State v. Tims - Case Law

[Cite as State v. Tims, 2011-Ohio-3329.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO :

Plaintiff-Appellee : C.A. CASE NO. 2010 CA 24

v. : T.C. NO. 10CR76

MARK A. TIMS : (Criminal appeal from
Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellant :

..........

OPINION

Rendered on the 1st day of July , 2011.

..........

NICK A. SELVAGGIO, Atty. Reg. No. 0055607, 200 North Main Street, Urbana, Ohio
43078
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee

MARK J. BAMBERGER, Atty. Reg. No. 0082053, 8 S. Third Street, Tipp City, Ohio 45371
Attorney for Defendant-Appellant

..........

FROELICH, J.

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant Mark Tims appeals from his convictions and sentence

for four counts of tampering with coin machines, and one count each of vandalism and

possession of criminal tools. For the following reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial

court.
2

{¶ 2} On May 6, 2010, Tims was indicted on five counts each of tampering with

coin machines and possession of criminal tools, and one count each of vandalism and

receiving stolen property, all felonies of the fifth degree. On June 21, 2010, he was also

charged by bill of information with two additional counts of tampering with coin machines,

both felonies of the fifth degree. On the same day, Tims pled guilty to four counts of

tampering with a coin machine, and one count each of vandalism and possession of criminal

tools; the remaining charges were dismissed. He was sentenced appropriately. Tims

appeals.

{¶ 3} Tims’s Second Assignment of Error:

{¶ 4} “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT FAILED TO CONSIDER

DURESS AND/OR COERCION OF THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.”

{¶ 5} Tims’s First Assignment of Error:

{¶ 6} “THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT ALLOWED THE JUDGMENT

TO BE RENDERED UPON INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.”

{¶ 7} Tims’s two assignments of error are interrelated. In both, Tims argues that

trial counsel was ineffective, first for failing to argue diminished capacity and drug

dependency on Tims’s behalf, and second, for allowing him to plead guilty. Tims also

insists that his pleas were not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made.

{¶ 8} A defendant who pleads guilty is precluded from claiming ineffective

assistance of counsel, except to the extent that the alleged defects caused the plea to have
3

been less than knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made. State v. Moore, Clark App.

No. 2010 CA 55, 2010-Ohio-6226, ¶19; State v. Barnett (1991), 73 Ohio App.3d 244, 249.

In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must show

both deficient performance and resulting prejudice. Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466

U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Trial counsel is entitled to a strong presumption that his conduct

falls within the wide range of effective assistance, and to show deficiency the defendant

must demonstrate that counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of

reasonableness. Id.

{¶ 9} Much of Tims’s argument centers on his assertion that he has a limited

mental capacity. This claim is not supported by the record. To the contrary, Tims was able

to communicate clearly with the trial court, answering questions appropriately and asking

relevant questions of the court. This is especially evident in the protracted discussion with

the court at both the plea and sentencing hearings when the court was making exemplary

efforts to find housing and assistance for Tims.

{¶ 10} Tims maintains that “counsel apparently did not discuss in full detail (or was

unable to make the Defendant-Appellant comprehend) the seriousness of not opposing the

charges presented against him.” To the contrary, the record demonstrates that counsel

secured a very favorable plea agreement for Tims. In exchange for Tims’s guilty pleas to

six of the counts, the State agreed to dismiss eight other counts. Furthermore, despite

Tims’s lengthy and substantial criminal history and his previous terms of imprisonment, the

State agreed not to contest community control sanctions, which the trial court ordered.

{¶ 11} Furthermore, although Tims repeatedly cites to personal communications
4

between himself and his appellate attorney in support of this claim, these communications

are not part of the appellate record before us and cannot be considered on appeal. State v.

Bethel, 110 Ohio St.3d 426, 2006-Ohio-4853, ¶168.

{¶ 12} In Boykin v. Alabama (1969), 395 U.S. 238, 242-43, 89 S.Ct. 1709, the

United States Supreme Court held that in order for a reviewing court to determine whether a

guilty plea was voluntary, the record must show that the defendant knowingly, intelligently,

and voluntarily waived his constitutional rights. See also, State v. Nero (1990), 56 Ohio

St.3d 106, 107. As a result, Crim.R. 11(C) was adopted to ensure an adequate record for

review in order to facilitate a more accurate determination of the voluntariness of a

defendant’s plea. Id.

{¶ 13} Crim.R. 11(C)(2) requires the trial court to personally inform a defendant of

the constitutional guarantees that he waives by entering a guilty plea. That section also

demands that the trial court ensure that the defendant understands the nature of the charges

against him, the maximum penalty that he faces, and whether he is eligible for probation. A

defendant who claims that his plea was not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made

must show a prejudicial effect. Nero, supra, at 108. In other words, “[t]he test is whether

the plea would have otherwise been made.” Id., citations omitted.

{¶ 14} The record demonstrates that Tims was afforded a full and proper Crim.R. 11

hearing at the time of his plea.

{¶ 15} Tims affirmed that he was not under the influence of illegal or prescriptions

drugs or alcohol at the time of his plea. Tims acknowledged that he had discussed the

charges and possible defenses with his attorney. Tims told the trial court that he had no
5

defense to any of the charges, and he agreed that he had received sufficient information to

make an informed decision. Tims stated that he was “definitely” satisfied with his

attorney’s representation.

{¶ 16} The trial court informed Tims of the maximum penalties for his crimes, even

clarifying the difference between consecutive and concurrent sentences. The court

explained community control, judicial release, and post-release control. Additionally, the

court concluded that Tims understood the constitutional rights that he would be giving up by

pleading guilty.

{¶ 17} The record indicates that the court recessed for Tims to discuss the plea form

with his attorney. Tims understood the form; and he signed it. Moreover, Tims

affirmatively stated that he was not coerced or forced to enter the plea. Nobody threatened

him, and nobody made any promises to him beyond the agreement with the State to dismiss

most of the charges and for the State not to object to community control sanctions.

{¶ 18} Tims has failed to show that his plea would not have been entered had the

trial court handled the plea hearing differently. To the contrary, the record supports a

finding that his plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered in order to avoid

facing the eight additional charges and to increase the likelihood of receiving community

control sanctions.

{¶ 19} Tims’s first and second assignments of error are overruled.

III

{¶ 20} Having overruled both of Tims’s assignments of error, the judgment of the

trial court is Affirmed.
6

..........

FAIN, J. and HALL, J., concur.

Copies mailed to:

Nick A. Selvaggio
Mark J. Bamberger
Hon. Roger B. Wilson