Ohio Code § 2945.40
Ohio Code § 2945.40. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 2945.40.
(A) If a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity, the verdict shall state that
finding, and the trial court shall conduct a full hearing to determine whether the
person is a person with a mental illness subject to court order or a person with an
intellectual disability subject to institutionalization by court order. Prior to the hearing, if the trial judge believes that there is probable cause that
the person found not guilty by reason of insanity is a person with a mental illness
subject to court order or a person with an intellectual disability subject to institutionalization
by court order, the trial judge may issue a temporary order of detention for that
person to remain in effect for ten court days or until the hearing, whichever occurs
first. Any person detained pursuant to a temporary order of detention issued under this division
shall be held in a suitable facility, taking into consideration the place and type
of confinement prior to and during trial. (B) The court shall hold the hearing under division (A) of this section to determine
whether the person found not guilty by reason of insanity is a person with a mental
illness subject to court order or a person with an intellectual disability subject
to institutionalization by court order within ten court days after the finding of
not guilty by reason of insanity. Failure to conduct the hearing within the ten-day period shall cause the immediate
discharge of the respondent, unless the judge grants a continuance for not longer
than ten court days for good cause shown or for any period of time upon motion of
the respondent. (C) If a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity, the person has the right to
attend all hearings conducted pursuant to sections 2945.37 to 2945.402 of the Revised Code . At any hearing conducted pursuant to one of those sections, the court shall inform
the person that the person has all of the following rights: (1) The right to be represented by counsel and to have that counsel provided at public
expense if the person is indigent, with the counsel to be appointed by the court under
Chapter 120. of the Revised Code or under the authority recognized in division (C) of section 120.06 , division (E) of section 120.16 , division (E) of section 120.26 , or section 2941.51 of the Revised Code ; (2) The right to have independent expert evaluation and to have that independent expert
evaluation provided at public expense if the person is indigent; (3) The right to subpoena witnesses and documents, to present evidence on the person's
behalf, and to cross-examine witnesses against the person; (4) The right to testify in the person's own behalf and to not be compelled to testify; (5) The right to have copies of any relevant medical or mental health document in the
custody of the state or of any place of commitment other than a document for which
the court finds that the release to the person of information contained in the document
would create a substantial risk of harm to any person. (D) The hearing under division (A) of this section shall be open to the public, and the
court shall conduct the hearing in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure. The court shall make and maintain a full transcript and record of the hearing proceedings. The court may consider all relevant evidence, including, but not limited to, any
relevant psychiatric, psychological, or medical testimony or reports, the acts constituting
the offense in relation to which the person was found not guilty by reason of insanity,
and any history of the person that is relevant to the person's ability to conform
to the law. (E) Upon completion of the hearing under division (A) of this section, if the court finds
there is not clear and convincing evidence that the person is a person with a mental
illness subject to court order or a person with an intellectual disability subject
to institutionalization by court order, the court shall discharge the person, unless
a detainer has been placed upon the person by the department of rehabilitation and
correction, in which case the person shall be returned to that department. (F) If, at the hearing under division (A) of this section, the court finds by clear and
convincing evidence that the person is a person with a mental illness subject to court
order, the court shall commit the person either to the department of mental health
and addiction services for treatment in a hospital, facility, or agency as determined
clinically appropriate by the department of mental health and addiction services or
to another medical or psychiatric facility, as appropriate. Prior to placing the defendant, the department of mental health and addiction services
shall obtain court approval for that placement. If, at the hearing under division (A) of this section, the court determines by clear
and convincing evidence that the person requires treatment for an intellectual disability,
it shall commit the person to a facility operated by the department of developmental
disabilities or another facility, as appropriate. Further proceedings shall be in accordance with sections 2945.401 and 2945.402 of the Revised Code . In determining the place of commitment, the court shall consider the extent to which
the person is a danger to the person and to others, the need for security, and the
type of crime involved and shall order the least restrictive alternative available
that is consistent with public safety and the welfare of the person. In weighing these factors, the court shall give preference to protecting public
safety. (G) If a court makes a commitment of a person under division (F) of this section, the
prosecutor shall send to the hospital, facility, or agency where the person is placed
by the department of mental health and addiction services or to the defendant's place
of commitment all reports of the person's current mental condition, and, except as
otherwise provided in this division, any other relevant information, including, but
not limited to, a transcript of the hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this
section, copies of relevant police reports, and copies of any prior arrest and conviction
records that pertain to the person and that the prosecutor possesses. The prosecutor shall send the reports of the person's current mental condition in
every case of commitment, and, unless the prosecutor determines that the release of
any of the other relevant information to unauthorized persons would interfere with
the effective prosecution of any person or would create a substantial risk of harm
to any person, the prosecutor also shall send the other relevant information. Upon admission of a person committed under division (F) of this section, the place
of commitment shall send to the board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health
services or the community mental health board serving the county in which the charges
against the person were filed a copy of all reports of the person's current mental
condition and a copy of the other relevant information provided by the prosecutor
under this division, including, if provided, a transcript of the hearing held pursuant
to division (A) of this section, the relevant police reports, and the prior arrest
and conviction records that pertain to the person and that the prosecutor possesses. (H) A person who is committed pursuant to this section shall not voluntarily admit the
person or be voluntarily admitted to a hospital or institution pursuant to section 5122.02 , 5122.15 , 5123.69 , or 5123.76 of the Revised Code .
Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27
At a glance
- Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 2945.40
- Jurisdiction: Ohio
- Code: Ohio Revised Code
- Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)
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