On Thursday, November 6, 2025, Latrez Chappell filed a petition for a writ of mandamus with the Supreme Court of Ohio against Alyssa Blackburn-Dolan, Judge of the Bowling Green Municipal Court. The filing seeks to compel the Municipal Court to vacate convictions in Case No. 23TRC02893.
Chappell argues that the convictions are void from the beginning due to a lack of jurisdiction, absence of personal jurisdiction, the absence of a prosecuting attorney, and a lack of competent evidence. The filing asserts that the Bowling Green Municipal Court has a ministerial duty to correct the record due to these alleged defects.
In the petition, Chappell outlines several points of contention. These include the absence of a complaint under oath, no initial appearance form, no written plea form, and no evidence related to an alleged OVI (Operating a Vehicle under the Influence) or marked lane violation in the municipal court case record. Chappell further claims that no prosecuting attorney appeared or signed any documents throughout the proceedings.
The petition also alleges inconsistencies between statements made by the arresting officer in the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) form and the police report filed in the official docket. Chappell states that the trial court accepted a plea and entered judgment under defective conditions, lacking both jurisdiction and due process.
Chappell further alleges that the original summons case number was altered from 23TRD02893 to 23TRC02893 by the respondent without his knowledge, consent, or presence. He also claims that Judge Thomas McDermott is listed in the record, but Chappell asserts he never pleaded guilty and that Judge McDermott was not present during his sentencing on June 26, 2023, which he says was his only court appearance.
According to the document, Chappell filed multiple motions before and after the lower court’s rulings, which were reportedly denied without explanation. He claims the respondent continued to schedule hearings despite the alleged voided convictions. Chappell swears under penalty of perjury that he only signed probation papers and an arraignment sign-in sheet. The petition accuses the Respondent of denying access to the court, causing confusion within the law, upholding unlawful convictions, and delaying justice.
Chappell cites Ohio Civil Rule 60(B)(4), arguing that it allows relief from void judgments. He also references Ohio Criminal Rules 7(B) and 7(D), along with Ohio Revised Code sections 2941.03 and 2721.12, asserting that these require proper prosecutorial participation, which he claims was absent. Chappell cites case law, including Patton v. Diemer, State v. Wilson, and State v. Hayden, to support his arguments that judgments entered without jurisdiction are void and that findings must be supported by competent evidence.
Chappell requests the Supreme Court to issue a writ of mandamus compelling the Bowling Green Municipal Court to vacate the convictions, recognize that the convictions are void from the beginning, and direct the lower court to act in accordance with Ohio law without imposing procedural barriers.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
