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Butler Cty. Dog Warden, 2025-Ohio-5361.]", "paragraph_id": "para_1" }, { "text": "IN THE COURT OF APPEALS", "paragraph_id": "para_2" }, { "text": "TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO", "paragraph_id": "para_3" }, { "text": "BUTLER COUNTY", "paragraph_id": "para_4" }, { "text": "LEANDER TIPTON,", "paragraph_id": "para_5" }, { "text": "Appellant,", "paragraph_id": "para_6" }, { "text": "vs.", "paragraph_id": "para_7" }, { "text": "BUTLER COUNTY DOG WARDEN,", "paragraph_id": "para_8" }, { "text": "Appellee.", "paragraph_id": "para_9" }, { "text": ":", "paragraph_id": "para_10" }, { "text": ":", "paragraph_id": "para_11" }, { "text": ":", "paragraph_id": "para_12" }, { "text": ":", "paragraph_id": "para_13" }, { "text": ":", "paragraph_id": "para_14" }, { "text": ":", "paragraph_id": "para_15" }, { "text": "CASE NO. CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_16" }, { "text": "OPINION AND", "paragraph_id": "para_17" }, { "text": "JUDGMENT ENTRY", "paragraph_id": "para_18" }, { "text": "12/1/2025", "paragraph_id": "para_19" }, { "text": "CIVIL APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY AREA II COURT", "paragraph_id": "para_20" }, { "text": "Case No. CVH2300825", "paragraph_id": "para_21" }, { "text": "LeAnder Tipton, pro se.", "paragraph_id": "para_22" }, { "text": "Michael T. Gmoser, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney, and Kevin J. Gerrity, Assistant", "paragraph_id": "para_23" }, { "text": "Prosecuting Attorney, for appellee.", "paragraph_id": "para_24" }, { "text": "____________", "paragraph_id": "para_25" }, { "text": "O P I N I O N", "paragraph_id": "para_26" }, { "text": "BYRNE, P.J.", "paragraph_id": "para_27" }, { "text": "{¶ 1} LeAnder Tipton appeals from a decision of the Butler County Area II Court", "paragraph_id": "para_28" }, { "text": "which affirmed the Butler County Dog Warden's designation of Tipton's dog as a", "paragraph_id": "para_29" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_30" }, { "text": "- 2 -", "paragraph_id": "para_31" }, { "text": "\"dangerous dog.\"1 For the reasons described below, we affirm the area court's decision.", "paragraph_id": "para_32" }, { "text": "I. Factual and Procedural Background", "paragraph_id": "para_33" }, { "text": "{¶ 2} On October 4, 2023, the Butler County Dog Warden designated Tipton's", "paragraph_id": "para_34" }, { "text": "dog, T'Challa, as a dangerous dog under R.C. 955.11(A)(1)(a) and R.C. 955.222. The", "paragraph_id": "para_35" }, { "text": "dog warden imposed this designation based on an encounter between T'Challa and a", "paragraph_id": "para_36" }, { "text": "home appraiser. On October 20, 2023, Tipton challenged the dog warden's designation", "paragraph_id": "para_37" }, { "text": "to the Butler County Area II Court.", "paragraph_id": "para_38" }, { "text": "{¶ 3} The matter proceeded to a hearing before a magistrate in August 2024. The", "paragraph_id": "para_39" }, { "text": "magistrate issued factual findings and upheld the dog warden's designation. Tipton failed", "paragraph_id": "para_40" }, { "text": "to supply a copy of the transcript of that hearing to the trial court but supplied one to this", "paragraph_id": "para_41" }, { "text": "court on appeal. For reasons stated later in this opinion, we have not considered the", "paragraph_id": "para_42" }, { "text": "transcript in this appeal and rely on the magistrate's factual findings.", "paragraph_id": "para_43" }, { "text": "A. The Magistrate's Decision", "paragraph_id": "para_44" }, { "text": "{¶ 4} The magistrate, in her August 14, 2024 decision, found that Tipton lived at", "paragraph_id": "para_45" }, { "text": "2695 John Jacobs Court, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, and bred bull mastiffs like T'Challa.", "paragraph_id": "para_46" }, { "text": "Tipton kept T'Challa in his backyard, which shared a side fence line with a neighbor. In", "paragraph_id": "para_47" }, { "text": "late September of 2023, Tipton's neighbor hired an appraiser, Evan Cunnigham, to", "paragraph_id": "para_48" }, { "text": "appraise the neighbor's house. On that same day, Tipton's mother-in-law, Glenda", "paragraph_id": "para_49" }, { "text": "Conrad, was in Tipton's home, watching Tipton's children. Both Cunningham and Conrad", "paragraph_id": "para_50" }, { "text": "testified at trial before the magistrate.", "paragraph_id": "para_51" }, { "text": "{¶ 5} According to the magistrate's factual findings, Cunningham testified that", "paragraph_id": "para_52" }, { "text": "T'Challa barked at him while he took pictures in the neighbor's backyard. Cunningham", "paragraph_id": "para_53" }, { "text": "further testified that after taking his last picture of the neighbor's house near the fence", "paragraph_id": "para_54" }, { "text": "1. Butler County Area II Court is part of the county court district. In Butler County, the county court has been", "paragraph_id": "para_55" }, { "text": "divided into three areas of separate jurisdiction (Areas I, II, and III). See R.C. 1907. 15.", "paragraph_id": "para_56" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_57" }, { "text": "- 3 -", "paragraph_id": "para_58" }, { "text": "line, he raised his hand at T'Challa and said, \"Hey Buddy.\" Cunningham testified that", "paragraph_id": "para_59" }, { "text": "T'Challa then stood up on his hind legs, swiftly reached over the fence and bit him at the", "paragraph_id": "para_60" }, { "text": "palm of his hand. Immediately after, Cunningham left the premises and went to an urgent", "paragraph_id": "para_61" }, { "text": "care center to have his wounds treated. Cunningham received stitches to his hand, which", "paragraph_id": "para_62" }, { "text": "later became infected. The urgent care reported the dog bite to the Butler County Dog", "paragraph_id": "para_63" }, { "text": "Warden.", "paragraph_id": "para_64" }, { "text": "{¶ 6} Next, according to the magistrate's factual findings, Conrad testified that", "paragraph_id": "para_65" }, { "text": "she saw Cunningham in the neighbor's backyard for 10-15 minutes. She also testified", "paragraph_id": "para_66" }, { "text": "that she watched Cunningham pace along the shared fence line while T'Challa barked at", "paragraph_id": "para_67" }, { "text": "him near the fence. During that time, she did not see Cunningham tease or hit T'Challa.", "paragraph_id": "para_68" }, { "text": "{¶ 7} The magistrate explained that during the hearing Tipton denied that", "paragraph_id": "para_69" }, { "text": "T'Challa was aggressive and hypothesized that Cunningham either provoked T'Challa or", "paragraph_id": "para_70" }, { "text": "that T'Challa never actually bit Cunningham. Tipton argued that Cunningham was only", "paragraph_id": "para_71" }, { "text": "trying to obtain insurance money.2 However, the magistrate found that Tipton did not", "paragraph_id": "para_72" }, { "text": "provide any evidence to support his allegations.", "paragraph_id": "para_73" }, { "text": "{¶ 8} In her decision, the magistrate acknowledged that T'Challa \"ha[d] always", "paragraph_id": "para_74" }, { "text": "been a gently, friendly dog\" and had \"never before been accused of biting or attacking", "paragraph_id": "para_75" }, { "text": "anyone,\" but explained that this history did \"not preclude the Court from making a finding", "paragraph_id": "para_76" }, { "text": "that he is a dangerous dog…if an incident occurs [sic] from T'Challa's action.\" The", "paragraph_id": "para_77" }, { "text": "magistrate found that Cunningham did not provoke T'Challa and that T'Challa bit", "paragraph_id": "para_78" }, { "text": "Cunningham, which caused injury. On this basis, the magistrate upheld the dog warden's", "paragraph_id": "para_79" }, { "text": "designation of T'Challa as a \"dangerous dog\" pursuant to R.C. 955.11(A)(1)(a)(i) and R.C.", "paragraph_id": "para_80" }, { "text": "955.222.", "paragraph_id": "para_81" }, { "text": "2. The magistrate did not clarify whether Tipton made these statements during witness testimony or during", "paragraph_id": "para_82" }, { "text": "pro se argument.", "paragraph_id": "para_83" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_84" }, { "text": "- 4 -", "paragraph_id": "para_85" }, { "text": "B. Tipton's Objections to the Trial Court's Decision", "paragraph_id": "para_86" }, { "text": "{¶ 9} On August 28, 2024, Tipton objected to the magistrate's decision. In", "paragraph_id": "para_87" }, { "text": "Tipton's objections, he essentially challenged the sufficiency and weight of the evidence.", "paragraph_id": "para_88" }, { "text": "Tipton also challenged the credibility of the evidence, arguing that Cunningham's", "paragraph_id": "para_89" }, { "text": "testimony at trial was inconsistent with his previous \"testimony\" to detectives and that", "paragraph_id": "para_90" }, { "text": "Cunningham's testimony conflicted with Conrad's at trial. Tipton further implied that", "paragraph_id": "para_91" }, { "text": "Cunningham had self-inflicted the wounds on his hand to get insurance money. As", "paragraph_id": "para_92" }, { "text": "mentioned, Tipton did not provide the trial court with a transcript of the hearing before the", "paragraph_id": "para_93" }, { "text": "magistrate.", "paragraph_id": "para_94" }, { "text": "{¶ 10} On February 13, 2025, the trial court issued a decision overruling Tipton's", "paragraph_id": "para_95" }, { "text": "objections and adopting the magistrate's decision because \"it [was] impossible [for the", "paragraph_id": "para_96" }, { "text": "trial court] to evaluate [Tipton's] objections in the absence of a transcript of [the", "paragraph_id": "para_97" }, { "text": "magistrate's] hearing.\" After the trial court's review of the magistrate's decision, the trial", "paragraph_id": "para_98" }, { "text": "court did not see any error on the face of the decision and therefore adopted the", "paragraph_id": "para_99" }, { "text": "magistrate's decision as its own and upheld the magistrate's designation of T'Challa as a", "paragraph_id": "para_100" }, { "text": "dangerous dog. The trial court also held that Tipton would be required to comply with", "paragraph_id": "para_101" }, { "text": "relevant Ohio law in keeping T'Challa as a \"dangerous dog.\"", "paragraph_id": "para_102" }, { "text": "{¶ 11} Tipton appealed, pro se, raising what appear to be three assignments of", "paragraph_id": "para_103" }, { "text": "error. For ease of analysis, we address the first and second assignments of error", "paragraph_id": "para_104" }, { "text": "collectively.", "paragraph_id": "para_105" }, { "text": "II. Law and Analysis", "paragraph_id": "para_106" }, { "text": "A. Expectations of Pro Se Litigants", "paragraph_id": "para_107" }, { "text": "{¶ 12} Before addressing Tipton's assignments of error, we pause to note that", "paragraph_id": "para_108" }, { "text": "Tipton represented himself pro se in the trial court as well as on appeal. \"[P]ro se litigants", "paragraph_id": "para_109" }, { "text": "are expected, as attorneys are, to abide by the relevant rules of procedure and", "paragraph_id": "para_110" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_111" }, { "text": "- 5 -", "paragraph_id": "para_112" }, { "text": "substantive laws, regardless of their familiarity with the law.\" Fontain v. H&R Cincy", "paragraph_id": "para_113" }, { "text": "Properties, L.L.C., 2022-Ohio-1000, ¶ 26 (12th Dist.). \"As a result, pro se litigants are", "paragraph_id": "para_114" }, { "text": "presumed to have knowledge of the law and correct legal procedures so that they remain", "paragraph_id": "para_115" }, { "text": "subject to the same rules and procedures to which represented litigants are bound.\"", "paragraph_id": "para_116" }, { "text": "Havens v. Havens, 2022-Ohio-3103, ¶ 18 (12th Dist.). \"In other words, '[p]ro se litigants", "paragraph_id": "para_117" }, { "text": "are not to be accorded greater rights and must accept the results of their own mistakes", "paragraph_id": "para_118" }, { "text": "and errors, including those related to correct legal procedure.'\" Perelman v. Meade, 2021-", "paragraph_id": "para_119" }, { "text": "Ohio-4247, ¶ 22 (12th Dist.), quoting Cox v. Zimmerman, 2012-Ohio-226, ¶ 21 (12th", "paragraph_id": "para_120" }, { "text": "Dist.).", "paragraph_id": "para_121" }, { "text": "B. Tipton's Failure to Support Objections with Transcript", "paragraph_id": "para_122" }, { "text": "{¶ 13} Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iii) provides that when a party objects to a factual finding", "paragraph_id": "para_123" }, { "text": "in a magistrate's decision, the objection \"shall be supported by a transcript of all the", "paragraph_id": "para_124" }, { "text": "evidence submitted to the magistrate relevant to that finding or an affidavit of that", "paragraph_id": "para_125" }, { "text": "evidence if a transcript is not available.\" (Emphasis added.) This court has continuously", "paragraph_id": "para_126" }, { "text": "recognized the mandatory nature of providing the transcript or affidavit of evidence to the", "paragraph_id": "para_127" }, { "text": "trial court. See Reyes v. Kiwewa, 2024-Ohio-4524, ¶ 20 (12th Dist.), citing Levy v. Seiber,", "paragraph_id": "para_128" }, { "text": "2016-Ohio-68, ¶ 17 (12th Dist.); Singh v. Wadhwa, 2013-Ohio-3997, ¶ 13 (12th Dist.).", "paragraph_id": "para_129" }, { "text": "{¶ 14} Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(d) states that when a party's objections have been timely", "paragraph_id": "para_130" }, { "text": "filed, the court \"shall undertake an independent review as to the objected matters to", "paragraph_id": "para_131" }, { "text": "ascertain that the magistrate has properly determined the factual issues and appropriately", "paragraph_id": "para_132" }, { "text": "applied the law.\" Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(d). But without the transcript or affidavit of evidence, the", "paragraph_id": "para_133" }, { "text": "trial court's \"independent review of the record is limited to an examination of the", "paragraph_id": "para_134" }, { "text": "magistrate's conclusions of law and recommendations in light of any accompanying", "paragraph_id": "para_135" }, { "text": "findings of fact.\" (Emphasis added.) Levy at ¶ 18, citing Manninen v. Alvarez, 2014-Ohio-", "paragraph_id": "para_136" }, { "text": "75, ¶ 21 (12th Dist.).", "paragraph_id": "para_137" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_138" }, { "text": "- 6 -", "paragraph_id": "para_139" }, { "text": "{¶ 15} Moreover, when a party fails to file a transcript or affidavit of evidence with", "paragraph_id": "para_140" }, { "text": "the trial court, \"'the appellate court is precluded from considering the transcript of the", "paragraph_id": "para_141" }, { "text": "magistrate's hearing,'\" even if the party filed the transcript with the appellate court.", "paragraph_id": "para_142" }, { "text": "(Emphasis added.) Reyes at ¶ 21, citing Levy at ¶ 18; Singh at ¶ 20. Under such", "paragraph_id": "para_143" }, { "text": "circumstances, \"appellate review 'regarding factual issues is whether the trial court", "paragraph_id": "para_144" }, { "text": "abused its discretion in applying the law to the magistrate's factual findings.'\" Reyes at ¶", "paragraph_id": "para_145" }, { "text": "21, quoting Levy at ¶ 18.", "paragraph_id": "para_146" }, { "text": "{¶ 16} As stated previously, Tipton did not provide the trial court with a transcript", "paragraph_id": "para_147" }, { "text": "of the proceedings before the magistrate, nor did he provide an affidavit of evidence.", "paragraph_id": "para_148" }, { "text": "Therefore, we cannot consider the transcript that he filed in this court. Reyes at ¶ 21.", "paragraph_id": "para_149" }, { "text": "{¶ 17} Tipton's first and second assignments of error argue that the trial court", "paragraph_id": "para_150" }, { "text": "erred in not finding that Cunningham provoked T'Challa and in finding Cunningham's", "paragraph_id": "para_151" }, { "text": "testimony and corroborating evidence credible.3", "paragraph_id": "para_152" }, { "text": "{¶ 18} Tipton's objections to the magistrate's decision as well as his arguments on", "paragraph_id": "para_153" }, { "text": "appeal appear to challenge the sufficiency and weight of the evidence. He also argues", "paragraph_id": "para_154" }, { "text": "that even if there was enough evidence presented, it was not credible.", "paragraph_id": "para_155" }, { "text": "1. Review of the Trial Court's Adoption of the Magistrate's Decision", "paragraph_id": "para_156" }, { "text": "{¶ 19} As relevant here, the Ohio Revised Code provides that a dangerous dog is", "paragraph_id": "para_157" }, { "text": "\"a dog that, without provocation . . .\" has \"[c]aused injury, other than killing or serious", "paragraph_id": "para_158" }, { "text": "injury, to any person . . .\" (Emphasis added.) R.C. 955.11(A)(1)(a)(i). \"'Without", "paragraph_id": "para_159" }, { "text": "provocation' means that a dog was not teased, tormented, or abused by a person, or that", "paragraph_id": "para_160" }, { "text": "the dog was not coming to the aid or defense of a person who was not engaged in illegal", "paragraph_id": "para_161" }, { "text": "3 Tipton also states, \"I was unaware that transcripts were required for my objection.\" We note that the", "paragraph_id": "para_162" }, { "text": "magistrate informed Tipton of this requirement in language written in all capital letters, in bold font, on page", "paragraph_id": "para_163" }, { "text": "4 of the magistrate's August 14, 2024 decision.", "paragraph_id": "para_164" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_165" }, { "text": "- 7 -", "paragraph_id": "para_166" }, { "text": "or criminal activity and who was not using the dog as a means of carrying out such", "paragraph_id": "para_167" }, { "text": "activity.\" R.C. 955.11(A)(7). To tease means \"'to annoy or to trouble or worry persistently,", "paragraph_id": "para_168" }, { "text": "to be troublesome or to pester.\"' Tate v. Butler Cty. Dog Warden, 2024-Ohio-4732, ¶ 15", "paragraph_id": "para_169" }, { "text": "(12th Dist.) quoting Montoney v. Delaware Cty. Dog Warden, 2023-Ohio-2238, ¶ 15 (5th", "paragraph_id": "para_170" }, { "text": "Dist.). To torment means '\"conduct which provokes a greater annoyance and implies", "paragraph_id": "para_171" }, { "text": "some torture or pain.'\" Tate at ¶ 15, quoting Denman v. Carroll Cty. Dog Warden, 2022-", "paragraph_id": "para_172" }, { "text": "Ohio-2081, ¶ 12 (7th Dist.). To abuse means '\"mistreatment which includes some physical", "paragraph_id": "para_173" }, { "text": "injury or pain to the animal.\"' Tate at ¶ 15, quoting Ali v. Lucas Cty. Dog Warden, 2017-", "paragraph_id": "para_174" }, { "text": "Ohio-2809, ¶ 12 (6th Dist.).", "paragraph_id": "para_175" }, { "text": "{¶ 20} The magistrate, in her decision, found that the dog warden proved \"by clear", "paragraph_id": "para_176" }, { "text": "and convincing evidence\" that \"T'Challa was not provoked and that the dog bit", "paragraph_id": "para_177" }, { "text": "Cunningham\" which caused him injury. Upon this court's review, the magistrate's decision", "paragraph_id": "para_178" }, { "text": "clearly indicated that the magistrate reviewed the evidence, and recognized that \"the", "paragraph_id": "para_179" }, { "text": "definitions of tease, torment, and abuse [did] not apply to the situation in this case.\" The", "paragraph_id": "para_180" }, { "text": "court found no error in the magistrate's decision.", "paragraph_id": "para_181" }, { "text": "{¶ 21} We find no error in the trial court's adoption of the magistrate's decision.", "paragraph_id": "para_182" }, { "text": "Because Tipton failed to file the transcript with the trial court as required by Civ.R.", "paragraph_id": "para_183" }, { "text": "53(D)(3)(b)(iii), we are prohibited from independently reviewing the transcript. However,", "paragraph_id": "para_184" }, { "text": "our review of the magistrate's and trial court's decisions reveals that the magistrate", "paragraph_id": "para_185" }, { "text": "properly applied the law to the facts recited in her decision, and the trial court properly", "paragraph_id": "para_186" }, { "text": "adopted the magistrate's decision given Tipton's failure to file a transcript.", "paragraph_id": "para_187" }, { "text": "{¶ 22} Upon our review, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's adoption", "paragraph_id": "para_188" }, { "text": "of the magistrate's decision. We therefore overrule Tipton's first two assignments of error.", "paragraph_id": "para_189" }, { "text": "C. Tipton's Request to Afford Greater Statutory Protections for Individuals Who", "paragraph_id": "para_190" }, { "text": "Allege Insurance Fraud", "paragraph_id": "para_191" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_192" }, { "text": "- 8 -", "paragraph_id": "para_193" }, { "text": "{¶ 23} In his third assignment of error, Tipton argues that our court should \"adopt[]", "paragraph_id": "para_194" }, { "text": "a higher standard for proving liability in dog bite cases, particularly where there is", "paragraph_id": "para_195" }, { "text": "evidence of conflicting testimony.\" He requests we make other changes to the law,", "paragraph_id": "para_196" }, { "text": "including \"allowing all evidence especially those protected by HIPAA,\" \"allowing\" the", "paragraph_id": "para_197" }, { "text": "police to conduct an investigation \"to be able to corroborate evidence to support claims", "paragraph_id": "para_198" }, { "text": "being made,\" and allowing \"access to experts that can evaluate testimony by looking at", "paragraph_id": "para_199" }, { "text": "evidence of dog bites solely when insurance claims are involved.\"4", "paragraph_id": "para_200" }, { "text": "{¶ 24} In effect, Tipton asks us to change statutes and rules of procedure to the", "paragraph_id": "para_201" }, { "text": "extent they apply to dangerous dog designation cases. We are unable to change the law", "paragraph_id": "para_202" }, { "text": "as requested by Tipton because of the Ohio Constitution's language regarding separation", "paragraph_id": "para_203" }, { "text": "of powers.", "paragraph_id": "para_204" }, { "text": "{¶ 25} \"Like the federal Constitution, the Ohio Constitution creates a system of", "paragraph_id": "para_205" }, { "text": "separation of powers.\" TWISM Ent., L.L.C. v. State Bd. of Registration for Professional", "paragraph_id": "para_206" }, { "text": "Eng. and Surveyors, 2022-Ohio-4677, ¶ 30. \"The separation of powers is designed to", "paragraph_id": "para_207" }, { "text": "preserve the liberty of all people.\" Id. at ¶ 31. Without the separation of powers, \"there", "paragraph_id": "para_208" }, { "text": "can be no liberty . . . if the power of judging, be not separated from the legislative and", "paragraph_id": "para_209" }, { "text": "executive powers.\" Id. Each branch of government \"can exercise such power and such", "paragraph_id": "para_210" }, { "text": "only, as falls within the scope of delegation.\" Id. at ¶ 32.", "paragraph_id": "para_211" }, { "text": "{¶ 26} Article II of the Ohio Constitution states that the \"legislative power of the", "paragraph_id": "para_212" }, { "text": "state shall be vested in a General Assembly . . . but the people reserve to themselves the", "paragraph_id": "para_213" }, { "text": "power to propose to the General Assembly laws and amendments to the constitution, and", "paragraph_id": "para_214" }, { "text": "to adopt or reject the same at the polls on a referendum vote . . .\" Ohio Const., art. II, §", "paragraph_id": "para_215" }, { "text": "1. Thus, the legislative power is vested in both the General Assembly and \"the people.\"", "paragraph_id": "para_216" }, { "text": "4. Tipton does not explain why some of these requests are relevant to this case, or why he could not have", "paragraph_id": "para_217" }, { "text": "taken advantage of existing evidence rules to, for example, retain an expert witness.", "paragraph_id": "para_218" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_219" }, { "text": "- 9 -", "paragraph_id": "para_220" }, { "text": "The Ohio Constitution includes no provision granting judicial power to the General", "paragraph_id": "para_221" }, { "text": "Assembly or \"the people.\"", "paragraph_id": "para_222" }, { "text": "{¶ 27} Article IV of the Ohio Constitution, on the other hand, states that courts,", "paragraph_id": "para_223" }, { "text": "including the courts of appeals, are vested with the \"judicial power.\" Ohio Const., art. IV,", "paragraph_id": "para_224" }, { "text": "§ 1. The \"judicial power\" includes the authority to interpret and apply statutes, but not to", "paragraph_id": "para_225" }, { "text": "make the law. TWISM at ¶ 33; Erickson v. Morrison, 2021-Ohio-746, ¶ 34. The Ohio", "paragraph_id": "para_226" }, { "text": "Constitution includes no provision granting legislative power to the courts.", "paragraph_id": "para_227" }, { "text": "{¶ 28} The Ohio Constitution does grant the ability to issue and amend rules of", "paragraph_id": "para_228" }, { "text": "practice and procedure in Ohio courts to the Supreme Court of Ohio, subject to possible", "paragraph_id": "para_229" }, { "text": "disapproval by the General Assembly. Ohio Const., art. IV, § 5(B). But this power is vested", "paragraph_id": "para_230" }, { "text": "only in the Supreme Court of Ohio, not in the district courts of appeal.", "paragraph_id": "para_231" }, { "text": "{¶ 29} Consistent with the Ohio Constitution and with bedrock constitutional", "paragraph_id": "para_232" }, { "text": "principles, this court cannot change statues or rules of practice and procedure. See Ohio", "paragraph_id": "para_233" }, { "text": "Const., art. II, § 1; Ohio Const., art. IV, § 1; Ohio Const., art. IV, § 5(B). We therefore", "paragraph_id": "para_234" }, { "text": "overrule Tipton's third assignment of error.", "paragraph_id": "para_235" }, { "text": "{¶ 30} Judgment affirmed.", "paragraph_id": "para_236" }, { "text": "PIPER and SIEBERT, JJ., concur.", "paragraph_id": "para_237" }, { "text": "J U D G M E N T E N T R Y", "paragraph_id": "para_238" }, { "text": "The assignments of error properly before this court having been ruled upon, it is", "paragraph_id": "para_239" }, { "text": "the order of this court that the judgment or final order appealed from be, and the same", "paragraph_id": "para_240" }, { "text": "hereby is, affirmed.", "paragraph_id": "para_241" }, { "text": "It is further ordered that a mandate be sent to the Butler County Area II Court for", "paragraph_id": "para_242" }, { "text": "execution upon this judgment and that a certified copy of this Opinion and Judgment Entry", "paragraph_id": "para_243" }, { "text": "shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.", "paragraph_id": "para_244" }, { "text": "Butler CA2025-03-030", "paragraph_id": "para_245" }, { "text": "- 10 -", "paragraph_id": "para_246" }, { "text": "Costs to be taxed in compliance with App.R. 24.", "paragraph_id": "para_247" }, { "text": "/s/ Matthew R. Byrne, Presiding Judge", "paragraph_id": "para_248" }, { "text": "/s/ Robin N. Piper, Judge", "paragraph_id": "para_249" }, { "text": "/s/ Melena S. 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