[Cite as State v. Hudson,
2025-Ohio-5258.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
LUCAS COUNTY
State of Ohio/City of Toledo Court of Appeals No. L-24-1230
Appellee Trial Court No. TRD-20-08413
v.
Kerri Hudson DECISION AND JUDGMENT
Appellant Decided: November 21, 2025
…
Rebecca Facey, City of Toledo Prosecuting Attorney, and
Jimmie Jones, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.
Joseph Sobecki, for appellant.
…
OSOWIK, J.
Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 1} At the outset, we will note that although this case involves two consolidated
trial cases, this appeal only involves TRD-20-08413.
{¶ 2} In that case, appellant Kerri Hudson was issued a traffic citation on August
10, 2020, alleging a violation of R.C. 4511.21A, Speed and Assured Clear Distance and
R.C. 4510.11 Suspended Driver License.
{¶ 3} On August 28, 2024, pursuant to a plea agreement with the prosecution,
appellant entered a plea of no contest to a violation of R.C. 4510.11, Driving Under
Suspension.
{¶ 4} Appellant was sentenced to 180 days in work-release with 150 days
suspended and ordered to pay $500 in restitution.
{¶ 5} At the plea hearing, the following exchange took place:
Mr. SHEEHAN: Let me grab the parties from the hallway. Judge, if we
could start with the TRD-2020 case.
THE COURT: Okay.
MR. SHEEHAN: Mr. Davenport. I do have listed other driver as well as
witness present. There was a $500 deductible put forth previously.
We do have a resolution.
THE COURT: Let me just double check. August 10 of 2022? That's
correct - - okay, it's marked no accident. That's why I'm just double
checking.
MR. SHEEHAN: Understood.
THE COURT: Okay, all right, go ahead.
MR. SHEEHAN: Judge, at this time there would be a plea to Count 1,
the driving under suspension, as charged. That would be stipulated to
with a $500 amount for restitution of a deductible. Upon that plea and
stipulation, City would off docket any remaining counts on that file. It is in
consent with victim and witness who are present.
MR. STEBBINS: We appreciate that, Your Honor. We tender a plea of
no contest, consent to a finding of guilt. Waive reading and call for
explanation of circumstances and consent there's a factual basis for a
finding of guilt and waive a presentation of evidence on the record.
Stipulate that my client would be willing to pay a $500 deductible as
soon as humanly possible.
{¶ 6} The record of the proceedings then reflects a discussion between the court,
counsel, the prosecutor as well as several of the other drivers involved with this case as
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well as the TRD-24-05720 case that is not the subject of this appeal.
{¶ 7} Ultimately, the court proceeded to sentencing without informing the
defendant of the effect of the plea of her no contest plea.
Assignment of Error
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY ACCEPTING APPELLANT’S NO CONTEST PLEA
WITHOUT INFORMING THE APPELLANT OF THE EFFCT OF THE NO CONTEST
PLEA; THEREFORE, APPELLANT’S PLEA IN CASE NUMBER TRD-20-08413
WAS NOT ENTERED KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTELLIGENTLY.
{¶ 8} Appellant argues that she pled no contest to a violation of R.C. 4510.11in
case number TRD-20-08413. That offense is classified as a first degree misdemeanor. As
such, it is further considered to be a “petty offense” subject to the admonitions of
Crim.R 11( E) before the trial court could accept her plea.
{¶ 9} The appellee concedes that the trial court did not comply with the Traf.R.10
advisements prior to accepting the appellant’s no contest plea. Pursuant to State v.
Watkins, 2003-Ohio-2419, the plea and sentence must be vacated and the case remanded
to the trial court for further proceedings.
Law and analysis
{¶ 10} A violation of R.C. 4510.11, Driving Under Suspension, is a traffic
violation. As such, the Ohio Traffic Rules, rather than the Ohio Rules of Criminal
Procedure, are applicable in this case. Id.at ¶ 10. Whoever violates R.C. 4510.11 is guilty
of a misdemeanor of the first degree. R.C. § 4510.11 (D)(1).
{¶ 11} Traf.R. 10 addresses pleas and a defendant's rights when pleading. Traf.R.
10(D) addresses misdemeanor cases involving petty offenses. A “petty offense” is
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defined in Traf.R. 2 as an offense for which the penalty prescribed by law includes
confinement for six months or less. It is undisputed that appellant's offense was a petty
offense. Traf.R. 10(D) reads:
In misdemeanor cases involving petty offenses, except those
processed in a traffic violations bureau, the court may refuse to
accept a plea of guilty or no contest and shall not accept such pleas
without first informing the defendant of the effect of the plea of
guilty, no contest, and not guilty.
{¶ 12} The effect of a no contest plea is defined in Traf.R. 10(B)(2)which states:
The plea of no contest is not an admission of defendant's guilt, but is
an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint and
such plea or admission shall not be used against the defendant in any
subsequent civil or criminal proceeding. Traf.R 10(D).
{¶ 13} Courts have recognized, however, that Traf.R. 10(D) and Crim.R. 11(E)
which addresses pleas in misdemeanor (non-traffic) cases involving petty offenses are
identical in all relevant respects and, therefore, cases analyzing a court's duties under
Crim.R. 11(E) can also be applied to cases analyzing Traf.R. 10(D). Toledo v.
Blackshear, 2020-Ohio-1233, ¶ 26 (6th Dist.).
{¶ 14} Relevantly, Crim.R 11(E ) states:
(E) Misdemeanor Cases Involving Petty Offenses. In misdemeanor
cases involving petty offenses the court may refuse to accept a plea of
guilty or no contest, and shall not accept such pleas without first
informing the defendant of the effect of the plea of guilty, no contest,
and not guilty. Ohio Crim. R. 11
{¶ 15} Further, Crim.R 11(B) (2) is identical in language to Traf.R. 10(B)(2) with
respect to a no contest plea:
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(B) Effect of Guilty or No Contest Pleas. With reference to
the offense or offenses to which the plea is entered:
(1) The plea of guilty is a complete admission of the
defendant's guilt.
(2) The plea of no contest is not an admission of defendant's
guilt, but is an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in
the indictment, information, or complaint, and the plea or
admission shall not be used against the defendant in any
subsequent civil or criminal proceeding.
(3) When a plea of guilty or no contest is accepted pursuant to
this rule, the court, except as provided in divisions (C)(3) and
(4) of this rule, shall proceed with sentencing under Crim.R.
32. Ohio Crim. R. 11
{¶ 16} We have consistently held that if a trial court completely fails to comply
with Crim.R. 11 in any regard, whether constitutional or non-constitutional rights are
involved, there is no need to demonstrate prejudice because it can be presumed that a
knowing, intelligent, and voluntary plea could not have been made and the plea must be
vacated. State v. Whitfield, 2018-Ohio-667, ¶ 7-11 (6th Dist.), State v. Bourn, 2018-Ohio-
2040, ¶ 7 (6th Dist.), Toledo v. Rosas,
2025-Ohio-5022 ¶ 18 (6th Dist.).
{¶ 17} In the case before us, the record establishes that there was no compliance
with Crim.R. 11(E) by the trial court before accepting the no contest plea of appellant.
The trial court never addressed the defendant and informed her of the effect of the plea
that she was entering. Therefore, we find appellant's sole assignment of error well-taken.
Conclusion
{¶ 18} Having found that the trial court did commit error prejudicial to appellant
and that substantial justice has not been done, the judgment of the Toledo Municipal
Court is reversed, appellant's plea and sentence is vacated, and this case is remanded to
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the trial court for further proceedings. Appellee is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal
pursuant to App.R. 24. A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate
pursuant to App.R. 27.
Judgment reversed and remanded.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.
See also 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
Thomas J. Osowik, J.
JUDGE
Myron C. Duhart, J.
JUDGE
Charles E. Sulek, P.J.
CONCUR. JUDGE
This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of
Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported
version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at:
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/.
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