State ex rel. Newsome v. Hack

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio granted a writ of mandamus ordering the Marion County Court Reporter’s Office and the current county court reporter to inform Jeffrey Newsome of the fee for a copy of his sentencing transcript. The court held that Newsome established a clear legal right to purchase the transcript, a corresponding legal duty to provide the fee information, and the lack of an adequate remedy at law.

Holdings

1. Newsome established a clear legal right to purchase a copy of his sentencing transcript because the trial court's order indicated that the transcript existed and was available upon payment of the applicable transcript fees.
2. The current Marion County court reporter had a clear legal duty to locate the existing transcript and inform Newsome of the fee for a copy.
3. Newsome lacked an adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law because the trial court had effectively granted his motion to compel production of the transcript, leaving no adverse final order from which he could obtain meaningful appellate relief.
4. The court granted Newsome's unopposed motion to add the Marion County Court Reporter's Office and the current Marion County Court Reporter as respondents.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Newsome established a clear legal right to purchase a copy of his sentencing-hearing transcript.
2. Whether the current Marion County court reporter had a clear legal duty to locate the transcript and inform Newsome of the fee.
3. Whether Newsome lacked an adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law and was therefore entitled to a writ of mandamus.
4. Whether the Marion County Court Reporter's Office and the current Marion County Court Reporter should be added as respondents.

Disposition

writ_granted