State v. Brown

Summary

The Ohio Third District Court of Appeals affirmed Jonathan J. Brown’s conviction and indefinite sentence for attempted aggravated arson. The court rejected Brown’s constitutional challenges to the Reagan Tokes Law, including claims based on separation of powers, due process, and the right to a jury trial.

Holdings

1. The indefinite sentencing provisions of the Reagan Tokes Law do not facially violate the separation-of-powers doctrine.
2. The indefinite sentencing provisions of the Reagan Tokes Law do not facially infringe defendants' due-process rights.
3. Brown's jury-trial challenge to the Reagan Tokes Law is without merit.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the indefinite sentencing provisions of the Reagan Tokes Law violate the separation-of-powers doctrine.
2. Whether the indefinite sentencing provisions of the Reagan Tokes Law violate due process.
3. Whether the indefinite sentencing provisions of the Reagan Tokes Law violate the constitutional right to a jury trial.

Disposition

affirmed