Berrospi v. Michigan
Berrospi
Citation
2025 Ohio 2314
Court
Ohio Court of Appeals
Decided
June 30, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Importance
45%
Practice Areas
Case Summary
[Cite as Berrospi v. Michigan, 2025-Ohio-2314.] IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT WOOD COUNTY Evelyn Madeley Romero Berrospi Court of Appeals No. WD-25-040 Relator v. State of Michigan DECISION AND JUDGMENT Respondent Decided: June 30, 2025 ***** Evelyn Madeley Romero Berrospi, Relator, pro se.. ***** OSOWIK, J. {¶ 1} On June 20, 2025, the petitioner, Evelyn Madeley Romero Berrospi, filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus in the Wood County Court of Appeals. Berrospi claims that she is presently incarcerated in the Macomb County Jail, in Michigan, and she seeks a writ ordering that institution to “[bring her] before this Honorable Court within (10) working days to answer for the following charges: Retail fraud 1st degree/W250363.” The application contains no other information with respect to her commitment in McComb County or her tie, if any, to the State of Ohio or Wood County. Berrospi lists a personal address in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. As set forth below, we dismiss the petition. {¶ 2} The sua sponte dismissal of a complaint for an extraordinary writ is appropriate where it is frivolous or the claimant obviously cannot prevail on the facts alleged therein. State ex rel. Allen v. Goulding, 2019-Ohio-858, ¶ 6, citing State ex rel. Brooks v. O'Malley, 2008-Ohio-1118, ¶ 5. Also, “a court may dismiss a habeas petition sua sponte if the petition does not contain a facially valid claim.” Al'Shahid v. Cook, 2015-Ohio-2079, ¶ 7, citing State ex rel. Crigger v. Ohio Adult Parole Auth., 82 Ohio St.3d 270, 271 (1998). Based upon the face of the Berrospi’s petition, it is patently obvious that this court lacks jurisdiction over her case. {¶ 3} Chapter 2725 of the Ohio Revised Code governs the issuance of writs of habeas corpus. However, as a threshold matter, the petitioner seeking habeas relief must be “an inmate in an Ohio correctional institution.” (Emphasis added.) Mallory v. Foley, 2023-Ohio-226, ¶ 8 (8th Dist.). Berrospi asserts that she is currently incarcerated in McComb County, Michigan. In any event, R.C. 2725.03 grants “jurisdiction to issue or determine a writ of habeas corpus” to “the courts or judges of the county in which the [correctional] institution is located” and the inmate is housed. Indeed, the statute explicitly provides that “[a]ny writ issued by a court or judge of another county to an officer or person in charge at the state institution to compel the production or discharge of an inmate thereof is void.” Id. Because Berrospi’s petition alleges that she is incarcerated outside the territorial jurisdiction of this court, and indeed outside of this 2. State, we have no authority to grant her the relief she seeks. “[J]udicial writs can run only within the territorial limits of the sovereignty whose writ it is. Any attempt to project its authority beyond its own territorial limits would be an invasion of the sovereignty of another state or nation.” Smith v. Smith, 72 Ohio App. 203, 207 (1st Dist. 1943). Dismissal of the petition is therefore appropriate. Mallory. {¶ 4} The petition for writ of habeas corpus is sua sponte dismissed. Costs assessed against Berrospi. The clerk is directed to serve on the parties notice of this judgment and its date of entry upon the journal. Civ.R. 58(B). Petition dismissed. Thomas J. Osowik, J. ____________________________ JUDGE Christine E. Mayle, J. ____________________________ Gene A. Zmuda, J. JUDGE CONCUR. ____________________________ JUDGE This decision is subject to further editing by the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Reporter of Decisions. Parties interested in viewing the final reported version are advised to visit the Ohio Supreme Court’s web site at: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/. 3.
Case Details
Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 30, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case Overview
Case Name: Berrospi v. Michigan
Citation: 2025 Ohio 2314
Court: Ohio Court of Appeals (Federal)
Date: June 30, 2025
Jurisdiction: SA
In Berrospi v. Michigan, the Ohio Court of Appeals addressed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed by Evelyn Madeley Romero Berrospi, who claimed to be incarcerated in Macomb County Jail, Michigan. The court dismissed the petition, citing jurisdictional issues.
Key Legal Issues
- Jurisdiction: Whether the Ohio Court of Appeals had jurisdiction to issue a writ of habeas corpus for an inmate incarcerated outside Ohio.
- Habeas Corpus Standards: The requirements for filing a valid habeas corpus petition under Ohio law.
Court's Decision
The Ohio Court of Appeals dismissed Berrospi's petition for a writ of habeas corpus, concluding that the court lacked jurisdiction over her case due to her incarceration in Michigan.
Legal Reasoning
The court's dismissal was based on several key points:
- Lack of Jurisdiction: The court emphasized that under Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) 2725.03, only courts in the county where the correctional institution is located have jurisdiction to issue or determine a writ of habeas corpus. Since Berrospi was incarcerated in Michigan, the Ohio court had no authority to intervene.
- Frivolous Claims: The court noted that a habeas corpus petition could be dismissed sua sponte if it is deemed frivolous or if the claimant cannot prevail on the facts alleged. Berrospi's petition did not present a valid claim, as it failed to establish any connection to Ohio or Wood County.
Key Holdings
- The Ohio Court of Appeals lacks jurisdiction to grant habeas corpus relief for inmates incarcerated outside Ohio.
- A petition for a writ of habeas corpus must demonstrate a valid claim and jurisdictional basis to be considered.
Precedents and Citations
- State ex rel. Allen v. Goulding, 2019-Ohio-858
- State ex rel. Brooks v. O'Malley, 2008-Ohio-1118
- Al'Shahid v. Cook, 2015-Ohio-2079
- State ex rel. Crigger v. Ohio Adult Parole Auth., 82 Ohio St.3d 270 (1998)
- Mallory v. Foley, 2023-Ohio-226
- Smith v. Smith, 72 Ohio App. 203 (1st Dist. 1943)
Practical Implications
This case highlights the importance of jurisdiction in habeas corpus petitions. Legal practitioners must ensure that petitions are filed in the appropriate jurisdiction to avoid dismissal. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder that courts may dismiss frivolous claims without a hearing, emphasizing the need for substantive legal arguments and factual support in such petitions.
In conclusion, Berrospi v. Michigan underscores the jurisdictional limitations of Ohio courts regarding habeas corpus petitions and the necessity for claimants to establish a valid connection to the state in which they seek relief.
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Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 30, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools