Burbrink v. State

{¶ 15} I respectfully dissent. Both the Ohio and the United States Constitutions provide that no laws shall be passed that impair the obligations of contracts.17 Any change in the law impairing the rights of parties to a contract, or denying or obstructing the rights accruing to either party under a contract, is unconstitutional.18

{¶ 16} A plea agreement is a contract between a criminal defendant and the state that is governed by contract-law principles.19 The law in effect at the time a plea is entered is part of the contract.20 The nature of the plea agreement must *136be examined to determine…