Juvenile Delinquency Penalties in Ohio

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