2013 Ohio 2045
Ohio Ct. App.2013Background
- Relator Elise Johns filed a mandamus action seek public records under R.C. 149.43 on Feb. 4, 2013.
- Records sought relate to Trumbull County Court Case Nos. 95-CR-696 and 96-CR-599, State v. Cioffi.
- Respondents are Trumbull County Clerk of Courts Karen Infante Allen, Prosecuting Attorney Dennis Watkins, and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Diane Barber.
- Respondents moved to dismiss or grant summary judgment, arguing the action is moot and caption/service issues bar relief.
- A Feb. 21, 2013 letter allegedly informed Johns the records were available for inspection and copying at the courthouse.
- Court grants dismissal; finds mootness and lack of viable mandamus claim, with improper caption noted but mootness controlling.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the mandamus claim is moot | Johns seeks records under 149.43. | Records will be made available; moot once provided. | Yes; petition moot because records were made available. |
| Whether caption and service defects require dismissal | Caption/service properly filed; defendants denied. | Caption improper; service not shown for Watkins/Barber. | Caption defects aside, mootness supports dismissal. |
Key Cases Cited
- State ex rel. Gannett Satellite Information Network v. Shirey, 78 Ohio St.3d 400 (1997) (publication of records can render mandamus moot)
- Strothers v. Norton, 131 Ohio St.3d 359 (2012) (mootness via access to records defeats mandamus)
- Natl. Broadcasting Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 38 Ohio St.3d 79 (1988) (mandamus standards for public records)
- Cincinnati Enquirer v. Ronan, 124 Ohio St.3d 17 (2009) (records production may render mandamus moot)
- State ex rel. Simeone v. Niles, 2008-Ohio-7000 (2008) (dismissal where relief cannot be granted)