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255 N.E.3d 207

State v. Nevels

Ohio Court of Appeals

Decided October 15, 2024

Ohio Court of Appeals · decided 2024-10-15

Crim.R. 48; Dismissal of criminal case by trial court; Exclusion of evidence on the basis of non-compliance with Crim.R. 41. The trial court erred in sua sponte dismissing one count of an indictment without adequate notice to the prosecution, and the trial court erred in excluding evidence at trial when a motion to suppress that same evidence was properly denied by the trial court.

Relies on Blakemore v. Blakemore · Murzyn v. United States · United States v. Burke

Decided 2024-10-15

[Cite as State v. Nevels, 
2024-Ohio-4964
.]




                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                           THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                LOGAN COUNTY




STATE OF OHIO,
                                                          CASE NO. 8-23-31
         PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT,

    v.

NICHOLAS A. NEVELS,                                       OPINION

         DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.



                  Appeal from Logan County Common Pleas Court
                           Trial Court No. CR 22 11 0268

                       Judgments Reversed and Cause Remanded

                             Date of Decision: October 15, 2024



APPEARANCES:

         Eric C. Stewart for Appellant

         Alison Boggs for Appellee
Case No. 8-23-31



WALDICK, J.

       {¶1} Plaintiff-appellant, State of Ohio (“the State”), appeals the December

18, 2023 judgments of the Logan County Common Pleas Court, wherein the trial

court dismissed a count of the indictment pending against the defendant-appellee,

Nicholas Nevels (“Nevels”), and ordered that certain evidence was inadmissible at

trial as to another count in the indictment. For the reasons set forth below, we

reverse.

                       Procedural and Factual Background

       {¶2} This matter stems from an October 16, 2022 traffic stop, by the

Bellefontaine Police Department, of a vehicle driven by Nevels. As a result, on

November 8, 2022, a three-count indictment was returned by a Logan County grand

jury. Count 1 of the indictment charged Nevels with Operating a Vehicle Under the

Influence of Alcohol or a Drug of Abuse (“OVI”), a fourth-degree felony in

violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(2)(a), (A)(2)(b), and (G)(1)(d), with the OVI charge

based on the general allegation that Nevels had operated a vehicle while under the

influence of alcohol. Count 2 charged Nevels with OVI, a fourth-degree felony in

violation of R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(f) and (G)(1)(d), with the OVI charge in that count

based on the allegation that Nevels had operated a vehicle when he had a specified

concentration of alcohol in his blood. Count 3 of the indictment charged Nevels

with Identity Fraud, a fifth-degree felony in violation of R.C. 2913.49(B)(1).


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         {¶3} On June 16, 2023, an arraignment was held and Nevels entered a not

guilty plea to the indictment.

         {¶4} On November 3, 2023, Nevels filed a motion to suppress

evidence/motion in limine, seeking the exclusion of (1) the results of any field

sobriety tests and/or the results of any testing of breath, blood, or urine to determine

the concentration of alcohol or drugs in Nevels’ body; (2) any statements made by

Nevels; (3) observations and opinions of any police officers as to Nevels’ sobriety

or intoxication; and (4) any and all evidence obtained as the result of the warrantless

seizure of Nevels. The motion then set forth seven grounds in support of Nevels’

request that the stated evidence be suppressed or otherwise deemed inadmissible at

trial.

         {¶5} On December 1, 2023, the first part of a suppression hearing was

held. At that initial hearing, the prosecution presented a number of exhibits and the

testimony of two witnesses: Tony Hurley, a registered nurse employed by Mary

Rutan Hospital who drew blood from Nevels following his arrest, pursuant to a

search warrant obtained by the police, and Andrew Purk, an officer with the

Bellefontaine Police Department who was the arresting officer and search warrant

affiant in the case. The proceedings on the motion to suppress were then adjourned

until December 15, 2023.

         {¶6} On December 12, 2023, Nevels filed a supplemental motion to

suppress/motion in limine. In that motion, Nevels moved to suppress blood

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Case No. 8-23-31


evidence obtained from Nevels pursuant to the search warrant, on the basis that law

enforcement violated Crim.R. 41 and Nevels’ constitutional rights. Specifically, the

motion alleged that law enforcement executed the search warrant in the case during

the nighttime hours without obtaining a nighttime search warrant as required by

Crim.R. 41 for non-daytime searches and, further, that a prompt return of the search

warrant was not made by law enforcement as also required by Crim.R. 41.

       {¶7} On December 14, 2023, the State of Ohio filed a memorandum in

response to the supplemental motion to suppress. In that response, the prosecution

acknowledged that it did not dispute the facts asserted by Nevels regarding the lack

of a nighttime search warrant and the fact that a return of the warrant was not timely

made. However, the State argued that Nevels’ supplemental motion should be

denied as the violations of Crim.R. 41 were not constitutional violations and

therefore the exclusionary rule was inapplicable.

       {¶8} On December 15, 2023, the suppression hearing resumed, at which time

the prosecution presented additional exhibits and the testimony of Lindsie Mayfield,

a criminologist in the toxicology section of the Ohio State Highway Patrol

laboratory, who analyzed the blood sample from Nevels for the presence of alcohol.

The defense then presented evidence, calling Officer Purk to the stand to be

questioned concerning the issues raised in the supplemental motion to suppress.

       {¶9} Following argument by counsel on the various suppression issues raised

by Nevels’ motions, the trial court ruled from the bench that the motions to suppress

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Case No. 8-23-31


were overruled because no constitutional violations had occurred. However, the

trial court then sua sponte announced that, pursuant to Crim.R. 48, the court was

dismissing Count 2 of the indictment. In making that order from the bench, the trial

court found that the dismissal was necessary due to the procedural violations of

Crim.R. 41 when it came to the search warrant, and also because the suppression

hearing evidence had established that the judge who signed the search warrant had

made corrections to the defendant’s name and identifying information on the

warrant. In response to a request by the prosecutor for clarification of the trial

court’s ruling, the court ruled that Count 2 would be dismissed and that no evidence

stemming from the search warrant would be permitted at trial as to Count 1.

       {¶10} On December 18, 2023, the trial court filed two judgment entries. In

the first one, Docket No. 65, the trial court journalized its denial of Nevels’ motion

to suppress and supplemental motion to suppress. Following a detailed analysis, the

trial court found the alleged constitutional violations raised by the initial motion to

suppress to be without merit, and overruled that motion. As to the supplemental

motion to suppress evidence stemming from the search warrant, which was based

on the violations of procedural provisions in Crim.R. 41, the trial court found that

the violations were neither intentional nor based on some nefarious motive, but

noted that it was undisputed that the provisions of that rule were violated as alleged

by Nevels (i.e. law enforcement executed the search warrant during the nighttime

hours without obtaining a nighttime search warrant as required by Crim.R. 41 and,

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Case No. 8-23-31


further, that a return of the search warrant was not made in a prompt fashion as also

required by Crim.R. 41). However, the trial court found that the exclusionary rule

cannot be applied to non-constitutional violations and therefore also overruled the

supplemental motion to suppress the search warrant evidence, finding that the test

results of Nevels’ blood-alcohol level were admissible at trial. In that same

judgment entry, the trial court then added a footnote stating “[t]he Court’s

subsequent decision based on Criminal Rule 48(B) negates the admissibility of this

evidence.” (Docket No. 65, p. 12).

       {¶11} In the second judgment entry filed on December 18, 2023, Docket No.

66, the trial court journalized its dismissal of Count 2 of the indictment. In that

decision, the trial court found that the suppression hearing evidence established that

the Bellefontaine Police Department failed to comply with the requirements of

Crim.R. 41 in two respects: (1) there was no authorization in the search warrant for

a nighttime search, and (2) the warrant and inventory were not returned to the court

of the issuing judge within a reasonable time. The trial court further found that “the

testimony demonstrated that the warrant was not properly prepared when presented

to the Judge who found it necessary to correct the warrant by inserting all the

identification information regarding the subject of the warrant (i.e. the Defendant

who would have his blood drawn) and also deleting incorrect identification

information (of a prior subject).” (Docket No. 66, pp. 1-2). The trial court then

invoked the “remedy” of Crim.R. 48(B), stating:

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Case No. 8-23-31


       As announced in open Court, the Court determines that dismissal of
       Count 2 of the indictment is necessary for the following
       reasons. First, it is necessary to uphold the integrity of the
       requirements of the Criminal Rules. Doing so adds urgency to their
       understanding and does not allow them to be ignored when traditional
       suppression is not possible. Not imposing a consequence for clear
       violations is unacceptable. Second, the Court concludes that the
       Bellefontaine Police Department improperly caused the issuing Judge
       to become a scrivener and advocate for the warrant when it was not
       properly prepared when presented. Obviously, the Judge cannot
       undertake such roles. Here, it appears that the Judge’s correcting the
       warrant made it possible for the three hour blood draw requirement to
       be met when the warrant should have been rejected and resubmitted
       later (likely outside the three hour limit). Protecting the integrity and
       independence of the issuing judge is accomplished by the dismissal
       remedy. Third, failing to impose some detrimental remedy for non-compliance undermines the integrity of the investigating agency and
       the public’s confidence that law enforcement agencies are also
       required to follow applicable laws. (If ignorance of the law is not a
       defense for suspects, ignorance of the law is not a defense for the
       investigators.) Fourth, dismissal of Count 2 only eliminates a
       duplicitous charge for which the penalties would merge if convicted
       of both Counts 1 and 2. This mitigation reduces any harm to the
       public and the jury when evidence is otherwise suppressed under
       constitutional contexts. Fifth, since the investigating officer is also a
       training officer, the learning experience to him of being held to a
       higher standard of compliance will likely be relayed to future students
       and law enforcement officers. A greater social good is thereby
       accomplished beyond the mere application of one case.

(Emphasis in original). (Docket No. 66).

       {¶12} On December 18, 2023, the State of Ohio filed a notice of appeal of

the judgments entered by the trial court earlier on that same date. As to the ruling

relating to the admissibility of the search warrant evidence, the state’s notice of

appeal was accompanied by a certification made pursuant to Crim.R. 12(K).



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Case No. 8-23-31


       {¶13} In the appeal now pending before this Court, the State of Ohio raises

two assignments of error.

                             First Assignment of Error

       The trial court erred in dismissing Count 2 of the indictment.

                            Second Assignment of Error

       The trial court erred in ruling the blood-alcohol was inadmissible
       at trial.

                              First Assignment of Error

       {¶14} In the first assignment of error, the State of Ohio asserts that the trial

court erred in dismissing Count 2 of the indictment pursuant to Crim.R. 48.

       Crim.R. 48 provides:

       (A) Dismissal by the State. The state may by leave of court and in
       open court file an entry of dismissal of an indictment, information, or
       complaint and the prosecution shall thereupon terminate.

       (B) Dismissal by the Court. If the court over objection of the state
       dismisses an indictment, information, or complaint, it shall state on
       the record its findings of fact and reasons for the dismissal.

       {¶15} “[A] judge may dismiss a case pursuant to Crim.R. 48(B) if a

dismissal serves the interests of justice.” State v. Busch, 
76 Ohio St.3d 613, 615

(1996). In Busch, the trial court granted the request of a domestic violence

victim to dismiss the case. The Supreme Court of Ohio found the dismissal to be

within the trial court’s discretion pursuant to Crim.R. 48. In finding the dismissal

to be proper, the Ohio Supreme Court noted that “Crim.R. 48(B) recognizes by

implication that trial judges may sua sponte dismiss a criminal action over the
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Case No. 8-23-31


objection of the prosecution, since the rule sets forth the trial court’s procedure for

doing so.” 
Id.
 The Court went on to specifically hold that “[t]he rule does not limit

the reasons for which a trial judge might dismiss a case, and we are convinced that

a judge may dismiss a case pursuant to Crim.R. 48(B) if a dismissal serves the

interests of justice.” 
Id.

       {¶16} We review a trial court’s dismissal of a criminal charge under Crim.R.

48(B) for an abuse of discretion. State v. Myrick, 
2020-Ohio-974, ¶ 7
 (3d Dist.),

citing State v. Heard, 
2017-Ohio-4, ¶ 10
 (12th Dist.) and State v. Elqatto, 2012-

Ohio-4304, ¶ 17 (10th Dist.). An abuse of discretion is more than an error in

judgment; rather, it implies that the trial court’s attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary,

or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 
5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219
 (1983).

       {¶17} While acknowledging a trial court’s discretion to dismiss a criminal

charge pursuant to Crim.R. 48(B), this Court has held that such a dismissal may not

properly be ordered without adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard having

been granted to the prosecution.

       {¶18} In State v. 
Myrick, supra,
 we noted that Crim.R. 48(B) “‘incorporates

language clearly envisioning the awareness and participation of the state in the

dismissal process.’” Id., at ¶ 7, quoting Huron v. Slauterbeck, 
2015-Ohio-5022, ¶ 8

(6th Dist.). Accordingly, in Myrick, the trial court’s dismissal of a criminal charge

was found to be an abuse of discretion where the prosecution had no notice that



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Case No. 8-23-31


dismissal was being contemplated and was not provided an opportunity to be heard

on that issue.

       {¶19} In State v. Walker, 
2020-Ohio-4949
 (3d. Dist.), this Court found that

the trial court erred in sua sponte dismissing a criminal complaint pursuant to

Crim.R. 48(B) when, although a hearing was held just one day before the dismissal,

the trial court did not make any statement on the record indicating to the parties that

it was contemplating dismissal. Id., at ¶ 10. Because the trial court failed to provide

notice to the parties of its intention to dismiss the case, and therefore the State was

not afforded the opportunity to object to the dismissal or provide an argument in

opposition to dismissal, we concluded that the trial court abused its discretion by

dismissing the criminal charges against Walker. Id.

       {¶20} In the instant case, the trial court dismissed Count 2 on its own motion

and without any advance notice to the parties that dismissal was being

considered. While the trial court articulated findings of fact and the reasons for the

dismissal, the State was not provided an adequate opportunity to object or to

advance an argument in opposition to dismissal. Accordingly, we find that the trial

court’s sua sponte dismissal of Count 2 of the indictment under such circumstances

was an abuse of discretion and, therefore, reversible error.

       {¶21} The first assignment of error is sustained.




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Case No. 8-23-31


                            Second Assignment of Error

       {¶22} In the second assignment of error, the State of Ohio asserts that the

trial court erred in ruling that Nevels’ blood-alcohol test results, stemming from a

blood sample obtained via a search warrant, were inadmissible as to Count 1. Upon

review, we find that the State’s contention here also has merit.

       {¶23} As detailed above, the trial court in this case overruled a defense

motion to suppress the blood-alcohol evidence obtained by law enforcement

pursuant to a search warrant. However, due to law enforcement’s non-compliance

with two procedural provisions of Crim.R. 41, which governs the execution of

search warrants, the trial court then sua sponte dismissed Count 2 of the indictment,

which was an OVI charge based specifically on the alleged level of alcohol in

Nevels’ blood at the time of his arrest.

       {¶24} In ordering the dismissal of Count 2, the trial court further held – both

on the record when ruling from the bench and in its subsequent judgment entries –

that the dismissal of Count 2 also served to render the blood-alcohol test results

inadmissible as to Count 1, being an OVI charge based on the general allegation

that Nevels was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The trial

court did not elaborate as to why it believed that the dismissal of Count 2 rendered

the blood-alcohol test results inadmissible as to Count 1, and this Court is unable to

independently surmise what the trial court’s logic may have been, beyond that

court’s obvious concern that Crim.R. 41 was not strictly complied with by the law

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Case No. 8-23-31


enforcement officers involved in investigating Nevels’ alleged crimes and that the

judge authorizing the search warrant had made corrections to her order before

signing it.

       {¶25} Nevertheless, we find that the ultimate effect of the trial court’s ruling

that the blood test results were inadmissible as to Count 1 was to suppress that

evidence, regardless of how the trial court may have characterized its decision.

       {¶26} As the Supreme Court of Ohio has held, pursuant to analyzing a

prosecutor’s right to appeal under Crim.R. 12 and R.C. 2945.67, there is no practical

distinction between the result of a ruling granting a “motion to suppress” evidence

and one granting a “motion in limine” to exclude evidence. State v. Davidson, 
17 Ohio St.3d 132, 135
 (1985). In so holding, the Ohio Supreme Court found that the

determination of whether a motion is a “motion to suppress” does not depend on

what it is labeled but, rather, on the type of relief it seeks to obtain. 
Id.
 “Any other

result would improperly elevate form over substance.” 
Id.

       {¶27} This Court finds the same to be true upon considering the actual impact

of the trial court’s ruling in this case on the inadmissibility of Nevels’ blood-alcohol

test results as to Count 1. While the trial court may not have deemed its ruling to

be one suppressing evidence, suppression of evidence was the ultimate effect of the

trial court’s roundabout ruling that the evidence was inadmissible. Our conclusion

is further bolstered by the fact that the apparent bases behind the trial court’s ruling

were to sanction law enforcement for failing to adhere to certain legal guidelines

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Case No. 8-23-31


and to deter similar conduct in the future, which is the purpose of the exclusionary

rule, a judicially created remedy designed to have a deterrent effect on law

enforcement, albeit for violations of constitutional rights. See State v. Castagnola,

2015-Ohio-1565
, ¶ 92; State v. Hoffman, 
2014-Ohio-4795, ¶¶ 24-26
; State v.

Johnson, 
2014-Ohio-5021
, ¶ 40.

       {¶28} While the trial court’s ruling on the actual motion to suppress the

search warrant evidence is not directly before us on appeal, we believe that

resolution of this assignment of error necessitates an analysis of the issues raised by

that motion.

       {¶29} Crim.R. 41 governs search and seizure and initially provides that

“[u]pon the request of a prosecuting attorney or a law enforcement officer  [a]

search warrant authorized by this rule may be issued by a judge of a court of record

to search and seize property located within the court’s territorial jurisdiction[.]

Crim.R. 41(A)(1).

       {¶30} Crim.R. 41(C) then provides:

       (1) A warrant shall issue on either an affidavit or affidavits sworn to
       before a judge of a court of record or an affidavit or affidavits
       communicated to the judge by reliable electronic means establishing
       the grounds for issuing the warrant. In the case of a search warrant,
       the affidavit shall name or describe the person to be searched or
       particularly describe the place to be searched, name or describe the
       property to be searched for and seized, state substantially the offense
       in relation thereto, and state the factual basis for the affiant's belief
       that such property is there located. 



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Case No. 8-23-31


       (2) If the judge is satisfied that probable cause exists, the judge shall
       issue a warrant identifying the property to be seized and naming or
       describing the person or place to be searched or the person or property
       to be tracked. The warrant may be issued to the requesting prosecuting
       attorney or other law enforcement officer through reliable electronic
       means. The finding of probable cause may be based upon hearsay in
       whole or in part, provided there is a substantial basis for believing the
       source of the hearsay to be credible and for believing that there is a
       factual basis for the information furnished. Before ruling on a request
       for a warrant, the judge may require the affiant to appear personally
       or by reliable electronic means, and may examine under oath the
       affiant and any witnesses the affiant may produce. Such testimony
       shall be admissible at a hearing on a motion to suppress if taken down
       by a court reporter or recording equipment, transcribed, and made part
       of the affidavit. The warrant shall be directed to a law enforcement
       officer. A search warrant shall command the officer to search, within
       three days, the person or place named for the property specified. 
       * The warrant shall be executed in the daytime, unless the issuing
       court, by appropriate provision in the warrant, and for reasonable
       cause shown, authorizes its execution at times other than daytime. The
       warrant shall provide that the warrant shall be returned to a designated
       judge or clerk of court.

       {¶31} Pursuant to Crim.R. 41(F), “[t]he term “daytime” is used in this rule

to mean the hours from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.”

       {¶32} Crim.R. 41(D) sets forth procedures relating to the execution and

return of search warrants, and provides, in relevant part:

       (1) Search Warrant. The officer taking property under the warrant
       shall give to the person from whom or from whose premises the
       property was taken a copy of the warrant and a receipt for the property
       taken, or shall leave the copy and receipt at the place from which the
       property was taken. The return shall be made promptly, either in
       person or by reliable electronic means, and shall be accompanied by
       a written inventory of any property taken. 




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Case No. 8-23-31


       {¶33} Finally, Crim.R. 41(E) provides that “[t]he law enforcement officer

shall attach to the warrant a copy of the return, inventory, and all other papers in

connection therewith and shall file them with the clerk or the judge, if the warrant

so requires.”

       {¶34} In the instant case, it was uncontested at the suppression hearing that

the search warrant for Nevels’ blood was served at 4:38 a.m., making it a non-

daytime search pursuant to Crim.R. 41, and the police neither sought nor obtained

a warrant specifying the search could be done other than during the daytime as

required by the rule. It was also uncontested that, following the execution of the

search warrant, the police apparently inadvertently overlooked the return of the

warrant, and did not make the return until that omission was discovered over a year

later, in preparation for the suppression hearing. Accordingly, the requirement of

Crim.R. 41 that the return be made promptly was also violated. Finally, the

uncontested evidence adduced at the suppression hearing established that the search

warrant affiant, Officer Purk, utilized a preprepared template on a police department

computer when drafting the affidavit and warrant for judicial review. Purk then

went to the home of a local common pleas court judge, who reviewed the affidavit

and found probable cause existed to issue the warrant for Nevels’ blood. However,

the judge noticed that the search warrant itself contained the name and identifying

information of a different suspect with regard to whom the preprepared template

had previously been used, something that Purk had overlooked when preparing the

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Case No. 8-23-31


paperwork. Upon making that discovery, and also finding that probable cause

existed based on the affidavit that had the correct suspect’s name and identifying

information in it, the judge crossed out the erroneous name and identifying

information in the search warrant, wrote in Nevels’ name and information, initialed

the corrections, and signed the search warrant.

       {¶35} On the basis of the noncompliance with Crim.R. 41 regarding the time

of the search and the failure to make a prompt return of the warrant, Nevels argued

in the trial court that the search warrant evidence should be suppressed. The State

of Ohio acknowledged the irregularities that had occurred when the warrant was

obtained, but asserted that those irregularities and violations of Crim.R. 41 did not

amount to violations of Nevels’ constitutional rights, which precluded

suppression. In overruling the motion to suppress the search warrant results, the

trial court found that the State of Ohio’s position was legally correct. We agree.

       {¶36} “‘The exclusionary rule applies to constitutional violations, not

statutory ones[.]’” State v. Simpson, 
2023-Ohio-3207, ¶ 21
 (3d Dist.), quoting State

v. Campbell, 
2022-Ohio-3626, ¶ 3
. Ohio courts have repeatedly and consistently

held the exclusionary rule to be inapplicable where violations of Crim.R. 41 have

occurred that were not violations of a constitutional nature. For example, in State

v. Wilmoth, 
22 Ohio St.3d 251
 (1986), the Supreme Court of Ohio cited with

approval to the following analysis set forth in United States v. Vasser, 
848 F.2d 508



                                        -16-
Case No. 8-23-31


(9th Cir. 1980), cert. denied. 
450 U.S. 928
 (1980), which discussed a violation of

the analogous Fed.R.Crim.P. 41:

       Suppression is not required in all cases where the issuance of a search
       warrant fails to conform to the dictates of Rule 41. Only a
       ‘fundamental’ violation of Rule 41 requires automatic suppression,
       and a violation is ‘fundamental’ only where it, in effect, renders the
       search unconstitutional under traditional fourth amendment
       standards.  Violations of Rule 41 which do not arise to
       constitutional error are classified as ‘non-fundamental.’ ‘Non-fundamental’ noncompliance with Rule 41 requires suppression only
       where:

       “‘“(1) there was ‘prejudice’ in the sense that the search might not have
       occurred or would not have been so abrasive if the Rule had been
       followed, or (2) there is evidence of intentional and deliberate
       disregard of a provision in the Rule.”’ United States v. Radlick. [
       (C.A.9, 1978), 
581 F.2d 225
], supra, at 228, quoting United States v.
       Burke. [ (C.A.2, 1975), 
517 F.2d 377
], supra.” (Emphasis added;
       footnote omitted).

Wilmoth, supra, at 263
.

       {¶37} In the instant case, in that there was probable cause set forth in the

affidavit to support the search, because no material prejudice seemingly resulted to

Nevels as a result of the search warrant being served during the nighttime hours and

the return being overlooked by law enforcement, and because there was no evidence

that the officers’ non-compliance with Crim.R. 41 was intentional, the application

of the exclusionary rule to the blood-alcohol evidence stemming from the search

warrant was not required.

       {¶38} Moreover, while the trial court was troubled by the fact that the judge

signing the search warrant made corrections to the name and identifying information

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Case No. 8-23-31


on the warrant, a judge is certainly not prohibited from making corrections to its

own orders, such as the search warrant here.

       {¶39} In light of the foregoing, we find – for purposes of this appeal only –

that the trial court did not err in overruling the motion to suppress directed at the

search warrant. As the trial court correctly denied Nevels’ motion to suppress the

search warrant results but then indirectly fashioned its own “exclusionary rule” to

sanction law enforcement for violations of a non-constitutional nature, and because

the trial court cited no other legal basis for its decision deeming the evidence

inadmissible as to Count 1, we must reverse that decision.

       {¶40} The second assignment of error is sustained.

                                     Conclusion

       {¶41} Having found error prejudicial to the appellant, State of Ohio, as raised

in the first and second assignments of error, the judgments of the Logan County

Court of Common Pleas are reversed, and the case is remanded for further

proceedings.

                                                                Judgments reversed
                                                               and cause remanded

WILLAMOWSKI, P.J., and ZIMMERMAN, J., concur.

/jlm




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