Under Ohio law, felony penalties are divided into five ranges. A Felony One is the highest level felony and a Felony Five is the lowest level felony.
The maximum penalty range for individuals charged with felonies in Ohio is as follows: For a Felony Five, 6 to 12 months prison and a fine up to $2500. For a Felony Four, 6 to 18 months prison and a fine up to $5000. For a Felony Three, 1 to 5 years and a fine up to $10,000. For a Felony Two, 2 to 8 years and a fine up to $15,000. For a Felony One, 3 to 10 years and a fine up to $20,000.
Ohio Felony Penalty Chart
The following chart summarizes the sentencing ranges and possible fines for Ohio felonies:
| Degree of Felony | Prison Term | Max. Fine |
| FIRST DEGREE | Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten years | $20,000 |
| SECOND DEGREE | Two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight years. | $15,000 |
| THIRD DEGREE | One, two, three, four, or five years. | $10,000 |
| FOURTH DEGREE | Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen months. | $5,000 |
| FIFTH DEGREE | Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve months. | $2,500 |
Keep in mind that there are many exceptions to these sentencing ranges in felony cases. Penalties pertaining to crimes involving firearms, violent offenses, drugs, juveniles and law enforcement officers can carry significant specifications that not only may increase the penalties under Ohio law, but may also trigger mandatory sentences.
Aggravated Murder & Murder Carry more Serious Penalties
In Ohio, the offenses of Murder and Aggravated Murder carry penalties above the normal sentencing framework.
Aggravated Murder carries the following sentences:
With Death Specification: Death penalty or life in prison without parole, or life with parole after 20, 25 or 30 years. Without Death Specification: Life with parole eligibility after 20 years or life without parole (sexual motivation and sexual predator specifications). Maximum $25,000 fine.
In Ohio, Murder carries the following sentences:
15 years to life. Life without parole if a sexual motivation and sexual predator specification. Maximum $15,000 fine.
If the police want to discuss anything with you related to an aggravated murder or murder, then you better speak with a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Attorney Dan Weisenburger has experience in representing clients charged with murder as well as attempted murder.
Ohio Felony Law Is Highly Complex
There are many exceptions and additions to these general rules regarding felony sentencing under Ohio law. The criminal statutes in Ohio are exceedingly complex. Felony penalties can be extreme, so the advice of a highly qualified criminal defense lawyer is paramount.
Solid Legal Advice in Ohio Felony Cases
Since the stakes are so high in felony cases, the firm advice of an experienced criminal defense lawyer is absolutely critical. An attorney should be consulted at the very earliest opportunity, even before you are even considered a suspect...and most certainly before uttering a single word to police officers.
Contact Attorney Dan Weisenburger now for a free confidential consultation. With over 28 years of trial experience litigating felony cases, he can readily answer any questions you may have.
Attorney Weisenburger is a Nationally Certified Criminal Trial Specialist with offices in Summit County (Stow) and Portage County (Ravenna). He represents clients in courts throughout Northeast Ohio.
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