Ohio § 2909.07

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 2909.07, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2909.07.

(A) No person shall: (1) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise

improperly tamper with either of the following: (a) The property of another; (b) One's own residential real property with the purpose to decrease the value of or

enjoyment of the residential real property, if both of the following apply: (i) The residential real property is subject to a mortgage. (ii) The person has been served with a summons and complaint in a pending residential

mortgage loan foreclosure action relating to that real property.  As used in this division, “ pending ” includes the time between judgment entry and confirmation of sale. (2) With purpose to interfere with the use or enjoyment of property of another, employ

a tear gas device, stink bomb, smoke generator, or other device releasing a substance

that is harmful or offensive to persons exposed or that tends to cause public alarm; (3) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise

improperly tamper with a bench mark, triangulation station, boundary marker, or other

survey station, monument, or marker; (4) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise

improperly tamper with any safety device, the property of another, or the property

of the offender when required or placed for the safety of others, so as to destroy

or diminish its effectiveness or availability for its intended purpose; (5) With purpose to interfere with the use or enjoyment of the property of another, set

a fire on the land of another or place personal property that has been set on fire

on the land of another, which fire or personal property is outside and apart from

any building, other structure, or personal property that is on that land; (6) Without privilege to do so, and with intent to impair the functioning of any computer,

computer system, computer network, computer software, or computer program, knowingly

do any of the following: (a) In any manner or by any means, including, but not limited to, computer hacking, alter,

damage, destroy, or modify a computer, computer system, computer network, computer

software, or computer program or data contained in a computer, computer system, computer

network, computer software, or computer program; (b) Introduce a computer contaminant into a computer, computer system, computer network,

computer software, or computer program. (7) Without privilege to do so, knowingly destroy or improperly tamper with a critical

infrastructure facility. (B) As used in this section: (1) ” Safety device ” means any fire extinguisher, fire hose, or fire axe, or any fire escape, emergency

exit, or emergency escape equipment, or any life line, life-saving ring, life preserver,

or life boat or raft, or any alarm, light, flare, signal, sign, or notice intended

to warn of danger or emergency, or intended for other safety purposes, or any guard

railing or safety barricade, or any traffic sign or signal, or any railroad grade

crossing sign, signal, or gate, or any first aid or survival equipment, or any other

device, apparatus, or equipment intended for protecting or preserving the safety of

persons or property. (2) “Critical infrastructure facility” has the same meaning as in section 2911.21 of the Revised Code . (3) “ Improperly tamper ” means to change the physical location or the physical condition of the property. (C)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of criminal mischief, and shall be punished

as provided in division (C)(2), (3), or (4) of this section. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this division, criminal mischief committed in violation

of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section is a misdemeanor of the

third degree.  Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the violation of division (A)(1),

(2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person,

criminal mischief committed in violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5)

of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.  If the property involved in the violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or

(5) of this section is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare

part, fuel, lubricant, hydraulic fluid, any other equipment, implement, or material

used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft, or any cargo carried

or intended to be carried in an aircraft, criminal mischief committed in violation

of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section is one of the following: (a) If the violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person, except as otherwise

provided in division (C)(2)(b) of this section, criminal mischief committed in violation

of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section is a felony of the fifth

degree. (b) If the violation creates a substantial risk of physical harm to any person or if

the property involved in a violation of this section is an occupied aircraft, criminal

mischief committed in violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this

section is a felony of the fourth degree. (3) Except as otherwise provided in this division, criminal mischief committed in violation

of division (A)(6) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.  Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the value of the computer, computer

system, computer network, computer software, computer program, or data involved in

the violation of division (A)(6) of this section or the loss to the victim resulting

from the violation is one thousand dollars or more and less than ten thousand dollars,

or if the computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer

program, or data involved in the violation of division (A)(6) of this section is used

or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and the violation creates a

risk of physical harm to any person, criminal mischief committed in violation of division

(A)(6) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree.  If the value of the computer, computer system, computer network, computer software,

computer program, or data involved in the violation of division (A)(6) of this section

or the loss to the victim resulting from the violation is ten thousand dollars or

more, or if the computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer

program, or data involved in the violation of division (A)(6) of this section is used

or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and the violation creates a

substantial risk of physical harm to any person or the aircraft in question is an

occupied aircraft, criminal mischief committed in violation of division (A)(6) of

this section is a felony of the fourth degree. (4) Criminal mischief committed in violation of division (A)(7) of this section is a

felony of the third degree.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 2909.07

What does Ohio Revised Code § 2909.07 cover?

Section 2909.07 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 § 2909.07?

A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 2909.07" (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 § 2909.07 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.