Ohio § 2919.25

Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 2919.25, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2919.25.

(A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to a family or

household member. (B) No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to a family or household member. (C) No person, by threat of force, shall knowingly cause a family or household member

to believe that the offender will cause imminent physical harm to the family or household

member. (D)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of domestic violence, and the court shall

sentence the offender as provided in divisions (D)(2) to (6) of this section. (2) Except as otherwise provided in divisions (D)(3) to (5) of this section, a violation

of division (C) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, and a violation

of division (A) or (B) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree. (3) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(4) of this section, if the offender

previously has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of domestic violence, a violation

of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or

the United States that is substantially similar to domestic violence, a violation

of section 2903.14 , 2909.06 , 2909.07 , 2911.12 , 2911.211 , or 2919.22 of the Revised Code if the victim of the violation was a family or household member at the time of the

violation, a violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this

or any other state or the United States that is substantially similar to any of those

sections if the victim of the violation was a family or household member at the time

of the commission of the violation, or any offense of violence if the victim of the

offense was a family or household member at the time of the commission of the offense,

a violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree,

and, if the offender knew that the victim of the violation was pregnant at the time

of the violation, the court shall impose a mandatory prison term on the offender pursuant

to division (D)(6) of this section, and a violation of division (C) of this section

is a misdemeanor of the second degree. (4) If the offender previously has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of two or more

offenses of domestic violence or two or more violations or offenses of the type described

in division (D)(3) of this section involving a person who was a family or household

member at the time of the violations or offenses, a violation of division (A) or (B)

of this section is a felony of the third degree, and there is a presumption for a

prison term for the offense, and a violation of division (C) of this section is a

misdemeanor of the first degree.  If the offender previously has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of two or more

offenses of domestic violence or two or more violations or offenses of the type described

in division (D)(3) of this section involving a person who was a family or household

member at the time of the violations or offenses, and the offender knew that the victim

of the violation was pregnant at the time of the violation, a violation of division

(A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the third degree, and the court shall impose

a mandatory prison term on the offender pursuant to division (D)(6) of this section. (5) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(3) or (4) of this section, if the offender

knew that the victim of the violation was pregnant at the time of the violation, a

violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree,

and the court shall impose a mandatory prison term on the offender pursuant to division

(D)(6) of this section, and a violation of division (C) of this section is a misdemeanor

of the third degree. (6) If division (D)(3), (4), or (5) of this section requires the court that sentences

an offender for a violation of division (A) or (B) of this section to impose a mandatory

prison term on the offender pursuant to this division, the court shall impose the

mandatory prison term as follows: (a) If the violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fourth

or fifth degree, except as otherwise provided in division (D)(6)(b) or (c) of this

section, the court shall impose a mandatory prison term on the offender of at least

six months. (b) If the violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fifth

degree and the offender, in committing the violation, caused serious physical harm

to the pregnant woman's unborn or caused the termination of the pregnant woman's pregnancy,

the court shall impose a mandatory prison term on the offender of twelve months. (c) If the violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the fourth

degree and the offender, in committing the violation, caused serious physical harm

to the pregnant woman's unborn or caused the termination of the pregnant woman's pregnancy,

the court shall impose a mandatory prison term on the offender of at least twelve

months. (d) If the violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the third

degree and the offender knew that the victim of the violation was pregnant at the

time of the violation, except as otherwise provided in division (D)(6)(e) of this

section and notwithstanding the range of definite prison terms prescribed in division (A)(3) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the third degree, the court shall impose a mandatory prison term

on the offender of either a definite term of twelve months or one of the prison terms

prescribed in division (A)(3)(a) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for felonies of the third degree. (e) If the violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is a felony of the third

degree and the offender, in committing the violation, caused serious physical harm

to the pregnant woman's unborn or caused the termination of the pregnant woman's pregnancy,

notwithstanding the range of definite prison terms prescribed in division (A)(3) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for a felony of the third degree, the court shall impose a mandatory prison term

on the offender of either a definite term of eighteen months or one of the prison

terms prescribed in division (A)(3)(a) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code for felonies of the third degree. (E) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no court or unit of state or

local government shall charge any fee, cost, deposit, or money in connection with

the filing of charges against a person alleging that the person violated this section

or a municipal ordinance substantially similar to this section or in connection with

the prosecution of any charges so filed. (F) As used in this section and sections 2919.251 and 2919.26 of the Revised Code : (1) “ Family or household member ” means any of the following: (a) Any of the following who is residing or has resided with the offender: (i) A spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse of the offender; (ii) A parent, a foster parent, or a child of the offender, or another person related

by consanguinity or affinity to the offender; (iii) A parent or a child of a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the

offender, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to a spouse, person

living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender. (b) The natural parent of any child of whom the offender is the other natural parent

or is the putative other natural parent. (2) “ Person living as a spouse ” means a person who is living or has lived with the offender in a common law marital

relationship, who otherwise is cohabiting with the offender, or who otherwise has

cohabited with the offender within five years prior to the date of the alleged commission

of the act in question. (3) “Pregnant woman's unborn” has the same meaning as “such other person's unborn,” as

set forth in section 2903.09 of the Revised Code , as it relates to the pregnant woman.  Division (C) of that section applies regarding the use of the term in this section,

except that the second and third sentences of division (C)(1) of that section shall

be construed for purposes of this section as if they included a reference to this

section in the listing of Revised Code sections they contain. (4) “Termination of the pregnant woman's pregnancy” has the same meaning as “unlawful

termination of another's pregnancy,” as set forth in section 2903.09 of the Revised Code , as it relates to the pregnant woman.  Division (C) of that section applies regarding the use of the term in this section,

except that the second and third sentences of division (C)(1) of that section shall

be construed for purposes of this section as if they included a reference to this

section in the listing of Revised Code sections they contain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 2919.25

What does Ohio Revised Code § 2919.25 cover?

Section 2919.25 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 § 2919.25?

A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 2919.25" (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 § 2919.25 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.