State v. Burks

Citations

• 2026 Ohio 259

Syllabus

Sexual-predator classification; sexual-predator hearing; Megan's Law; manifest weight of the evidence; insufficient record for review. Appellant pleaded guilty to sexual battery, a felony of the third degree. Prior to sentencing, the trial court held a sexual-predator hearing pursuant to Megan's Law. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court classified appellant as a sexual predator. On appeal, the appellant challenged the trial court's decision to classify him as a sexual predator. The appellate court held that when pronouncing its decision to classify appellant as a sexual predator, the trial court failed to have a discussion on the record to explain its decision, nor did the trial court discuss the relevant evidence, facts, or statutory factors it considered or relied upon in coming to its decision. As a result, the appellate court vacated the sexual-predator designation and remanded the case to the trial court to hold a new sexual-predator hearing consistent with its opinion.