Glossary of Crimes

In Ohio felonies crimes fall into six categories and 5 degrees of felonies. First, second, third, fourth, and fifth degree felonies. First-degree felonies are the most serious category, while fifth-degree felonies are the least serious. The sixth category are glossary crimes that are not identified by degree.

Sentence Range for Each Level

Anyone convicted of an Ohio felony faces a sentence that falls within in a certain sentencing range coupled with some other factors courts take into consideration.

Each felony category has a sentence range:

• First-degree felony: 3 to 11 years in prison
• Second-degree felony: 2 to 8 years in prison
• Third-degree felony: 9 months to 3 years in prison
• Fourth degree felony: 6 to 18 months in prison
• Fifth degree felony: 6 to 12 months in prison

Unclassified felonies

Murder and aggravated murder, the two most serious felonies in Ohio, are not categorized by degree. Instead, the law allows for specific penalties for both of these glossary crimes. For someone convicted of aggravated murder, the potential penalty ranges from death to life with the possibility of parole after 20 years. For someone convicted of murder, the possible sentence ranges from 15 years in prison to life in prison without parole.

Mandatory Sentences

Ohio also imposes mandatory prison terms in some felony cases. Such cases include aggravated murder, murder, rape or attempted rape of a child under the age of 13, some sexual offenses, possession of a firearm during felony, drug trafficking when it falls into a felony level 1 or 2 and few others. In such cases, a court must impose a specific penalty or penalty range.

Fines

In addition to, or separate from, a prison sentence, someone convicted of a felony offense in Ohio can also be sentenced to pay a fine. Like incarceration sentences, fines differ depending upon the degree of the felony convicted. The maximum amounts are:

• First-degree felony: $20,000
• Second-degree felony: $15,000
• Third-degree felony: $10,000
• Fourth degree felony: $5,000
• Fifth degree felony: $2,500The following list of felony offenses is only a small sample of all felonies identified in Ohio law.

Unclassified felony

• Aggravated murder
• Murder

First-degree felony

• Rape
• Voluntary manslaughter
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated Robbery when a gun is used in the commission of the glossary crime.

Second-degree felony

• Illegally manufacturing or processing explosives
• Abduction
• Felonious Assault.

Third-degree felony

• Reckless homicide.
• Theft of anhydrous ammonia

Fourth degree felony

• Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
• Safecracking
• Grant theft of a motor vehicle

Fifth degree felony

• Compelling acceptance of objectionable materials
• Breaking and entering when the occupants are not likely to be home.
• Gambling

Talk to an Attorney in Ohio

A felony charge is nothing to take lightly as you will always be subject to a term of imprisonment. If you contact an attorney at the moment you suspect you are being investigated for a felony your chances of survival can drastically increase.

For example, if your case involves one of drugs, your attorney may be encourage you to enter an outpatient or inpatient drug programs to mitigate your harm. Other crimes that may involve violent ones could result in anger management and other related programs. By consulting with an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible, you can get the advice now, which may save you years and months of your life in the future.

Your ability to defend yourself against the charges depends on receiving advice from an attorney who not only understands Ohio law, but who also has experience in humanizing their client and setting them up with a program to succeed. Call Rutan Law now for the protection you deserve.

Free consultations. John P.M. Rutan personal cell phone 614-307-4343. Call or text anytime.

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