Ohio § 2903.213
Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 2903.213, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 2903.213.
(A) Except when the complaint or indictment involves a person who is a family or household
member as defined in section 2919.25 of the Revised Code , upon the filing of a complaint or indictment that alleges a violation of section 2903.11 , 2903.12 , 2903.13 , 2903.21 , 2903.211 , 2903.22 , or 2911.211 of the Revised Code , a violation of a municipal ordinance substantially similar to section 2903.13 , 2903.21 , 2903.211 , 2903.22 , or 2911.211 of the Revised Code , or the commission of a sexually oriented offense, the complainant, the prosecutor,
the alleged victim, or a family or household member of an alleged victim may file
a motion that requests the issuance of a protection order as a pretrial condition
of release of the alleged offender, in addition to any bail set by the court. The motion shall be filed with the clerk of the court that has jurisdiction of the
case at any time after the filing of the complaint or indictment. If the complaint or indictment involves a person who is a family or household member,
the complainant, the alleged victim, or the family or household member may file a
motion for a temporary protection order pursuant to section 2919.26 of the Revised Code . (B) A motion for a protection order under this section shall be prepared on a form that
is provided by the clerk of the court, and the form shall be substantially as follows: “Motion for Protection Order ______________________________ Name and address of court State of Ohio v. No. ________________ ____________________________________ Name of Defendant (Name of person), moves the court to issue a protection order containing terms designed
to ensure the safety and protection of the complainant or the alleged victim in the
above-captioned case, in relation to the named defendant, pursuant to its authority
to issue a protection order under section 2903.213 of the Revised Code . A complaint or indictment, a copy of which has been attached to this motion, has been
filed in this court charging the named defendant with a violation of section 2903.11 , 2903.12 , 2903.13 , 2903.21 , 2903.211 , 2903.22 , or 2911.211 of the Revised Code , a violation of a municipal ordinance substantially similar to section 2903.13 , 2903.21 , 2903.211 , 2903.22 , or 2911.211 of the Revised Code , or the commission of a sexually oriented offense. I understand that I must appear before the court, at a time set by the court not later
than the next day that the court is in session after the filing of this motion, for
a hearing on the motion, and that any protection order granted pursuant to this motion
is a pretrial condition of release and is effective only until the disposition of
the criminal proceeding arising out of the attached complaint or indictment or until
the issuance under section 2903.214 of the Revised Code of a protection order arising out of the same activities as those that were the basis
of the attached complaint or indictment. ____________________________________ Signature of person _____________________________________ Address of person” (C)(1) As soon as possible after the filing of a motion that requests the issuance of a
protection order under this section, but not later than the next day that the court
is in session after the filing of the motion, the court shall conduct a hearing to
determine whether to issue the order. The person who requested the order shall appear before the court and provide the
court with the information that it requests concerning the basis of the motion. If the court finds that the safety and protection of the complainant or the alleged
victim may be impaired by the continued presence of the alleged offender, the court
may issue a protection order under this section, as a pretrial condition of release,
that contains terms designed to ensure the safety and protection of the complainant
or the alleged victim, including a requirement that the alleged offender refrain from
entering the residence, school, business, or place of employment of the complainant
or the alleged victim. The court may include within a protection order issued under this section a term
requiring that the alleged offender not remove, damage, hide, harm, or dispose of
any companion animal owned or possessed by the complainant or the alleged victim,
and may include within the order a term authorizing the complainant or the alleged
victim to remove a companion animal owned by the complainant or the alleged victim
from the possession of the alleged offender. (2)(a) If the court issues a protection order under this section that includes a requirement
that the alleged offender refrain from entering the residence, school, business, or
place of employment of the complainant or the alleged victim, the order shall clearly
state that the order cannot be waived or nullified by an invitation to the alleged
offender from the complainant, the alleged victim, or a family or household member
to enter the residence, school, business, or place of employment or by the alleged
offender's entry into one of those places otherwise upon the consent of the complainant,
the alleged victim, or a family or household member. (b) Division (C)(2)(a) of this section does not limit any discretion of a court to determine
that an alleged offender charged with a violation of section 2919.27 of the Revised Code , with a violation of a municipal ordinance substantially equivalent to that section,
or with contempt of court, which charge is based on an alleged violation of a protection
order issued under this section, did not commit the violation or was not in contempt
of court. (D)(1) Except when the complaint or indictment involves a person who is a family or household
member as defined in section 2919.25 of the Revised Code , upon the filing of a complaint or indictment that alleges a violation specified
in division (A) of this section, the court, upon its own motion, may issue a protection
order under this section as a pretrial condition of release of the alleged offender
if it finds that the safety and protection of the complainant or the alleged victim
may be impaired by the continued presence of the alleged offender. (2) If the court issues a protection order under this section as an ex parte order, it
shall conduct, as soon as possible after the issuance of the order but not later than
the next day that the court is in session after its issuance, a hearing to determine
whether the order should remain in effect, be modified, or be revoked. The hearing shall be conducted under the standards set forth in division (C) of
this section. (3) If a municipal court or a county court issues a protection order under this section
and if, subsequent to the issuance of the order, the alleged offender who is the subject
of the order is bound over to the court of common pleas for prosecution of a felony
arising out of the same activities as those that were the basis of the complaint upon
which the order is based, notwithstanding the fact that the order was issued by a
municipal court or county court, the order shall remain in effect, as though it were
an order of the court of common pleas, while the charges against the alleged offender
are pending in the court of common pleas, for the period of time described in division
(E)(2) of this section, and the court of common pleas has exclusive jurisdiction to
modify the order issued by the municipal court or county court. This division applies when the alleged offender is bound over to the court of common
pleas as a result of the person waiving a preliminary hearing on the felony charge,
as a result of the municipal court or county court having determined at a preliminary
hearing that there is probable cause to believe that the felony has been committed
and that the alleged offender committed it, as a result of the alleged offender having
been indicted for the felony, or in any other manner. (E) A protection order that is issued as a pretrial condition of release under this section: (1) Is in addition to, but shall not be construed as a part of, any bail set by the court; (2) Is effective only until the disposition, by the court that issued the order or, in
the circumstances described in division (D)(3) of this section, by the court of common
pleas to which the alleged offender is bound over for prosecution, of the criminal
proceeding arising out of the complaint or indictment upon which the order is based
or until the issuance under section 2903.214 of the Revised Code of a protection order arising out of the same activities as those that were the basis
of the complaint or indictment filed under this section; (3) Shall not be construed as a finding that the alleged offender committed the alleged
offense and shall not be introduced as evidence of the commission of the offense at
the trial of the alleged offender on the complaint or indictment upon which the order
is based. (F) A person who meets the criteria for bail under section 2937.011 of the Revised Code and who, if required to do so pursuant to that section, executes or posts bond or
deposits cash or securities as bail, shall not be held in custody pending a hearing
before the court on a motion requesting a protection order under this section. (G)(1) A copy of a protection order that is issued under this section shall be issued by
the court to the complainant, to the alleged victim, to the person who requested the
order, to the defendant, and to all law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction
to enforce the order. The court shall direct that a copy of the order be delivered to the defendant on
the same day that the order is entered. If a municipal court or a county court issues a protection order under this section
and if, subsequent to the issuance of the order, the defendant who is the subject
of the order is bound over to the court of common pleas for prosecution as described
in division (D)(3) of this section, the municipal court or county court shall direct
that a copy of the order be delivered to the court of common pleas to which the defendant
is bound over. (2) All law enforcement agencies shall establish and maintain an index for the protection
orders delivered to the agencies pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section. With respect to each order delivered, each agency shall note on the index the date
and time of the agency's receipt of the order. (3) Regardless of whether the petitioner has registered the protection order in the county
in which the officer's agency has jurisdiction, any officer of a law enforcement agency
shall enforce a protection order issued pursuant to this section in accordance with
the provisions of the order. (H) Upon a violation of a protection order issued pursuant to this section, the court
may issue another protection order under this section, as a pretrial condition of
release, that modifies the terms of the order that was violated. (I)(1) Subject to division (I)(2) of this section and regardless of whether a protection
order is issued or a consent agreement is approved by a court of another county or
by a court of another state, no court or unit of state or local government shall charge
the movant any fee, cost, deposit, or money in connection with the filing of a motion
pursuant to this section, in connection with the filing, issuance, registration, modification,
enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal, or service of a protection order, consent agreement,
or witness subpoena or for obtaining certified copies of a protection order or consent
agreement. (2) Regardless of whether a protection order is issued or a consent agreement is approved
pursuant to this section, if the defendant is convicted the court may assess costs
against the defendant in connection with the filing, issuance, registration, modification,
enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal, or service of a protection order, consent agreement,
or witness subpoena or for obtaining a certified copy of a protection order or consent
agreement. (J) At the time of termination of a protection order issued under this section, the court
shall inform all law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction to enforce the order
that the order is no longer effective. (K) As used in this section: (1) “Sexually oriented offense” has the same meaning as in section 2950.01 of the Revised Code . (2) “Companion animal” has the same meaning as in section 959.131 of the Revised Code .
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 2903.213
What does Ohio Revised Code § 2903.213 cover?
Section 2903.213 is part of the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutory law of Ohio. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Ohio § 2903.213?
A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 2903.213" (Ohio). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Ohio law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Ohio official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.
How does Ohio § 2903.213 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Ohio can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.