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Juvenile Delinquency Penalties in Ohio

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Ohio Juvenile Delinquency Penalties

Following the adjudicatory hearing, the juvenile judge will hold a dispositional hearing to determine the appropriate sentence for the juvenile offender.

overview of penalties for juvenile crime

Juveniles could receive several different sentences, such as:

  • Community service
  • Suspension of driver’s license
  • Confinement in temporary or permanent custody
  • Placement in a detention facility
  • Drug or alcohol treatment or counseling
  • Medical or psychological treatment or counseling
  • Imprisonment if charged as an adult
  • Probation House arrest
  • Required to obtain a high school diploma
  • Fines and costs of court
  • Curfew Drug and alcohol use monitoring

For a delinquent child convicted of a felony, the most severe sanction is to be sent to the Ohio Department of Youth Services. For a delinquent child convicted of a misdemeanor, the most severe punishment is to be sent to a local detention facility for up to ninety days. For a delinquent child convicted of a felony, the most severe sanction is to be sent to the Ohio Department of Youth Services. A Serious Youth Offender (SYO) sentence combines a sentence typically given to a juvenile offender with a sentence typically given to an adult convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor.

An SYO sentence cannot be given to any child under 10 years of age. Enhanced Factors are used to determine the appropriate sentence for a juvenile. If any of the following “enhanced factors” are present, then the court may decide to impose a harsher sentence:

  • Offense of violence if committed by an adult
  • Juvenile had a firearm
  • Prior conviction of serious crime

Penalties for juvenile delinquency

The following penalties could apply for juveniles found delinquent for an act that would be a felony or misdemeanor if committed by an adult, but who was not bound over to adult court:

Aggravated Murder or Murder

  • The child could be committed to the Department of Youth Services until they reach the age of 21
  • The child was 14-15 y.o. – Mandatory SYO sentence
  • The child was 10-13 y.o. – Discretionary SYO sentence
  • The child was under 10 y.o – Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $2,000

Attempted Aggravated Murder or Attempted Murder

  • The child could be committed for a minimum of 6-7 years, or until he/she reaches the age of 21
  • The child was 14-15 y.o. – Mandatory SYO sentence
  • The child was 10-13 y.o. – Discretionary SYO sentence
  • The child was under 10 y.o – Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $2,000

First Degree Felony (F1)

  • The child could be committed for a minimum of 1 year or until he/she reaches age of 21
  • The child was 16-17 years old: Mandatory SYO if enhanced factors present – Discretionary SYO if no enhanced factors
  • The child was 14-15 years old: Discretionary SYO
  • The child was 12-13 years old: Discretionary SYO if enhanced factors present
  • The child was 10-11 years old: Discretionary SYO if enhanced factors present
  • Child under 10 years old: Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $1,500

Second Degree Felony (F2)

  • The child could be committed for a minimum of 1 year or until he/she reaches age of 21
  • The child was 14-17 years old: Discretionary SYO
  • The child was 12-13 years old: Discretionary SYO if enhanced factors present
  • Child under 12 years old: Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $1,000

Third Degree Felony (F3)

  • The child could be committed for a minimum period of 6 months or until he/she reaches the age of 21
  • The child was 16-17 years old: Discretionary SYO
  • The child was 14-15 years old: Discretionary SYO if enhanced factors present
  • Child under 14 years old: Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $750

Fourth Degree Felony (F4)

  • The child could be committed for a minimum period of 6 months or until he/she reaches the age of 21
  • The child was 16-17 years old: Discretionary SYO if enhanced factors present
  • Child under 16 years old: Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $400

Fifth Degree Felony (F5)

  • The child could be committed for a minimum period of 6 months or until he/she reaches the age of 21
  • The child was 16-17 years old: Discretionary SYO if enhanced factors present
  • Child under 16 years old: Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $300

First Degree Misdemeanor (M1)

  • Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $250

Second Degree Misdemeanor (M2)

  • Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $200

Third Degree Misdemeanor (M3)

  • Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $150

Fourth Degree Misdemeanor (M4)

  • Up to 90 days detention facility
  • Maximum fine $100

Minor Misdemeanor (MM)

  • Maximum fine $50
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