[Cite as State v. Ofori, 2023-Ohio-1460.] IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO STATE OF OHIO, : APPEAL NOS. C-220367 C-220368 Plaintiff-Appellee, : C-220369 C-220370 vs. : TRIAL NOS. C-11CRB-4218 15CRB-34430A JESSE OFORI, : C-12CRB-20695 C-14CRB-11414 Defendant-Appellant. : O P I N I O N. Criminal Appeals From: Hamilton County Municipal Court Judgments Appealed From Are: Affirmed Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: May 3, 2023 Emily Smart Woerner, City Solicitor, William T. Horsley, Chief Prosecuting Attorney, and Connor E. Wood, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee City of Cincinnati, Melissa A. Powers, Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, and Sean M. Donovan, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for Plaintiff-Appellee State of Ohio, Raymond T. Faller, Hamilton County Public Defender, and Sarah Nelson, Assistant Public Defender, for Defendant-Appellant. OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS ZAYAS, Judge. {¶1} Jesse Ofori appeals the denial of his applications to seal his misdemeanor convictions arguing that the trial court abused its discretion when it found that the government’s interest in maintaining the records as public outweighed his interest in having the records sealed. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. Background {¶2} In March 2022, Ofori filed applications to seal the records of a 2011 conviction for forgery and two convictions for unauthorized use of property, one in 2012 and one in 2016. A month later, the trial court conducted a hearing where Ofori appeared without counsel. The trial court denied the applications after finding that the “government interest outweighs applicant’s interest in sealing record” and “insufficient evidence of rehabilitation (subsequent arrests/convictions).” Ofori did not appeal. {¶3} Two months later, Ofori again filed applications to seal the same records plus the records of a 2014 criminal-damaging conviction, noting on the applications that he was now employed. At the hearing in July 2022, both the city and county prosecutors informed the court that they had no objections to the sealing of the records. The trial court asked Ofori what had changed since the prior applications. Counsel responded that Ofori had representation to explain his efforts at rehabilitation. Ofori, a father of four with a fifth child on the way, had recently obtained his associate’s degree in business administration. An unidentified speaker further explained that Ofori had resolved all of his past issues regarding his driver’s 2 OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS license and would obtain his license on December 4, 2022, to prevent future traffic offenses related to driving without a license.1 {¶4} The court addressed Ofori who informed the court that as he has grown older and become a father, he realized that he must provide a better example for his children, and he must do better. Since his last application, Ofori had secured employment at Gates where he drives a vehicle, picks auto parts, and selects autos. Ofori further explained that having completed a program in business administration, he planned to transfer to Wilmington College to obtain a bachelor’s degree. {¶5} The court noted a …
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