Chapter 2971 | Sentencing of Sexually Violent Predators

Section 2971.01 | Sentencing of sexually violent predator definitions.

• Effective: January 1, 2008
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 10 - 127th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Mandatory prison term" has the same meaning as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense" means any of the following:

(1) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.11, or 2905.01 of the Revised Code or a violation of division (A) of section 2903.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) An attempt to commit or complicity in committing a violation listed in division (B)(1) of this section, if the attempt or complicity is a felony.

(C) "Examiner" has the same meaning as in section 2945.371 of the Revised Code.

(D) "Peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Prosecuting attorney" means the prosecuting attorney who prosecuted the case of the offender in question or the successor in office to that prosecuting attorney.

(F) "Sexually oriented offense" and "child-victim oriented offense" have the same meanings as in section 2950.01 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Sexually violent offense" means any of the following:

(1) A violent sex offense;

(2) A designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense that the offender commits with a sexual motivation.

(H)(1) "Sexually violent predator" means a person who, on or after January 1, 1997, commits a sexually violent offense and is likely to engage in the future in one or more sexually violent offenses.

(2) For purposes of division (H)(1) of this section, any of the following factors may be considered as evidence tending to indicate that there is a likelihood that the person will engage in the future in one or more sexually violent offenses:

(a) The person has been convicted two or more times, in separate criminal actions, of a sexually oriented offense or a child-victim oriented offense. For purposes of this division, convictions that result from or are connected with the same act or result from offenses committed at the same time are one conviction, and a conviction set aside pursuant to law is not a conviction.

(b) The person has a documented history from childhood, into the juvenile developmental years, that exhibits sexually deviant behavior.

(c) Available information or evidence suggests that the person chronically commits offenses with a sexual motivation.

(d) The person has committed one or more offenses in which the person has tortured or engaged in ritualistic acts with one or more victims.

(e) The person has committed one or more offenses in which one or more victims were physically harmed to the degree that the particular victim's life was in jeopardy.

(f) Any other relevant evidence.

(I) "Sexually violent predator specification" means a specification, as described in section 2941.148 of the Revised Code, that charges that a person charged with a violent sex offense, or a person charged with a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense and a sexual motivation specification, is a sexually violent predator.

(J) "Sexual motivation" means a purpose to gratify the sexual needs or desires of the offender.

(K) "Sexual motivation specification" means a specification, as described in section 2941.147 of the Revised Code, that charges that a person charged with a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense committed the offense with a sexual motivation.

(L) "Violent sex offense" means any of the following:

(1) A violation of section 2907.02, 2907.03, or 2907.12 or of division (A)(4) or (B) of section 2907.05 of the Revised Code;

(2) A felony violation of a former law of this state that is substantially equivalent to a violation listed in division (L)(1) of this section or of an existing or former law of the United States or of another state that is substantially equivalent to a violation listed in division (L)(1) of this section;

(3) An attempt to commit or complicity in committing a violation listed in division (L)(1) or (2) of this section if the attempt or complicity is a felony.

Section 2971.02 | Sexually violent predator specification may be determined by court or jury.

• Effective: April 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 473 - 125th General Assembly

In any case in which a sexually violent predator specification is included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging a violent sex offense or a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense and in which the defendant is tried by a jury, the defendant may elect to have the court instead of the jury determine the sexually violent predator specification.

If the defendant does not elect to have the court determine the sexually violent predator specification, the defendant shall be tried before the jury on the charge of the offense and, if the offense is a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense, on the sexual motivation specification that is included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense. Following a verdict of guilty on the charge of the offense and, if the offense is a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense, on the related sexual motivation specification, the defendant shall be tried before the jury on the sexually violent predator specification.

If the defendant elects to have the court determine the sexually violent predator specification, the defendant shall be tried before the jury on the charge of the offense and, if the offense is a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense, on the sexual motivation specification that is included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense. Following a verdict of guilty on the charge of the offense and, if the offense if a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense, on the related sexual motivation specification, the court shall conduct a proceeding at which it shall determine the sexually violent predator specification.

Section 2971.03 | Sentencing for sexually violent predator specification.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 256, House Bill 136 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding divisions (A) and (D) of section 2929.14, section 2929.02, 2929.03, 2929.06, 2929.13, or another section of the Revised Code, other than divisions (B) and (C) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code, that authorizes or requires a specified prison term or a mandatory prison term for a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony or that specifies the manner and place of service of a prison term or term of imprisonment, the court shall impose a sentence upon a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violent sex offense and who also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexually violent predator specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, and upon a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to both a sexual motivation specification and a sexually violent predator specification that were included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, as follows:

(1) Except as provided in division (A)(5) of this section, if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is aggravated murder and if the court does not impose upon the offender a sentence of death, it shall impose upon the offender a term of life imprisonment without parole. If the court sentences the offender to death and the sentence of death is vacated, overturned, or otherwise set aside, the court shall impose upon the offender a term of life imprisonment without parole.

(2) Except as provided in division (A)(5) of this section, if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is murder; or if the offense is rape committed in violation of division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code when the offender purposely compelled the victim to submit by force or threat of force, when the victim was less than ten years of age, when the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to either rape committed in violation of that division or a violation of an existing or former law of this state, another state, or the United States that is substantially similar to division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code, or when the offender during or immediately after the commission of the rape caused serious physical harm to the victim; or if the offense is an offense other than aggravated murder or murder for which a term of life imprisonment may be imposed, it shall impose upon the offender a term of life imprisonment without parole.

(3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(3)(b), (c), (d), or (e) or (A)(4) of this section, if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is an offense other than aggravated murder, murder, or rape and other than an offense for which a term of life imprisonment may be imposed, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term fixed by the court as described in this division, but not less than two years, and a maximum term of life imprisonment. Except as otherwise specified in this division, the minimum term shall be fixed by the court from among the range of terms available as a definite term for the offense. If the offense is a felony of the first or second degree committed on or after March 22, 2019, the minimum term shall be fixed by the court from among the range of terms available as a minimum term for the offense under division (A)(1)(a) or (2)(a) of that section.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(4) of this section, if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is kidnapping that is a felony of the first degree, it shall impose an indefinite prison term as follows:

(i) If the kidnapping is committed on or after January 1, 2008, and the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age, except as otherwise provided in this division, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of fifteen years and a maximum term of life imprisonment. If the kidnapping is committed on or after January 1, 2008, the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age, and the offender released the victim in a safe place unharmed, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(ii) If the kidnapping is committed prior to January 1, 2008, or division (A)(3)(b)(i) of this section does not apply, it shall impose an indefinite term consisting of a minimum term fixed by the court that is not less than ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(4) of this section, if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is kidnapping that is a felony of the second degree, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term fixed by the court that is not less than eight years, and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(4) of this section, if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is rape for which a term of life imprisonment is not imposed under division (A)(2) of this section or division (B) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code, it shall impose an indefinite prison term as follows:

(i) If the rape is committed on or after January 2, 2007, in violation of division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of twenty-five years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(ii) If the rape is committed prior to January 2, 2007, or the rape is committed on or after January 2, 2007, other than in violation of division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term fixed by the court that is not less than ten years, and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(4) of this section, if the offense for which sentence is being imposed is attempted rape, it shall impose an indefinite prison term as follows:

(i) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(3)(e)(ii), (iii), or (iv) of this section, it shall impose an indefinite prison term pursuant to division (A)(3)(a) of this section.

(ii) If the attempted rape for which sentence is being imposed was committed on or after January 2, 2007, and if the offender also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1418 of the Revised Code, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of five years and a maximum term of twenty-five years.

(iii) If the attempted rape for which sentence is being imposed was committed on or after January 2, 2007, and if the offender also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1419 of the Revised Code, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of ten years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

(iv) If the attempted rape for which sentence is being imposed was committed on or after January 2, 2007, and if the offender also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1420 of the Revised Code, it shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of fifteen years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

(4) Except as provided in division (A)(5) of this section, for any offense for which the sentence is being imposed, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violent sex offense and also to a sexually violent predator specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, or previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense and also to both a sexual motivation specification and a sexually violent predator specification that were included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, it shall impose upon the offender a term of life imprisonment without parole.

(5) Notwithstanding divisions (A)(1), (2), and (4) of this section, the court shall not impose a sentence of life imprisonment without parole upon any person for an offense that was committed when the person was under eighteen years of age. In any case described in division (A)(1), (2), or (4) of this section, if the offense was committed when the person was under eighteen years of age, the court shall impose an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of thirty years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(B)(1) Notwithstanding section 2929.13, division (A) or (D) of section 2929.14, or another section of the Revised Code other than division (B) of section 2907.02 or divisions (B) and (C) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code that authorizes or requires a specified prison term or a mandatory prison term for a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony or that specifies the manner and place of service of a prison term or term of imprisonment, if a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code committed on or after January 2, 2007, if division (A) of this section does not apply regarding the person, and if the court does not impose a sentence of life without parole when authorized pursuant to division (B) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code, the court shall impose upon the person an indefinite prison term consisting of one of the following:

(a) Except as otherwise required in division (B)(1)(b) or (c) of this section, a minimum term of ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(b) If the victim was less than ten years of age, a minimum term of fifteen years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

(c) If the offender purposely compels the victim to submit by force or threat of force, or if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to violating division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code or to violating an existing or former law of this state, another state, or the United States that is substantially similar to division (A)(1)(b) of that section, or if the offender during or immediately after the commission of the offense caused serious physical harm to the victim, a minimum term of twenty-five years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

(2) Notwithstanding section 2929.13, division (A) or (D) of section 2929.14, or another section of the Revised Code other than divisions (B) and (C) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code that authorizes or requires a specified prison term or a mandatory prison term for a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony or that specifies the manner and place of service of a prison term or term of imprisonment and except as otherwise provided in division (B) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code, if a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to attempted rape committed on or after January 2, 2007, and if division (A) of this section does not apply regarding the person, the court shall impose upon the person an indefinite prison term consisting of one of the following:

(a) If the person also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1418 of the Revised Code, the court shall impose upon the person an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of five years and a maximum term of twenty-five years.

(b) If the person also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1419 of the Revised Code, the court shall impose upon the person an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(c) If the person also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1420 of the Revised Code, the court shall impose upon the person an indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum term of fifteen years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

(3) Notwithstanding section 2929.13, division (A) or (D) of section 2929.14, or another section of the Revised Code other than divisions (B) and (C) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code that authorizes or requires a specified prison term or a mandatory prison term for a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony or that specifies the manner and place of service of a prison term or term of imprisonment, if a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to an offense described in division (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section committed on or after January 1, 2008, if the person also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexual motivation specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, and if division (A) of this section does not apply regarding the person, the court shall impose upon the person an indefinite prison term consisting of one of the following:

(a) An indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum of ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is kidnapping, the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age, and the offender released the victim in a safe place unharmed;

(b) An indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum of fifteen years and a maximum term of life imprisonment if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is kidnapping when the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age and division (B)(3)(a) of this section does not apply;

(c) An indefinite term consisting of a minimum of thirty years and a maximum term of life imprisonment if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is aggravated murder, when the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age, a sentence of death or life imprisonment without parole is not imposed for the offense, and division (A)(2)(b)(ii) of section 2929.022, division (A)(1)(e), (C)(1)(a)(v), (C)(2)(a)(ii), (D)(2)(b), (D)(3)(a)(iv), or (E)(1)(a)(iv) of section 2929.03, or division (A) or (B) of section 2929.06 of the Revised Code requires that the sentence for the offense be imposed pursuant to this division;

(d) An indefinite prison term consisting of a minimum of thirty years and a maximum term of life imprisonment if the offense for which the sentence is being imposed is murder when the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age.

(C)(1) If the offender is sentenced to a prison term pursuant to division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section, the parole board shall have control over the offender's service of the term during the entire term unless the parole board terminates its control in accordance with section 2971.04 of the Revised Code.

(2) Except as provided in division (C)(3) or (G) of this section, an offender sentenced to a prison term or term of life imprisonment without parole pursuant to division (A) of this section shall serve the entire prison term or term of life imprisonment in a state correctional institution. The offender is not eligible for judicial release under section 2929.20 of the Revised Code.

(3) For a prison term imposed pursuant to division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section, subject to the application of division (G) of this section, the court, in accordance with section 2971.05 of the Revised Code, may terminate the prison term or modify the requirement that the offender serve the entire term in a state correctional institution if all of the following apply:

(a) The offender has served at least the minimum term imposed as part of that prison term.

(b) The parole board, pursuant to section 2971.04 of the Revised Code, has terminated its control over the offender's service of that prison term.

(c) The court has held a hearing and found, by clear and convincing evidence, one of the following:

(i) In the case of termination of the prison term, that the offender is unlikely to commit a sexually violent offense in the future;

(ii) In the case of modification of the requirement, that the offender does not represent a substantial risk of physical harm to others.

(4) Except as provided in division (G) of this section, an offender who has been sentenced to a term of life imprisonment without parole pursuant to division (A)(1), (2), or (4) of this section shall not be released from the term of life imprisonment or be permitted to serve a portion of it in a place other than a state correctional institution.

(D) If a court sentences an offender to a prison term or term of life imprisonment without parole pursuant to division (A) of this section and the court also imposes on the offender one or more additional prison terms pursuant to division (B) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code, all of the additional prison terms shall be served consecutively with, and prior to, the prison term or term of life imprisonment without parole imposed upon the offender pursuant to division (A) of this section.

(E) If the offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to two or more offenses for which a prison term or term of life imprisonment without parole is required to be imposed pursuant to division (A) of this section, divisions (A) to (D) of this section shall be applied for each offense. All minimum terms imposed upon the offender pursuant to division (A)(3) or (B) of this section for those offenses shall be aggregated and served consecutively, as if they were a single minimum term imposed under that division.

(F)(1) If an offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violent sex offense and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexually violent predator specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, or is convicted of or pleads guilty to a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to both a sexual motivation specification and a sexually violent predator specification that were included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, the conviction of or plea of guilty to the offense and the sexually violent predator specification automatically classifies the offender as a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender for purposes of Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code.

(2) If an offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to committing on or after January 2, 2007, a violation of division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code and either the offender is sentenced under section 2971.03 of the Revised Code or a sentence of life without parole is imposed under division (B) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code, the conviction of or plea of guilty to the offense automatically classifies the offender as a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender for purposes of Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code.

(3) If a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to committing on or after January 2, 2007, attempted rape and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1418, 2941.1419, or 2941.1420 of the Revised Code, the conviction of or plea of guilty to the offense and the specification automatically classify the offender as a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender for purposes of Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code.

(4) If a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to one of the offenses described in division (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section and a sexual motivation specification related to the offense and the victim of the offense is less than thirteen years of age, the conviction of or plea of guilty to the offense automatically classifies the offender as a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender for purposes of Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code.

(G) Notwithstanding divisions (A) to (E) of this section, if an offender receives or received a sentence of life imprisonment without parole, a definite sentence, or a sentence to an indefinite prison term under this chapter for an offense committed when the offender was under eighteen years of age, the offender is eligible for parole and the offender's parole eligibility shall be determined under section 2967.132 of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 2971.04 | Termination or transfer of control of sentence of sexually violent predator.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 160 - 129th General Assembly

(A) If an offender is serving a prison term imposed under division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, at any time after the offender has served the minimum term imposed under that sentence, the parole board may terminate its control over the offender's service of the prison term. The parole board initially shall determine whether to terminate its control over the offender's service of the prison term upon the completion of the offender's service of the minimum term under the sentence and shall make subsequent determinations at least once every two years after that first determination. The parole board shall not terminate its control over the offender's service of the prison term unless it finds at a hearing that the offender does not represent a substantial risk of physical harm to others. Upon the request of the prosecuting attorney or of any law enforcement agency, the board shall provide to the requesting prosecuting attorney and law enforcement agencies an institutional summary report prepared by the department of rehabilitation and correction that covers the offender's participation while confined in a state correctional institution in training, work, and other rehabilitative activities and any disciplinary action taken against the offender while so confined. Prior to determining whether to terminate its control over the offender's service of the prison term, the parole board shall request the department of rehabilitation and correction to prepare pursuant to section 5120.61 of the Revised Code an update of the most recent risk assessment and report relative to the offender. The offender has the right to be present at any hearing held under this section.

At the hearing, the offender and the prosecuting attorney may make a statement and present evidence as to whether the parole board should terminate its control over the offender's service of the prison term. In making its determination as to whether to terminate its control over the offender's service of the prison term, the parole board may follow the standards and guidelines adopted by the department of rehabilitation and correction under section 5120.49 of the Revised Code and shall consider the updated risk assessment and report relating to the offender prepared by the department pursuant to section 5120.61 of the Revised Code in response to the request made under this division and any statements or evidence submitted by the offender or the prosecuting attorney. If the parole board terminates its control over an offender's service of a prison term imposed under division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, it shall recommend to the court modifications to the requirement that the offender serve the entire term in a state correctional institution. The court is not bound by the recommendations submitted by the parole board.

(B) If the parole board terminates its control over an offender's service of a prison term imposed pursuant to division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, the parole board immediately shall provide written notice of its termination of control to the department of rehabilitation and correction, the court, and the prosecuting attorney, and, after the board's termination of its control, the court shall have control over the offender's service of that prison term.

After the transfer, the court shall have control over the offender's service of that prison term for the offender's entire life, subject to the court's termination of the term pursuant to section 2971.05 of the Revised Code.

(C) If control over the offender's service of the prison term is transferred to the court, all of the following apply:

(1) The offender shall not be released solely as a result of the transfer of control over the service of that prison term.

(2) The offender shall not be permitted solely as a result of the transfer to serve a portion of that term in a place other than a state correctional institution.

(3) The offender shall continue serving that term in a state correctional institution, subject to the following:

(a) A release pursuant to a pardon, commutation, or reprieve;

(b) A modification or termination of the term by the court pursuant to this chapter.

Section 2971.05 | Hearing after transfer of control of sentence to court.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 160 - 129th General Assembly

(A)(1) After control over an offender's service of a prison term imposed pursuant to division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code has been transferred pursuant to section 2971.04 of the Revised Code to the court, the court shall schedule, within thirty days of any of the following, a hearing on whether to modify in accordance with division (C) of this section the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution or to terminate the prison term in accordance with division (D) of this section:

(a) Control over the offender's service of a prison term is transferred pursuant to section 2971.04 of the Revised Code to the court, and no hearing to modify the requirement has been held;

(b) Two years elapse after the most recent prior hearing held pursuant to division (A)(1) or (2) of this section;

(c) The prosecuting attorney, the department of rehabilitation and correction, or the adult parole authority requests the hearing, and recommends that the requirement be modified or that the offender's prison term be terminated.

(2) After control over the offender's service of a prison term has been transferred pursuant to section 2971.04 of the Revised Code to the court, the court, within thirty days of either of the following, shall conduct a hearing on whether to modify in accordance with division (C) of this section the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution, whether to continue, revise, or revoke an existing modification of that requirement, or whether to terminate the term in accordance with division (D) of this section:

(a) The requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution has been modified, and the offender is taken into custody for any reason.

(b) The department of rehabilitation and correction or the prosecuting attorney notifies the court pursuant to section 2971.06 of the Revised Code regarding a known or suspected violation of a term or condition of the modification or a belief that there is a substantial likelihood that the offender has committed or is about to commit a sexually violent offense.

(3) After control over the offender's service of a prison term has been transferred pursuant to section 2971.04 of the Revised Code to the court, the court, in any of the following circumstances, may conduct a hearing within thirty days to determine whether to modify in accordance with division (C) of this section the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution, whether to continue, revise, or revoke an existing modification of that requirement, or whether to terminate the sentence in accordance with division (D) of this section:

(a) The offender requests the hearing;

(b) Upon the court's own motion;

(c) One or more examiners who have conducted a psychological examination and assessment of the offender file a statement that states that there no longer is a likelihood that the offender will engage in the future in a sexually violent offense.

(B)(1) Before a court holds a hearing pursuant to division (A) of this section, the court shall provide notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing to the offender, the prosecuting attorney, the department of rehabilitation and correction, and the adult parole authority and shall request the department to prepare pursuant to section 5120.61 of the Revised Code an update of the most recent risk assessment and report relative to the offender. Upon the request of the prosecuting attorney or of any law enforcement agency, the department shall provide to the requesting prosecuting attorney and law enforcement agencies an institutional summary report prepared by the department that covers the offender's participation while confined in a state correctional institution in training, work, and other rehabilitative activities and any disciplinary action taken against the offender while so confined. The offender has the right to be present at any hearing held under this section. At the hearing, the offender and the prosecuting attorney may make a statement and present evidence as to whether the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution should or should not be modified, whether the existing modification of the requirement should be continued, revised, or revoked, and whether the prison term should or should not be terminated.

(2) At a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section, the court may and, if the hearing is held pursuant to division (A)(1)(a), (1)(b), or (3)(c) of this section, shall determine by clear and convincing evidence whether the offender is unlikely to commit a sexually violent offense in the future.

(3) At the conclusion of the hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section, the court may order that the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution be continued, that the requirement be modified pursuant to division (C) of this section, that an existing modification be continued, revised, or revoked pursuant to division (C) of this section, or that the prison term be terminated pursuant to division (D) of this section.

(C)(1) If, at the conclusion of a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section, the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the offender will not represent a substantial risk of physical harm to others, the court may modify the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term imposed under division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code in a state correctional institution in a manner that the court considers appropriate. If the court modifies the requirement for an offender whose prison term was imposed pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, the court shall order the adult parole authority to supervise the offender and shall require that the authority's supervision of the offender be pursuant to division (E) of this section. If the court modifies the requirement for an offender whose prison term was imposed pursuant to division (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (2)(a), (b), or (c), or (3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, the court shall order the adult parole authority to supervise the offender and may require that the authority's supervision of the offender be pursuant to division (E) of this section.

(2) The modification of the requirement does not terminate the prison term but serves only to suspend the requirement that the offender serve the entire term in a state correctional institution. The prison term shall remain in effect for the offender's entire life unless the court terminates the prison term pursuant to division (D) of this section. The offender shall remain under the jurisdiction of the court for the offender's entire life unless the court so terminates the prison term. The modification of the requirement does not terminate the classification of the offender, as described in division (F) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, as a sexual predator for purposes of Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code, and the offender is subject to supervision, including supervision under division (E) of this section if the court required the supervision of the offender to be pursuant to that division.

(3) If the court revokes the modification under consideration, the court shall order that the offender be returned to the custody of the department of rehabilitation and correction to continue serving the prison term to which the modification applied, and section 2971.06 of the Revised Code applies regarding the offender.

(D)(1) If, at the conclusion of a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section, the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the offender is unlikely to commit a sexually violent offense in the future, the court may terminate the offender's prison term imposed under division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, subject to the offender satisfactorily completing the period of conditional release required by this division and, if applicable, compliance with division (E) of this section. If the court terminates the prison term, the court shall place the offender on conditional release for five years, notify the adult parole authority of its determination and of the termination of the prison term, and order the adult parole authority to supervise the offender during the five-year period of conditional release or, if division (E) applies to the offender, to supervise the offender pursuant to and for the period of time specified in that division. If the court terminates the prison term for an offender whose prison term was imposed pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, the court shall require that the authority's supervision of the offender be pursuant to division (E) of this section. If the court terminates the prison term for an offender whose prison term was imposed pursuant to division (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (2)(a), (b), or (c), or (3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, the court may require that the authority's supervision of the offender be pursuant to division (E) of this section. Upon receipt of a notice from a court pursuant to this division, the adult parole authority shall supervise the offender who is the subject of the notice during the five-year period of conditional release, periodically notify the court of the offender's activities during that five-year period of conditional release, and file with the court no later than thirty days prior to the expiration of the five-year period of conditional release a written recommendation as to whether the termination of the offender's prison term should be finalized, whether the period of conditional release should be extended, or whether another type of action authorized pursuant to this chapter should be taken.

(2) Upon receipt of a recommendation of the adult parole authority filed pursuant to division (D)(1) of this section, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether to finalize the termination of the offender's prison term, to extend the period of conditional release, or to take another type of action authorized pursuant to this chapter. The court shall hold the hearing no later than the date on which the five-year period of conditional release terminates and shall provide notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing to the offender and to the prosecuting attorney. At the hearing, the offender, the prosecuting attorney, and the adult parole authority employee who supervised the offender during the period of conditional release may make a statement and present evidence.

If the court determines at the hearing to extend an offender's period of conditional release, it may do so for additional periods of one year in the same manner as the original period of conditional release, and, except as otherwise described in this division, all procedures and requirements that applied to the original period of conditional release apply to the additional period of extended conditional release unless the court modifies a procedure or requirement. If an offender's period of conditional release is extended as described in this division, all references to a five-year period of conditional release that are contained in division (D)(1) of this section shall be construed, in applying the provisions of that division to the extension, as being references to the one-year period of the extension of the conditional release.

If the court determines at the hearing to take another type of action authorized pursuant to this chapter, it may do so in the same manner as if the action had been taken at any other stage of the proceedings under this chapter. As used in this division, "another type of action" includes the revocation of the conditional release and the return of the offender to a state correctional institution to continue to serve the prison term.

If the court determines at the hearing to finalize the termination of the offender's prison term, it shall notify the department of rehabilitation and correction, the department shall enter into its records a final release and issue to the offender a certificate of final release, and the prison term thereafter shall be considered completed and terminated in every way.

(3) The termination of an offender's prison term pursuant to division (D)(1) or (2) of this section does not affect the classification of the offender, as described in division (F) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, as a tier III sex offender/child-victim offender for purposes of Chapter 2950. of the Revised Code, does not terminate the adult parole authority's supervision of the offender, and, if the court had required the supervision of the offender to be pursuant to division (E) of this section, does not terminate the supervision of the offender with an active global positioning system device, pursuant to that division.

(E) If a prison term imposed upon an offender pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code is modified as provided in division (C) of this section or terminated as provided in division (D) of this section, the adult parole authority shall supervise the offender with an active global positioning system device during any time period in which the offender is not incarcerated in a state correctional institution. If a prison term imposed upon an offender pursuant to division (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (2)(a), (b), or (c), or (3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code is modified as provided in division (C) of this section or terminated as provided in division (D) of this section, and if the court requires that the adult parole authority's supervision of the offender be pursuant to this division, the authority shall supervise the offender with an active global positioning system device during any time period in which the offender is not incarcerated in a state correctional institution. If the adult parole authority is required to supervise the offender with an active global positioning system device as described in this division, unless the court removes the offender's classification as a sexually violent predator regarding an offender whose prison term was imposed under division (A)(3) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code or terminates the requirement that supervision of the offender be pursuant to this division regarding an offender whose prison term was imposed under division (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (2)(a), (b), or (c), or (3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, the offender is subject to supervision with an active global positioning system pursuant to this division for the offender's entire life. The costs of administering the supervision of offenders with an active global positioning system device pursuant to this division shall be paid out of funds from the reparations fund, created pursuant to section 2743.191 of the Revised Code. This division shall only apply to a sexually violent predator sentenced pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code who is released from the custody of the department of rehabilitation and correction on or after September 29, 2005, or an offender sentenced pursuant to division (B)(1) or (2) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code on or after January 2, 2007.

Section 2971.06 | Violation of condition of modification or conditional release or upon likelihood of additional offense.

• Effective: January 1, 2008
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 10 - 127th General Assembly

If an offender is serving a prison term imposed under division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code, if, pursuant to section 2971.05 of the Revised Code, the court modifies the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution or places the offender on conditional release, and if, at any time after the offender has been released from serving the term in an institution, the department of rehabilitation and correction or the prosecuting attorney learns or obtains information indicating that the offender has violated a term or condition of the modification or conditional release or believes there is a substantial likelihood that the offender has committed or is about to commit a sexually violent offense, all of the following apply:

(A) The department or the prosecuting attorney may contact a peace officer, parole officer, or probation officer and request the officer to take the offender into custody. If the department contacts a peace officer, parole officer, or probation officer and requests that the offender be taken into custody, the department shall notify the prosecuting attorney that it made the request and shall provide the reasons for which it made the request. Upon receipt of a request that an offender be taken into custody, a peace officer, parole officer, or probation officer shall take the offender in question into custody and promptly shall notify the department and the prosecuting attorney, in writing, that the offender was taken into custody. After the offender has been taken into custody, the department or the prosecuting attorney shall notify the court of the violation or the belief that there is a substantial likelihood that the offender has committed or is about to commit a sexually violent offense, and the prosecuting attorney may request that the court, pursuant to section 2971.05 of the Revised Code, revise the modification. An offender may be held in custody under this provision for no longer than thirty days, pending a determination pursuant to section 2971.05 of the Revised Code of whether the modification of the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution should be revised. If the court fails to make a determination under that section regarding the prosecuting attorney's request within thirty days after the offender was taken into custody, the offender shall be released from custody and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as existed under the then-existing modification of the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution, provided that if the act that resulted in the offender being taken into custody under this division is a criminal offense and if the offender is arrested for that act, the offender may be retained in custody in accordance with the applicable law.

(B) If the offender is not taken into custody pursuant to division (A) of this section, the department or the prosecuting attorney shall notify the court of the known or suspected violation or of the belief that there is a substantial likelihood that the offender has committed or is about to commit a sexually violent offense. If the department provides the notification to the court, it also shall notify the prosecuting attorney that it provided the notification and shall provide the reasons for which it provided the notification. The prosecuting attorney may request that the court, pursuant to section 2971.05 of the Revised Code, revise the modification.

Section 2971.07 | Chapter application - search of person or residence without warrant.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 136 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) This chapter does not apply to any offender unless the offender is one of the following:

(1) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violent sex offense and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexually violent predator specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense.

(2) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a designated homicide, assault, or kidnapping offense and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to both a sexual motivation specification and a sexually violent predator specification that were included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense.

(3) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of division (A)(1)(b) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code committed on or after January 2, 2007, and the court does not sentence the offender to a term of life without parole pursuant to division (B) of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code or division (B) of that section prohibits the court from sentencing the offender pursuant to section 2971.03 of the Revised Code.

(4) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to attempted rape committed on or after January 2, 2007, and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification of the type described in section 2941.1418, 2941.1419, or 2941.1420 of the Revised Code.

(5) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2905.01 of the Revised Code and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexual motivation specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, and that section requires a court to sentence the offender pursuant to section 2971.03 of the Revised Code.

(6) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to aggravated murder and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexual motivation specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, and division (A)(2)(b)(ii) of section 2929.022, division (A)(1)(e), (C)(1)(a)(v), (C)(2)(a)(ii), (D)(2)(b), (D)(3)(a)(iv), or (E)(1)(a)(iv) of section 2929.03, or division (A) or (B) of section 2929.06 of the Revised Code requires a court to sentence the offender pursuant to division (B)(3) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code.

(7) The offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to murder and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a sexual motivation specification that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging that offense, and division (B)(2) of section 2929.02 of the Revised Code requires a court to sentence the offender pursuant to section 2971.03 of the Revised Code.

(B) This chapter does not limit or affect a court in imposing upon an offender described in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of this section any financial sanction under section 2929.18 or any other section of the Revised Code, or, except as specifically provided in this chapter, any other sanction that is authorized or required for the offense or violation by any other provision of law.

(C) If an offender is sentenced to a prison term under division (A)(3), (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c), (B)(2)(a), (b), or (c), or (B)(3)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 2971.03 of the Revised Code and if, pursuant to section 2971.05 of the Revised Code, the court modifies the requirement that the offender serve the entire prison term in a state correctional institution or places the offender on conditional release that involves the placement of the offender under the supervision of the adult parole authority, authorized field officers of the authority who are engaged within the scope of their supervisory duties or responsibilities may search, with or without a warrant, the person of the offender, the place of residence of the offender, and a motor vehicle, another item of tangible or intangible personal property, or any other real property in which the offender has the express or implied permission of a person with a right, title, or interest to use, occupy, or possess if the field officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the offender is not abiding by the law or otherwise is not complying with the terms and conditions of the offender's modification or release. The authority shall provide each offender with a written notice that informs the offender that authorized field officers of the authority who are engaged within the scope of their supervisory duties or responsibilities may conduct those types of searches during the period of the modification or release if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the offender is not abiding by the law or otherwise is not complying with the terms and conditions of the offender's modification or release.