Section 4561.61
(A) If a peace officer would otherwise be required to obtain a search warrant to physically enter a house or a place in person to conduct a search, the peace officer or applicable law enforcement agency shall obtain a search warrant to do either of the following to collect surveillance data concerning the house or place in lieu of the in-person search:
(1) Enter the interior of the house or place through the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle system;
(2) Observe the interior of the house or place through the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle system.
(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, surveillance data, and any information obtained through that data, is not admissible in a criminal proceeding if it was gathered under circumstances that require a search warrant under division (A) of this section and a search warrant was not obtained by either the peace officer or the law enforcement agency.
(2) Surveillance data, and any information obtained through that data, that was gathered under the circumstances specified in section 4561.62 of the Revised Code may be admitted in a criminal proceeding without a peace officer or law enforcement agency obtaining a search warrant.
Last updated July 16, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- October 6, 2026 – Enacted by House Bill 251 - 136th General Assembly [ View October 6, 2026 Version ]