A judgment of conviction shall set forth the fact of conviction and the sentence. Multiple judgments of conviction may be addressed in one judgment entry. If the defendant is found not guilty or for any other reason is entitled to be discharged, the court shall render judgment accordingly. The judge shall sign the judgment and the clerk shall enter it on the journal. A judgment is effective only when entered on the journal by the clerk.
Ohio. Crim. R. 32
Staff Note (July 1, 2004 Amendment)
Rule 32(A) Imposition of sentence.
Criminal Rule 32(A) was amended to conform with the Supreme Court of Ohio's decision in State v. Comer, 99 Ohio St. 3d 463, 2003-Ohio 4165. The Comer decision mandates that a trial court must make specific statutory findings and the reasons supporting those findings when a trial court, in serious offenses, imposes consecutive sentences or nonminimum sentences on a first offender pursuant to R.C. 2929.14(B), 2929.14(E)(4) and 2929.19(B)(2). Crim. R. 32(A) was modified to ensure there was no discrepancy in the criminal rules and the Court's holding in Comer.
Staff Notes (July 1, 2013 Amendments)
Rule 32(C) sets forth the four essential elements required for a judgment of conviction as defined by the Supreme Court of Ohio. See State v. Lester, 2011-Ohio-5204. The previous rule arguably required the judgment to specify the specific manner of conviction, e.g., plea, verdict, or findings upon with the conviction is based. The amendment to the rule allows, but does not require, the judgment to specify the specific manner of conviction. When a judgment of conviction reflects the four substantive provisions, as set forth by the Supreme Court of Ohio, it is a final order subject to appeal.