State v. Wolfe

[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
COURT OF APPEALS
LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
STATE OF OHIO : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. John W. Wise, J.
Plaintiff-Appellee : Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr. J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 2020CA00021
STEPHEN H. WOLFE :
:
Defendant-Appellant : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Criminal appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No.19CR730
JUDGMENT: Affirmed in part; Reversed in part and
Remanded
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: November 30, 2020
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
WILLIAM C. HAYES JAMES A. ANZELMO
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY 446 Howland Drive
BY: PAULA M. SAWYERS Gahanna, OH 43230
ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR
20 S. Second Street, 4th Floor
Newark, OH 43055
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
Wise, John, J.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Stephen H. Wolfe appeals his convictions and
sentences after a negotiated guilty plea in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE
{¶2} On September 16, 2019, Trooper Matthew Stoffer of the Ohio State Highway
Patrol attempted to make a traffic stop of a 2013 Peterbuilt Semi-truck on State Route 30
in Wyandot County, Ohio for failing to have license plates or a PUCO number displayed
on the commercial vehicle. (T. at 9-10). The vehicle, later determined to be operated by
Appellant Stephen Wolfe, did not stop. (T. at 10). The vehicle reached speeds of 100
mph on Route 30 entering into Crawford County, back into Wyandot County, before
proceeding South on State Route 23 into Marion County and Delaware County. Id. The
vehicle avoided stop strips deployed and ignored multiple cruisers chasing with lights
and sirens activated attempting to stop the vehicle. Id. Appellant steered his vehicle
toward a Trooper placing stop strips on the roadway forcing the Trooper to move out
of the way and injuring himself in the process. Id.{¶3} The semi-truck collided with a 1989 Jeep Comanche operated by Michael
Slagle, Jr. on Ohio 16 near Cedar Street in Newark, Licking County, Ohio. Id. As a result
of the collision, Slagle suffered serious physical harm requiring his transfer by life flight to
Grant Hospital. (T. at 10-11). The semi-truck reached speeds of 105 mph in Licking
County. (T. at 11). The vehicle continued through Muskingum County and into Coshocton
County. Id. Appellant abandoned the vehicle and was arrested at 1697 Evergreen Park
Drive. Id. The chase occurred for more than fifty miles in total. Id.[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
{¶4} Appellant pled guilty to assault on a peace officer, a fourth degree felony, in
violation of R.C. §2903.13(A)(C)(5); felonious assault, a second degree felony, in violation
of R.C. §2903.11; failure to comply, a third degree felony, in violation of R.C. §2921.331;
receiving stolen property, a fourth degree felony, in violation of R.C. §2913.51; and failure
to stop after an accident, a fourth degree felony, in violation of R.C. §4549.02. (T. at 9).
{¶5} Appellant's trial counsel argued that the assault on a peace officer offense
should merge with the offense of failure to comply. (T. at 18). Trial counsel also argued
for merger of the offenses of felonious assault of the motorist, failure to comply, and failure
to stop after an accident. (T. at 18). The trial court declined to merge the offenses, and
Appellant objected. (T. at 24, 32).
{¶6} During the sentencing hearing, Appellant expressed remorse for his
conduct. (T. at 24). His trial counsel noted that Appellant was suffering from mental
health and drug addiction issues because of injuries he sustained serving in Iraq while in
the armed forces. (T. at 20-21). Trial counsel noted that Appellant's life "changes
dramatically" after he came home from Iraq. (T. at 19). Trial counsel further mentioned
that Appellant was not acting with "malice aforethought," but was merely trying to get to
his mother's home. (T. at 19, 21). Thus, Appellant contended that his prison sentences
should be run concurrent. (T. at 32).
{¶7} The court ordered Appellant to serve consecutive prison sentences. The
court noted that Appellant completed a seven-month prison term, and that he has a
pending charge from an incident in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (T. at 29-20).
{¶8} Specifically, the court ordered Appellant to serve: one (1) year in prison for
the assault on a peace officer offense; two (2) years in prison for the failure to comply
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
offense; nine (9) months in prison for the receiving stolen property offense; and nine (9)
months in prison for the failure to stop after an accident offense. For the felonious assault
offense, the court ordered Appellant to serve five (5) to seven and one-half (7 ½ ) years
in prison. (T. at 30).
{¶9} Appellant now appeals, raising the following assignments of error:
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶10} “I. AS AMENDED BY THE REAGAN TOKES ACT, THE REVISED CODE'S
SENTENCES FOR FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE QUALIFYING FELONIES
VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF
OHIO.
{¶11} “II. STEPHEN H. WOLFE RECEIVED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
COUNSEL, IN VIOLATION OF THE SIXTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 10, ARTICLE I OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
{¶12} “III. THE TRIAL COURT SENTENCED WOLFE TO AN INDEFINITE
PRISON TERM IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE SENTENCING STATUTES, IN
VIOLATION OF WOLFE'S RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS.
{¶13} “IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY FAILING TO MERGE WOLFE'S
OFFENSES FOR ALL BUT THE RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY COUNT.
{¶14} “V. THE TRIAL COURT UNLAWFULLY ORDERED WOLFE TO SERVE
CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES, IN VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS,
GUARANTEED BY SECTION 10, ARTICLE I OF THE OHIO CONSTITUTION AND THE
FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION.”
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
I.
{¶15} In his First Assignment of Error, Appellant argues that the Reagan Tokes
Law, specifically the presumptive release feature of R.C. §2967.271, is unconstitutional.
{¶16} R.C. §2967.271 provides in pertinent part:
(B) When an offender is sentenced to a non-life felony indefinite
prison term, there shall be a presumption that the person shall be released
from service of the sentence on the expiration of the offender's minimum
prison term or on the offender's presumptive earned early release date,
whichever is earlier.
(C) The presumption established under division (B) of this section is
a rebuttable presumption that the department of rehabilitation and
correction may rebut as provided in this division. Unless the department
rebuts the presumption, the offender shall be released from service of the
sentence on the expiration of the offender's minimum prison term or on the
offender's presumptive earned early release date, whichever is earlier. The
department may rebut the presumption only if the department determines,
at a hearing, that one or more of the following applies:
(1) Regardless of the security level in which the offender is classified
at the time of the hearing, both of the following apply:
(a) During the offender's incarceration, the offender committed
institutional rule infractions that involved compromising the security of a
state correctional institution, compromising the safety of the staff of a state
correctional institution or its inmates, or physical harm or the threat of
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
physical harm to the staff of a state correctional institution or its inmates, or
committed a violation of law that was not prosecuted, and the infractions or
violations demonstrate that the offender has not been rehabilitated.
(b) The offender's behavior while incarcerated, including, but not
limited to the infractions and violations specified in division (C)(1)(a) of this
section, demonstrate that the offender continues to pose a threat to society.
(2) Regardless of the security level in which the offender is classified
at the time of the hearing, the offender has been placed by the department
in extended restrictive housing at any time within the year preceding the
date of the hearing.
(3) At the time of the hearing, the offender is classified by the
department as a security level three, four, or five, or at a higher security
level.
(D)(1) If the department of rehabilitation and correction, pursuant to
division (C) of this section, rebuts the presumption established under
division (B) of this section, the department may maintain the offender's
incarceration in a state correctional institution under the sentence after the
expiration of the offender's minimum prison term or, for offenders who have
a presumptive earned early release date, after the offender's presumptive
earned early release date. The department may maintain the offender's
incarceration under this division for an additional period of incarceration
determined by the department. The additional period of incarceration shall
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
be a reasonable period determined by the department, shall be specified by
the department, and shall not exceed the offender's maximum prison term.
(2) If the department maintains an offender's incarceration for an
additional period under division (D)(1) of this section, there shall be a
presumption that the offender shall be released on the expiration of the
offender's minimum prison term plus the additional period of incarceration
specified by the department as provided under that division or, for offenders
who have a presumptive earned early release date, on the expiration of the
additional period of incarceration to be served after the offender's
presumptive earned early release date that is specified by the department
as provided under that division. The presumption is a rebuttable
presumption that the department may rebut, but only if it conducts a hearing
and makes the determinations specified in division (C) of this section, and
if the department rebuts the presumption, it may maintain the offender's
incarceration in a state correctional institution for an additional period
determined as specified in division (D)(1) of this section. Unless the
department rebuts the presumption at the hearing, the offender shall be
released from service of the sentence on the expiration of the offender's
minimum prison term plus the additional period of incarceration specified by
the department or, for offenders who have a presumptive earned early
release date, on the expiration of the additional period of incarceration to be
served after the offender's presumptive earned early release date as
specified by the department.
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
The provisions of this division regarding the establishment of a
rebuttable presumption, the department's rebuttal of the presumption, and
the department's maintenance of an offender's incarceration for an
additional period of incarceration apply, and may be utilized more than one
time, during the remainder of the offender's incarceration. If the offender
has not been released under division (C) of this section or this division prior
to the expiration of the offender's maximum prison term imposed as part of
the offender's non-life felony indefinite prison term, the offender shall be
released upon the expiration of that maximum term.
{¶17} Appellant herein argues the portions of the statute which allow the
Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) to administratively extend his prison
term beyond his presumptive minimum prison term violate the United States and Ohio
Constitutions.
{¶18} Appellant, however, has not yet been subject to the application of these
provisions, as he has not yet served his minimum term, and therefore has not been denied
release at the expiration of his minimum term of incarceration.
{¶19} This Court recently analyzed an appeal of a sentence imposed pursuant to
the Reagan Tokes Act. See State v. Downard, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2019-0079,
2020-Ohio-4227. In Downward, the appellant entered a plea of guilty to robbery, a
second-degree felony, and assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony. The trial
court sentenced the appellant on September 23, 2019, pursuant to the Reagan Tokes
Act. On the robbery conviction, the trial court sentenced the appellant to a stated minimum
prison term of eight years. The trial court sentenced the appellant to a stated prison term
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
of twelve months for assault on a peace officer. The trial court ordered the sentences to
be served consecutively, for an aggregate minimum prison term of nine years and an
aggregate indefinite maximum prison term of thirteen years. Id. at ¶ 2. The appellant
appealed the sentence, arguing the Reagan Tokes Act violated his constitutional rights
to due process and trial by jury. Id. at ¶ 5.
{¶20} In Downward, we first discussed the legal concept of “ripeness for review”:
The Ohio Supreme Court discussed the concept of ripeness for
review in State ex rel. Elyria Foundry Co. v. Indus. Comm., 82 Ohio St.3d
88, 1998-Ohio-366, 694 N.E.2d 459:
Ripeness “is peculiarly a question of timing.” Regional Rail
Reorganization Act Cases (1974), 419 U.S. 102, 140, 95 S.Ct. 335, 357, 42
L.Ed.2d 320, 351. The ripeness doctrine is motivated in part by the desire
“to prevent the courts, through avoidance of premature adjudication, from
entangling themselves in abstract disagreements over administrative
policies * * *.” Abbott Laboratories v. Gardner (1967), 387 U.S. 136, 148, 87
S.Ct. 1507, 1515, 18 L.Ed.2d 681, 691. As one writer has observed:
The basic principle of ripeness may be derived from the conclusion
that ‘judicial machinery should be conserved for problems which are real or
present and imminent, not squandered on problems which are abstract or
hypothetical or remote.’ * * * [T]he prerequisite of ripeness is a limitation on
jurisdiction that is nevertheless basically optimistic as regards the prospects
of a day in court: the time for judicial relief is simply not yet arrived, even
though the alleged action of the defendant foretells legal injury to the plaintiff.
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
Comment, Mootness and Ripeness: The Postman Always Rings Twice
(1965), 65 Colum. L.Rev. 867, 876. Id. at 89, 694 N.E.2d at 460.
{¶21} Downard, at ¶¶ 8-9.
{¶22} We next found the Appellant's appeal of the constitutionality of the Reagan
Tokes Act was not ripe for review:
* * * [W]hile R.C. 2967.271 allows the DRC to rebut the presumption
Appellant will be released after serving his nine year minimum sentence and
potentially continue his incarceration to a term not exceeding thirteen years,
Appellant has not yet been subject to such action by the DRC, and thus the
constitutional issue is not yet ripe for our review.” Downard, at ¶ 11. We
determined the appropriate action for the Appellant “to challenge the
constitutionality of the presumptive release portions of R.C. 2967.271 is by
filing a writ of habeas corpus if he is not released at the conclusion of his
eight year minimum term of incarceration.
{¶23} Downard, at ¶ 12.
{¶24} We find that the issues presented in the current case are the same as those
raised in Downard. On January 24, 2020, the trial court sentenced Appellant to serve a
stated prison year of one year on Count 1, five to seven and one-half years on Count 2,
two years Count 3, nine months on Count 4, and nine months on Count 5 at the Orient
Reception Center. All counts were ordered to run consecutively for nine and one-half (9)
years to twelve (12) years. (T. at 30).
{¶25} There is no dispute that Appellant has not yet been subject to R.C.
§2967.271, which allows the DRC to rebut the presumption that Appellant will be released
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
after serving his minimum sentence of nine and one-half years and potentially continuing
his incarceration to a term not exceeding twelve years.
{¶26} We therefore find that the constitutional issues argued by Appellant,
pursuant to Downard, are not yet ripe for review.
{¶27} See, also, State v. Clark, 5th Dist. Licking No. 2020 CA 00017, 2020-Ohio-
5013; State v. Manion, 5th Dist. Tuscarawas No. 2020 AP 03 0009, 2020-Ohio-4230;
State v. Kibler, 5th Dist. Muskingum No. CT2020-0026, 2020-Ohio-4631 (constitutionality
of Reagan Tokes Law not ripe for review where defendant was not yet subject to
presumptive release provisions).
{¶28} Appellant’s First Assignment of Error is overruled.
II.
{¶29} In his Second Assignment of Error, Appellant contends that he was denied
effective assistance of trial counsel because trial counsel failed to challenge the
constitutionality of the Reagan Tokes law in the trial court.
{¶30} To prevail on a Sixth Amendment claim alleging ineffective assistance of
counsel, a defendant must show that his counsel's performance was deficient and that
his counsel's deficient performance prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 694 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). To show deficiency, a defendant must
show that “counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.”
Id., at 688, 104 S.Ct. 2052. And to establish prejudice, a defendant must show “that there
is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the
proceeding would have been different.” Id., at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052. See, also, Andrus,
v. Texas, U.S.__, 140 S.Ct. 1875, 1881, 207 L.Ed.2d 335(June 15, 2020).
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
{¶31} In the instant case, because the Reagan Tokes Law is not yet ripe for
review, the trial court did not err, plain or otherwise, in sentencing Appellant. As the statute
is not ripe for review, there is no reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s failure to
challenge the constitutionality of the Reagan Tokes Law, the result of the proceeding
would have been different.
{¶32} Appellant’s Second Assignment of Error is overruled.
III.
{¶33} In his Third Assignment of Error, Appellant argues that the trial court failed
to comply with R.C. §2929.19(B)(2)(c) because the court did not provide the requisite
notices at his sentencing hearing, and that the sentence is contrary to law.
{¶34} The language of R.C. §2929.19(B)(2)(c) became effective March 22, 2019,
and to date its application has not received close scrutiny. The relevant portions of this
statute provide that:
(B)(1) At the sentencing hearing, the court, before imposing
sentence, shall consider the record, any information presented at the
hearing by any person pursuant to division (A) of this section, and, if one
was prepared, the presentence investigation report made pursuant to
section 2951.03 of the Revised Code or Criminal Rule 32.2, and any victim
impact statement made pursuant to section 2947.051 of the Revised Code.
(2) Subject to division (B)(3) of this section, if the sentencing court
determines at the sentencing hearing that a prison term is necessary or
required, the court shall do all of the following:
(Emphasis added.)
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
{¶35} Subsection (B)(2)(c) sets out the notifications that are to be provided in
accordance with the directive of Subsections (B)(1) and (2) which mandates that the court
notify the offender at the sentencing hearing:
(c) If the prison term is a non-life felony indefinite prison term, notify
the offender of all of the following:
(i) That it is rebuttably presumed that the offender will be released
from service of the sentence on the expiration of the minimum prison term
imposed as part of the sentence or on the offender’s presumptive earned
early release date, as defined in section 2967.271 of the Revised Code,
whichever is earlier;
(ii) That the department of rehabilitation and correction may rebut the
presumption described in division (B)(2)(c)(i) of this section if, at a hearing
held under section 2967.271 of the Revised Code, the department makes
specified determinations regarding the offender’s conduct while confined,
the offender’s rehabilitation, the offender’s threat to society, the offender’s
restrictive housing, if any, while confined, and the offender’s security
classification;
(iii) That if, as described in division (B)(2)(c)(ii) of this section, the
department at the hearing makes the specified determinations and rebuts
the presumption, the department may maintain the offender’s incarceration
after the expiration of that minimum term or after that presumptive earned
early release date for the length of time the department determines to be
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
reasonable, subject to the limitation specified in section 2967.271 of the
Revised Code;
(iv) That the department may make the specified determinations and
maintain the offender’s incarceration under the provisions described in
divisions (B)(2)(c)(i) and (ii) of this section more than one time, subject to
the limitation specified in section 2967.271 of the Revised Code;
(v) That if the offender has not been released prior to the expiration
of the offender’s maximum prison term imposed as part of the sentence, the
offender must be released upon the expiration of that term.
(d) Notify the offender that the offender will be supervised under
section 2967.28 of the Revised Code after the offender leaves prison if the
offender is being sentenced, other than to a sentence of life imprisonment,
for a felony of the first degree or second degree, for a felony sex offense,
or for a felony of the third degree that is an offense of violence and is not a
felony sex offense. This division applies with respect to all prison terms
imposed for an offense of a type described in this division, including a non-
life felony indefinite prison term and including a term imposed for any
offense of a type described in this division that is a risk reduction sentence,
as defined in section 2967.28 of the Revised Code. If a court imposes a
sentence including a prison term of a type described in division (B)(2)(d) of
this section on or after July 11, 2006, the failure of a court to notify the
offender pursuant to division (B)(2)(d) of this section that the offender will
be supervised under section 2967.28 of the Revised Code after the offender
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
leaves prison or to include in the judgment of conviction entered on the
journal a statement to that effect does not negate, limit, or otherwise affect
the mandatory period of supervision that is required for the offender under
division (B) of section 2967.28 of the Revised Code. Section 2929.191 of
the Revised Code applies if, prior to July 11, 2006, a court imposed a
sentence including a prison term of a type described in division (B)(2)(d) of
this section and failed to notify the offender pursuant to division (B)(2)(d) of
this section regarding post-release control or to include in the judgment of
conviction entered on the journal or in the sentence a statement regarding
post-release control.
(e) Notify the offender that the offender may be supervised under
section 2967.28 of the Revised Code after the offender leaves prison if the
offender is being sentenced for a felony of the third, fourth, or fifth degree
that is not subject to division (B)(2)(d) of this section. This division applies
with respect to all prison terms imposed for an offense of a type described
in this division, including a term imposed for any such offense that is a risk
reduction sentence, as defined in section 2967.28 of the Revised Code.
Section 2929.191 of the Revised Code applies if, prior to July 11, 2006, a
court imposed a sentence including a prison term of a type described in
division (B)(2)(e) of this section and failed to notify the offender pursuant to
division (B)(2)(e) of this section regarding post-release control or to include
in the judgment of conviction entered on the journal or in the sentence a
statement regarding post-release control.
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
(f) Notify the offender that, if a period of supervision is imposed
following the offender’s release from prison, as described in division
(B)(2)(d) or (e) of this section, and if the offender violates that supervision
or a condition of post-release control imposed under division (B) of section
2967.131 of the Revised Code, the parole board may impose a prison term,
as part of the sentence, of up to one-half of the definite prison term originally
imposed upon the offender as the offender’s stated prison term or up to one-
half of the minimum prison term originally imposed upon the offender as
part of the offender’s stated non-life felony indefinite prison term. If a court
imposes a sentence including a prison term on or after July 11, 2006, the
failure of a court to notify the offender pursuant to division (B)(2)(f) of this
section that the parole board may impose a prison term as described in
division (B)(2)(f) of this section for a violation of that supervision or a
condition of post-release control imposed under division (B) of section
2967.131 of the Revised Code or to include in the judgment of conviction
entered on the journal a statement to that effect does not negate, limit, or
otherwise affect the authority of the parole board to so impose a prison term
for a violation of that nature if, pursuant to division (D)(1) of section 2967.28
of the Revised Code, the parole board notifies the offender prior to the
offender’s release of the board’s authority to so impose a prison term.
Section 2929.191 of the Revised Code applies if, prior to July 11, 2006, a
court imposed a sentence including a prison term and failed to notify the
offender pursuant to division (B)(2)(f) of this section regarding the possibility
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
of the parole board imposing a prison term for a violation of supervision or
a condition of post-release control.
(g)(i)1 Determine, notify the offender of, and include in the
sentencing entry the total number of days, including the sentencing date but
excluding conveyance time, that the offender has been confined for any
reason arising out of the offense for which the offender is being sentenced
and by which the department of rehabilitation and correction must reduce
the definite prison term imposed on the offender as the offender’s stated
prison term or, if the offense is an offense for which a non-life felony
indefinite prison term is imposed under division (A)(1)(a) or (2)(a) of section
2929.14 of the Revised Code, the minimum and maximum prison terms
imposed on the offender as part of that non-life felony indefinite prison term,
under section 2967.191 of the Revised Code. The court’s calculation shall
not include the number of days, if any, that the offender served in the
custody of the department of rehabilitation and correction arising out of any
prior offense for which the prisoner was convicted and sentenced.
{¶36} Thus, the trial court must provide the information described in R.C.
§2929.19(B)(2)(c) to a defendant at the sentencing hearing to fulfill the requirements of
the statute.
{¶37} In this case, the court gave no advisement of any of the requirements set
forth in R.C. §2929.19(B) at the sentencing hearing held January 24, 2020 and, therefore,
we find that the sentence is contrary to law.
{¶38} Appellant’s Third Assignment of Error is sustained.
[Cite as State v. Wolfe, 2020-Ohio-5501.]
IV. and V.
{¶39} Because we reverse and remand the decision of the Licking County Court of
Common Pleas for resentencing, we find Appellant’s Fourth and Fifth Assignments of Error
to be premature.
{¶40} Based on the foregoing, we reverse and remand the decision of the Licking
County Court of Common Pleas for resentencing consistent with law and this opinion.
By Wise, John, J.
Wise, Earle, J., concurs.
Gwin, J., concurs in part and dissents in part.
JWW/kw 1117
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 19
Gwin, J., concurs in part; dissents in part
{¶41} I respectfully dissent from the majority’s opinion concerning ripeness and
Appellant’s First and Second Assignments of Error. I concur in the majority’s disposition of
Appellant’s Third and Fourth Assignments of Error.
I.& II.
Ripeness.
{¶42} Ripeness reflects constitutional considerations that implicate “Article III
limitations on judicial power,” as well as “prudential reasons for refusing to exercise
jurisdiction.” Reno v. Catholic Social Services, Inc., 509 U.S. 43, 57, n. 18, 113 S.Ct. 2485,
125 L.Ed.2d 38 (1993). In evaluating a claim to determine whether it is ripe for judicial
review, courts should consider both “the fitness of the issues for judicial decision” and “the
hardship of withholding court consideration.” National Park Hospitality Assn. v. Department
of Interior, 538 U.S. 803, 808, 123 S.Ct. 2026, 155 L.Ed.2d 1017 (2003). The Supreme
Court has stated that the “basic rationale” of the ripeness doctrine “is to prevent the courts,
through premature adjudication, from entangling themselves in abstract disagreements.”
Abbott Laboratories v. Gardner, 387 U.S. 136, 148, 87 S.Ct. 1507, 18 L.Ed.2d 681 (1967).
{¶43} In determining the “likelihood” that an injury will come to pass, the Supreme
Court has made clear that “[o]ne does not have to await consummation of threatened injury
to obtain preventive relief.” Blum v. Yaretsky, 457 U.S. 991, 1000, 102 S.Ct. 2777, 73
L.Ed.2d 534 (1982). For example, in the Regional Rail Reorganization Act Cases, 419 U.S.
102, 95 S.Ct. 335, 42 L.Ed.2d 320 (1974), the Court deemed ripe an action brought by eight
major railroads challenging the conveyance of their property to Conrail. Although a
reorganization plan had not yet been formulated and a special court had not yet ordered the
conveyances, the Court reasoned that “where the inevitability of the operation of a statute
against certain individuals is patent, it is irrelevant to the existence of a justiciable
controversy that there will be a time delay before the disputed provisions will come into
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 20
effect.” Id. at 143, 95 S.Ct. 335. Although not requiring “inevitability,” the Court has held
that a claim is ripe when it is “highly probable” that the alleged harm or injury will occur.
{¶44} “Three factors guide the ripeness inquiry: ‘(1) the likelihood that the harm
alleged by the plaintiffs will ever come to pass; (2) whether the factual record is sufficiently
developed to produce a fair adjudication of the merits of the parties’ respective claims; and
(3) the hardship to the parties if judicial relief is denied at this stage in the proceedings.’ ”
Berry v. Schmitt, 688 F.3d 290, 298 (6th Cir. 2012) (quoting Grace Cmty. Church v. Lenox
Twp., 544 F.3d 609, 615 (6th Cir. 2008)). See also, Reno v. Catholic Social Services, Inc.,
509 U.S.43, 71, 113 S.Ct. 2485, 125 L.Ed.2d 38(1993)(O’Conner, J. concurring)(“These are
just the kinds of factors identified in the two-part, prudential test for ripeness that Abbott
Laboratories [v. Gardner, 387 U.S. 136, 87 S.Ct. 1507, 18 L.Ed.2d 681(1967)] articulated.
“The problem is best seen in a twofold aspect, requiring us to evaluate both the fitness of
the issues for judicial decision and the hardship to the parties of withholding court
consideration.” 387 U.S. at 149, 87 S.Ct. at 1515. See Thomas v. Union Carbide
Agricultural Products Co., 473 U.S. 568, 581–582, 105 S.Ct. 3325, 3333, 87 L.Ed.2d 409(1985) (relying upon Abbott Laboratories test); Pacific Gas, supra, 461 U.S. at 200–203,
103 S.Ct., at 1720–1721 (same); National Crushed Stone, supra, 449 U.S. at 72–73, n. 12,
101 S.Ct., at 301–302, n. 12 (same).”). As the court in Riva v. Commonwealth of
Massachusetts noted,
Although it is a familiar bromide that courts should not labor to protect a party
against harm that is merely remote or contingent, see, e.g., Ernst & Young, 45 F.3d
at 536; Massachusetts Ass’n of Afro–Am. Police, 973 F.2d at 20; Lincoln House v.
Dupre, 903 F.2d 845, 847 (1st Cir. 1990), there is some play in the joints. For
example, even when the direct application of a statute is open to a charge of
remoteness by reason of a lengthy, built-in time delay before the statute takes effect,
ripeness may be found as long as the statute’s operation is inevitable (or nearly so).
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 21
See, e.g., Regional Rail Reorg. Act Cases, 419 U.S. 102, 142–43, 95 S.Ct. 335, 357–
58, 42 L.Ed.2d 320 (1974). And, even when the direct application of such a statute
is subject to some degree of contingency, the statute may impose sufficiently serious
collateral injuries that an inquiring court will deem the hardship component satisfied.
See Erwin Chemerinsky, Federal Jurisdiction § 2.4.2, at 121–22 (2d ed. 1994). In
general, collateral effects can rise to this level when a statute indirectly permits
private action that causes present harm, or when a party must decide currently
whether to expend substantial resources that would be largely or entirely wasted if
the issue were later resolved in an unfavorable way. See, e.g., Pacific Gas, 461 U.S.
at 201, 103 S.Ct. at 1720–21; Duke Power Co. v. Carolina Envtl. Study Group, Inc.,
438 U.S. 59, 81–82, 98 S.Ct. 2620, 2634–35, 57 L.Ed.2d 595 (1978)
61 F.3d 1003, 1010(1st Cir. 1995).
In United Public Workers v. Mitchell, 330 U.S. 75, 67 S.Ct. 556, 91
L.Ed. 754 (1947), the Supreme Court held that review of the Hatch Act, which
prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain political activities, was
non-justiciable with respect to those plaintiff-employees who had not yet
engaged in any of the prohibited activity. Subsequently, however, the Court
relaxed Mitchell’s strict approach to justiciability. If the injury is clearly
impending, the Court has held that the plaintiffs need not await consummation
of the injury to bring their suit. Babbitt v. United Farm Workers National Union,
442 U.S. 289, 298, 99 S.Ct. 2301, 2308, 60 L.Ed.2d 895 (1979); Regional Rail
Reorganization Act Cases, 419 U.S. 102, 143, 95 S.Ct. 335, 358, 42 L.Ed.2d
320 (1974); Steffel v. Thompson, 415 U.S. 452, 459, 94 S.Ct. 1209, 1215, 39
L.Ed.2d 505 (1974); Pennsylvania v. West Virginia, 262 U.S. 553, 593, 43
S.Ct. 658, 663, 67 L.Ed. 1117 (1923).
Signorelli v. Evans, 637 F.2d 853, 856-857(2nd Cir. 1980).
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 22
{¶45} The Ohio Supreme Court has interpreted a “justiciable matter” to mean the
existence of an actual controversy, a genuine dispute between adverse parties. State ex
rel. Barclays Bank PLC v. Hamilton Cty. Court of Common Pleas, 74 Ohio St.3d 535, 542,
660 N.E.2d 458 (1996). In order for a justiciable question to exist, the “threat” to a party’s
position “must be actual and genuine and not merely possible or remote.” M6 Motors, Inc.
v. Nissan of N. Olmsted, L.L.C., 2014-Ohio-2537, 14 N.E.3d 1054, ¶ 17, citing Mid–Am. Fire
& Cas. Co. v. Heasley, 113 Ohio St.3d 133, 2007-Ohio-1248, 863 N.E.2d 142, ¶ 9.
{¶46} In the present case, every individual throughout the State of Ohio who is
convicted of a first- or second-degree felony must be sentenced under the Reagan Tokes
Law. It is a virtual certainty that a number of those individuals, perhaps a significantly large
number, will have the DRC extend his or her incarceration beyond the presumed release
date. This is not an abstract or hypothetical case; rather, it is a virtual certainty to occur.
Under Reagan Tokes, the question is not if a defendant will be denied his or her presumptive
release date; but rather when a defendant’s sentence will be extended.
{¶47} The record before this Court is sufficiently developed to allow us to produce a
fair adjudication of the merits of the parties’ respective claims. It is not unusual for courts to
be asked to pass upon the constitutionality of statute. The constitutional arguments are
capable of being addressed in the present appeal.
{¶48} I would call attention to the fact that other jurisdictions have implicitly
determined the issue to be ripe for review by addressing the constitutional challenge to the
Reagan Tokes provisions regarding future, possible extensions of a prison term beyond the
presumed minimum term. The Second District Court of Appeals found the law constitutional
in State v. Barnes, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 28613, 2020-Ohio-4150, State v. Leet, 2nd
Dist. Montgomery No. 28670, 2020-Ohio-4592, and State v. Ferguson, 2nd Dist.
Montgomery No. 28644, 2020-Ohio-4153. The Third District found the law constitutional in
State v. Hacker, 3rd Dist. Logan No. 8-20-01, 2020-Ohio-5048. The Twelfth District Court of
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 23
Appeals also determined the law was constitutional in State v. Guyton, 12th Dist. Butler No.
CA2019-12-203, 2020-Ohio-3837, State v. Rodgers, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2019-11-194,
2020-Ohio-4102, and State v. Morris, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2019-12-205, 2020-Ohio-
4103. I further note that the Sixth District has certified the ripeness issue to the Ohio
Supreme Court as being in conflict with the decisions from the Second and Twelfth Districts
that have found the law constitutional. State v. Velliquette, 6th Dist. Logan No. L-19-1232,
2020-Ohio-4855.
{¶49} The hardship to the parties if judicial relief is denied at this stage in the
proceedings is real and immense. Now, the indigent appellant, who wishes to raise a
constitutional challenge to the law in his or her direct appeal as of right has the assistance
of appointed counsel. If, for example, the appellant must wait for two years for the DRC to
extend his sentence, both the inmate and the courts will face a myriad of legal hurdles.
First, how will the inmate inform the court of his or her desire to appeal the constitutionally
of the law? Next, is the inmate entitled to appointed counsel to pursue such an appeal? If
the inmate is not, then an incarcerated inmate with limited legal resources and acumen will
have to cobble together a highly involved constitutional argument without the assistance of
counsel and with extremely limited access to legal resources. It will also become evident
that the DRC decision extending the inmate’s sentence is not part of the trial court record.
In order to establish that the inmate’s sentence was in fact extended, will the trial court be
required to order the DRC to file its decision with the clerk of courts for inclusion in the trial
and appellate court records. Further, if the law is declared unconstitutional years from now,
courts will be inundated with writs of habeas corpus, motions and other request for release
or resentencing from the hundreds of inmates who were sentenced under the law and not
permitted to appeal the constitutionality of the law in the inmate’s direct appeal. Finally, the
inmate could potentially have been incarcerated perhaps years beyond his release date for
the time it takes to decide the issue in the event the law is found to be unconstitutional.
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 24
{¶50} In addition, if the law is declared constitutional or unconstitutional, that holding
will apply, not just to the single inmate whose appeal is under consideration, but also to all
inmates that have been sentenced under the new law.
{¶51} It is clear on these facts that Appellant has demonstrated sufficient hardship,
and that the question of the constitutionality of the Reagan Tokes Law is fit for our review
at this time. I find that nothing is to be gained by postponing for possibly years the
unavoidable constitutional challenge to the Reagan Tokes provisions regarding future,
possible extensions of a prison term beyond the presumed minimum term.
The Reagan Tokes Law.
{¶52} The Reagan Tokes Law (S.B. 201) was enacted in 2018 and became effective
on March 22, 2019. The Reagan Tokes Law, “significantly altered the sentencing structure
for many of Ohio’s most serious felonies’ by implementing an indefinite sentencing system
for those non-life felonies of the first and second degree, committed on or after the effective
date.” State v. Polley, 6th Dist. Ottawa No. OT-19-039, 2020-Ohio-3213, ¶ 5, fn. 1.
{¶53} As with any statute enacted by the General Assembly, the Reagan Tokes Law
is entitled to a “strong presumption of constitutionality.” State v. Romage, 138 Ohio St.3d
390, 2014-Ohio-783, 7 N.E.3d 1156, ¶ 7. Thus, “if at all possible, statutes must be
construed in conformity with the Ohio and the United States Constitutions.” State v. Collier,
62 Ohio St.3d 267, 269, 581 N.E.2d 552 (1991). A party challenging the constitutionality of
a statute bears the burden of proving that it is unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt.
State v. Bloomer, 122 Ohio St.3d 200, 2009-Ohio-2462, 909 N.E.2d 1254, ¶ 41, citing State
v. Ferguson, 120 Ohio St.3d 7, 2008-Ohio-4824, 896 N.E.2d 110, ¶ 12.
{¶54} The power to define criminal offenses and prescribe punishment is vested in
the legislative branch of government and courts may only impose sentences as provided by
statute. Whalen v. United States, 445 U.S. 684, 689, 100 S.Ct. 1432, 63 L.Ed.2d 715Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 25
(1980); Brown v. Ohio, 432 U.S. 161, 165, 97 S.Ct. 2221, 53 L.Ed.2d 187 (1977). In the
case at bar, the legislature has authorized as a sentence for a felony of the first degree,
(1)(a) For a felony of the first degree committed on or after the effective date
of this amendment, the prison term shall be an indefinite prison term with a stated
minimum term selected by the court of three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
or eleven years and a maximum term that is determined pursuant to section
2929.144 of the Revised Code, except that if the section that criminalizes the conduct
constituting the felony specifies a different minimum term or penalty for the offense,
the specific language of that section shall control in determining the minimum term
or otherwise sentencing the offender but the minimum term or sentence imposed
under that specific language shall be considered for purposes of the Revised Code
as if it had been imposed under this division.
R.C. 2929.14(A)(1)(a).
{¶55} The legislature has authorized as a sentence for a felony of the second
degree,
(2)(a) For a felony of the second degree committed on or after the effective
date of this amendment, the prison term shall be an indefinite prison term with a
stated minimum term selected by the court of two, three, four, five, six, seven, or
eight years and a maximum term that is determined pursuant to section 2929.144 of
the Revised Code, except that if the section that criminalizes the conduct constituting
the felony specifies a different minimum term or penalty for the offense, the specific
language of that section shall control in determining the minimum term or otherwise
sentencing the offender but the minimum term or sentence imposed under that
specific language shall be considered for purposes of the Revised Code as if it had
been imposed under this division. (R.C. 2929.14(A)(2)(a)).
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 26
{¶56} Indefinite sentences are not new to Ohio. In fact, the preSB2 sentence for a
felony of the first degree, the defendant could have received an indeterminate minimum
sentence of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten years up to a maximum of twenty-five years.
See, State v. Davis, 9th Dist. Summit No. 13092, 1987 WL 25743(Nov. 25, 1987), citing
former R.C. 2929.11. The pre-SB2 sentence for a felony of the second degree was as
follows,
Whoever is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony other than aggravated
murder or murder . . . shall be imprisoned for an indefinite term...
(B)(5) For a felony of the second degree, the minimum term shall be two,
three, four or five years, and the maximum shall be fifteen years.
See, State v. Jenks, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 10264, 1987 WL 20267(Nov. 16, 1987),
citing former R.C. 2929.1. What is different from prior law regarding indefinite sentences is
that the Reagan Tokes Law has created a presumptive release date.
{¶57} The Reagan Tokes Law requires that a court imposing a prison term under
R.C. 2929.14(A)(1)(a) or (2)(a) for a first- or second-degree felony committed on or after
March 22, 2019, impose a minimum prison term under that provision and a maximum prison
term determined under R.C. 2929.144(B); R.C. 2929.144(C). Further, under the Reagan
Tokes Law, there is a presumption that the offender “shall be released from service of the
sentence on the expiration of the offender’s minimum prison term or on the offender’s
presumptive earned early release date, whichever is earlier.” R.C. 2967.271(B) (emphasis
added). A presumptive earned early release date is a date determined under procedures
described in R.C. 2967.271(F), which allow the sentencing court to reduce the minimum
prison term under certain circumstances. R.C. 2967.271(A)(2). The DRC may rebut the
presumption if it determines at a hearing that one or more statutorily numerated factors
apply. R.C. 2967.271(C). If DRC rebuts the presumption, it may maintain the offender’s
incarceration after the expiration of the minimum prison term or presumptive earned early
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 27
release date for a reasonable period of time, determined and specified by DRC that “shall
not exceed the offender’s maximum prison term.” R.C. 2967.271(D)(1).
Right to a jury trial to determine to rebut the presumptive release.
{¶58} Wolfe first argues that Reagan Tokes violates his right to have a jury
determine any increase in punishment beyond that authorized by the jury’s verdict and
findings, citing Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 238, 147 L.Ed.2d
435(2000) and Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d
403(2004).
{¶59} In Apprendi, a jury convicted the defendant of a gun crime that carried a
maximum prison sentence of 10 years. But then a judge sought to impose a longer
sentence pursuant to a statute that authorized him to do so if he found, by a preponderance
of the evidence, that the defendant had committed the crime with racial bias. Apprendi held
this scheme unconstitutional. “[A]ny fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the
prescribed statutory maximum,” this Court explained, “must be submitted to a jury, and
proved beyond a reasonable doubt” or admitted by the defendant. 530 U. S. at 490, 120
S.Ct. 2348. Nor may a State evade this traditional restraint on the judicial power by simply
calling the process of finding new facts and imposing a new punishment a judicial
“sentencing enhancement.” Id., at 495, 120 S.Ct. 2348. “[T]he relevant inquiry is one not
of form, but of effect—does the required [judicial] finding expose the defendant to a greater
punishment than that authorized by the jury’s guilty verdict?” Id., at 494, 120 S.Ct. 2348.
{¶60} In Alleyne v. United States, 570 U.S. ––––, 133 S.Ct. 2151, 186 L.Ed.2d 314(2013), the United States Supreme Court address, a case concerning mandatory minimum
sentences and the Sixth Amendment. In Alleyne, the jury relied on the testimony of the
victim of an armed robbery that one of the perpetrators possessed a gun. The trial court
relied on the same testimony to determine that Alleyne or his accomplice brandished a gun.
The testimony was the same, but the findings were different. The jury found that Alleyne
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 28
possessed a gun, but made no finding with regard to whether the weapon was brandished.
The court, however determined that the gun was brandished. The Supreme Court reviewed
the statutory punishment structure, which included a mandatory minimum sentence of five
years if a crime of violence was committed while the offender carried a firearm, seven years
if the firearm was brandished, and ten years if the firearm was discharged during the crime.
18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A). The crime was otherwise punishable by a term of imprisonment not
exceeding 20 years. 18 U.S.C.1951 (a). The court held that where facts were not found by
a jury that enhanced the mandatory minimum penalty for a crime, principles of the Sixth
Amendment were violated. Alleyne at paragraph one of the syllabus. Specifically,
“[b]ecause mandatory minimum sentences increase the penalty for a crime, any fact that
increases the mandatory minimum is an ‘element’ that must be submitted to the jury.” Id.See, State v. Fort, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100346, 2014-Ohio-3412, ¶29. However, the
majority in Alleyne was careful to declare that,
In holding that facts that increase mandatory minimum sentences must be
submitted to the jury, we take care to note what our holding does not entail. Our
ruling today does not mean that any fact that influences judicial discretion must be
found by a jury. We have long recognized that broad sentencing discretion, informed
by judicial fact-finding, does not violate the Sixth Amendment. See, e .g., Dillon v.
United States, 560 U.S. 817, ––––, 130 S.Ct. 2683, 2692, 177 L.Ed.2d 271 (2010)
(“[W]ithin established limits [,] ... the exercise of [sentencing] discretion does not
contravene the Sixth Amendment even if it is informed by judge-found facts”
(emphasis deleted and internal quotation marks omitted)); Apprendi, 530 U.S., at
481, 120 S.Ct. 2348 (“[N]othing in this history suggests that it is impermissible for
judges to exercise discretion—taking into consideration various factors relating both
to offense and offender—in imposing a judgment within the range prescribed by
statute”).
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 29
Alleyne, 133 S.Ct. at 2163, 186 L.Ed.2d 314. See also, State v. Salim, 5th Dist. Guernsey
No. 13 CA 28, 2014-Ohio-357, ¶19.
{¶61} Under the Reagan Tokes Law, the judge imposes both a minimum and a
maximum sentence. Judicial fact-finding is not required. In Ohio, “trial courts have full
discretion to impose a prison sentence within the statutory range and are no longer required
to make findings or give their reasons for imposing maximum, consecutive, or more than
the minimum sentences.” State v. Kalish, 120 Ohio St.3d 23, 2008–Ohio–4912, 896 N.E.2d
124 paragraphs 1 and 11. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (“DRC”) is not
permitted to extend a sentence imposed by the trial court beyond the maximum sentence
imposed by the trial court. Further, the facts which postpone an inmate’s release date are
facts found as a result of prison disciplinary proceedings, not the underlying crime. To
extend Wolfe’s argument to its logical end it would be necessary for the courts to invalidate
punishment as a result of internal prison disciplinary proceedings entirely, or require all rule
infractions to be tried before a jury.
{¶62} It is evident that Apprendi and its progeny have no application in a prison
disciplinary setting where the DRC does not have the authority to extend the inmate’s
sentence beyond the maximum sentence imposed by the trial judge.
An incarcerated individual does not have a constitutional right to parole or
release before serving his entire sentence.
{¶63} An inmate has no constitutional right to parole release before the expiration of
his sentence. Greenholtz v. Inmates of the Nebraska Penal & Corr. Complex, 442 U.S. 1,
7, 99 S.Ct. 2100, 60 L.Ed.2d 668 (1979). The Ohio Adult Parole Authority has “wide-ranging
discretion in parole matters.” Layne v. Ohio Adult Parole Auth., 97 Ohio St.3d 456, 2002-
Ohio-6719, 780 N.E.2d 548, ¶ 28. See also, State ex rel. Bailey v. Ohio Parole Board, 152
Ohio St.3d 426, 2017-Ohio-9202, 97 N.E.3d 433, ¶9.
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 30
{¶64} The Supreme Court has made it clear that a mere unilateral hope or
expectation of release on parole is not enough to constitute a protected liberty interest; the
prisoner “must, instead, have a legitimate claim of entitlement to it.” Greenholtz, 422 U.S.
at 7, 99 S.Ct. at 2104 (quoting Board of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 577, 92 S.Ct. 2701,
2709, 33 L.Ed.2d 548 (1972)) (emphasis supplied). Moreover, only state law can create
this “legitimate claim of entitlement”; the federal constitution protects such claims, but does
not create them. “There is no constitutional or inherent right of a convicted person to be
conditionally released [i.e., released on parole] before the expiration of a valid sentence.”
Greenholtz, 442 U.S. at 7, 99 S.Ct. at 2104. Accord, Inmates of Orient Correctional Institute
v. Ohio State Parole Board, 929 F.2d 233, 235(6th Cir 1991).
{¶65} However, if state law entitles an inmate to release on parole that entitlement
is a liberty interest that is not to be taken away without due process. See Greenholtz v.
Inmates of the Nebraska Penal & Correctional Complex, 442 U.S. 1, 99 S.Ct. 2100, 60
L.Ed.2d 668 (1979), where the Supreme Court so held in the context of a statute providing
that the Nebraska parole board “shall” release parole-eligible inmates unless one of several
factors specified in the statute should be found to exist.
{¶66} As relevant here, R.C. 2967.271(B) states:
(B) When an offender is sentenced to a non-life felony indefinite prison term,
there shall be a presumption that the person shall be released from service of the
sentence on the expiration of the offender’s minimum prison term or on the offender’s
presumptive earned early release date, whichever is earlier. (Emphasis added).
{¶67} Also relevant is R.C. 2967.271(C), which states:
(C) The presumption established under division (B) of this section is a
rebuttable presumption that the department of rehabilitation and correction may rebut
as provided in this division. Unless the department rebuts the presumption, the
offender shall be released from service of the sentence on the expiration of the
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 31
offender’s minimum prison term or on the offender’s presumptive earned early
release date, whichever is earlier. The department may rebut the presumption only
if the department determines, at a hearing, that one or more of the following applies:
(1) Regardless of the security level in which the offender is classified at the
time of the hearing, both of the following apply:
(a) During the offender’s incarceration, the offender committed institutional
rule infractions that involved compromising the security of a state correctional
institution, compromising the safety of the staff of a state correctional institution or its
inmates, or physical harm or the threat of physical harm to the staff of a state
correctional institution or its inmates, or committed a violation of law that was not
prosecuted, and the infractions or violations demonstrate that the offender has not
been rehabilitated.
(b) The offender’s behavior while incarcerated, including, but not limited to the
infractions and violations specified in division (C)(1)(a) of this section, demonstrate
that the offender continues to pose a threat to society.
(2) Regardless of the security level in which the offender is classified at the
time of the hearing, the offender has been placed by the department in extended
restrictive housing at any time within the year preceding the date of the hearing.
(3) At the time of the hearing, the offender is classified by the department as
a security level three, four, or five, or at a higher security level.
{¶68} The legislature by choosing the language “there shall be a presumption that
the person shall be released” and “Unless the department rebuts the presumption, the
offender shall be released,” within the Reagan Tokes Law has arguably created enforceable
liberty interests in parole. Board of Pardons v. Allen, 482 U.S. 369, 107 S.Ct. 2415, 96
L.Ed.2d 303 (1987). See, also, Inmates of Orient Correctional Institute v. Ohio State Adult
Parole Authority, 929 F.2d 233, 236-237(6th Cir. 1991(“Although the power to deny parole
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 32
is purely discretionary as far as Ohio’s statutes are concerned, the state’s administrative
regulations must also be considered. If Ohio’s regulations created an explicit presumption
of entitlement to release on parole—as Tennessee’s regulations formerly did, see Mayes
v. Trammell, 751 F.2d 175, 178 (6th Cir. 1984)—or if the Ohio regulations otherwise used
“‘mandatory language’ in connection with ‘specific substantive predicates’ ” for release on
parole, see Beard v. Livesay, 798 F.2d 874, 877 (6th Cir.1986) (quoting Hewitt v. Helms,
459 U.S. 460, 472, 103 S.Ct. 864, 871, 74 L.Ed.2d 675 (1983)), the regulations alone could
create a protected liberty interest.”). Cf. State, ex rel. Bailey v. Ohio Parole Board, 152 Ohio
St.3d 426, 2017-Ohio-9202, 97 N.E.3d 433, ¶ 10 (“The Revised Code creates an inherent
expectation ‘that a criminal offender will receive meaningful consideration for parole.’”
(Citing Layne v. Ohio Adult Parole Auth., 97 Ohio St.3d 456, 2002-Ohio-6719, 780 N.E.2d
548, ¶ 27).
{¶69} “As for the Due Process Clause, standard analysis under that provision
proceeds in two steps: We first ask whether there exists a liberty or property interest of
which a person has been deprived, and if so we ask whether the procedures followed by
the State were constitutionally sufficient. Kentucky Dept. of Corrections v. Thompson, 490
U.S. 454, 460, 109 S.Ct. 1904, 104 L.Ed.2d 506 (1989).” Swarthout v. Cooke, 562 U.S.
216, 219-220, 131 S.Ct. 859, 178 L.Ed.2d 732(2011). Assuming arguendo that the
language chosen by the legislature has been created an enforceable liberty interest in
parole by the express terms of the Reagan Tokes Act, the question now becomes what
process is due in the prison setting.
Due Process in the prison setting.
{¶70} When a State creates a liberty interest, the Due Process Clause requires fair
procedures for its vindication—and courts will review the application of those constitutionally
required procedures. Swarthout v. Cooke, 562 U.S. 216, 220, 131 S.Ct. 859, 178 L.Ed.2d
732(2011).
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 33
{¶71} In the context of parole, the United States Supreme Court has held that the
procedures required are minimal. In Greenholtz, the Court found that a prisoner subject to
a parole statute received adequate process when he was allowed an opportunity to be heard
and was provided a statement of the reasons why parole was denied. Id. at 16, 99 S.Ct.
2100. “The Constitution,” we held, “does not require more.” Swarthout v. Cooke, 562 U.S.
216, 220, 131 S.Ct. 859, 178 L.Ed.2d 732(2011).
{¶72} In Woods v. Telb, the Ohio Supreme Court made the following observation
concerning Ohio law,
Under the [pre-SB2] system of parole, a sentencing judge, imposing an
indefinite sentence with the possibility of parole, had limited power or authority to
control the minimum time to be served before the offender’s release on parole; the
judge could control the maximum length of the prison sentence, but the judge had no
power over when parole might be granted in between those parameters. The judge
had no power to control the conditions of parole or the length of the parole
supervision.
***
But, we observe that for as long as parole has existed in Ohio, the executive
branch (the APA1 and its predecessors) has had absolute discretion over that portion
of an offender’s sentence. See State ex rel. Atty. Gen. v. Peters (1885), 43 Ohio St.
629, 4 N.E. 81.
***
Woods v. Telb, 89 Ohio St.3d at 511-512, 733 N.E.2d 1103.
{¶73} Although entitled to the protection under the Due Process Clause, “prison
disciplinary proceedings are not part of a criminal prosecution, and the full panoply of rights
due a defendant in such proceedings does not apply.” Wolfe v. McDonnell, 416 U.S. 539,
1 Adult Parole Authority
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 34
556, 94 S.Ct. 2963, 41 L.Ed.2d 935(1974) (citations omitted). In Wolfe, the United States
Supreme Court observed,
In striking the balance that the Due Process Clause demands, however, we
think the major consideration militating against adopting the full range of procedures
suggested by Morrissey [v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 92 S.Ct. 2593, 33 L.Ed.2d
484(1972)] for alleged parole violators is the very different stake the State has in the
structure and content of the prison disciplinary hearing. That the revocation of parole
be justified and based on an accurate assessment of the facts is a critical matter to
the State as well as the parolee; but the procedures by which it is determined whether
the conditions of parole have been breached do not themselves threaten other
important state interests, parole officers, the police, or witnesses—at least no more
so than in the case of the ordinary criminal trial. Prison disciplinary proceedings, on
the other hand, take place in a closed, tightly controlled environment peopled by
those who have chosen to violate the criminal law and who have been lawfully
incarcerated for doing so. Some are first offenders, but many are recidivists who
have repeatedly employed illegal and often very violent means to attain their ends.
They may have little regard for the safety of others or their property or for the rules
designed to provide an orderly and reasonably safe prison life. Although there are
very many varieties of prisons with different degrees of security, we must realize that
in many of them the inmates are closely supervised and their activities controlled
around the clock. Guards and inmates co-exist in direct and intimate contact.
Tension between them is unremitting. Frustration, resentment, and despair are
commonplace. Relationships among the inmates are varied and complex and
perhaps subject to the unwritten code that exhorts inmates not to inform on a fellow
prisoner.
416 U.S. 539, 561-562, 94 S.Ct. 2963, 41 L.Ed.2d 935. Indeed, it has been noted,
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 35
“[C]ourts are ill equipped to deal with the increasingly urgent problems of
prison administration and reform.” [Procunier v. Martinez, 416 U.S. 396, 405, 94
S.Ct. 1800, 40 L.Ed.2d 224(1974), overruled on other grounds by Thornburgh v.
Abbott, 490 U.S. 401, 413(1989)]. As the Martinez Court acknowledged, “the
problems of prisons in America are complex and intractable, and, more to the point,
they are not readily susceptible of resolution by decree.” Id., at 404–405, 94 S.Ct. at
1807. Running a prison is an inordinately difficult undertaking that requires expertise,
planning, and the commitment of resources, all of which are peculiarly within the
province of the legislative and executive branches of government. Prison
administration is, moreover, a task that has been committed to the responsibility of
those branches, and separation of powers concerns counsel a policy of judicial
restraint. Where a state penal system is involved, federal courts have, as we
indicated in Martinez, additional reason to accord deference to the appropriate prison
authorities. See id., at 405, 94 S.Ct. at 1807.
Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78, 84-85, 107 S.Ct. 2254, 96 L.Ed.2d 64(1987). “Viewed in this
light it is immediately apparent that one cannot automatically apply procedural rules
designed for free citizens in an open society, or for parolees or probationers under only
limited restraints, to the very different situation presented by a disciplinary proceeding in a
state prison.” Wolfe v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. at 560, 94 S.Ct. 2963, 41 L.Ed.2d 935.
{¶74} The Courts have found therefore, that the following procedures should be
accorded to prisoners facing prison disciplinary proceedings: 1). a prisoner is entitled to a
review unaffected by “arbitrary” decision-making. Wolfe, 418 U.S. at 557-558; (See, Ohio
Adm. Code 5120-9-08). 2). Advance written notice of the claimed violation. Wolfe, 418
U.S. at 563. (See, Ohio Adm. Code 5120:1-8-12). 3). A written statement of the fact finders
as to the evidence relied upon and the reasons for the disciplinary action taken. Wolfe, 418
U.S. at 563. (See, Ohio Adm. Code 5120-9-08(M); Ohio Adm. Code 5120:1-11(G)(1)). 4).
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 36
Prison officials must have the necessary discretion to keep the hearing within reasonable
limits and to refuse to call witnesses that may create a risk of reprisal or undermine authority,
as well as to limit access to other inmates to collect statements or to compile other
documentary evidence. Wolfe, 418 U.S. at 566. (See, Ohio Adm. Code 5120-9-08(E) (3);
Ohio Adm. Code 5120-9-08(F)). 5). Where an illiterate inmate is involved, however, or
whether the complexity of the issue makes it unlikely that the inmate will be able to collect
and present the evidence necessary for an adequate comprehension of the case, he should
be free to seek the aid of a fellow inmate, or if that is forbidden, to have adequate substitute
aid in the form of help from the staff or from a sufficiently competent inmate designated by
the staff. Wolfe, 418 U.S. at 570. (See, Ohio Adm. Code 5120-9-07(H)(1)).
{¶75} In the case at bar, in order to rebut the presumptive release date, the DRC
must conduct a hearing and determine whether any of the following factors are applicable:
During the offender’s incarceration, the offender committed institutional rule
infractions that involved compromising the security of a state correctional institution,
compromising the safety of the staff of a state correctional institution or its inmates,
or physical harm or the threat of physical harm to the staff of a state correctional
institution or its inmates, or committed a violation of law that was not prosecuted, and
the infractions or violations demonstrate that the offender has not been rehabilitated
[and] [t]he offender’s behavior while incarcerated, including, but not limited to the
infractions and violations specified in division (C)(1)(a) of this section, demonstrate
that the offender continues to pose a threat to society.
Regardless of the security level in which the offender is classified at the time
of the hearing, the offender has been placed by the department in extended
restrictive housing at any time within the year preceding the date of the hearing.
At the time of the hearing, the offender is classified by the department as a
security level three, four, or five, or at a higher security level.
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 37
R.C. 2967.271(C)(1), (2) and (3).
{¶76} “Although the power to deny parole is purely discretionary as far as Ohio’s
statutes are concerned, the state’s administrative regulations must also be considered.”
Inmates of Orient Correctional Institute v. Ohio State Adult Parole Authority, 929 F.2d 233,
236-237(6th Cir. 1991). The DRC is required to provide notice of the hearing. R.C.
2967.271(E). Ohio Adm. Code 5120-9-06 sets forth the inmate rules of conduct. Ohio Adm.
Code 5120-9-08 sets forth the disciplinary procedures for violations of inmate rules of
conduct before the rules infraction board. Ohio Adm. Code 5120-9-10 sets forth the
procedures for when and under what circumstances an inmate may be placed in and/or
transferred to a restrictive housing assignment. Ohio Adm. Code 5120:1-1-11 sets forth the
procedure of release consideration hearings. Thus, an inmate is given notice in advance of
the behavior that can contribute or result in an extended sentence and under what
circumstance the inmate can be placed or transferred to a restrictive housing assignment.
Each procedure employed provides at the least for notice and the opportunity to be heard.
{¶77} Under the Reagan Tokes Law, an inmate is afforded notice and a hearing by
R.C. 2967.271(E), which states:
[DRC] shall provide notices of hearings to be conducted under division (C) or
(D) of this section in the same manner, and to the same persons, as specified in
section 2967.12 and Chapter 2930 of the Revised Code with respect to hearings to
be conducted regarding the possible release on parole of an inmate.
See, State v. Guyton, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2019-12-203, 2020-Ohio-3837, ¶ 11; State v.
Leet, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 28670, 2020-Ohio-4592, ¶11 (“Reagan Tokes does not
facially violate a defendant’s right to procedural due process.”)
Separation of Powers is not violated.
{¶78} Nor can it be argued that because the DRC can increase a sentence beyond
the minimum given by the trial judge, the Reagan Tokes Law usurps judicial authority. As
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 38
already noted, the DRC may not increase the sentence beyond the maximum sentence
imposed by the trial court. The Ohio Supreme Court has made it clear that, when the power
to sanction is delegated to the executive branch, a separation-of-powers problem is avoided
if the sanction is originally imposed by a court and included in its sentence. See Hernandez
v. Kelly, 108 Ohio St.3d 395, 2006-Ohio-126, 844 N.E.2d 301, ¶ 18-20, citing State v.
Jordan, 104 Ohio St.3d 21, 2004-Ohio-6085, 817 N.E.2d 864, ¶ 19. Such is the case under
the scheme established by the Reagan Tokes Law. State v. Ferguson, 2nd Dist.
Montgomery No. 28644, 2020-Ohio-4153, ¶23. The statute does not permit the DRC to act
“’as judge, prosecutor and jury,’ for an action that could be prosecuted as a felony in a court
of law.” Woods v. Telb, 89 Ohio St.3d at 512, 733 N.E.2d 1103, quoting State, ex rel. Bray
v. Russell, 89 Ohio St.3d 132, 135, 729 N.E.2d 359(2000). It should be noted that Bray was
charged with and convicted of drug possession and sentenced to an eight-month prison
term. While in prison, Bray allegedly assaulted a prison guard in violation of R.C. 2903.13.
Pursuant to R.C. 2967.11(B), the Ohio Parole Board imposed a ninety-day bad-time penalty
to be added to Bray’s original term. Bray’s original sentence of eight months for drug
possession expired on June 5, 1998, at which time his additional ninety-day penalty began.
On June 12, 1998, Bray filed a writ of habeas corpus in the Court of Appeals for Warren
County, claiming that Warden Harry Russell was unlawfully restraining him. 89 Ohio St.3d
132, 133, 729 N.E.2d 359. Thus, the Parole Board extended Brey’s sentence beyond the
maximum sentence the trial court had impose. Wolfe points to nothing within the Reagan
Tokes Law that would permit the DRC to extend his sentence beyond the seven and one-
half year maximum sentence set by the trial judge.
{¶79} Further, as we have noted, under the Reagan Tokes Law an inmate is afford
the due process rights accorded to one who is incarcerated before any increase can occur.
Prison disciplinary proceedings are not part of a criminal prosecution, and the full panoply
of rights due a defendant in such proceedings does not apply. For as long as parole has
Licking County, Case No. 2020CA00021 39
existed in Ohio, the executive branch (the APA and its predecessors) has had absolute
discretion over when parole will be granted. Woods v. Telb, 89 Ohio St.3d at 511-512, 733
N.E.2d 1103.
{¶80} To prevail on a Sixth Amendment claim alleging ineffective assistance of
counsel, a defendant must show that his counsel's performance was deficient and that his
counsel's deficient performance prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,
694 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). To show deficiency, a defendant must show
that “counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.” Id., at
688, 104 S.Ct. 2052. And to establish prejudice, a defendant must show “that there is a
reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the
proceeding would have been different.” Id., at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052. See, also, Andrus, v.
Texas, __U.S.__, 140 S.Ct. 1875, 1881, 207 L.Ed.2d 335(June 15, 2020).
{¶81} Because the Reagan Tokes Law is constitutional, there is no reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s failure to challenge the constitutionality of the Reagan
Tokes Law the result of the proceeding would have been different.
{¶82} I would therefore overrule Appellant’s First and Second Assignments of Error.
III., IV. & V.
{¶83} I concur with the majority’s disposition of Appellant’s Third, Fourth and Fifth
Assignments of Error.
{¶84} In this case, the court gave no advisement of any of the requirements set forth
in R.C. 2929.19(B) at the sentencing hearing held January 24, 2020 and, therefore, I would
agree that the sentence is contrary to law. I would sustain Wolfe’s Third Assignment of Error.
Because we reverse and remand the decision of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas
for resentencing, I agree Wolfe’s Fourth and Fifth Assignments of Error to be premature.