State v. Hill

Citations

• 2019 Ohio 2743

Syllabus

Restitution. We review a trial court's decision to order restitution for abuse of discretion. Pursuant to R.C. 2929.18(A)(1), a trial court may order an offender to pay restitution to the victim's family in an amount based on the victim's economic loss as part of a felony sentence. A plain reading of R.C. 2929.18(A)(1) vests the trial court with jurisdiction to order restitution. With respect to the amount of restitution imposed, the court must engage in a due process ascertainment that the amount of restitution bears a reasonable relationship to the loss suffered. In addition, the amount must be supported by competent, credible evidence. Further, the statute contains no statement about incorporating restitution into plea agreements. Our review of the record reveals that there was competent and credible evidence from which the trial court was able to discern the amount of restitution to a reasonable degree of certainty. The trial court satisfied the statutory requirements and we find no abuse of discretion in these matters.