Restitution ruled appealable

COLUMBUS -- Financial restitution imposed as part of a sentence is appealable, according to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The court remanded the case of Ralph N. Danison Jr., who was fined $22,085 as part of his sentence for damage caused to an Cessna 152 airplane, to the Ashland County Court of Appeals.
"Generally, in a criminal case, the final judgment is the sentence," Justice Alice Robie Resnick wrote.
"The sentence is the sanction or combination of sanctions imposed by the sentencing court on an offender who pleads guilty to or is convicted of an offense. The sentence imposed on an offender for a felony may include financial sanctions, including restitution in an amount based on the victim's economic loss."
Danison, 19 at the time of the episode, stole the airplane from the Ashland County Airport in an attempt to kill himself, but was "talked down" by another pilot and ground crew. The damage to the plane occurred during the landing.
In addition to the restitution, Danison was sentenced to 90 days in jail minus credit for 44 days already served, 150 hours of community service, three years probation and had to pay a $1,000 fine.
Danison objected to the restitution at both the sentencing and before the appellate court, claiming that he was unable to pay it.