Ohio Code § 2903.22

Ohio Code § 2903.22. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 2903.22.

(A)(1) No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause physical

harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's unborn, or

a member of the other person's immediate family.  In addition to any other basis for the other person's belief that the offender will

cause physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's

unborn, or a member of the other person's immediate family, the other person's belief

may be based on words or conduct of the offender that are directed at or identify

a corporation, association, or other organization that employs the other person or

to which the other person belongs. (2) No person shall knowingly place or attempt to place another in reasonable fear of

physical harm or death by displaying a deadly weapon, regardless of whether the deadly

weapon displayed is operable or inoperable, if either of the following applies: (a) The other person is an emergency service responder, the person knows or reasonably

should know that the other person is an emergency service responder, and it is the

person's specific purpose to engage in the specified conduct against an emergency

service responder. (b) The other person is a family or household member or co-worker of an emergency service

responder, the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is a family

or household member or co-worker of an emergency service responder, and it is the

person's specific purpose to engage in the specified conduct against a family or household

member or co-worker of an emergency service responder. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of menacing. Except as otherwise provided in this division, menacing is a misdemeanor of the fourth

degree.  If the victim of the offense is an officer or employee of a public children services

agency or a private child placing agency and the offense relates to the officer's

or employee's performance or anticipated performance of official responsibilities

or duties or if the victim of the offense is an emergency service responder in the

performance of the responder's official duties, menacing is one of the following: (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, a misdemeanor of

the first degree; (2) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense

of violence, the victim of that prior offense was an officer or employee of a public

children services agency or private child placing agency or an emergency service responder,

and that prior offense related to the officer's or employee's performance or anticipated

performance of official responsibilities or duties or to the responder's performance

of the responder's official duties, a felony of the fourth degree. (C) A prosecution for a violation of this section does not preclude a prosecution of

a violation of any other section of the Revised Code.  One or more acts, a series of acts, or a course of behavior that can be prosecuted

under this section or any other section of the Revised Code may be prosecuted under

this section, the other section of the Revised Code, or both sections.  However, if an offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of this

section and also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2903.13 of the Revised Code based on the same conduct involving the same victim that was the basis of the violation

of this section, the two offenses are allied offenses of similar import under section 2941.25 of the Revised Code . (D) As used in this section: (1) “Emergency service responder,” “family or household member,” and “co-worker” have

the same meanings as in section 2903.13 of the Revised Code . (2) “ Organization ” includes an entity that is a governmental employer.

Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 2903.22
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

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Common questions

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