State v. LevyState v. Levy
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: March 16, 2023
Appearances:
Michael C. O‘Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney, and Anthony T. Miranda, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.
Law Offices of William B. Norman and William B. Norman, for appellant.
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, J.:
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Jermaine Levy, appeals the trial court‘s judgment entry denying his emergency motion to vacate void judgment. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
{¶ 2} In 2002, a jury found Levy, who acted as his own trial counsel, guilty of escape, a second-degree felony, and forgery, a fifth-degree felony. The trial court sentenced him to three years in prison, to be served consecutively to other previously imposed prison sentences.1 Levy, through a delayed appeal, challenged his convictions, raising six assignments of error, none of which challenged his waiver of counsel at trial. State v. Levy, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 83114, 2004-Ohio-4489, ¶ 1-8.
{¶ 3} Subsequently in 2005, Levy, pro se, filed a delayed application to reopen his appeal pursuant to
{¶ 5} In June 2022, Levy filed an emergency motion to vacate void judgment contending that his convictions were void because he was deprived of his constitutional right to counsel, predicated on an invalid waiver of counsel. The state opposed the motion, contending that the Ohio Supreme Court‘s recent holdings in State v. Harper, 160 Ohio St.3d 480, 2020-Ohio-2913, 159 N.E.3d 248, and State v. Henderson, 161 Ohio St.3d 285, 2020-Ohio-4784, 162 N.E.3d 776, did not afford Levy relief from his conviction because (1) a denial of counsel renders a conviction voidable, and (2) res judicata prevented Levy from this challenge because he could have raised this issue in his direct appeal. The trial court summarily denied Levy‘s motion.
{¶ 6} Levy now appeals, raising the following two assignments of error, which will be addressed together:
- The trial court‘s failure to inform appellant Levy of, and ensure he understood: the nature of the charged offenses, the statutory offenses included, the range of allowable punishments, the possible defenses to each change, any other facts essential to a broad understanding of the matter as a whole, and the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation resulted in an invalid waiver of counsel.
Denial of counsel, effected through an invalid waiver of counsel, results in a loss of jurisdiction and a conviction which is void.
{¶ 7} At the heart of Levy‘s appeal is his reliance on the Ohio Supreme Court‘s decision in State ex rel. Ogle v. Hocking Cty. Common Pleas Court, 167 Ohio St.3d 181, 2021-Ohio-4453, 190 N.E.3d 594, and this court‘s subsequent decisions in Euclid v. Hedge, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110473, 2022-Ohio-464, and State v. Majid, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110560, 2022-Ohio-189, that both recognized the effect of Ogle. He contends that based on this authority, Harper and Henderson do not apply, his conviction is void, and the trial court erred in denying his request to vacate his conviction.
{¶ 8} We find that even if Levy were permitted to assert this challenge twenty years after his conviction, and even if he demonstrated that his constitutional right to counsel was violated, he has not established that this violation rose to the level of a plain error that this court must correct.
II. Postconviction and Void Judgment
{¶ 9} In this appeal, Levy contends that his waiver of trial counsel was invalid; and thus, his judgment of conviction is void. We construe Levy‘s motion to vacate a void judgment as an untimely petition for postconviction relief under
{¶ 10} Because Levy was convicted in 2002, and this court affirmed his convictions in his direct appeal in 2004, Levy‘s 2021 motion is untimely. See
{¶ 11} If a petition is successive or untimely, a defendant may still seek relief pursuant to
{¶ 12} Typically, a petitioner‘s failure to satisfy
{¶ 14} When the petitioner contends that the trial court lacked jurisdiction over his conviction, res judicata will not apply. A jurisdictional defect cannot be waived and may be raised at any time. State ex rel Tubbs Jones v. Suster, 84 Ohio St.3d 70, 75, 701 N.E.2d 1002 (1998); see also NDHMD, Inc. v. Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Revision, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98004, 2012-Ohio-5508, ¶ 8. This is because “[i]f a court acts without jurisdiction, then any proclamation by that court is void.” Id., citing Patton v. Diemer, 35 Ohio St.3d 68, 518 N.E.2d 941 (1988) (courts have inherent authority to vacate their own void judgments). Accordingly, because a void judgment is a nullity, it is open to collateral attack at any time. Lingo v. State, 138 Ohio St.3d 427, 2014-Ohio-1052, 7 N.E.3d 1188, ¶ 46. Moreover, such attacks cannot be defeated by res judicata. Id. See also State v. Wilson, 73 Ohio St.3d 40, 45, 652 N.E.2d 196 (1995), fn. 6, (holding that res judicata does not bar a criminal defendant from challenging a trial court‘s subject matter jurisdiction in a petition for postconviction relief).
{¶ 15} In Harper and Henderson, the Supreme Court of Ohio realigned its precedent with the traditional understanding of what constitutes a void judgment. Harper at ¶ 4; Henderson at ¶ 34. The court did so to “restore predictability and finality to trial-court judgments and criminal sentences.” Henderson at ¶ 33. As explained in Henderson, “[a] void judgment is rendered by a court without jurisdiction. * * * A voidable judgment is one pronounced by a court with jurisdiction.” Id. at ¶ 17. If a judgment is void, “[i]t is a mere nullity and can be disregarded” and “[i]t can be attacked in collateral proceedings.” Id., citing Tari v. State, 117 Ohio St. 481, 494, 159 N.E. 594 (1927).
{¶ 16} In Harper, the Supreme Court of Ohio returned to the traditional view and held that “[w]hen a case is within a court‘s subject-matter jurisdiction and the accused is properly before the court, any error in the exercise of that jurisdiction in imposing postrelease control renders the court‘s judgment voidable, permitting the sentence to be set aside if the error has been successfully challenged on direct appeal.” Id. at ¶ 4. In Henderson, the court recognized that Harper involved the imposition of postrelease control and was not a case in which a trial court deviated from a statutory mandate. Henderson at ¶ 27. The court made clear “that sentences
{¶ 17} However, in Ogle, 167 Ohio St.3d 181, 2021-Ohio-4453, 190 N.E.3d 594, the Ohio Supreme Court applied Henderson and addressed what constitutes a void sentence in the context of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. After an unsuccessful direct appeal, Ogle filed a complaint for writs of prohibition and mandamus as a means to void her conviction, contending that the trial judge had no jurisdiction to conduct a sentencing hearing because she did not waive her right to trial counsel. The appellate court dismissed her writ of prohibition, deciding that the trial judge had general jurisdiction over Ogle‘s felony case; the court also dismissed her writ of mandamus, finding that she had an adequate remedy by way of a direct appeal to assert her right-to-counsel claim.
{¶ 18} The Ohio Supreme Court reversed the appellate court decision, finding that Ogle pleaded “a colorable claim that [the trial judge] violated her Sixth Amendment [right to counsel] when [the judge] ordered her to not communicate with any lawyer and then sentenced her and that this error rendered the sentencing
{¶ 19} According to the Ogle Court, a Sixth Amendment violation renders an associated conviction void meaning the trial court lacked jurisdiction over the subject matter of the case or personal jurisdiction over the accused. Ogle at ¶ 12-14; see also State v. Hudson, 161 Ohio St.3d 166, 2020-Ohio-3849, 161 N.E.3d 608, ¶ 17 (stating the same). And when a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the issue of jurisdiction cannot be waived or forfeited and may be asserted at any time. See State v. Mbodji, 129 Ohio St.3d 325, 2011-Ohio-2880, 951 N.E.2d 1025, ¶ 10. Accordingly, Harper and Henderson would not bar Levy relief.
{¶ 20} We recognize that the Ohio Supreme Court decided Ogle when reviewing a writ proceeding where the issue was whether the petitioner made a “colorable claim” for relief. And although it would seem that Ogle would not be precluded under Harper and Henderson from raising deprivation of trial counsel in a postconviction collateral attack, the Supreme Court did not address what effect
{¶ 21} The dissent in Ogle focused on the majority‘s characterization of “jurisdiction” in the Zerbst context, finding that the evolution of case law demonstrates that Zerbst‘s use of the term “jurisdiction” was not based on subject-matter jurisdiction, but rather the generic term of “jurisdiction.” The dissent concluded that denying an accused the assistance of counsel is not a jurisdictional error but a structural error. Id. at ¶ 34 (Kennedy, [C.]J., dissenting). “The trial court, then, was the proper forum to sentence Ogle for committing a felony, and consideration of whether the court denied her the assistance of counsel addressed the rights of the parties, not the adjudicatory power of the court.” Id. at ¶ 38 (Kennedy, [C].J., dissenting.) According to the dissent, Harper and Henderson would bar Ogle from relief because her argument challenging a right to counsel would render her conviction voidable, not void, and thus, subject to res judicata.
{¶ 22} From the outside looking in, the majority in Ogle appears to have only decided the issue presented — whether Ogle presented a colorable claim that would defeat a
III. Denial of Counsel is Structural Error
{¶ 23} A criminal defendant‘s right to counsel is guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10, of the Ohio Constitution. Correlative to this right is the criminal defendant‘s right to represent himself. State v. Martin, 103 Ohio St.3d 385, 2004-Ohio-5471, 816 N.E.2d 227, ¶ 23; State v. Hackett, 164 Ohio St.3d 74, 2020-Ohio-6699, 172 N.E.3d 75, ¶ 9 (a defendant has a constitutional right to self-representation). Denial of either of these rights may result in structural error, warranting per se reversal. State v. Perry, 101 Ohio St.3d 118, 2004-Ohio-297, 802 N.E.2d 643, ¶ 18; Weaver v. Massachusetts, 137 S.Ct. 1899, 1907-1908, 198 L.Ed.2d 420 (2017); United States v. Davila, 569 U.S. 597, 611, 133 S.Ct. 2139, 186 L.Ed.2d 139 (2013) (Structural error has been recognized only in limited circumstances involving fundamental constitutional rights, including the denial of counsel to an indigent defendant, the denial of counsel of choice, and the denial of self-representation at trial.).
{¶ 24} In this case, Levy maintains that he never properly waived his right to counsel. Accordingly, he contends that that he was deprived of his constitutional right to counsel.
{¶ 26}
{¶ 27} The writing requirement of
{¶ 29} In this case, Levy repeatedly asserted that he wished to proceed pro se, did not want trial counsel, and never objected to not having counsel. (Tr. 5-23.) He did not, however, execute a written waiver of counsel in accordance with
{¶ 30} In 2006, the Northern District of Ohio considered whether Levy made a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary wavier of counsel when it considered his petition for writ of habeas corpus. See Levy, N.D.Ohio No. 1:06-CV-237, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8726 (Feb. 6, 2008). Among his five grounds for relief, Levy contended in his second ground that he “was denied the right to counsel in violation of the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments where [he] was not informed of the nature and consequences of the crimes charged so as to enable him to make an informed decision” regarding his waiver of trial counsel. In his first ground for relief, Levy asserted that his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise whether Levy‘s waiver of counsel was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.
{¶ 31} The federal court determined that Levy‘s arguments challenging his waiver of counsel lacked merit because Levy “was fully aware of the charges against him; his waiver of his right to counsel was made freely, unequivocally, and voluntarily.” Id. at 13. The court reasoned:
Levy had been represented by counsel in previous matters, therefore his familiarity with the criminal justice system belie any claim that he did not know the disadvantages of proceeding without counsel when he opted to do so. His utilization of pretrial procedures and preparation also illustrate that he had extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system. *** [T]he record demonstrated that Levy clearly and unequivocally opted to represent himself.
{¶ 32} Although we are not bound by rulings on federal constitutional law made by a federal court other than the United States Supreme Court, this court is permitted to review this decision with some persuasive weight. State v. Burnett, 93 Ohio St.3d 419, 424, 755 N.E.2d 857 (2001); State ex rel. Heller v. Miller, 61 Ohio St. 2d 6, 8, 399 N.E.2d 66 (1980).
{¶ 33} We find the district court‘s decision cogent, and further find that based on the transcript of the proceedings, Levy waived his right to counsel. Prior to trial, Levy insisted that he proceed pro se for trial. In fact, despite having appointed counsel, he told the trial court that he had “been representing myself from the beginning pro se.” (Tr. 7.) When the court inquired whether he needed his appointed counsel, Levy unequivocally said, “No. * * * Yeah, I‘m sure, because I already got a pretty solid defense ready. I just need to get to a law library so I could put it together.” (Tr. 8.) The court asked Levy‘s appointed counsel about the decision and counsel responded, “Other than that in speaking with Jermaine, he‘s indicated that he wants to represent himself. * * * I went over his opening statement and the voir dire of the jury.” (Tr. 11.) The court found that no reason existed to believe that Levy was not competent to represent himself and then explained to Levy that no special privileges would be afforded to him merely because he was acting pro se. (Tr. 19-21.) Levy stated that he understood and wished to proceed pro se. Moreover, during the middle of trial and while discussing issuing subpoenas and the compulsory process, Levy told the court, “I am a pro se defendant. I did waive my
{¶ 34} Even if this court were to find that Levy did not knowingly waive counsel, thus constituting structural error, he has failed to demonstrate that the error rises to the level of plain error that this court must correct. In State v. West, Slip Opinion No. 2022-Ohio-1556, the Ohio Supreme Court reiterated that “a structural error is a violation of the basic constitutional guarantees that define the framework of a criminal trial; it is not susceptible to harmless-error review but rather, when an objection has been raised in the trial court, is grounds for automatic reversal.” Id. at ¶ 2, citing State v. Jones, 160 Ohio St.3d 314, 2020-Ohio-3051, 156 N.E.3d 872, ¶ 2, 20; see also State v. Gray, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 106589, 2018-Ohio-3678, ¶ 30. “But when the accused fails to object to the error in the trial court, appellate courts apply the plain-error standard of review, shifting the burden to the accused to demonstrate that the error affected the trial‘s outcome.” West at id, citing Jones at ¶ 17. In fact, the Ohio Supreme Court has consistently “rejected the notion that there is any category of forfeited error that is not subject to the plain error rule‘s requirement of prejudicial effect on the outcome.” West at id., quoting Rogers, 143 Ohio St.3d 385, 2015-Ohio-2459, 38 N.E.3d 860, ¶ 24, citing Perry, 101 Ohio St.3d 118, 2004-Ohio-297, 802 N.E.2d 643, at ¶ 23.
{¶ 36} In his emergency motion to vacate void judgment, Levy did not argue plain error. But in an argument raised for the first time on appeal, Levy asserts that he was prejudiced by the invalid waiver because he was unfamiliar with the potential penalty associated with the offenses. Despite this new argument, Levy has not demonstrated that he would not have proceeded without counsel had a valid waiver been executed or he had been thoroughly advised of the perils of self-representation. Accordingly, even reviewing for plain error, this is not the exceptional case where intervention by this court is required to prevent a manifest miscarriage of justice.
{¶ 37} Based on the foregoing, we find that the trial court did not err in denying Levy‘s emergency motion to vacate void judgment. His assignments of error are overruled.
{¶ 38} Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
KATHLEEN ANN KEOUGH, JUDGE
FRANK DANIEL CELEBREZZE, III, P.J., and MARY J. BOYLE, J., CONCUR