130th Ohio General Assembly
The online versions of legislation provided on this website are not official. Enrolled bills are the final version passed by the Ohio General Assembly and presented to the Governor for signature. The official version of acts signed by the Governor are available from the Secretary of State's Office in the Continental Plaza, 180 East Broad St., Columbus.

As Passed by the House

123rd General Assembly
Regular Session
1999-2000
Sub. H.B. No. 86

REPRESENTATIVES BATEMAN-MOTTLEY-ALLEN-BOYD-BRADING- CAREY-CORBIN-MAIER-PATTON-TAYLOR-THOMAS-VESPER- WINKLER-ROBERTS-KRUPINSKI-HAINES-MEAD-BENDER- PATTON-PERZ-OLMAN-PERRY-GRENDELL-HARTNETT-WILSON- HARRIS-METZGER-CALVERT-PRINGLE-FERDERBER-FLANNERY- OPFER-GOODMAN-CLANCY-O'BRIEN-STAPLETON-VERICH-FORD- HOOPS-JOLIVETTE-ROMAN-SALERNO-GARDNER-MYERS-COUGHLIN- TIBERI-THOMAS-AUSTRIA-JACOBSON


A BILL
To amend section 4511.99 and to enact section 4511.213 of the Revised Code to require the driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary public safety vehicle that is displaying its red or blue emergency light, to proceed with due caution and, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather, and traffic conditions, change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary public safety vehicle or, if it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle, and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather, and traffic conditions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:


Section 1. That section 4511.99 be amended and section 4511.213 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 4511.213. (A) THE DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, UPON APPROACHING A STATIONARY PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE THAT IS DISPLAYING A FLASHING RED LIGHT, FLASHING COMBINATION RED AND WHITE LIGHT, OSCILLATING OR ROTATING RED LIGHT, OSCILLATING OR ROTATING COMBINATION RED AND WHITE LIGHT, FLASHING BLUE LIGHT, FLASHING COMBINATION BLUE AND WHITE LIGHT, OSCILLATING OR ROTATING BLUE LIGHT, OR OSCILLATING OR ROTATING COMBINATION BLUE AND WHITE LIGHT, SHALL DO EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:

(1) IF THE DRIVER OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY THAT CONSISTS OF AT LEAST TWO LANES THAT CARRY TRAFFIC IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AS THAT OF THE DRIVER'S MOTOR VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SHALL PROCEED WITH DUE CAUTION AND, IF POSSIBLE AND WITH DUE REGARD TO THE ROAD, WEATHER, AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, SHALL CHANGE LANES INTO A LANE THAT IS NOT ADJACENT TO THAT OF THE STATIONARY PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE.

(2) IF THE DRIVER IS NOT TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY OF A TYPE DESCRIBED IN DIVISION (A)(1) OF THIS SECTION, OR IF THE DRIVER IS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY OF THAT TYPE BUT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE LANES OR IF TO DO SO WOULD BE UNSAFE, THE DRIVER SHALL PROCEED WITH DUE CAUTION, REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE, AND MAINTAIN A SAFE SPEED FOR THE ROAD, WEATHER, AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.

(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT RELIEVE THE DRIVER OF A PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE FROM THE DUTY TO DRIVE WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL PERSONS AND PROPERTY UPON THE HIGHWAY.

(C) NO PERSON SHALL FAIL TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE IN COMPLIANCE WITH DIVISION (A)(1) OR (2) OF THIS SECTION WHEN SO REQUIRED BY DIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION.

(D) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS IN SECTION 4511.01 OF THE REVISED CODE.

Sec. 4511.99. (A) Whoever violates division (A) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, in addition to the license suspension or revocation provided in section 4507.16 of the Revised Code and any disqualification imposed under section 4506.16 of the Revised Code, shall be punished as provided in division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2), (3), or (4) of this section, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and the court shall sentence the offender to a term of imprisonment of three consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to section 2929.21 of the Revised Code to a longer term of imprisonment. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than two hundred and not more than one thousand dollars.

The court may suspend the execution of the mandatory three consecutive days of imprisonment that it is required to impose by this division, if the court, in lieu of the suspended term of imprisonment, places the offender on probation and requires the offender to attend, for three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 3793.10 of the Revised Code. The court also may suspend the execution of any part of the mandatory three consecutive days of imprisonment that it is required to impose by this division, if the court places the offender on probation for part of the three consecutive days; requires the offender to attend, for that part of the three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 3793.10 of the Revised Code; and sentences the offender to a term of imprisonment equal to the remainder of the three consecutive days that the offender does not spend attending the drivers' intervention program. The court may require the offender, as a condition of probation, to attend and satisfactorily complete any treatment or education programs that comply with the minimum standards adopted pursuant to Chapter 3793. of the Revised Code by the director of alcohol and drug addiction services, in addition to the required attendance at a drivers' intervention program, that the operators of the drivers' intervention program determine that the offender should attend and to report periodically to the court on the offender's progress in the programs. The court also may impose any other conditions of probation on the offender that it considers necessary.

Of the fine imposed pursuant to this division, twenty-five dollars shall be paid to an enforcement and education fund established by the legislative authority of the law enforcement agency in this state that primarily was responsible for the arrest of the offender, as determined by the court that imposes the fine. This share shall be used by the agency to pay only those costs it incurs in enforcing section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance and in informing the public of the laws governing the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and other information relating to the operation of a motor vehicle and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Twenty-five dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the county indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund or municipal indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund under the control of that court, as created by the county or municipal corporation pursuant to division (N) of section 4511.191 of the Revised Code. The balance of the fine shall be disbursed as otherwise provided by law.

(2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(4) of this section, if, within six years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one violation of division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle with a prohibited concentration of alcohol in the blood, breath, or urine, section 2903.04 of the Revised Code in a case in which the offender was subject to the sanctions described in division (D) of that section, section 2903.06, 2903.07, or 2903.08 of the Revised Code or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to section 2903.07 of the Revised Code in a case in which the jury or judge found that the offender was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or a statute of the United States or of any other state or a municipal ordinance of a municipal corporation located in any other state that is substantially similar to division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and, except as provided in this division, the court shall sentence the offender to a term of imprisonment of ten consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to section 2929.21 of the Revised Code to a longer term of imprisonment. As an alternative to the term of imprisonment required to be imposed by this division, but subject to division (A)(8) of this section, the court may impose upon the offender a sentence consisting of both a term of imprisonment of five consecutive days and not less than eighteen consecutive days of electronically monitored house arrest as defined in division (A) of section 2929.23 of the Revised Code. The five consecutive days of imprisonment and the period of electronically monitored house arrest shall not exceed six months. The five consecutive days of imprisonment do not have to be served prior to or consecutively with the period of electronically monitored house arrest.

In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than three hundred and not more than one thousand five hundred dollars.

In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court may require the offender to attend a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 3793.10 of the Revised Code. If the officials of the drivers' intervention program determine that the offender is alcohol dependent, they shall notify the court, and the court shall order the offender to obtain treatment through an alcohol and drug addiction program authorized by section 3793.02 of the Revised Code. The cost of the treatment shall be paid by the offender.

Of the fine imposed pursuant to this division, thirty-five dollars shall be paid to an enforcement and education fund established by the legislative authority of the law enforcement agency in this state that primarily was responsible for the arrest of the offender, as determined by the court that imposes the fine. This share shall be used by the agency to pay only those costs it incurs in enforcing division (A) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance and in informing the public of the laws governing the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and other information relating to the operation of a motor vehicle and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Sixty-five dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to this division shall be paid to the political subdivision responsible for housing the offender during the offender's term of incarceration. This share shall be used by the political subdivision to pay or reimburse incarceration costs it incurs in housing persons who violate section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance and to pay for ignition interlock devices and electronic house arrest equipment for persons who violate that section, and shall be paid to the credit of the fund that pays the cost of the incarceration. Fifty dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the county indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund or municipal indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund under the control of that court, as created by the county or municipal corporation pursuant to division (N) of section 4511.191 of the Revised Code. The balance of the fine shall be disbursed as otherwise provided by law.

(b) Regardless of whether the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense is registered in the offender's name or in the name of another person, the court, in addition to the penalties imposed under division (A)(2)(a) of this section and all other penalties provided by law and subject to section 4503.235 of the Revised Code, shall order the immobilization for ninety days of the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense and the impoundment for ninety days of the identification license plates of that vehicle. The order for the immobilization and impoundment shall be issued and enforced in accordance with section 4503.233 of the Revised Code.

(3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(4) of this section, if, within six years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two violations of division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle with a prohibited concentration of alcohol in the blood, breath, or urine, section 2903.04 of the Revised Code in a case in which the offender was subject to the sanctions described in division (D) of that section, section 2903.06, 2903.07, or 2903.08 of the Revised Code or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to section 2903.07 of the Revised Code in a case in which the jury or judge found that the offender was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or a statute of the United States or of any other state or a municipal ordinance of a municipal corporation located in any other state that is substantially similar to division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, except as provided in this division, the court shall sentence the offender to a term of imprisonment of thirty consecutive days and may sentence the offender to a longer definite term of imprisonment of not more than one year. As an alternative to the term of imprisonment required to be imposed by this division, but subject to division (A)(8) of this section, the court may impose upon the offender a sentence consisting of both a term of imprisonment of fifteen consecutive days and not less than fifty-five consecutive days of electronically monitored house arrest as defined in division (A) of section 2929.23 of the Revised Code. The fifteen consecutive days of imprisonment and the period of electronically monitored house arrest shall not exceed one year. The fifteen consecutive days of imprisonment do not have to be served prior to or consecutively with the period of electronically monitored house arrest.

In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than five hundred and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars.

In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court shall require the offender to attend an alcohol and drug addiction program authorized by section 3793.02 of the Revised Code. The cost of the treatment shall be paid by the offender. If the court determines that the offender is unable to pay the cost of attendance at the treatment program, the court may order that payment of the cost of the offender's attendance at the treatment program be made from that court's indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund.

Of the fine imposed pursuant to this division, one hundred twenty-three dollars shall be paid to an enforcement and education fund established by the legislative authority of the law enforcement agency in this state that primarily was responsible for the arrest of the offender, as determined by the court that imposes the fine. This share shall be used by the agency to pay only those costs it incurs in enforcing section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance and in informing the public of the laws governing the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and other information relating to the operation of a motor vehicle and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Two hundred twenty-seven dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to this division shall be paid to the political subdivision responsible for housing the offender during the offender's term of incarceration. This share shall be used by the political subdivision to pay or reimburse incarceration costs it incurs in housing persons who violate division (A) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance and to pay for ignition interlock devices and electronic house arrest equipment for persons who violate that section and shall be paid to the credit of the fund that pays the cost of incarceration. The balance of the fine shall be disbursed as otherwise provided by law.

(b) Regardless of whether the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense is registered in the offender's name or in the name of another person, the court, in addition to the penalties imposed under division (A)(3)(a) of this section and all other penalties provided by law and subject to section 4503.235 of the Revised Code, shall order the immobilization for one hundred eighty days of the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense and the impoundment for one hundred eighty days of the identification license plates of that vehicle. The order for the immobilization and impoundment shall be issued and enforced in accordance with section 4503.233 of the Revised Code.

(4)(a) If, within six years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to three or more violations of division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle with a prohibited concentration of alcohol in the blood, breath, or urine, section 2903.04 of the Revised Code in a case in which the offender was subject to the sanctions described in division (D) of that section, section 2903.06, 2903.07, or 2903.08 of the Revised Code or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to section 2903.07 of the Revised Code in a case in which the jury or judge found that the offender was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or a statute of the United States or of any other state or a municipal ordinance of a municipal corporation located in any other state that is substantially similar to division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, or if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code under circumstances in which the violation was a felony and regardless of when the violation and the conviction or guilty plea occurred, the offender is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree. The court shall sentence the offender in accordance with sections 2929.11 to 2929.19 of the Revised Code and shall impose as part of the sentence a mandatory term of local incarceration of sixty consecutive days of imprisonment in accordance with division (G)(1) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code or a mandatory prison term of sixty consecutive days of imprisonment in accordance with division (G)(2) of that section, whichever is applicable. If the offender is required to serve a mandatory term of local incarceration of sixty consecutive days of imprisonment in accordance with division (G)(1) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code, the court, pursuant to section 2929.17 of the Revised Code, may impose upon the offender a sentence that includes a term of electronically monitored house arrest, provided that the term of electronically monitored house arrest shall not commence until after the offender has served the mandatory term of local incarceration.

In addition to all other sanctions imposed, the court shall impose upon the offender, pursuant to section 2929.18 of the Revised Code, a fine of not less than seven hundred fifty nor more than ten thousand dollars.

In addition to any other sanction that it imposes upon the offender, the court shall require the offender to attend an alcohol and drug addiction program authorized by section 3793.02 of the Revised Code. The cost of the treatment shall be paid by the offender. If the court determines that the offender is unable to pay the cost of attendance at the treatment program, the court may order that payment of the cost of the offender's attendance at the treatment program be made from the court's indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund.

Of the fine imposed pursuant to this division, two hundred ten dollars shall be paid to an enforcement and education fund established by the legislative authority of the law enforcement agency in this state that primarily was responsible for the arrest of the offender, as determined by the court that imposes the fine. This share shall be used by the agency to pay only those costs it incurs in enforcing section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance and in informing the public of the laws governing operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the dangers of operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and other information relating to the operation of a motor vehicle and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Three hundred ninety dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to this division shall be paid to the political subdivision responsible for housing the offender during the offender's term of incarceration. This share shall be used by the political subdivision to pay or reimburse incarceration costs it incurs in housing persons who violate division (A) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance and to pay for ignition interlock devices and electronic house arrest equipment for persons who violate that section, and shall be paid to the credit of the fund that pays the cost of incarceration. The balance of the fine shall be disbursed as otherwise provided by law.

(b) Regardless of whether the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense is registered in the offender's name or in the name of another person, the court, in addition to the sanctions imposed under division (A)(4)(a) of this section and all other sanctions provided by law and subject to section 4503.235 of the Revised Code, shall order the criminal forfeiture to the state of the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense. The order of criminal forfeiture shall be issued and enforced in accordance with section 4503.234 of the Revised Code.

(c) As used in division (A)(4)(a) of this section, "mandatory prison term" and "mandatory term of local incarceration" have the same meanings as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

If title to a motor vehicle that is subject to an order for criminal forfeiture under this section is assigned or transferred and division (C)(2) or (3) of section 4503.234 of the Revised Code applies, in addition to or independent of any other penalty established by law, the court may fine the offender the value of the vehicle as determined by publications of the national auto dealer's association. The proceeds from any fine imposed under this division shall be distributed in accordance with division (D)(4) of section 4503.234 of the Revised Code.

(5)(a) Except as provided in division (A)(5)(b) of this section, upon a showing that imprisonment would seriously affect the ability of an offender sentenced pursuant to division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section to continue the offender's employment, the court may authorize that the offender be granted work release from imprisonment after the offender has served the three, ten, or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment or the mandatory term of local incarceration of sixty consecutive days that the court is required by division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section to impose. No court shall authorize work release from imprisonment during the three, ten, or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment or the mandatory term of local incarceration or mandatory prison term of sixty consecutive days that the court is required by division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section to impose. The duration of the work release shall not exceed the time necessary each day for the offender to commute to and from the place of employment and the place of imprisonment and the time actually spent under employment.

(b) An offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (A)(2) or (3) of this section to a term of imprisonment followed by a period of electronically monitored house arrest is not eligible for work release from imprisonment, but that person shall be permitted work release during the period of electronically monitored house arrest. The duration of the work release shall not exceed the time necessary each day for the offender to commute to and from the place of employment and the offender's home or other place specified by the sentencing court and the time actually spent under employment.

(6) Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence, the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment, or the use of a community control sanction for an offender convicted of a felony, no court shall suspend the ten or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment required to be imposed on an offender by division (A)(2) or (3) of this section, no court shall place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (A)(2), (3), or (4) of this section in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment until after the offender has served the ten or thirty consecutive days of imprisonment or the mandatory term of local incarceration or mandatory prison term of sixty consecutive days required to be imposed pursuant to division (A)(2), (3), or (4) of this section, no court that sentences an offender under division (A)(4) of this section shall impose any sanction other than a mandatory term of local incarceration or mandatory prison term to apply to the offender until after the offender has served the mandatory term of local incarceration or mandatory prison term of sixty consecutive days required to be imposed pursuant to division (A)(4) of this section, and no court that imposes a sentence of imprisonment and a period of electronically monitored house arrest upon an offender under division (A)(2) or (3) of this section shall suspend any portion of the sentence or place the offender in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment or electronically monitored house arrest. Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence or the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment, no court, except as specifically authorized by division (A)(1) of this section, shall suspend the three consecutive days of imprisonment required to be imposed by division (A)(1) of this section or place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment until after the offender has served the three consecutive days of imprisonment required to be imposed pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section.

(7) No court shall sentence an offender to an alcohol treatment program pursuant to division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section unless the treatment program complies with the minimum standards adopted pursuant to Chapter 3793. of the Revised Code by the director of alcohol and drug addiction services.

(8) No court shall impose the alternative sentence of a term of imprisonment of five consecutive days plus not less than eighteen consecutive days of electronically monitored house arrest permitted to be imposed by division (A)(2) of this section, or the alternative sentence of a term of imprisonment of fifteen consecutive days plus not less than fifty-five consecutive days of electronically monitored house arrest permitted to be imposed pursuant to division (A)(3) of this section, unless within sixty days of the date of sentencing, the court issues a written finding, entered into the record, that due to the unavailability of space at the incarceration facility where the offender is required to serve the term of imprisonment imposed upon the offender, the offender will not be able to commence serving the term of imprisonment within the sixty-day period following the date of sentencing. If the court issues such a finding, the court may impose the alternative sentence comprised of a term of imprisonment and a term of electronically monitored house arrest permitted to be imposed by division (A)(2) or (3) of this section.

(B) Whoever violates section 4511.192, 4511.251, or 4511.85 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court, in addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law, may suspend for a period not to exceed one year the driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege of any person who pleads guilty to or is convicted of a violation of section 4511.192 of the Revised Code.

(C) Whoever violates section 4511.63, 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, 4511.77, or 4511.79 of the Revised Code is guilty of one of the following:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, a minor misdemeanor.

(2) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of section 4511.63, 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, 4511.77, or 4511.79 of the Revised Code or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any of those sections, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(D)(1) Whoever violates any provision of sections 4511.01 to 4511.76 or section 4511.84 of the Revised Code, for which no penalty otherwise is provided in this section is guilty of one of the following:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(1)(b), (1)(c), (2), or (3) of this section, a minor misdemeanor;

(b) If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one violation of any provision of sections 4511.01 to 4511.76 or section 4511.84 of the Revised Code for which no penalty otherwise is provided in this section or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any provision of sections 4511.01 to 4511.76 or section 4511.84 of the Revised Code for which no penalty otherwise is provided in this section, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree;

(c) If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more violations of any provision described in division (D)(1)(b) of this section or any municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any of those provisions, a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) When any person is found guilty of a first offense for a violation of section 4511.21 of the Revised Code upon a finding that the person operated a motor vehicle faster than thirty-five miles an hour in a business district of a municipal corporation, or faster than fifty miles an hour in other portions, or faster than thirty-five miles an hour while passing through a school zone during recess or while children are going to or leaving school during the opening or closing hours, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(3) Notwithstanding section 2929.21 of the Revised Code, upon a finding that such person operated a motor vehicle in a construction zone where a sign was then posted in accordance with section 4511.98 of the Revised Code, the court, in addition to all other penalties provided by law, shall impose a fine of two times the usual amount imposed for the violation. No court shall impose a fine of two times the usual amount imposed for the violation upon an offender who alleges, in an affidavit filed with the court prior to the offender's sentencing, that the offender is indigent and is unable to pay the fine imposed pursuant to this division, provided the court determines the offender is an indigent person and is unable to pay the fine.

(E) Whenever a person is found guilty in a court of record of a violation of section 4511.761, 4511.762, or 4511.77 of the Revised Code, the trial judge, in addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law, may suspend for any period of time not exceeding three years, or revoke the license of any person, partnership, association, or corporation, issued under section 4511.763 of the Revised Code.

(F) Whoever violates division (E) or (F) of section 4511.51, division (A), (D), or (E) of section 4511.521, section 4511.681, division (A), (C), or (F) of section 4511.69, section 4511.772, or division (A) or (B) of section 4511.82 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(G) Whoever violates division (A) of section 4511.75 of the Revised Code may be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars. A person who is issued a citation for a violation of division (A) of section 4511.75 of the Revised Code is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty and waive the person's right to contest the citation in a trial, but instead must appear in person in the proper court to answer the charge.

(H)(1) Whoever is a resident of this state and violates division (A) or (B) of section 4511.81 of the Revised Code shall be punished as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (H)(1)(b) of this section, the offender is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(b) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A) or (B) of section 4511.81 of the Revised Code or of a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to either of those divisions, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(2) Whoever is not a resident of this state, violates division (A) or (B) of section 4511.81 of the Revised Code, and fails to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the offender's use or nonuse of a child restraint system was in accordance with the law of the state of which the offender is a resident is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second or subsequent offense, that person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(3) Sixty-five per cent of every fine imposed pursuant to division (H)(1) or (2) of this section shall be forwarded to the treasurer of state for deposit in the "child highway safety fund" created by division (G) of section 4511.81 of the Revised Code. The balance of the fine shall be disbursed as otherwise provided by law.

(I) Whoever violates section 4511.202 of the Revised Code is guilty of operating a motor vehicle without being in control of it, a minor misdemeanor.

(J) Whoever violates division (B) of section 4511.74, division (B)(1), (2), or (3), (C), or (E)(1), (2), or (3) of section 4511.83 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(K) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (E) of section 4511.11, division (A) or (C) of section 4511.17, or section 4511.18 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. If a violation of division (A) or (C) of section 4511.17 of the Revised Code creates a risk of physical harm to any person, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. A violation of division (A) or (C) of section 4511.17 of the Revised Code that causes serious physical harm to property that is owned, leased, or controlled by a state or local authority is a felony of the fifth degree.

(L) Whoever violates division (H) of section 4511.69 of the Revised Code shall be punished as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (L)(2) of this section, the offender shall be issued a warning.

(2) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (H) of section 4511.69 of the Revised Code or of a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to that division, the offender shall not be issued a warning but shall be fined twenty-five dollars for each parking location that is not properly marked or whose markings are not properly maintained.

(M) Whoever violates division (A)(1) or (2) of section 4511.45 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree; and on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree.

(N)(1) Whoever violates division (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code is guilty of operating a motor vehicle after under-age alcohol consumption and shall be punished as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (N)(1)(b) of this section, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(b) If, within one year of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any violation of division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle with a prohibited concentration of alcohol in the blood, breath, or urine, section 2903.04 of the Revised Code in a case in which the offender was subject to the sanctions described in division (D) of that section, section 2903.06, 2903.07, or 2903.08 of the Revised Code or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to section 2903.07 of the Revised Code in a case in which the jury or judge found that the offender was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or a statute of the United States or of any other state or a municipal ordinance of a municipal corporation located in any other state that is substantially similar to division (A) or (B) of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) In addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law, the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege shall be suspended in accordance with, and for the period of time specified in, division (E) of section 4507.16 of the Revised Code.

(O) Whoever violates section 4511.62 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(P) NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 2929.21 of the Revised Code, UPON A FINDING THAT A PERSON OPERATED A MOTOR VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF DIVISION (C) OF SECTION 4511.213 of the Revised Code, THE COURT, IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER PENALTIES PROVIDED BY LAW, SHALL IMPOSE A FINE OF TWO TIMES THE AMOUNT USUALLY IMPOSED FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE MOVING VIOLATION THAT IS THE SAME DEGREE OF MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE AS THE INSTANT VIOLATION OF DIVISION (C) OF SECTION 4511.213 of the Revised Code.


Section 2. That existing section 4511.99 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.
Please send questions and comments to the Webmaster.
© 2024 Legislative Information Systems | Disclaimer