City of Cleveland v. Washington Mutual Bank

Kenneth A. Rocco, Judge.

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Washington Mutual Bank, appeals from its misdemeanor conviction under the city’s codified ordinances for building and housing code violations. Appellant contends that the court erred by proceeding with a trial in absentia, by finding that the evidence was sufficient to support its conviction, by failing to adequately consider all of the relevant sentencing factors, and by imposing an excessive sentence. Appellant further argues that it received ineffective assistance of counsel. We agree that the court erred by trying appellant in absentia.…