CHAPTER 525
Law Enforcement and Public Office
525.01   Definitions.
525.02   Falsification.
525.03   Impersonation of peace officer or private police officer.
525.04   Compounding a crime.
525.05   Failure to report a crime, injury or knowledge of death.
525.06   Failure to aid a law enforcement officer.
525.07   Obstructing official business.
525.08   Obstructing justice.
525.09   Resisting arrest.
525.10   Having an unlawful interest in a public contract.
525.11   Soliciting or receiving improper compensation.
525.12   Dereliction of duty.
525.13   Interfering with civil rights.
525.14   Unauthorized display of law enforcement emblems on motor vehicles.
525.15   Assaulting police dog, horse or assistance dog.
525.16   Failure to answer summons.
525.17   Registration of felons.
525.18   Failure to disclose personal information.
525.19   Misuse of 9-1-1 system.
525.99   Penalty.
   CROSS REFERENCES
   See sectional histories for similar State law
   Law enforcement officer defined - see GEN. OFF. 501.01(k)
   Misconduct at an emergency - see GEN. OFF. 509.05
   Making false alarms - see GEN. OFF. 509.07
   Personating an officer to defraud - see GEN. OFF. 545.16
525.01 DEFINITIONS.
   As used in this chapter:
   (a)   "Campaign committee," "contribution," "political action committee," "legislative campaign fund," "political party" and "political contributing entity" have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 3517.01.
   (b)   “Contraband.” Any property described in the following categories:
      (1)   Property that in and of itself is unlawful for a person to acquire or possess.
      (2)   Property that is not in and of itself unlawful for a person to acquire or possess, but that has been determined by a court of this State, in accordance with law, to be contraband because of its use in an unlawful activity or manner, of its nature, or of the circumstances of the person who acquires or possesses it, including but not limited to goods and personal property described in Ohio R.C. 2913.34(D).
      (3)   Property that is specifically stated to be contraband by a section of the Revised Code or by an ordinance, regulation, or resolution.
      (4)   Property that is forfeitable pursuant to a section of the Revised Code, or an ordinance, regulation, or resolution, including, but not limited to, forfeitable firearms, dangerous ordnance, obscene materials, and goods and personal property described in Ohio R.C. 2913.34(D).
      (5)   Any controlled substance, as defined in Ohio R.C. 3719.01, or any device, paraphernalia, money as defined in Ohio R.C. 1301.01, or other means of exchange that has been, is being, or is intended to be used in an attempt or conspiracy to violate, or in a violation of, Ohio R.C. Chapter 2925 or Ohio R.C. Chapter 3719.
      (6)   Any gambling device, paraphernalia, money as defined in Ohio R.C. 1301.01 or other means of exchange that has been, is being, or is intended to be used in an attempt or conspiracy to violate, or in the violation of, Ohio R.C. Chapter 2915.
      (7)   Any equipment, machine, device, apparatus, vehicle, vessel, container, liquid, or substance that has been, is being, or is intended to be used in an attempt or conspiracy to violate, or in the violation of, any law of this State or this Municipality relating to alcohol or tobacco.
      (8)   Any personal property that has been, is being, or is intended to be used in an attempt or conspiracy to commit, or in the commission of, any offense or in the transportation of the fruits of any offense.
      (9)   Any property that is acquired through the sale or other transfer of contraband or through the proceeds of contraband, other than by a court or a law enforcement agency acting within the scope of its duties.
      (10)   Any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, or other telecommunications device that is used in a conspiracy to commit, an attempt to commit, or in the commission of any offense, if the owner of the computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, or other telecommunications device is convicted of or pleads guilty to the offense in which it is used.
   (c)   "Detention" means arrest, confinement in any vehicle subsequent to an arrest, confinement in any public or private facility for custody of persons charged with or convicted of a crime in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States or alleged or found to be a delinquent child or unruly child in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States; hospitalization, institutionalization or confinement in any public or private facility that is ordered pursuant to or under the authority of Ohio R.C. 2945.37, 2945.371, 2945.38, 2945.39, 2945.40, 2945.401 or 2945.402; confinement in any vehicle for transportation to or from any facility of any of those natures, detention for extradition or deportation, or except as provided in this division, supervision by any employee of any facility of any of those natures that is incidental to hospitalization, institutionalization or confinement in the facility but that occurs outside the facility; or supervision by an employee of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction of a person on any type of release from a State correctional institution or confinement in any vehicle, airplane, or place while being returned from outside of this state into this state by a private person or entity pursuant to a contract entered into under Ohio R.C. 311.29(E) or R.C. 5149.03(B). For a person confined in a county jail who participates in a county jail industry program pursuant to Ohio R.C. 5147.30, "detention" includes time spent at an assigned work site and going to and from the work site.
   (d)   "Detention facility" means any public or private place used for the confinement of a person charged with or convicted of any crime in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States or alleged or found to be a delinquent child or unruly child in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States.
   (e)   "Official proceeding" means any proceeding before a legislative, judicial, administrative or other governmental agency or official authorized to take evidence under oath, and includes any proceeding before a referee, hearing examiner, commissioner, notary or other person taking testimony or a deposition in connection with an official proceeding.
   (f)   "Party official" means any person who holds an elective or appointive post in a political party in the United States or this State, by virtue of which he directs, conducts or participates in directing or conducting party affairs at any level of responsibility.
   (g)   "Provider agreement" and "medical assistance program" have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 2913.40.
   (h)   "Public official" means any elected or appointed officer, or employee, or agent of the State or any political subdivision thereof, whether in a temporary or permanent capacity, and includes, but is not limited to, legislators, judges and law enforcement officers.
   (i)   "Public servant" means any of the following:
      (1)   Any public official;
      (2)   Any person performing ad hoc a governmental function, including, but not limited to, a juror, member of a temporary commission, master, arbitrator, advisor or consultant;
      (3)   A candidate for public office, whether or not he is elected or appointed to the office for which he is a candidate for purposes of this division if has been nominated according to law for election or appointment to public office, or if he has filed a petition or petitions as required by law to have his name placed on the ballot in a primary, general or special election, or if he campaigns as a write-in candidate in any primary, general or special election.
   (j)   "Valuable thing or valuable benefit" includes, but is not limited to, a contribution. This inclusion does not indicate or imply that a contribution was not included in those terms before September 17, 1986.
(ORC 2921.01)
525.02 FALSIFICATION.
   (a)   No person shall knowingly make a false statement, or knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false statement previously made, when any of the following applies:
      (1)   The statement is made in any official proceeding.
      (2)   The statement is made with purpose to incriminate another.
      (3)   The statement is made with purpose to mislead a public official in performing his or her official function.
      (4)   The statement is made with purpose to secure the payment of unemployment compensation; Ohio Works First; prevention, retention and contingency benefits and services; disability financial assistance; retirement benefits or health care coverage from a State retirement system; economic development assistance as defined in Ohio R.C. 9.66; or other benefits administered by a governmental agency or paid out of a public treasury.
      (5)   The statement is made with purpose to secure the issuance by a governmental agency of a license, permit, authorization, certificate, registration, release, or provider agreement.
      (6)   The statement is sworn or affirmed before a notary public or another person empowered to administer oaths.
      (7)   The statement is in writing on or in connection with a report or return that is required or authorized by law.
      (8)   The statement is in writing, and is made with purpose to induce another to extend credit to or employ the offender, or to confer any degree, diploma, certificate of attainment, award of excellence, or honor on the offender, or to extend to or bestow upon the offender any other valuable benefit or distinction, when the person to whom the statement is directed relies upon it to his or her detriment.
      (9)   The statement is made with purpose to commit or facilitate the commission of a theft offense.
      (10)   The statement is knowingly made to a probate court in connection with any action, proceeding, or other matter within its jurisdiction, either orally or in a written document, including, but not limited to, an application, petition, complaint, or other pleading, or an inventory, account, or report.
      (11)   The statement is made on an account, form, record, stamp, label or other writing that is required by law.
      (12)   The statement is made in connection with the purchase of a firearm, as defined in Ohio R.C. 2923.11, and in conjunction with the furnishing to the seller of the firearm of a fictitious or altered driver’s or commercial driver’s license or permit, a fictitious or altered identification card, or any other document that contains false information about the purchaser’s identity.
      (13)   The statement is made in a document or instrument of writing that purports to be a judgment, lien, or claim of indebtedness and is filed or recorded with the Secretary of State, a county recorder, or the clerk of a court of record.
      (14)   The statement is made in an application filed with a county sheriff pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2923.125 in order to obtain or renew a concealed handgun license or is made in an affidavit submitted to a county sheriff to obtain a concealed handgun license on a temporary emergency basis under Ohio R.C. 2923.1213.
      (15)   The statement is required under Ohio R.C. 5743.71 in connection with the person’s purchase of cigarettes or tobacco products in a delivery sale.
   (b)   No person, in connection with the purchase of a firearm as defined in Ohio R.C. 2923.11, shall knowingly furnish to the seller of the firearm a fictitious or altered driver’s or commercial driver’s license or permit, a fictitious or altered identification card, or any other document that contains false information about the purchaser’s identity.
   (c)   No person, in an attempt to obtain a concealed handgun license under Ohio R.C. 2923.125, shall knowingly present to a sheriff a fictitious or altered document that purports to be certification of the person’s competence in handling a handgun as described in division (B)(3) of that section.
   (d)   It is no defense to a charge under division (a)(6) of this section that the oath or affirmation was administered or taken in an irregular manner.
   (e)   If contradictory statements relating to the same fact are made by the offender within the period of the statute of limitations for falsification, it is not necessary for the prosecution to prove which statement was false, but only that one or the other was false.
   (f)   (1)   Whoever violates division (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), (11), (13) or (15) of this section is guilty of falsification. Except as otherwise provided in this division, falsification is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
      (2)   Whoever violates division (a)(9) of this section is guilty of falsification in a theft offense. Except as otherwise provided in this division, falsification in a theft offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the value of the property or services stolen is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, falsification in a theft offense is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
      (3)   Whoever violates division (a)(12) or (b) of this section is guilty of falsification to purchase a firearm, a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
      (4)   Whoever violates division (a)(14) or (c) of this section is guilty of falsification to obtain a concealed handgun license, a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
      (5)   Whoever violates division (a) of this section in removal proceedings under Ohio R.C. 319.26, 321.37, 507.13 or 733.78 is guilty of falsification regarding a removal proceeding, a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2921.13) (Ord. 95-96. Passed 7-15-96.)
   (g)   (1)   No person who has knowingly failed to maintain proof of financial responsibility in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4509.101 shall produce any document or present to a peace officer an electronic wireless communications device that is displaying any text or images with the purpose to mislead a peace officer upon the request of a peace officer for proof of financial responsibility made in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4509.101(D)(2).
      (2)   Whoever violates this division (g) is guilty of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(ORC 4509.102)
Statutory reference:
   Civil liability for violations of this section, see Ohio R.C. 2921.13(G)
525.03 IMPERSONATION OF PEACE OFFICER OR PRIVATE POLICE OFFICER.
   (a)   For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
      (1)   "Federal law enforcement officer." An employee of the United States who serves in a position the duties of which are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses under the criminal laws of the United States.
      (2)   "Impersonate." To act the part of, assume the identity of, wear the uniform or any part of the uniform of, or display the identification of a particular person or of a member of a class of persons with purpose to make another person believe that the actor is that particular person or is a member of that class of persons.
      (3)   "Investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation." Has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 2903.11.
      (4)   "Peace officer." A Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, Marshal, Deputy Marshal, member of the organized police department of a municipal corporation or township constable, who is employed by a political subdivision of this state; a member of a police force employed by a metropolitan housing authority under Ohio R.C. 3735.31(D); a member of a police force employed by a regional transit authority under Ohio R.C. 306.35(Y); a state university law enforcement officer appointed under Ohio R.C. 3345.04; a veterans’ home police officer appointed under Ohio R.C. 5907.02; a special police officer employed by a port authority under Ohio R.C. 4582.04 or 4582.28; an officer, agent or employee of the state or any of its agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, upon whom, by statute, a duty to conserve the peace or to enforce all or certain laws is imposed and the authority to arrest violators is conferred, within limits of that statutory duty and authority; or a State Highway Patrol trooper whose primary duties are to preserve the peace, to protect life and property and to enforce the laws, ordinances or rules of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
      (5)   "Private police officer." Any security guard, special police officer, private detective, or other person who is privately employed in a police capacity.
   (b)   No person shall impersonate a peace officer, private police officer, investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, or Federal law enforcement officer.
   (c)   No person, by impersonating a peace officer, private police officer, investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, or Federal law enforcement officer, shall arrest or detain any person, search any person, or search the property of any person.
   (d)   No person, with purpose to commit or facilitate the commission of an offense, shall impersonate a peace officer, a private police officer, Federal law enforcement officer, an officer, agent or employee of the Municipality or the State, or investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
   (e)   No person shall commit a felony while impersonating a peace officer, private police officer, Federal law enforcement officer, an officer, agent or employee of the Municipality or of the State, or investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
   (f)   It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (b) of this section that the impersonation of the peace officer, private police officer, Federal law enforcement officer, an officer, agent or employee of the Municipality or of the State, or investigator of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation was for a lawful purpose.
   (g)   Whoever violates division (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Whoever violates division (c) or (d) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the purpose of a violation of division (d) of this section is to commit or facilitate the commission of a felony, a violation of division (d) is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law. Whoever violates division (e) of this section is guilty of a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2921.51)
525.04 COMPOUNDING A CRIME.
   (a)   No person shall knowingly demand, accept, or agree to accept anything of value in consideration of abandoning or agreeing to abandon a pending criminal prosecution.
   (b)   It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section when both of the following apply:
      (1)   The pending prosecution involved is for a violation of Ohio R.C. 2913.02, 2913.11, 2913.21(B)(2), or 2913.47, or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, of which the actor under this section was the victim.
      (2)   The thing of value demanded, accepted, or agreed to be accepted, in consideration of abandoning or agreeing to abandon the prosecution, did not exceed an amount that the actor reasonably believed due him or her as restitution for the loss caused him or her by the offense.
   (c)   When a prosecuting witness abandons or agrees to abandon a prosecution under division (b) of this section, the abandonment or agreement in no way binds the State to abandoning the prosecution.
   (d)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of compounding a crime, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(ORC 2921.21)
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