State v. Ware (Slip Opinion)

{¶ 1} R.C. 2929.20, Ohio’s judicial-release statute, allows certain offenders to apply for early release from prison. In this appeal, we conclude that appellee, Shawn Ware, was not eligible for judicial release, because his entire prison sentence was mandatory. Although the trial court later expressed its intent to impose a different sentence that would have allowed Ware to apply for early release, the court did not impose that sentence, nor could it have done so under Ohio law.

Background

{¶ 2} In March 2010, Ware pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in crack cocaine in violation of…