E. Cleveland v. Kline

Citations

• 2025 Ohio 1063

Syllabus

Operating a Vehichle Impaired (\OVI\); under the influence; Traf.R. 10; Traf.R. 10(D); Traf.R. 10(B); Traf.R. 1(B); Traf.R. 2(D); Crim.R. 11; Crim.R. 1(C)(3); traffic case; ordinance; misdemeanor; petty offense; plea; effect; no contest; accepted; never entered; conviction; nullity. Reversed appellant's conviction for operating a vehicle while under the influence, which was a petty misdemeanor traffic offense. Because the case involved the violation of a traffic ordinance, Traf.R. 10 applied, rather than Crim.R. 11. Appellant challenged whether the trial court complied with Traf.R. 10(B) and (D). Regardless of any deficiencies in informing appellant of the effect of the plea of no contest, the record showed that appellant never actually entered a plea of no contest, which was conceded by the city. Therefore, appellant's conviction was a nullity.