State v. Jefferson

Citations

• 2025 Ohio 2008

Syllabus

Discretionary fine; R.C. 2929.19(B)(5); present and future ability to pay; plain error; presentence-investigation report; ineffective assistance of counsel; failure to object. The trial court imposed a $5,000 fine as part of a criminal defendant's sentence. Prior to imposing the sentence, the trial court indicated that it had reviewed the presentence-investigation report. The report included information regarding the defendant's age, education, physical and mental health, and employment history. This information contained in the report is sufficient from which a trial court could reasonably conclude that Jefferson had the ability to pay the imposed fine. As such, it may be inferred that the trial court considered the defendant's present and future ability to pay the imposed fine. Defense counsel was not ineffective for failing to object to the imposition of the fine.