State v. Louis

[Cite as State v. Louis, 2017-Ohio-8666.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee : Appellate Case No. 27268
:
v. : Trial Court Case No. 14-TRC-14033
:
GILBERT LOUIS : (Criminal Appeal from Municipal Court)
:
Defendant-Appellant :
:
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OPINION
Rendered on the 22nd day of November, 2017.
...........
JOSHUA T. SHAW, Atty. Reg. No. 0087456, Assistant City of Dayton Prosecutor, 335
West Third Street, Room 372, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
TRAVIS KANE, Atty. Reg. No. 0088191, 1015 East Centerville Station Road, Centerville,
Ohio 45459
Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
.............
WELBAUM, J.
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{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Gilbert Louis, appeals from his conviction in the Dayton
Municipal Court after he pled no contest to three counts of driving under the influence of
alcohol, one count of failing to maintain reasonable control of his vehicle, and one count
of failing to use a turn signal. In support of his appeal, Louis contends that the trial court
erred by overruling his motion to suppress evidence obtained as a result of his detainment
following a traffic stop and subsequent arrest. Louis also contends that his trial counsel
provided ineffective assistance by failing to file a written brief in support of the arguments
raised at the suppression hearing. In addition to these arguments and pursuant to this
court’s order, the parties also addressed whether the instant appeal constitutes a final
appealable order due to deficiencies in the trial court’s sentencing entries. For the
reasons outlined below, we conclude the instant appeal is from a final appealable order
and will affirm the judgment of the trial court. However, the matter will be remanded to
the trial court for the limited purpose of issuing a nunc pro tunc entry to correct the errors
in the sentencing entries.
Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 2} On November 14, 2014, Louis was arrested and charged with driving under
the influence of alcohol (“OVI”) in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(2). Louis was also
charged with failing to maintain reasonable control of his vehicle in violation of R.C.
4511.202 and failing to use a turn signal in violation of R.C. 4511.39. After receiving
laboratory test results showing that Louis’s blood alcohol level was over the legal limit, on
February 12, 2015, the State also charged Louis with two additional OVI charges under
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R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) and R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(b). All the charges stemmed from a
routine traffic stop that was initiated due to Louis’s moving violations. The traffic stop
expanded into an OVI investigation after the police officer on duty made certain
observations that led him to believe Louis was driving under the influence of alcohol.
{¶ 3} On April 16, 2015, after entering a not guilty plea to all the charges, Louis
filed a motion to suppress the evidence obtained as a result of his detention and
subsequent arrest. In the motion, Louis argued that the police officer on duty unlawfully
detained him when conducting the OVI investigation because the officer did not have a
reasonable, articulable suspicion that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Louis also argued that the officer did not have probable cause to arrest him for driving
under the influence of alcohol.
{¶ 4} On June 9, 2015, the trial court held a suppression hearing, during which the
State presented testimony from the police officer on duty, Officer Alexander Dole. Officer
Dole testified that he has been a City of Dayton police officer for two years and has taken
part in several OVI stops. Dole also indicated that he received alcohol detection training
and certification through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”).
During OVI investigations, Dole claimed that he looks for slurred speech, confusion,
glossy or bloodshot eyes, heavy sweating, distressed clothes, and trouble walking or
standing as indicators of intoxication.
{¶ 5} Regarding the incident in question, Dole testified that around 8:00 p.m. on
November 14, 2014, he was on duty in a marked cruiser with his partner when he
observed a white vehicle on Midway Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, fail to signal 100 feet before
turning onto Whitmore Avenue. Dole testified that the driver of the vehicle used the right
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turn signal and started to turn right onto Whitmore, but then suddenly changed direction
and took a wide left turn instead. Dole testified that the wide left turn made him suspect
the driver was intoxicated.
{¶ 6} After observing the signal violation and wide left turn, Dole testified that he
initiated a traffic stop for the moving violations and made contact with the driver, who was
later identified as Louis. Upon approaching Louis in his vehicle, Dole testified that he
smelled alcohol coming from either inside the vehicle or Louis’s person and that the odor
was strong enough to notice almost immediately. Dole also observed an open bottle in
a brown paper bag tucked between Louis’s leg and the vehicle’s center console. Dole
testified that in his experience, individuals often put open containers in brown paper bags
in an attempt to hide them, and that “nine out of ten times” the brown bag usually contains
“a bottle of alcohol or a can of beer.” Suppression Hearing Trans. (June 9, 2015), p. 40.
Dole also noted that the bottle in question was within easy reach for Louis to access if he
wanted to take a drink while driving.
{¶ 7} Continuing, Dole testified that he introduced himself to Louis, explained the
reason for the traffic stop, and asked for Louis’s driver’s license and proof of insurance.
After making the request, Dole claimed that Louis seemed confused about what was
being asked of him. While Louis was looking for his proof of insurance, Dole testified
that he asked Louis where he was coming from and Louis responded: “A friend’s.” Id. at
10. Dole then asked where Louis was going and Louis responded: “Down here.” Id.
When Dole asked what that meant, Louis responded that he was going “down the street
to pick up his * * * nephews and nieces.” Id. Dole testified that during their conversation
Louis gave delayed responses and had long pauses in his speech, which Dole considered
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to be signs of intoxication.
{¶ 8} After collecting Louis’s driver’s license and insurance information, Dole went
back to the cruiser to run the information and discuss the matter with his partner, as Dole
believed Louis was possibly driving under the influence of alcohol. Upon running the
information, the officers discovered that Louis had two prior OVI convictions in 2012.
Thereafter, Dole went back to Louis’s vehicle and asked Louis if he had been drinking to
which Louis answered “no.” Id. at 11. Dole then told Louis that he believed Louis was
under the influence of alcohol and asked if he would undergo field sobriety testing. Louis
declined Dole’s request.
{¶ 9} Upon Louis declining field sobriety testing, Dole testified that he returned to
the cruiser to speak with his partner again in order to make sure the correct steps were
taken. Thereafter, Dole approached Louis a third time and asked him to exit his vehicle.
Dole testified that when Louis exited his vehicle, he noticed that Louis seemed unsteady,
as Louis had to “sway” or “rock about” to get out of the vehicle. Suppression Hearing
Trans. (June 9, 2015), p. 11, 22. Although Dole testified that Louis had no trouble
standing or walking, he further observed that Louis had bloodshot eyes and that the smell
of alcohol was coming directly from Louis’s breath. Dole also observed that Louis’s
clothes appeared mussed and smelled unclean.
{¶ 10} Because it was cold and Louis refused to undergo field sobriety testing,
Dole testified that he had Louis sit in the cruiser while he read Louis his Miranda rights
and advised him of his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. According to
Dole, Louis indicated that he was willing to answer questions without a lawyer present
and signed a waiver form to that effect. Thereafter, Dole testified that he advised Louis
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of the consequences of refusing a chemical test by reading the warnings on the
Administrative License Suspension (“ALS”) form, which Louis signed. Since Louis
refused to submit to chemical testing and had two prior OVI convictions, Dole also advised
Louis that his vehicle would have to be towed and that a warrant for a blood draw would
have to be obtained. The laboratory results from the blood draw confirmed that Louis’s
blood alcohol content was over the legal limit.
{¶ 11} On cross-examination, Louis’s counsel played a video taken from Dole’s
cruiser camera on the night of the arrest. The video confirmed the majority of Dole’s
testimony, however, the video did not show a delay or long pause when Dole requested
Louis’s driver’s license. Following the driver’s license request, Louis says “yeah” without
delay. However, when Dole asked if Louis had proof of insurance, Louis merely said
“ah” and gave no other verbal response to the question. The video also established that
Louis’s speech was, at certain times, fairly slow and overly deliberate.
{¶ 12} Following the suppression hearing, the trial court ordered the parties to
submit written briefs in support of the arguments raised at the hearing. The State filed
its brief on August 31, 2015. Louis’s counsel never filed a brief on Louis’s behalf. On
February 24, 2016, the trial court issued a written decision overruling Louis’s motion to
suppress.
{¶ 13} Approximately six months later, on August 11, 2016, Louis’s counsel filed a
motion to reconsider the trial court’s suppression ruling. In the motion, counsel explained
that a written brief was not timely filed on Louis’s behalf after the suppression hearing
because counsel had been incarcerated in the Greene County Jail. Accordingly, Louis’s
counsel set forth various arguments in support of the motion to suppress for the trial
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court’s reconsideration.
{¶ 14} On August 15, 2016, the trial court stated on the record that Louis’s motion
for reconsideration was denied. That same day, Louis appeared before the trial court
and pled no contest to all the charges against him. Following his no contest plea, the
trial court found Louis guilty as charged and proceeded to sentencing.
{¶ 15} During sentencing, the State and the trial court had a short discussion about
Louis’s OVI offenses being allied offenses of similar import, wherein the State requested
the trial court to sentence Louis under the OVI offense in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(2).
Following this discussion, the trial court sentenced Louis for the R.C. 4511.19(A)(2)
offense, noting that the other two OVI offenses were being “sentenced under” that
offense. Accordingly, for the OVI offenses, the trial court imposed a single sentence of
180 days in jail with 120 days suspended, two years of drug and alcohol counseling, a
two-year driver’s license suspension, and an $850 fine plus court costs. The trial court
suspended the fines and court costs for Louis’s two traffic violations.
{¶ 16} In journalizing Louis’s sentence, the trial court issued a boilerplate
sentencing entry form for each of Louis’s offenses. The entries for the two OVI offenses
under R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a) and (A)(1)(b) simply indicate that those offenses were
“sentenced under 4511.19(A)(2) charge.” None of the sentencing entries indicate that
the OVI offenses were merged as allied offenses of similar import.
{¶ 17} After sentencing, Louis filed a notice of appeal from his conviction and
sentence. Thereafter, this court issued an order for the parties to address in their merit
briefs whether the judgment appealed from is a final appealable order. We asked the
parties to address this issue because it appeared that the sentencing entries may not be
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final and appealable since the entries did not provide a discrete sentence for each OVI
offense, as their merger was not apparent from the entries. Rather, the sentencing
entries indicate that Louis was convicted of three OVI offenses and sentenced for only
one. See State v. Saxon, 109 Ohio St.3d 176, 2006-Ohio-1245, 846 N.E.2d 824, ¶ 9 (“a
judge sentencing a defendant pursuant to Ohio law must consider each offense
individually and impose a separate sentence for each offense”); State v. Allman, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 24693, 2012-Ohio-413, ¶ 7 (“if a defendant is convicted of multiple
charges in a single case, the court’s order must contain a sentence for each charge before
the judgment on any charge is final”).
{¶ 18} Per this court’s order, and in addition to raising three assignments of error,
Louis addressed the final appealable order issue in his merit brief, as did the State.
Since this court would not have jurisdiction to review the instant appeal if there is no final
appealable order, we will address the final appealable order issue before reviewing
Louis’s three assignments of error.
Final Appealable Order
{¶ 19} Both parties agree that a final appealable order is before this court.
Specifically, the parties claim that the trial court properly imposed a single sentence for
Louis’s three OVI offenses because the trial court merged the OVI offenses into one
conviction on allied offense grounds.
{¶ 20} R.C. 2941.25 governs the merger of allied offenses and provides as follows:
(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to
constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment
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or information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the
defendant may be convicted of only one.
(B) Where the defendant’s conduct constitutes two or more offenses of
dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more
offenses of the same or similar kind committed separately or with a
separate animus as to each, the indictment or information may
contain counts for all such offenses, and the defendant may be
convicted of all of them.
{¶ 21} “[W]hen determining whether offenses are allied offenses of similar import
within the meaning of R.C. 2941.25, courts must ask three questions when the
defendant’s conduct supports multiple offenses: (1) Were the offenses dissimilar in import
or significance? (2) Were they committed separately? and (3) Were they committed with
separate animus or motivation? An affirmative answer to any of the above will permit
separate convictions. The conduct, the animus, and the import must all be considered.”
State v. Ruff, 143 Ohio St.3d 114, 2015-Ohio-995, 34 N.E.3d 892, ¶ 31.
{¶ 22} Although the trial court’s sentencing entries are unclear, a review of the
sentencing hearing transcript reveals that the trial court merged Louis’s OVI offenses.
The transcript establishes that the State advised the trial court at the sentencing hearing
that the OVI offenses were allied offenses of similar import and requested the trial court
to sentence Louis for the OVI offense in violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(2). Plea and
Sentencing Trans. (Aug. 15, 2015), p. 15-17. Thereafter, the trial court indicated that it
was sentencing Louis under R.C. 4511.19(A)(2) for all three OVI offenses. Id. at p. 18.
When considering the statements at the sentencing hearing in conjunction with the
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notation on the sentencing entries that the OVI offenses were “sentenced under
4511.19(A)(2) charge[,]” it can be discerned from the record that the trial court merged
the three OVI offenses as allied offenses of similar import.
{¶ 23} We also find that the merger of the OVI offenses was proper. The OVI
offenses were not dissimilar in import and significance, as there was not a separate,
identifiable harm or separate victims arising from each offense. See Ruff at ¶ 23. In
addition, the OVI offenses were not committed separately, as they arose from Louis’s
singular act of driving while under the influence of alcohol on November 14, 2014. The
offenses were also not committed with a separate animus, i.e., purpose or immediate
motive. State v. Grissom, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25750, 2014-Ohio-857, ¶ 40.
Accordingly, Louis’s OVI offenses met all the allied offense criteria in R.C. 2941.25.
{¶ 24} Because the three OVI offenses were properly merged as allied offenses,
a separate sentence was not required for each offense, as they merged into one
conviction under the R.C. 4511.19(A)(2) charge. See R.C. 2941.25(A). Therefore, the
single sentence imposed for Louis’s three OVI offenses constitutes a final appealable
order. Accordingly, we have jurisdiction to review the three assignments of error raised
by Louis in the instant appeal.
{¶ 25} Nevertheless, in so far as the boilerplate sentencing entries are unclear with
respect to the merger, we find that the matter should be remanded to the trial court for
the issuance of a nunc pro tunc entry to reflect what actually occurred at the sentencing
hearing. State v. Hogle, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2016-CA-30, 2017-Ohio-4096, ¶ 9 (“A nunc
pro tunc entry may be used to correct a judgment by making it reflect what actually
happened”), citing State v. Lester, 130 Ohio St.3d 303, 2011-Ohio-5204, 958 N.E.2d 142,
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¶ 20. As it stands, the language in the boilerplate sentencing entries indicate that Louis
was convicted of three separate OVI offenses and sentenced for only one of those
offenses. As previously noted, allied offenses merge into a single conviction. State v.
Underwood, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22454, 2008-Ohio-4748, ¶ 23 (“R.C. 2941.25
requires a merger of multiple guilty verdicts into a single judgment of conviction, not a
merger of sentences upon multiple judgments of conviction.”). Therefore, the nunc pro
tunc entry should indicate that the trial court merged the three OVI offenses into one
conviction under the R.C. 4511.19(A)(2) charge and provide the sentence for that charge.
First and Second Assignments of Error
{¶ 26} For purposes of clarity, we will address Louis’s First and Second
Assignments of Error together, as they both challenge aspects of the trial court’s decision
overruling Louis’s motion to suppress. The assignments of error are as follows:
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY RULING THE OFFICER HAD
REASONABLE ARTICULABLE SUSPICION OF CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY TO DETAIN APPELLANT FOR FIELD SOBRIETY
TESTING.
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY RULING THE OFFICER HAD
PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST THE APPELLANT FOR OVI.
{¶ 27} Under the aforementioned assignments of error, Louis contends that in
overruling his motion to suppress, the trial court erroneously concluded that Officer Dole
had: (1) reasonable, articulable suspicion that Louis was intoxicated to justify prolonging
the traffic stop for further investigation and field sobriety testing; and, (2) probable cause
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to arrest Louis for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Accordingly, Louis maintains that his detainment and subsequent arrest were unlawful
and that all evidence obtained therefrom should have been suppressed. We disagree.
Standard of Review
{¶ 28} “In ruling on a motion to suppress, the trial court ‘assumes the role of the
trier of fact, and, as such, is in the best position to resolve questions of fact and evaluate
the credibility of the witnesses.’ ” State v. Prater, 2012-Ohio-5105, 984 N.E.2d 36, ¶ 7
(2d Dist.), quoting State v. Retherford, 93 Ohio App.3d 586, 592, 639 N.E.2d 498 (2d
Dist.1994). “As a result, when we review suppression decisions, ‘we are bound to accept
the trial court’s findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible evidence.
Accepting those facts as true, we must independently determine as a matter of law,
without deference to the trial court’s conclusion, whether they meet the applicable legal
standard.’ ” Id., quoting Retherford.
Reasonable, Articulable Suspicion of Intoxication
{¶ 29} Although he does not contest the lawfulness of the initial traffic stop, Louis
contends that he was unlawfully detained by Officer Dole because Dole lacked the
requisite reasonable, articulable suspicion that he was driving under the influence to
justify prolonging the traffic stop for purposes of conducting an OVI investigation and
requesting field sobriety testing.
{¶ 30} “The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 14,
Article I of the Ohio Constitution guarantee the right to be free from unreasonable
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searches and seizures.” (Citation omitted.) State v. Mays, 119 Ohio St.3d 406, 2008-
Ohio-4539, 894 N.E.2d 1204, ¶ 7. “Stopping an automobile is reasonable if an officer
has probable cause to believe that a traffic violation has occurred.” State v. Brown, 2d
Dist. Greene No. 2011 CA 52, 2012-Ohio-3099, ¶ 13, citing Whren v. United States, 517
U.S. 806, 810, 116 S.Ct. 1769, 135 L.Ed.2d 89 (1996). However, “[a]n officer cannot
continue to detain a suspect past the time necessary for investigating and completing the
initial traffic stop merely to conduct a ‘fishing expedition’ for other criminal activity.” Id.,quoting State v. Jones, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 23920, 2010-Ohio-5522, ¶ 16. To
justify further detention for the administration of field sobriety tests, “the officer must have
a reasonable, articulable suspicion that a person is driving under the influence[.]” Id.,citing State v. Santiago, 195 Ohio App.3d 649, 2011-Ohio-5292, 961 N.E.2d 264, ¶ 11
(2d Dist.).
{¶ 31} In determining whether there was a reasonable, articulable suspicion to
detain, the court must evaluate the totality of the circumstances. (Citation omitted.)
State v. Gladman, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2013 CA 99, 2014-Ohio-2554, ¶ 14. These
circumstances must be considered “ ‘through the eyes of the reasonable and prudent
police officer on the scene who must react to events as they unfold.’ ” Id., quoting State
v. Heard, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19323, 2003-Ohio-1047, ¶ 14. If there are no
articulable facts that give rise to a suspicion of illegal activity, then the continued detention
constitutes an illegal seizure. State v. Robinson, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2001 CA 118, 2002
WL 1332589, *2 (June 14, 2002), citing State v. Robinette, 80 Ohio St.3d 234, 240, 685
N.E.2d 762 (1997).
{¶ 32} “Many observations can satisfy this reasonable, articulable suspicion,
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including the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle, glassy bloodshot
eyes, * * * and slow or slurred speech.” (Citation omitted.) Brown at ¶ 13. See also
Gladman at ¶ 17-18 (moderate odor of alcohol about motorist’s person; glassy, bloodshot
eyes; slurred speech; unresponsiveness to request for registration and proof of insurance
and admission of consuming three beers in the last hour provided reasonable, articulable
suspicion of driving under the influence); State v. Andrews, 2017-Ohio-1383, ___ N.E.3d
___, ¶ 58 (2d Dist.) (multiple moving violations; strong odor of alcohol; red, glassy eyes;
fumbling with papers and inconsistent statements about whereabouts provided
reasonable, articulable suspicion of driving under the influence); Robinson at *3 (strong
odor of alcohol; fumbling to look for driver’s license; blank, confused look on motorist’s
face; glossy eyes; mumbling; looking to passenger for answers to officer’s questions;
and admission to having a couple of beers provided reasonable, articulable suspicion of
driving under the influence).
{¶ 33} This court has repeatedly held that a strong odor of alcohol alone is
sufficient to provide an officer with a reasonable, articulable suspicion of driving under the
influence. State v. Tackett, 2d Dist. Greene No. 2011-CA-15, 2011-Ohio-6711, ¶ 13,
citing State v. Marshall, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2001 CA 35, 2001 WL 1658096, *2 (Dec. 28,
2001). Accord Robinson at *2; State v. Terry, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 16066, 1997 WL
309410, *2 (June 6, 1997); State v. Schott, 2d Dist. Darke No. 1415, 1997 WL 254141,
*5 (May 16, 1997) (“a strong odor of alcohol was sufficient to provide the police officer
with reasonable suspicion that [defendant] was driving with a blood alcohol level that
exceeded the legal limit”).
{¶ 34} On the other hand, this court has also held that “a slight odor of an alcoholic
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beverage” coupled with three or four “de minimus” marked lane violations and an
admission of having consumed “a couple of beers” was insufficient to create a reasonable
suspicion of driving under the influence and did not justify the administration of field
sobriety tests. State v. Spillers, 2d Dist. Darke No. 1504, 2000 WL 299550, *3 (Mar. 24,
2000). See also State v. Morgan, 2d Dist. Clark No. 07-CA-67, 2007-Ohio-6691, ¶ 9
(one de minimus marked-lane violation, the odor of alcohol of unspecified intensity, and
an admission of consuming alcohol earlier in the day did not provide reasonable,
articulable suspicion of driving under the influence).
{¶ 35} Additionally, this court has held that there was no reasonable, articulable
suspicion of driving under the influence where an officer stopped a motorist for a window
tint violation and noticed the motorist had glassy, bloodshot eyes, detected the odor of
alcohol, and the motorist admitted to consuming “one or two beers.” State v. Dixon, 2d
Dist. Greene No. 2000-CA-30, 2000 WL 1760664 (Dec. 1, 2000). In so holding, this
court considered the fact that the traffic violation did not involve erratic driving and that
the motorist’s glassy, bloodshot eyes were “readily explained by the lateness of the hour,
2:20 a.m.” Id. at *2. We further explained that “the mere detection of an odor of alcohol,
unaccompanied by any basis, drawn from the officer’s experience or expertise, for
correlating that odor with a level of intoxication that would likely impair the subject’s driving
ability, is not enough to establish that the subject was driving under the influence.” Id.
{¶ 36} In this case, Officer Dole testified that he had received alcohol detection
training through NHTSA and that he has conducted several OVI stops during his two
years as a Dayton police officer. Dole also testified that Louis’s moving violations made
him believe that Louis may have been under the influence, as Louis failed to signal 100
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feet before turning and used his right turn signal when he ultimately took a wide left turn
at the intersection in question. Although the turn signal is not visible on the video
evidence, the video nevertheless confirms Dole’s testimony regarding Louis’s wide left
turn, which was slowly made in the middle of the intersection.
{¶ 37} Dole also testified that when he initially approached Louis in his vehicle, he
detected the smell of alcohol that “was strong enough to notice almost immediately.”
Suppression Hearing Trans. (June 9, 2015), p. 7. In addition, Dole testified that he
observed an open bottle in a brown paper bag that was between Louis’s leg and the
vehicle’s center console. Dole testified that in his experience, individuals often put open
containers in brown paper bags in an attempt to hide them, and that “nine out of ten times”
the brown bag contains “a bottle of alcohol or a can of beer.” Id. at 40. Dole also noted
that the bottle in question was within easy reach for Louis to access if he wanted to take
a drink while driving.
{¶ 38} Furthermore, Dole testified that when he spoke with Louis and asked him
for his driver’s license and proof of insurance, Louis seemed to be confused about what
was being asked of him. Dole also claimed Louis gave delayed responses and had long
pauses in his speech. The video evidence did not show a delay or long pause when
Dole requested Louis’s driver’s license, but when Dole asked if Louis had proof of
insurance, Louis said “ah” and gave no other verbal response. The video further
establishes that Louis’s speech was slightly slow during parts of the conversation, which
lends credibility to Dole’s claim that Louis seemed confused.
{¶ 39} Based on these observations, Dole decided to expand the scope of the
traffic stop to conduct an OVI investigation. In overruling Louis’s motion to suppress, the
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trial court implicitly found Dole’s testimony regarding his observations credible. When
considering the totality of the circumstances as testified by Dole and shown through the
corroboratory video evidence, we find that a reasonable, articulable suspicion of driving
under the influence existed to justify prolonging the traffic stop for an OVI investigation
and to request field sobriety testing. Specifically, Louis’s slow, erratic turn, the odor of
alcohol that was strong enough for Dole to smell immediately upon approaching Louis’s
vehicle, the open bottle within Louis’s reach, and Louis’s confused demeanor were
sufficient to provide Dole with a reasonable suspicion of intoxication.
{¶ 40} Louis’s First Assignment of error is overruled.
Probable Cause to Arrest
{¶ 41} Next, Louis contends that his arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol
was an unlawful seizure because Officer Dole lacked probable cause to make the arrest.
{¶ 42} “Probable cause to arrest exists when a reasonably prudent person would
believe that the person to be arrested has committed a crime.” State v. Adams, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 24184, 2011-Ohio-4008, ¶ 7, citing State v. Timson, 38 Ohio St.2d 122,
311 N.E.2d 16 (1974). In determining whether probable cause exists, the court
considers the totality of circumstances surrounding the arrest. State v. Thomas, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 21430, 2006-Ohio-6612, ¶ 9; State v. Turner, 2016-Ohio-7983, 74
N.E.3d 858, ¶ 19 (2d Dist.). “Probable cause to arrest does not have to be based, in
whole or in part, upon a suspect’s poor performance on one or more field sobriety tests.”
Columbus v. Bickis, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 09AP-898, 2010-Ohio-3208, ¶ 21. “Rather,
‘[t]he totality of the facts and circumstances can support a finding of probable cause to
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arrest even where no field sobriety tests were administered[.]’ ” Id., quoting State v.
Homan, 89 Ohio St.3d 421, 427, 732 N.E.2d 952 (2000), superseded by statute on other
grounds as recognized in State v. Boczar, 113 Ohio St.3d 148, 2007-Ohio-1251, 863
N.E.2d 155.
{¶ 43} Recently, in State v. Barger, 2017-Ohio-4008, ___ N.E.3d ____ (2d Dist.),
this court held that there was probable cause to arrest a motorist for driving under the
influence where the motorist turned left in front of a motorcyclist; smelled of alcohol; had
glassy, bloodshot, and dilated eyes; was quiet and looked down and away when speaking
to the arresting officer; and responded to the officer’s question as to whether he had been
drinking alcoholic beverages in an abnormal, stiff manner. Id. at ¶ 17. We note that the
arresting officer in Barger also testified that the odor of alcohol coming from the motorist
intensified as the motorist stood up to speak with him. Id.
{¶ 44} In contrast, this court held in Morgan, 2d Dist. Clark No. 07-CA-67, 2007-
Ohio-6691, that no probable cause existed to arrest a motorist for driving under the
influence where the motorist committed a de minimus marked lane violation, drove
beyond the scope of his driving privileges, smelled of alcohol, and admitted to drinking
alcohol earlier in the day. Id. at ¶ 9, 16-20.
{¶ 45} Here, Officer Dole testified that in addition to his initial observations (Louis’s
erratic left turn, the odor of alcohol that was strong enough for Dole to smell immediately
upon approaching Louis’s vehicle, the open bottle within Louis’s reach, and Louis’s
confused demeanor), Dole began to notice other signs of intoxication after Louis declined
field sobriety testing. Specifically, Dole testified that Louis was unsteady and swayed as
he exited his vehicle. This testimony is confirmed by the video evidence, as the
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recording shows that Louis did not immediately exit the vehicle, but waited approximately
10 seconds and swayed his body to the right before exiting. Dole also testified that when
Louis exited the vehicle he could smell the odor of alcohol coming directly from Louis’s
breath. Dole also noticed that Louis’s eyes were bloodshot and that his clothes were
mussed and smelled unclean.
{¶ 46} As previously noted, in overruling Louis’s motion to suppress, the trial court
implicitly found Officer Dole’s testimony credible. Based on Dole’s testimony and the
corroboratory video evidence, we conclude that the trial court did not err in finding that
probable cause existed for Dole to arrest Louis for driving under the influence, as the
totality of the circumstances support such a finding.
{¶ 47} Louis’s Second Assignment of Error is also overruled.
Third Assignment of Error
{¶ 48} Louis’s Third Assignment of Error is as follows:
APPELLANT WAS DENIED HIS RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
COUNSEL GUARANTEED UNDER THE SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
{¶ 49} Under his Third Assignment of Error, Louis contends that his trial counsel
provided ineffective assistance by failing to submit a written brief in support of the
arguments presented at the suppression hearing as ordered by the trial court. Louis
claims that a convincing brief submitted by his counsel could have persuaded the trial
court to grant his motion to suppress as opposed to denying it. We again disagree.
{¶ 50} In order to succeed on an ineffective assistance claim, Louis must establish:
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(1) his trial counsel’s performance was deficient; and (2) the deficient performance
prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674(1984), paragraph two of the syllabus; State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d 136, 538 N.E.2d
373 (1989), paragraph two of the syllabus. The failure to make a showing of either
deficient performance or prejudice defeats a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Strickland at 697.
{¶ 51} To establish deficient performance, Louis must show that his trial counsel’s
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonable representation. Strickland
at 688; Bradley at 142. To establish prejudice, Louis must show that there is a
reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different. State v. Hale, 119 Ohio St.3d 118, 2008-Ohio-3426, 892 N.E.2d
864, ¶ 204, citing Strickland at 687-688, 694; Bradley at paragraph two of the syllabus.
“ ‘A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.’ ” Bradley at 142, quoting Strickland at 694.
{¶ 52} In this case, even if counsel’s performance was deficient in failing to file a
written brief in support of the arguments raised at the suppression hearing, Louis cannot
demonstrate that the outcome of the proceedings would have been different had such a
brief been filed. More specifically, Louis cannot demonstrate that the trial court would
have granted his motion to suppress, as we already determined that said motion was
properly overruled.
{¶ 53} Furthermore, prior to Louis’s no contest plea, trial counsel filed a 19-page
motion for the trial court to reconsider its suppression ruling, which raised various
arguments in support of suppressing the evidence at issue. We presume the arguments
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in the motion for reconsideration are the same arguments that counsel would have raised
in the post-hearing brief had one been filed with the trial court. The fact that the trial
court overruled the motion for reconsideration indicates the arguments therein did not
affect its suppression decision.
{¶ 54} Louis’s Third Assignment of Error is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶ 55} Having overruled all three assignments of error raised by Louis, the
judgment of the trial court is affirmed. The matter, however, is remanded to the trial court
for the sole purpose of issuing a nunc pro tunc entry to correct the deficiencies in the trial
court’s sentencing entries.
.............
FROELICH, J. and TUCKER, J., concur.
Copies mailed to:
Joshua T. Shaw
Travis Kane
Hon. Daniel G. Gehres