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Date: 07-11-2020
Case Style:
State of Ohio v. Christopher R. Beard
Case Number: S-19-018
Judge: Arlene Singer
Court: IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT SANDUSKY COUNTY
Plaintiff's Attorney: Beth A. Tischler, Sandusky County Prosecuting Attorney, and
Mark E. Mulligan, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Defendant's Attorney:
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Description:
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{¶ 2} He asserts the following single assignment of error:
APPELLANT WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
COUNSEL IN VIOLATION OF HIS SIXTH AMENDMENT
{¶ 3} In his sole assignment of error, appellant argues his trial counsel erred by
failing to file an affidavit of indigency to establish that appellant was unable to pay the
mandatory fines required by R.C. 2929.18(B)(1). At the change of plea hearing, trial
counsel asserted that appellant would not be able to pay the fines because he would be
going to prison for five years. However, trial counsel did not file the affidavit prior to the
sentencing hearing. The trial court noted counsel failed to file the motion prior to the
sentencing hearing and that the court had already imposed the mandatory fines.
Nonetheless, trial counsel sought leave to file the affidavit and the court granted him
leave to do so. However, trial counsel filed a partially-completed financial disclosure
form utilized by the trial court for purposes of determining whether the defendant is
entitled to appointed counsel.
{¶ 4} Appellant asserts that the exchange between the court and trial counsel at the
change of plea hearing indicated that the trial court was willing to waive the fines if the
3.
affidavit of indigency was filed. Appellee argues the facts in this case indicated that there
was not a reasonable probability that appellant would have been found indigent because
he was previously employed, was 35 years old, was sentenced to only five years in
prison, and had almost completed college.
{¶ 5} Appellant bears the burden of proving that his counsel was ineffective since
an attorney is presumed competent. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 689, 104
S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984) and State v. Lott, 51 Ohio St.3d 160, 174, 555 N.E.2d
293 (1990). To meet this burden of proof, appellant must show that: (1) there was a
substantial violation of the attorney’s duty to his client, and (2) the defense was
prejudiced by the attorney’s actions or breach of duty in that there is a reasonable
probability of a different result in the case. Strickland, supra, at 687 and State v. Smith,
17 Ohio St.3d 98, 100, 477 N.E.2d 1128 (1985).
{¶ 6} While R.C. 2929.19(B)(5) requires that a trial court consider the offender’s
present and future ability to pay the fine, the trial court must impose a mandatory fine
unless the defendant files an affidavit of indigency indicating an inability to pay the fine
prior to sentencing and the court finds the offender is indigent and unable to pay the fine.
State v. Moore, 135 Ohio St.3d 151, 2012-Ohio-5479, 985 N.E.2d 432, ¶ 13, limited by
State v. Harper, Slip Opinion No. 2020-Ohio-2913, ¶ 42 (holding that the failure to
comply with the statutory requirements renders the sentence voidable, not void). The
burden of proof of indigency is on the defendant to prove he is unable to pay the fine.
State v. Gipson, 80 Ohio St.3d 626, 634, 687 N.E.2d 750 (1998).
4.
{¶ 7} Failure to file the R.C. 2929.18(B)(1) affidavit of indigency constitutes
ineffective assistance of counsel which can be addressed on direct appeal, rather than in
postconviction relief, if there is sufficient evidence in the record demonstrating that the
trial court would have found the offender was indigent and unable to pay the fine. State
v. Banks, 6th Dist. Wood Nos. WD-06-094, WD-06-095, 2007-Ohio-5311, ¶ 16; State v.
Johnson, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-03-1046, 2004-Ohio-2458, ¶ 33; State v. Gilmer, 6th
Dist. Ottawa No. OT-01-015, 2002-Ohio-2045, *2.
{¶ 8} In this case, no presentence investigation report was prepared. The record
shows appellant, a life-long resident of Sandusky, Ohio, was gainfully employed at the
time of his arrest, he is 35 years old, has completed five years of college and is set to
graduate after he completes 29 hours. He is described as “bright,” “hard working,” “fair
and honest,” and “intelligent.”
{¶ 9} Based on the record, we find that there is no evidence in the record which
would indicate that the trial court would have found appellant indigent and unable to pay
the mandatory fines imposed. Therefore, we find appellant’s sole assignment of error not
well-taken.
Outcome: Having found that the trial court did not commit error prejudicial to
appellant and that substantial justice has been done, the judgment of the Sandusky
County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24.
Judgment affirmed.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: