State v. Steers
2013 Ohio 3266
Ohio Ct. App.2013Background
- Grand jury indicted Steers for marijuana possession (R.C. 2925.11(A)) and (C)(3)(d) on June 30, 2011.
- State moved Crim.R. 13 to join with case 10-CR-325; trial court granted and joined for trial.
- Appellant pled no contest to possession on Oct. 25, 2011; case 10-CR-325 dismissed.
- Appellant filed a suppression motion in 10-CR-325, but no suppression motion in the appealed case 11-CR-178.
- Trial court joined cases for trial but maintained separate files; suppression ruling issued in 10-CR-325 before indictment in 11-CR-178.
- Appellant appealed 11-CR-178; court dismissed for lack of jurisdiction to review the 10-CR-325 suppression ruling.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction to review suppression when motion was in a different case | Steers argues suppression ruling in 10-CR-325 should be reviewable | Appellee maintains separate cases require separate appeals | No jurisdiction to review; appeal dismissed |
Key Cases Cited
- Transamerica v. Nolan, 72 Ohio St.3d 320 (1995) (timely notice of appeal is sole jurisdictional requirement)
- Mansaray, 2009-Ohio-1237 (8th Dist.) (consolidated cases require separate timely notices)
- Marcum v. Colonial Ins. Co. of Wisconsin, 2003-Ohio-4369 (10th Dist.) (separate judgments require separate appeals)
- Shaw v. Shaw, 72 Ohio App.3d 546, 595 N.E.2d 500 (8th Dist. 1991) (consolidated cases require timely appeal and proper record)
- Prihoda, (Ohio Ct. App. 1994) (8th Dist.) (declining to consider suppression issues in consolidated case when not appealed)
- State v. Wade, 53 Ohio St.2d 182, 373 N.E.2d 1244 (1978) (plain error limited; waiver if no suppression timely)
- State v. Landrum, 53 Ohio St.3d 107, 559 N.E.2d 710 (1990) (plain error standard applied cautiously)
- State v. Barnes, 94 Ohio St.3d 21, 759 N.E.2d 1240 (2002) (plain error analysis prerequisites)