Ohio § 2903.44

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 2903.44, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2903.44.

(A) Pursuant to this section, if a violent offender or qualifying out-of-state violent

offender has VOD duties imposed under section 2903.42 or 2903.421 of the Revised Code and if a court has extended the offender's ten-year enrollment period pursuant to division (D)(2) of section 2903.43 of the Revised Code , the offender may file a motion to the court of common pleas of the county in which

the offender resides requesting that the court terminate the offender's extended enrollment

period and VOD duties during that period.  A violent offender or qualifying out-of-state violent offender may file a motion

under this division at any time during the offender's extended enrollment period,

but may not file more than one motion under this division in any five-year period. (B) A violent offender or qualifying out-of-state violent offender who makes a motion

under division (A) of this section shall include with the motion all of the following: (1) A certified copy of the judgment entry and any other documentation of the sentence

or disposition given for the offense or offenses for which the offender was enrolled

in the violent offender database; (2) Documentation of the date of the offender's discharge from supervision or release,

whichever is applicable; (3) A statement asserting that the offender has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty

to any other felony or any misdemeanor offense of violence during the offender's ten-year

enrollment period or extended enrollment period; (4) Evidence that the eligible offender has paid all financial sanctions imposed upon

the offender pursuant to section 2929.18 or 2929.28 of the Revised Code . (C) Upon the filing of a motion pursuant to division (A) of this section, the offender

shall serve a copy of the motion on the prosecutor. Upon the filing of the motion, the court shall set a tentative date for a hearing

on the motion that, except as otherwise provided in this division, is not later than

ninety days after the date on which the motion is filed.  The court may set a tentative date for a hearing that is later than that specified

time if good cause exists to hold the hearing at a later date.  The court shall notify the offender and the prosecutor of the date, time, and place

of the hearing.  The court shall forward a copy of the motion and its supporting documentation to

the court's probation department or another appropriate agency to investigate the

merits of the motion.  The probation department or agency shall submit a written report detailing its investigation

to the court within sixty days after receiving the motion and supporting documentation. Upon receipt of the written report from the probation department or other appropriate

agency, the court shall forward a copy of the motion, the supporting documentation,

and the written report to the prosecutor. (D) After the prosecutor is served with a copy of the motion and notice of the hearing

as described in division (C) of this section, at least seven days before the hearing

date, the prosecutor may file an objection to the motion with the court and serve

a copy of the objection to the motion to the offender or the offender's attorney. (E) In determining whether to grant a motion made under division (A) of this section,

the court shall consider the evidence that accompanies the motion described in division

(B) of this section and shall consider the written report submitted pursuant to division

(C) of this section. (F)(1) The court, without a hearing, may issue an order denying the offender's motion to

terminate the offender's extended enrollment period and VOD duties during that period

if the court, after considering the evidence, materials, and information specified

under division (E) of this section, finds that the extended enrollment period and

duties should not be terminated. (2) If the prosecutor does not file an objection to the offender's motion as provided

in division (D) of this section, the court, without a hearing, may issue an order

that grants the motion and terminates the eligible offender's extended enrollment

period and VOD duties during that period if the court, after considering the evidence,

materials, and information specified under division (E) of this section, finds that

the extended enrollment period and VOD duties should be terminated.  This division does not apply if the prosecutor files an objection to the offender's

application as provided in division (D)(2) of this section. (3) If the court does not issue an order under division (F)(1) or (2) of this section,

the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether to grant or deny the motion.  At the hearing, the Rules of Civil Procedure apply, except to the extent that those

Rules would by their nature be clearly inapplicable.  At the hearing, the offender has the burden of going forward with the evidence and,

except as otherwise provided in this division, the burden of proof, by a preponderance

of the evidence, that the extended enrollment period and VOD duties should be terminated.  If the prosecutor files an objection to the motion as provided in division (D) of

this section that includes an allegation that the offender has been convicted of or

pleaded guilty to any other felony or any misdemeanor offense of violence during the

offender's ten-year enrollment period or extended enrollment period, the prosecutor

has the burden of proving that allegation. The court shall issue an order denying the offender's motion to terminate the offender's

extended enrollment period and VOD duties if the prosecutor files such an objection

to the motion that includes an allegation that the offender has been convicted of

or pleaded guilty to any other felony or any misdemeanor offense of violence during

the offender's ten-year enrollment period or extended enrollment period and proves

that allegation.  If, after considering the evidence, materials, and information specified under division

(E) of this section, the court finds that the prosecutor has not alleged in an objection

and proved that the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other

felony or any misdemeanor offense of violence during the offender's ten-year enrollment

period or extended enrollment period, the court shall do one of the following: (a) If the court finds that the offender has satisfied the burden of proof imposed on

the offender as described in this division, the court shall issue an order that grants

the motion and terminates the offender's extended enrollment period and VOD duties. (b) If the court finds that the offender has not satisfied the burden of proof imposed

on the offender, the court shall issue an order denying the motion. (4) If the court issues an order under division (F)(1) or (3) of this section denying

an offender's motion to terminate the offender's extended enrollment period and VOD

duties, the offender may subsequently file another motion under this section requesting

termination of the extended enrollment period and VOD duties but may not file more

than one such motion in any five-year period. (5)(a) Upon its issuance of an order under division (F)(1), (2), or (3) of this section,

the court shall provide prompt notice of the order to the offender or the offender's

attorney. (b) If the court issues an order under division (F)(2) or (3) of this section that grants

the offender's motion and terminates the offender's extended enrollment period and

VOD duties, the court shall promptly forward a copy of the order to the bureau of

criminal identification and investigation and to the prosecutor.  Upon receipt of the order from the court, the bureau shall update all records pertaining

to the offender to reflect the termination order.  The bureau also shall provide notice of the issuance of the termination order to

every sheriff with whom the offender has most recently enrolled or re-enrolled.  Upon receipt of the order from the court, the prosecutor shall notify the victim

of any offense for which the offender is enrolled in the violent offender database

that the offender's extended enrollment period and VOD duties have been terminated.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 2903.44

What does Ohio Revised Code § 2903.44 cover?

Section 2903.44 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 § 2903.44?

A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 2903.44" (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 § 2903.44 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.