,
because the trial court indicated early in the hearing that there would be a
restitution hearing.
{¶12} Juv.R. 29(D) provides, in pertinent part:
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 admissions;
(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.
{¶13} An admission in a juvenile proceeding, pursuant to Juv.R. 29, is
analogous to a guilty plea made by an adult pursuant to Crim.R. 11 in that both
require a trial court to personally address the offender on the record with respect to
the issues set forth in the rules. In re Messmer, 3d Dist. No. 16-08-03, 2008-Ohio-
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4955, ¶9, citing In re Smith, 3d Dist. No. 14-05-33, 2006-Ohio-2788, ¶13, citing In
re C.K., 8th Dist. No. 79074, 2002-Ohio-1659; In re Royal (1999), 132 Ohio
App.3d 496, 504; In re Jenkins (1995), 101 Ohio App.3d 177, 179. Both Crim.R.
11 and Juv.R. 29 require the respective courts to make careful inquiries in order to
ensure that the guilty plea or admission is entered voluntarily, intelligently, and
knowingly. Id., citing In re Smith, 2006-Ohio-2788, at ¶13, citing In re Flynn
(1995), 101 Ohio App.3d 778, 781; In re McKenzie (1995), 102 Ohio App.3d 275,
277. “‘In order to satisfy the requirements of [Juv.R. 29], the court must address
the youth personally and conduct an on-the-record discussion to determine
whether the admission is being entered knowingly and voluntarily.’” Id., quoting
In re Smith, 2006-Ohio-2788, at ¶13, quoting In re West (1998), 128 Ohio App.3d
356, 359. Juv.R. 29(D) also places an affirmative duty upon the juvenile court to
personally address the juvenile and determine that the juvenile, and “not merely
the attorney, understands the nature of the allegations and the consequences of
entering the admission.” Id., quoting In re Smith, 2006-Ohio-2788, at ¶13, citing
In re Beechler (1996), 115 Ohio App.3d 567, 571.
{¶14} The best method for assuring compliance with Juv.R. 29(D) is for a
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.” Id., quoting In re
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Miller (1997), 119 Ohio App.3d 52, 58, citing State v. Ballard (1981), 66 Ohio
St.2d 473. Although strict compliance with Juv.R. 29(D) is preferred in a juvenile
delinquency case, the Supreme Court of Ohio has required only “substantial
compliance” with the rule in accepting a juvenile’s admission. Id., quoting In re
C.S., 115 Ohio St.3d 267, 2007-Ohio-4919, ¶113. In the context of juvenile
delinquency proceedings, “‘[s]ubstantial compliance means that in the totality of
the circumstances, the juvenile subjectively understood the implications of his
plea.’” Id., quoting In re C.S., 115 Ohio St.3d 267, at ¶113. Failure of a juvenile
court to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D) has a prejudicial effect
necessitating a reversal of the adjudication so that the juvenile may plead anew.
Id., citing In re C.S., 115 Ohio St.3d 267, at ¶112; In re Smith, 2006-Ohio-2788, at
¶14, citing In re Doyle (1997), 122 Ohio App.3d 767, 772.
{¶15} In order to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1), courts have
found that “[a] defendant need not be informed 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, 1999 WL
1080329. Additionally, courts have found that there is a presumption, where a
defendant is represented by counsel, that counsel informed the defendant of the
nature of the charge. In re Wood, 2004-Ohio-6539, at ¶18, citing In re Argo, 5th
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Dist. No. CT2003-055, 2004-Ohio-4938, ¶32. Further, courts have found that
there is a presumption where a complaint is served on a defendant that he is
apprised of the nature of the charge contained in the complaint. Id., citing Bousley
v. U.S. (1998), 523 U.S. 614, 618.
{¶16} In In re S.M., 8th Dist. No. 91408, 2008-Ohio-6852, the Eighth
Appellate District found that a trial court did not substantially comply with Juv.R.
29(D)(1) where, although the trial court reviewed the rights the juvenile waived in
accordance with Juv.R. 29(D)(2), the trial court did not review the elements of the
felonious assault offense or inquire as to whether he understood the nature of the
offense prior to accepting his admission. This was so even though the prosecutor
recited the evidence that would constitute the felonious assault offense at the trial
court’s direction, in the juvenile’s presence, and prior to the trial court’s
acceptance of the juvenile’s admission. See In re S.M., 2008-Ohio-6852, at ¶¶33,
35 (Dyke, J., dissenting). Additionally, the Eighth Appellate District has found
that a trial court did not substantially comply with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) where it failed
to inform the juvenile of his possible term of commitment prior to accepting his
admission. See In re Holcomb, 147 Ohio App.3d 31, 2002-Ohio-2042. See, also,
In re Pritchard, 5th Dist. No. 2001 AP 080078, 2002-Ohio-1664 (finding no
substantial compliance with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) where trial court thoroughly reviewed
the rights that the juvenile would waive upon entering her admission, but did not
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review the charge with the juvenile or discuss the possible penalties it could
impose); In re Jones, 4th Dist. No. 99 CA 4, 2000 WL 387727 (finding no
substantial compliance with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) where the trial court did not explain
the charge, ask the juvenile whether he understood the charge, or inform him of
the maximum sentence it could impose prior to accepting his admission); In re
Beechler, supra (finding no substantial compliance with Juv.R. 29(D)(1) where the
trial court recited the juvenile’s constitutional rights, but did not determine
whether he understood the nature of the charges or the consequences of an
admission to the charges).
{¶17} In light of the preceding, we find that the trial court did not
substantially comply with the requirements of Juv.R. 29(D)(1). Here, the record
reflects that the trial court did not explain the nature or elements of the burglary
charge and did not ask Keeling whether he understood the charge. Further,
although the State argues that the prosecutor recited the facts underlying the
burglary charge after Keeling entered his admission, we note that the Fourth
Appellate District has found that “[t]he provisions of Juv.R. 29(D) specify that the
juvenile must be made aware of the consequences of his admission before that
admission is accepted. A trial court cannot retroactively cure its omission under
this rule by informing the juvenile after the fact.” In re Jones, supra; see, also, In
re S.M., supra.
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{¶18} Additionally, even assuming arguendo that Keeling’s trial counsel
and the complaint sufficiently apprised him of the nature of the charge, as urged
by In re Wood and Argo, supra, the record reflects that the trial court also failed to
explain the consequences of entering an admission to the burglary charge. The
State urges us to assume that Keeling was aware of the consequences due to
discussion between the trial court, the State, and trial counsel concerning the
State’s recommendation that Keeling be sent to a juvenile residential center;
because Keeling was on parole at the time of the hearing and had already served
time at DYS; and, because the trial court warned Keeling that, despite any
recommendation, the final disposition was in its discretion. However, we cannot
find that substantial compliance was present here. Juv.R. 29(D) requires that the
trial court “refuse to accept an admission and shall not accept an admission
without addressing the party personally” and determining that he understands the
consequences of the admission. (Emphasis added). See, also, In re Smith, 2006-
Ohio-2798, at ¶13. Thus, we cannot find that a discussion held between the trial
court, trial counsel, and the State as to the possible consequences satisfies the
express requirements of Juv.R. 29(D)(1). Further, although the trial court
informed Keeling that the final disposition was in the trial court’s discretion, we
cannot find that this advisement was sufficient to relay the possible consequences
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of an admission, as it conveyed no possible range of sentences or mention of
commitment to DYS. See Jones, supra.
{¶19} Accordingly, we find that the trial court failed to determine that
Keeling’s admission to burglary was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary in
accordance with Juv.R. 29(D), and we sustain Keeling’s first assignment of error.
Assignments of Error Nos. II & III
{¶20} In his second assignment of error, Keeling argues that the trial court
abused its discretion because it knew that he was indigent, but failed to consider
imposing community service in lieu of financial sanctions in violation of R.C.
2152.20(D). Specifically, Keeling argues that he filed an affidavit of indigency in
order to obtain court appointed counsel, but that, despite his demonstrated
indigency, nothing in the record, including the transcript and judgment entry,
demonstrates that the trial court considered imposing community service before
ordering him to pay restitution.
{¶21} In his third assignment of error, Keeling argues that he was denied
effective assistance of counsel in violation of the Sixth and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution and Section 10, Article I of the
Ohio Constitution. Specifically, Keeling argues that his trial counsel was
ineffective because she allowed him to admit to the burglary allegation without
first ensuring that he understood the nature of the allegations and the consequences
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of entering an admission; because she was aware of his indigent status, yet failed
to object to the trial court’s imposition of financial sanctions without first
considering community service; because she failed to familiarize herself with R.C.
2152.18 and informed the trial court that she did not know if Keeling was entitled
to detention credit toward his term in DYS for the burglary offense; and, because
she failed to “zealously advocate” for Keeling at disposition because she did not
suggest to the court any alternative dispositions to DYS.
{¶22} Our disposition of Keeling’s first assignment of error renders his
second and third assignments of error moot, and we decline to address them.
App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
{¶23} Having found error prejudicial to the appellant herein, in the
particulars assigned and argued in the first assignment of error, we reverse the
judgment of the trial court and remand for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion.
Judgment Reversed and
Cause Remanded
WILLAMOWSKI, P.J. and PRESTON, J., concur.
/jlr
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