Ohio § 5924.15

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 5924.15, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5924.15.

(A) Under such regulations as the adjutant general may prescribe, limitations may be

placed on the powers granted by this section with respect to the kind and amount of

punishment authorized, the categories of commanding officers and warrant officers

exercising command authorized to exercise those powers, the applicability of this

section to an accused who demands trial by court-martial, and the kinds of courts-martial

to which the case may be referred upon such a demand.  However, except in the case of a member attached to, or embarked in a vessel, punishment

may not be imposed upon a member of the organized militia if the member has, before

the imposition of the punishment, demanded trial by court-martial in lieu of the punishment.  Under similar regulations, rules may be prescribed with respect to the suspension

of punishments authorized under this section.  If authorized by regulations prescribed under this section, the governor or a general

officer or officer of flag rank in command may delegate the powers of the governor

or general officer under this section to a principal assistant.  In all proceedings, the accused shall be allowed a reasonable period of time, normally

not exceeding forty-eight hours, to reply to the notification of intent to impose

punishment under this section. (B) Subject to division (A) of this section, any commanding officer may, in addition

to or in lieu of admonition or reprimand, impose one or more of the following punishments

for minor offenses without the intervention of a court-martial: (1) Upon officers of the commanding officer's command, any of the following: (a) Restriction to certain specified limits, with or without suspension from duty, for

not more than thirty days; (b) If imposed by the governor, the adjutant general, an officer exercising general court-martial

jurisdiction, a general officer, or a flag officer, any of the following: (i) Arrest in quarters for not more than thirty days; (ii) Forfeiture of not more than one-half of one month's pay per month for two months

or a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars; (iii) Restriction to certain specified limits, with or without suspension from duty, for

not more than sixty days. (2) Upon other military personnel of the commanding officer's command, any of the following: (a) Correctional custody for not more than seven days; (b) Forfeiture of not more than seven days' pay or a fine of not more than one-quarter

of one month's actual pay; (c) Reduction to the next inferior pay grade, if the grade from which the service member

demoted is within the promotion authority of the officer imposing the reduction or

any officer subordinate to the one who imposes the reduction; (d) Extra duties, including fatigue or other duties, for not more than fourteen consecutive

days or for a total of thirty nonconsecutive days; (e) Restriction to certain specified limits, with or without suspension from duty, for

not more than fourteen days; (f) If imposed by an officer of the grade of major or above, any of the following: (i) The punishment authorized under division (B)(2)(a) of this section; (ii) Correctional custody for not more than thirty days; (iii) Forfeiture of not more than one-half of one month's pay per month for two months

or a fine of not more than one-half of one month's actual pay for two months; (iv) Reduction to the lowest or any intermediate pay grade, if the grade from which demoted

is within the promotion authority of the officer imposing the reduction or any officer

subordinate to the one who imposes the reduction, but an enlisted member in pay grade

above E-4 may not be reduced more than one pay grade; (v) Extra duties, including fatigue or other duties, for not more than forty-five days,

which need not be consecutive, and for not more than two hours per day; (vi) Restriction to certain specified limits, with or without suspension from duty, for

not more than sixty days, which need not be consecutive. (C) No two or more of the punishments of arrest in quarters, correctional custody, extra

duties, and restriction may be combined to run consecutively in the maximum amount

imposable for each.  If any of those punishments are combined to run consecutively, there must be apportionment.  For the purposes of this section, “ correctional custody ” means the physical restraint of a person during duty or nonduty hours and may include

extra duties, fatigue duties, or hard labor. (D) An officer in charge may impose upon enlisted members assigned to the unit of which

the officer is in charge any of the punishments authorized under divisions (A)(2)(a)

to (f) of this section that the governor or adjutant general may specifically prescribe

by regulation. (E) The officer who imposes the punishment authorized in division (B) of this section,

or the officer's successor in command, may, at any time, suspend probationally any

part or amount of the unexecuted punishment imposed and may suspend probationally

a reduction in grade or a forfeiture or fine imposed under division (B) of this section,

whether or not executed.  In addition, the officer who imposed the punishment may, at any time, remit or mitigate

any part or amount of the unexecuted punishment imposed and may set aside in whole

or in part the punishment, whether executed or unexecuted, and restore all rights,

privileges, and property affected.  The officer who imposed the punishment may also mitigate reduction in grade to forfeiture

of pay or a fine.  When mitigating arrest in quarters to restriction or extra duties to restriction,

the mitigated punishment shall not be for a greater period than the punishment mitigated.  When mitigating reduction in grade to fine or forfeiture of pay, the amount of the

fine or forfeiture shall not be greater than the amount that could have been imposed

initially under this section by the officer who imposed the punishment mitigated. (F) A person punished under this section who considers the punishment unjust or disproportionate

to the offense may, through the proper channel, appeal to the next superior authority

within seven calendar days.  The appeal shall be promptly forwarded and decided, but the person punished may

in the meantime be required to undergo the punishment adjudged.  The superior authority may exercise the same powers with respect to the punishment

imposed as may be exercised under division (E) of this section by the officer who

imposed the punishment.  Before acting on an appeal from a punishment of any of the following, the authority

who is to act on the appeal shall refer the case to a judge advocate or legal officer

of the Ohio organized militia for consideration and advice and may also refer the

case upon appeal from any punishment imposed under division (B) of this section: (1) Arrest in quarters for more than seven days; (2) Correctional custody for more than seven days; (3) Fine or forfeiture of more than seven days' pay; (4) Reduction of one or more pay grades from the fourth or a higher pay grade; (5) Extra duties for more than fourteen days. (G) The imposition and enforcement of punishment under this section for any act or omission

is not a bar to trial by court-martial for a serious crime or offense growing out

of the same act or omission and not properly punishable under this section.  The fact that a punishment has been enforced may be shown by the accused upon trial

and, when so shown, shall be considered in determining the measure of punishment to

be adjudged in the event of a finding of guilty. (H) The adjutant general may, by regulation, prescribe the form of records to be kept

of proceedings under this section and may also prescribe that certain categories of

those proceedings shall be in writing. (I) A commanding officer may delegate authority to make a reduction in pay grade under

division (B)(2)(c) of this section to the commanding officer's executive officer,

deputy commander, vice commander, or principal assistant.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 5924.15

What does Ohio Revised Code § 5924.15 cover?

Section 5924.15 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 § 5924.15?

A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 5924.15" (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 § 5924.15 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.