In re A.H.

[Cite as In re A.H., 2018-Ohio-364.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO
BROWN COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF: :
A.H. : CASE NO. CA2017-05-005
: OPINION
1/29/2018
:
:
APPEAL FROM BROWN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
JUVENILE DIVISION
Case No. 20172034
Timothy B. Hackett, Assistant State Public Defender, 250 East Broad Street, Suite 1400,
Columbus, Ohio 43215, for appellant
Zachary A. Corbin, Brown County Prosecuting Attorney, Courtney A. Worley, 510 East State
Street, Suite 2, Georgetown, Ohio 45121, for appellee
HENDRICKSON, P.J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, A.H., a juvenile, appeals from his adjudication as a delinquent child
by the Brown County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, upon his admission to a
complaint alleging rape. For the reasons set forth below, we reverse A.H.'s adjudication and
remand the matter for further proceedings.
I. FACTS
{¶ 2} In November 2016, a complaint was filed in the Lucas County Court of
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Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, alleging A.H. was a delinquent child for having committed
an act that would constitute rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b), a felony of the first
degree, if committed by an adult. The complaint arose out of allegations that on July 8, 2016,
A.H., then 16 years old, performed fellatio on an 11-year-old boy while the two were on a
youth group trip in Maumee, Ohio.
{¶ 3} In January 2017, the Lucas County Juvenile Court transferred A.H.'s case to
the Brown County Juvenile Court. A.H. was arraigned on February 8, 2017. At this time, the
juvenile court recited the allegations in the complaint and A.H., through appointed counsel,
entered a denial to the charge.
{¶ 4} On February 22, 2017, A.H.'s counsel filled a "Suggestion of Incompetency"
and requested a competency evaluation as counsel had "serious concerns regarding the
child's ability to assist counsel in his own defense and understand the nature and facts of the
charges against him." The court granted the request and a clinical psychologist completed a
competency evaluation on A.H. The evaluation was filed with the court on February 28,
2017.
{¶ 5} In the written competency evaluation, the psychologist noted he had reviewed
A.H.'s "record of offenses" as provided by the Brown County Juvenile Court, conducted a
clinical interview with A.H., and tested A.H.'s intelligence using the Wechsler Abbreviated
Scale of Intelligence (Second Edition) ("WISA"). Although A.H. self-reported four prior
psychiatric hospitalizations and noted he had been transferred from his most recent foster
home to a psychiatric unit because of his "devil worship" and belief that his foster parents
were trying to poison his food, the psychologist stated A.H. "displayed absolutely no
indication of psychosis during this evaluation." The psychologist concluded A.H. was
competent as A.H. "appear[ed] to be presently capable of understanding the nature and
objectives of the proceedings against him" and "appear[ed] to be presently capable of
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assisting his attorney in formulating a defense." In reaching this conclusion, the psychologist
noted A.H. was of "average intellectual ability," had no difficulty conversing with the
psychologist, would "very likely" be able to converse with his attorney without difficulty, and
had been able to describe and discuss the rape charge, the severity of the possible
punishment for the charge, the various roles of the courtroom personnel, the significance of
witnesses and evidence, the meaning of "guilty," "innocent," and "plea bargain," and the
concepts of "admit" or "deny."1
{¶ 6} A competency hearing was held on March 2, 2017, at which time A.H.'s counsel
stated he had received and reviewed the February 28, 2017 evaluation indicating A.H. was
competent. Defense counsel informed the court, "We're not going to contest the * * * findings
in that, in there that he had – in that document that he is competent, Judge." Defense
counsel then stated he needed time to consult with A.H. now that the results of the
competency evaluation had been submitted. The court, without making any specific findings
as to A.H.'s competency, concluded the hearing and set the matter for trial. On May 30,
2017, A.H. appeared before the court to enter an admission to the rape charge. At this time,
the issue of A.H.'s competency was addressed by the juvenile court as follows:
THE COURT: [Defense counsel,] I was just looking through the
file, and there had been a suggestion of incompetency filed. For
the record, what – we had put on a – there was a – the report
was filed in here.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Yes, Judge. To make the record clear, I
did receive a copy of the report. It advised that [A.H.] was
competent.
And I would formally, if I haven't already, stipulate to that on the
record. So, we're appropriate to go forward with the plea today
based on that information.
1. The psychologist found A.H. to be of "average intellectual ability" even though he obtained a full-scale IQ of
89 on WISA, which indicated A.H. was "functioning in the low average range of intelligence or at about the 23rd
percentile for his age group." The psychologist noted that this score was "lower than what [was] expected on the
basis of [A.H.'s] clinical presentation" and indicated "[e]motional factors may have interfered with [A.H.'s]
performance on this measure to a slight degree as he appears to be of at least average intelligence."
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THE COURT: All right. Very well. The Court will take judicial
notice of that, and thank you for that.
{¶ 7} Thereafter, the juvenile court had the following discussion with A.H. with regard
to his admission to the rape charge:
THE COURT: All right. Do you know why we're here?
[A.H.] Yes, Sir.
THE COURT: And what are we here for?
[A.H.] My trial, Sir.
THE COURT: Okay. And we're not going to go forward with a
trial; are we?
[A.H.] No, Sir.
THE COURT: And why is that?
[A.H.] Because I already know that it's –
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Admitted.
[A.H.] I mean, I admitted it.
THE COURT: Okay. Well, we'll get to that in a minute, because
as your attorney explained to you everything is recorded. And
you know, we have to dot all of the I's, cross all of the T's, and
everything to make sure everybody understands everything. You
know, I've read to you your rights many times. And you've got a
lawyer to represent you. Your grandma or your adopted mother
is here.
Ma'am do you understand what's going on here today?
[MOTHER]: Uh-huh.
THE COURT: Do you agree with his admitting to the offense and
going forward?
***
[MOTHER]: If – if he did it, yeah.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Well, let's get right to that then,
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because I know that you understand all of your rights, even
though your attorney has waived those rights. He's explained
everything to you.
***
THE COURT: All right. [A.H.], are you satisfied with [your
attorney's] services?
[A.H.]: Yes, Sir.
THE COURT: Okay. Well, to the charge of rape, a violation of
Ohio Revised Code 2907.02(A)(1)(b), do you admit or deny that?
[A.H.]: I admit, Sir.
THE COURT: Okay. And [defense counsel], do you agree with
his entering that admission from basis – from facts that you know
about what happened?
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Yes, Judge. I've reviewed the file with
[A.H.], reviewed the alleged facts as I spoke to the guardian ad
litem. And we would stipulate the facts that are in – that are set
forth are submit – sufficient enough for you to find him guilty, and
they are accurate facts.
THE COURT: All right. [Prosecuting Attorney], are you satisfied
that the juvenile understands what he's doing and that he is
voluntarily entering an admission to the charge of rape?
[PROSECUTING ATTORNEY]: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: All right. The Court would accept that and
adjudicate him delinquent for the offense, the violation of rape,
2907.02(A)(1)(b).
After accepting A.H.'s admission to the rape charge, the case proceeded to disposition. A.H.
was committed to the Ohio Department of Youth Services for 12 months or until he was 21
years old.
{¶ 8} A.H. timely appealed, raising three assignments of error for our review.
II. ANALYSIS
{¶ 9} Assignment of Error No. 1:
{¶ 10} A.H. WAS DENIED HIS RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW WHEN THE
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JUVENILE COURT FAILED TO ISSUE A WRITTEN COMPETENCY DETERMINATION, IN
VIOLATION OF R.C. 2152.58; THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED
STATES CONSTITUTION; AND ARTICLE, 1, SECTION 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶ 11} In his first assignment of error, A.H. argues his constitutional due process
rights and his statutory rights under R.C. 2952.58 were violated by the juvenile court when
the court failed to rule on the issue of his competency to stand trial before accepting his
admission to the rape charge. We agree.
{¶ 12} "It is a fundamental notion of due process that a criminal defendant who is not
legally competent may not be convicted of a crime." In re N.A., 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2011-06-106, 2012-Ohio-1897, ¶ 17, citing State v. Berry, 72 Ohio St. 3d 354, 359 (1995).
See also Pate v. Robinson, 383 U.S. 375, 86 S. Ct. 836 (1966). Although A.H. is not a
criminal defendant, "the right not to be tried [or convicted] while incompetent is as
fundamental in juvenile proceedings as it is in criminal trials of adults." In re Williams, 116
Ohio App. 3d 237, 241 (2d Dist.1997). As an incompetent defendant may not be convicted of
a crime "'a court's decision concerning the competency of an individual to stand trial will
always be deemed outcome-determinative in the most fundamental sense.'" In re N.A. at ¶
17, quoting In re Williams at 241.
{¶ 13} Competency proceedings for juveniles are governed by R.C. 2152.51 through
2152.59. These statutes address timing requirements for competency evaluations and
hearings, qualifications for evaluators, and requirements for competency hearings and written
competency assessment reports. R.C. 2152.52(A)(1) permits "any party or the court to move
for a determination regarding the child's competency to participate in the proceeding." If the
court determines there is a reasonable basis for the competency evaluation or if the
prosecuting attorney and the child's attorney agree to an evaluation, the court must appoint
an evaluator and order the evaluation. R.C. 2152.53(B). The evaluator must comply with the
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requirements set forth in R.C. 2152.56 and file a written competency assessment report with
the court. R.C. 2152.58(A) provides that between 15 and 30 business days after the
competency assessment report is filed with the juvenile court, the court "shall hold a hearing
to determine the child's competency to participate in the proceeding." The statute further
provides, in relevant part:
(C) In determining the competency of the child to participate in
the proceeding, the court shall consider the content of all
competency assessment reports admitted as evidence. The court
may consider additional evidence, including the court’s own
observations of the child’s conduct and demeanor in the
courtroom.
(D)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the court
shall make a written determination as to the child’s competency
or incompetency based on a preponderance of the evidence
within fifteen business days after completion of the hearing. The
court, by journal entry, may extend the period for making the
determination for not more than fifteen additional days. If the
court extends the period for making the determination, it shall
make the written determination within the period as extended.
(Emphasis added.) R.C. 2152.58(C) and (D)(1).
{¶ 14} In the present case, the juvenile court ordered a competency evaluation,
received the assessment from the psychologist, and held an abbreviated hearing on A.H.'s
competency. The court failed, however, to make any finding as to A.H.'s competency to
stand trial. The fact that defense counsel stipulated he received the psychologist's written
evaluation and was "not going to contest the * * * findings in that * * * document" does not
relieve the juvenile court of its statutory duty under R.C. 2152.58(D)(1) to make a written
determination as to A.H.'s competency. R.C. 2152.58(D)(1) specifically provides that "the
court shall make a written determination as to the child's competency or incompetency based
on a preponderance of the evidence * * * after completion of the hearing." (Emphasis
added.) The use of the word "shall" in the statute "connotes the imposition of a mandatory
obligation." State v. Golphin, 81 Ohio St. 3d 543, 545 (1998). The court was required to
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consider the content of the competency assessment report and other relevant
considerations, such as defense counsel's representations about the juvenile as well as the
court's own observations of the juvenile's conduct and demeanor in the courtroom, and make
a written determination as to A.H.'s competency pursuant to R.C. 2152.58(C) and (D)(1). Its
failure to do so results in reversible error. See, e.g., In re Andrew W., 5th Dist. Knox No. 13-
CA-24, 2014-Ohio-1576 (finding plain error where the juvenile court failed to comply with the
requirements of R.C. 2152.58 by neglecting to hold a competency hearing or issue a written
determination of competency); In re K.A., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104938, 2017-Ohio-6979
(finding reversible error and vacating a juvenile's admission to rape and kidnapping where the
juvenile court failed to comply with the requirements of R.C. 2152.58 by neglecting to hold a
competency hearing or issue a written determination of competency).
{¶ 15} Accordingly, as the juvenile court failed to make a written determination of
A.H.'s competency as required by R.C. 2152.58(D)(1) prior to accepting A.H.'s admission to
the rape charge, we sustain A.H.'s first assignment of error.
{¶ 16} Assignment of Error No. 2:
{¶ 17} THE JUVENILE COURT ERRED WHEN IT ACCEPTED A.H.'S ADMISSION,
BECAUSE THE ADMISSION WAS NOT KNOWING, INTELLIGENT, AND VOLUNTARY.
FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION;
ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 10 AND 16 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION; JUV.R. 29.
{¶ 18} In his second assignment of error, A.H. argues his admission to the rape
charge was not made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily as the juvenile court failed to
comply with the requirements set forth in Juv.R. 29 in accepting his plea.
{¶ 19} "'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 that a trial court
personally address the defendant on the record with respect to the issues set forth in the
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rules.'" In re C.S., 115 Ohio St. 3d 267, 2007-Ohio-4919, ¶ 112, quoting In re Smith, 3d Dist.
Union No. 14-05-33, 2006-Ohio-2788, ¶ 13. As relevant to the present appeal, Juv.R. 29
provides as follows with respect to adjudicatory hearings:
(B) Advisement and findings at the commencement of the
hearing. At the beginning of the hearing the court shall do all of
the following:
(1) Ascertain whether notice requirements have been complied
with and, if not, whether the affected parties waive compliance;
(2) Inform the parties of the substance of the complaint, the
purpose of the hearing, and possible consequences of the
hearing * * *;
***
(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. * * *
(Emphasis sic.)
{¶ 20} In a delinquency case, the preferred practice is for the juvenile court to strictly
comply with the requirements set forth in Juv.R. 29(D). In re C.S. at paragraph 6 of the
syllabus. However, "[i]f the [juvenile] court substantially complies with Juv.R. 29(D) in
accepting an admission by a juvenile, the plea will be deemed voluntary absent a showing of
prejudice by the juvenile or a showing that the totality of the circumstances does not support
a finding of a valid waiver." Id. "For purposes of juvenile delinquency proceedings,
substantial compliance means that in the totality of the circumstances, the juvenile
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subjectively understood the implications of his plea." Id. at ¶ 113.
{¶ 21} "Juv.R. 29(D) places an affirmative duty upon the juvenile court to personally
address the juvenile before the court to determine that the juvenile, not merely the attorney,
understands the nature of the allegations and the consequences of entering the admission."
In re S.O., 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2007-12-121, 2008-Ohio-3893, ¶ 14, citing In re
Beechler, 115 Ohio App. 3d 567, 571 (4th Dist.1996).
{¶ 22} Here, the record demonstrates, and the state concedes, that the juvenile court
failed to substantially comply with Juv.R. 29 before accepting A.H.'s admission. The juvenile
court failed to inform A.H. of the substance of the complaint or ascertain whether A.H.
understood the nature of the allegations against him and the consequences of an admission,
as required by Juv.R. 29(B)(2) and (D)(1). The court further failed to inform A.H. of the rights
he was forfeiting by entering an admission, as required by Juv.R. 29(D)(2). The court merely
assumed A.H. knew what rights he was waiving, stating "Well, let's get right to that then,
because I know that you understand all of your rights, even though your attorney has waived
those rights. He's explained everything to you." Given the abbreviated manner in which the
juvenile court addressed A.H. at the adjudicatory hearing, we find that A.H. could not have
subjectively understood the implications of his plea.
{¶ 23} Accordingly, as the juvenile court's colloquy with A.H. failed to comply even
minimally with the requirements of Juv.R. 29, we sustain A.H.'s second assignment of error.
{¶ 24} Assignment of Error No. 3:
{¶ 25} A.H. WAS DENIED THE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN
COUNSEL FAILED TO REQUEST A SECOND COMPETENCY EVALUATION,
STIPULATED TO A.H.'S COMPETENCY, AND FAILED TO OBJECT TO THE JUVENILE
COURT'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH JUV.R. 29 AND R.C. 2152.58. SIXTH AND
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION; ARTICLE I,
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SECTION 10 OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶ 26} In his third assignment of error, A.H. contends he was denied his constitutional
right to effective representation as defense counsel stipulated to his competency, failed to
request a second competency evaluation, and failed to object to the court's noncompliance
with the statutory requirements of R.C. 2152.58 and the requirements of Juv.R. 29 before
accepting his admission to the rape charge. However, based on our resolution of A.H.'s first
and second assignments of error, we find that we do not need to address his third
assignment of error. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c); State v. Blatchford, 12th Dist. Preble No.
CA2015-12-023, 2016-Ohio-8456, ¶ 71; State v. Scott, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2005-12-
134, 2007-Ohio-1094, ¶ 29.
III. CONCLUSION
{¶ 27} For the reasons stated above, judgment is reversed, A.H.'s delinquency
adjudication is vacated, and the matter is remanded to the juvenile court with instructions to
conduct a hearing and issue a written determination as to A.H.'s competency in accordance
with the requirements of R.C. 2152.58. Should A.H. be found competent and desire to enter
an admission to the rape charge, the juvenile court shall comply with the requirements set
forth in Juv.R. 29 in accepting the admission.
S. POWELL and RINGLAND, JJ., concur.
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