Ohio Revised Code Glossary

Defines municipal-court jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases, traffic matters, and preliminary felony hearings before felony cases move to common pleas procedure.

Establishes the right to bring a wrongful death action in Ohio and identifies who may bring the claim. The details of eligibility and damages depend on the specific facts and related statutes.

Sets a two-year time limit for filing most personal injury lawsuits in Ohio. The clock typically starts from the date of injury. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to sue.

Provides time limits for certain civil actions (including some professional or medical-related claims). Which limitation applies depends on claim type and facts.

Limits non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most tort cases to the greater of $250,000 or three times economic damages, up to $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence. Exceptions exist for catastrophic injuries.

Sets standards for how courts review evidence supporting noneconomic damages. The application can depend on the type of case and requested damages.

Establishes that an injured party can recover damages even if partially at fault, but recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. No recovery if plaintiff is more than 50% at fault.

Lists defenses and immunities that can apply in claims involving political subdivisions and related parties. Whether an immunity applies is fact-specific and often litigated early.

Classifies Ohio offenses, including felonies by degree, misdemeanors by degree, minor misdemeanors, and unclassified offenses. The classification affects court path, penalty exposure, and defense planning.

Addresses Ohio's no-duty-to-retreat rules in certain locations, which can be relevant in self-defense and weapons-related cases.

Sets time limits for when criminal charges must be brought in Ohio. The applicable limitation can depend on the offense and specific circumstances.

Defines Ohio culpable mental states, including purposely, knowingly, recklessly, and negligently. Drug possession charges often require careful review of what the state claims the person knew.

Criminalizes knowingly causing serious physical harm to another or causing or attempting to cause harm by means of a deadly weapon. This is a second-degree felony carrying significant prison time.

Covers causing serious physical harm (or harm with a deadly weapon) under circumstances that can reduce a felonious assault charge when specific statutory conditions are met.

Prohibits knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another, or recklessly causing serious physical harm. Assault is typically a first-degree misdemeanor but can be enhanced based on victim status or circumstances.

Prohibits knowingly causing another to believe you will cause serious physical harm. More serious than simple menacing due to the nature of the threatened harm. Often charged in domestic disputes.

Prohibits knowingly causing another person to believe you will cause physical harm. Unlike stalking, this can be a single incident. Often appears alongside domestic violence or assault charges.

Criminalizes a pattern of conduct that causes someone to believe you will cause physical harm or mental distress. Can result in both criminal charges and stalking-based protection orders. Enhanced penalties if victim is a minor.

Prohibits sexual conduct under circumstances such as force, coercion, or when the other person cannot legally consent. Charging decisions and defenses depend heavily on the specific facts alleged.

Prohibits sexual conduct when consent cannot be freely given due to age, mental condition, or position of authority. Serious felony that typically requires registration as a sex offender.

Criminalizes sexual conduct with someone who is not your spouse and is between 13 and 16 years old. Felony level and penalties depend on the age difference between offender and victim.

Prohibits certain sexual contact offenses under specified circumstances. Charging decisions and defenses are highly fact-specific and depend on the alleged conduct and statutory elements.

Prohibits certain solicitation-related conduct involving a minor or a person believed to be a minor, as defined by statute. Charging decisions and defenses can be highly fact-specific and often involve digital evidence.

Prohibits compelling another person to engage in prostitution or related conduct. Penalties and enhancements can depend on factors such as age and alleged coercion.

Criminalizes knowingly obtaining or exerting control over property or services without consent or beyond authorized scope. Penalties range from minor misdemeanor to felony based on value and circumstances.

Prohibits knowingly using someone else's property or services without consent. Unlike theft, there may be no intent to permanently deprive the owner. Often seen with vehicle use or computer access.

Criminalizes knowingly using someone's vehicle without consent. Often called "joyriding." This is typically less serious than auto theft because it doesn't require intent to permanently deprive.

Prohibits making, altering, or using a forged writing with purpose to defraud or knowing it will be used to deceive. Charging level varies by the type of document and alleged harm.

Criminalizes theft committed by an officer, employee, or agent while in their position of trust. This is the embezzlement statute. Enhanced penalties compared to regular theft due to breach of fiduciary duty.

Addresses obtaining certain writings or instruments by deception. Fact patterns and charging decisions can vary, and related offenses may be charged in the same case.

Prohibits certain identity-related fraudulent conduct. The seriousness of the charge can depend on alleged intent, use, and resulting harm.

Prohibits knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to a family or household member, recklessly causing serious physical harm, and certain threats by force. Domestic-violence cases can involve bond restrictions, temporary protection-order requests, and qualifying federal firearm consequences.

Allows a temporary protection order to be requested in certain criminal cases involving family or household members and permits the court to impose safety-focused restrictions as a pretrial condition of release after a prompt hearing.

Makes it a criminal offense to violate the terms of a civil protection order or temporary protection order. First violation is typically a first-degree misdemeanor; subsequent violations can be felonies.

Prohibits knowingly making a false statement under oath (or affirmation) in an official proceeding when the statement is material. These cases often turn on intent, materiality, and the record of the proceeding.

Prohibits destroying, concealing, removing, or altering evidence with purpose to impair its value or availability in an investigation or proceeding. Fact-specific and commonly charged in addition to an underlying offense.

Prohibits knowingly making false statements to a public official, in official proceedings, or on official forms. Covers lying to police, falsifying reports, and making false alarms. First-degree misdemeanor.

Addresses theft offenses tied to public office or employment. Which statute applies in a given case depends on the alleged conduct and the role involved.

Defines terms used across Ohio's weapons-control statutes. Definitions can affect charging decisions and defenses for weapons offenses.

Prohibits carrying a concealed handgun without a valid concealed carry license, with exceptions. Also covers carrying other dangerous weapons (knives, brass knuckles) in a concealed manner.

Prohibits acquiring, possessing, or using firearms or dangerous ordnance if you have been convicted of certain crimes, are a fugitive, are subject to a protection order, or have been adjudicated as mentally incompetent.

Prohibits knowingly transporting or having a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a manner not permitted by law. Includes specific rules for where and how firearms must be stored in vehicles.

Defines terms used throughout Ohio drug laws, including controlled substances and related concepts. Definitions can materially impact how an offense is charged or enhanced.

Prohibits selling or offering to sell controlled substances, or preparing drugs for shipment, transport, delivery, or distribution when sale or resale is alleged. Penalties depend on drug type, amount, location, and history; some categories can trigger presumptive or mandatory prison terms.

Criminalizes knowingly obtaining, possessing, or using controlled substances without a valid prescription. Penalties vary widely based on the drug schedule and amount. Some offenses may qualify for diversion or treatment programs.

Prohibits using, possessing, selling, manufacturing, or advertising drug paraphernalia. The statute lists factors for classification and current exceptions, including certain marihuana-related use and approved testing-strip equipment.

Sets felony prison-term ranges and related sentencing provisions. Exact felony exposure depends on degree, offense-specific statutes, specifications, mandatory terms, and case facts.

Sets baseline definite jail-term ranges for Ohio misdemeanors when a jail term is imposed, subject to offense-specific laws and exceptions.

Authorizes misdemeanor community-control sanctions and related sentencing options. Whether community control applies depends on the offense, record, court order, and case facts.

Addresses financial sanctions in misdemeanor sentencing, including fines and related costs where authorized by law. Exact exposure depends on the offense, degree, and court order.

Sets Ohio pretrial-release standards and authorizes release conditions designed to reasonably assure court appearance, public safety, and protection of alleged victims or witnesses.

Lists factors Ohio courts must weigh when setting bail or conditions of release, including public safety, flight risk, and offense circumstances.

Sets Ohio's statutory time limits for bringing a criminal case to trial. Speedy trial calculations can be complex and depend on the charge, custody status, tolling events, and case history.

Defines key terms used in Ohio's sex offender registration laws. This is often relevant when evaluating registration consequences for certain offenses.

Sets requirements for notice and updates when a person subject to sex offender registration changes their residence address.

Defines the length and tier-based duration of sex offender registration duties in Ohio.

Provides for intervention in lieu of conviction (ILC) in eligible cases. Eligibility and terms can depend on offense type, prior history, and court discretion.

Addresses record sealing/expungement for certain convictions and bail forfeitures, including exceptions. Eligibility depends on the offense, case history, and statutory requirements.

Authorizes courts to issue domestic-violence civil protection orders, including ex parte temporary orders and orders after full hearing. Orders can restrict contact, residence access, parenting issues, and other conduct; qualifying orders may also carry federal firearm consequences.

Authorizes the Ohio Director of Health to determine techniques or methods for chemically analyzing blood, urine, breath, oral fluid, or other bodily substances for alcohol, drugs of abuse, controlled substances, metabolites, and related OVI testing purposes.

Sets Ohio rules for transporting adult-use marihuana in a motor vehicle. Vehicle drug cases should separate transport-rule questions from possession, search, and impaired-driving allegations.

Addresses certain rights and limits for adult-use cannabis consumers in Ohio, including that adult-use provisions do not authorize operating a vehicle, streetcar, trackless trolley, bike, watercraft, or aircraft while under the influence of marihuana.

Defines Ohio driver-license suspension classes and the definite suspension periods used by courts and the BMV, including administrative suspension classes referenced in OVI and implied-consent cases.

Authorizes courts to grant limited driving privileges during eligible suspensions for specified purposes such as work, school, medical care, treatment, court proceedings, childcare, and other court-approved needs.

Allows certain first-time OVI offenders to seek driving privileges that are unrestricted as to purpose, time, and place, but conditioned on certified ignition interlock and other court requirements.

Prohibits driving when your license is suspended or when you are violating a license restriction. This can be charged alongside other traffic or criminal offenses.

Authorizes courts to grant limited driving privileges in certain suspension situations, typically for essential purposes such as work, school, medical care, and childcare, subject to conditions and waiting periods set by statute and local court practice.

Makes it a separate offense to drive while your license is suspended for an OVI-related conviction. Carries mandatory jail time, additional suspension, and vehicle immobilization or forfeiture.

Defines key terms used in Ohio traffic statutes, including the definition of “operate” (causing or having caused movement of a vehicle).

Prohibits operating any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Includes specific BAC thresholds (.08% for adults, .02% for underage) and applies to all vehicles including cars, motorcycles, boats, and bicycles.

Establishes that any person who operates a vehicle on Ohio roads has given implied consent to chemical testing (breath, oral fluid, blood/serum/plasma, or urine) if arrested for OVI. Refusal triggers automatic administrative license suspension.

Requires specific advisements in an OVI arrest context, including information tied to chemical test decisions and related consequences.

Prohibits being in physical control of a vehicle while impaired, even if not operating it. You can be charged while sitting in a parked car with the keys. Penalties are similar to OVI but may offer better negotiation options.

Sets the procedure and timing for appealing an Ohio implied-consent or administrative license suspension after an OVI arrest. The appeal is limited to statutory issues and does not automatically stay the suspension unless the court grants a stay.

Prohibits allowing another person to operate your vehicle if you know they are intoxicated or their license is suspended. Vehicle owners can face charges alongside the impaired driver.