Section 4737.99 | Penalty.
(A) Except as specified in divisions (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F) of this section, whoever violates sections 4737.01 to 4737.11 of the Revised Code, shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one thousand dollars and the costs of prosecution.
(B) Whoever violates division (F)(2) of section 4737.10 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, whoever fails to comply with or violates section 4737.01, 4737.012, or 4737.041, division (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (I) of section 4737.04, or division (D) of section 4737.045 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender one time previously has violated or failed to comply with section 4737.01, 4737.012, or 4737.041, division (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (I) of section 4737.04, or division (D) of section 4737.045 of the Revised Code, the violation or failure is a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender two or more times previously has violated or failed to comply with section 4737.01, 4737.012, or 4737.041, division (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (I) of section 4737.04, or division (D) of section 4737.045 of the Revised Code, the violation or failure is a felony of the fourth degree. For any second or subsequent violation of or failure to comply with section 4737.01, 4737.012, or 4737.041, or division (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (I) of section 4737.04, or division (D) of section 4737.045 of the Revised Code, a court may suspend the registration issued to the scrap metal dealer or bulk merchandise container dealer under section 4737.045 of the Revised Code for a period of ninety days, during which time period the person shall not engage in the business of a scrap metal dealer or a bulk merchandise container dealer, as applicable.
(2) Notwithstanding section 2929.31 of the Revised Code, a business entity that, with respect to the sale, purchase, or receipt of a catalytic converter, violates division (C), (E)(1), (F)(2), (F)(5), or (I) of section 4737.04 or division (B) of section 4737.041 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars per violation.
(D) Whoever violates division (B)(1) of section 4737.04 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree. The court also shall enjoin the person from engaging in the business of a scrap metal dealer or a bulk merchandise dealer.
(E) Whoever violates division (B)(2) of section 4737.04 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree for the first offense and a felony of the third degree for any subsequent offense.
(F) Any motor vehicle used in the theft or illegal transportation of metal shall be impounded for at least thirty days and not more than sixty days. If the same motor vehicle is used in connection with a second or subsequent theft or illegal transportation of metal, the motor vehicle shall be impounded for at least sixty days and not more than one hundred eighty days. Any motor vehicle used in the theft or illegal transportation of a special purchase article or bulk merchandise container shall be impounded for at least ninety days and not more than three hundred sixty days. A motor vehicle impounded pursuant to this division shall be stored at a municipal corporation impound lot, if available, or at a lot owned by a private entity or another governmental unit that the municipal corporation utilizes for the purpose of impounding a motor vehicle. An impounded motor vehicle may be recovered from the impound lot at the end of the impound term upon payment of fees.
(G) If a transaction involving the purchase or sale of a used catalytic converter formed the basis of an offense under division (C) or (E) of this section, the clerk of the court shall pay any fine imposed to the county, township, municipal corporation, park district, as created pursuant to section 511.18 or 1545.04 of the Revised Code, or state law enforcement agencies in this state that primarily were responsible for, or involved in, arresting and prosecuting, the offender.
Last updated July 16, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- July 1, 2013 – House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly [ View July 1, 2013 Version ]
- October 6, 2026 – Amended by House Bill 210 - 136th General Assembly [ View October 6, 2026 Version ]