Effective: April 6, 2017
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 293, House Bill 388 - 131st General Assembly
(A) Whoever violates section 1547.91 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.
(B) Whoever violates division (F) of section 1547.08, section 1547.10, division (I) of section 1547.111, section 1547.13, or section 1547.66 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(C) Whoever violates a provision of this chapter or a rule, for which no penalty is otherwise provided, is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(D) Whoever violates section 1547.07, 1547.132, or 1547.12 of the Revised Code without causing injury to persons or damage to property is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(E) Whoever violates section 1547.07, 1547.132, or 1547.12 of the Revised Code causing injury to persons or damage to property is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(F) Whoever violates division (N) of section 1547.54, division (G) of section 1547.30, or section 1547.131, 1547.25, 1547.33, 1547.38, 1547.39, 1547.40, 1547.65, 1547.69, or 1547.92 of the Revised Code or a rule is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(G) Whoever violates section 1547.11 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be punished as provided in division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (G)(2) or (3) of this section, the court shall sentence the offender to a jail term of three consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to section 2929.24 of the Revised Code to a longer jail term. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty nor more than one thousand dollars.
The court may suspend the execution of the mandatory jail term of three consecutive days that it is required to impose by division (G)(1) of this section if the court, in lieu of the suspended jail term, places the offender under a community control sanction pursuant to section 2929.25 of the Revised Code and requires the offender to attend, for three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 5119.38 of the Revised Code. The court also may suspend the execution of any part of the mandatory jail term of three consecutive days that it is required to impose by division (G)(1) of this section if the court places the offender under a community control sanction pursuant to section 2929.25 of the Revised Code for part of the three consecutive days; requires the offender to attend, for that part of the three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 5119.38 of the Revised Code; and sentences the offender to a jail term equal to the remainder of the three consecutive days that the offender does not spend attending the drivers' intervention program. The court may require the offender, as a condition of community control, to attend and satisfactorily complete any treatment or education programs, in addition to the required attendance at a drivers' intervention program, that the operators of the drivers' intervention program determine that the offender should attend and to report periodically to the court on the offender's progress in the programs. The court also may impose any other conditions of community control on the offender that it considers necessary.
(2) If, within ten years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one violation of section 1547.11 of the Revised Code or one other equivalent offense, the court shall sentence the offender to a jail term of ten consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to section 2929.24 of the Revised Code to a longer jail term. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty nor more than one thousand dollars.
In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court may require the offender to attend a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 5119.38 of the Revised Code.
(3) If, within ten years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to more than one violation or offense identified in division (G)(2) of this section, the court shall sentence the offender to a jail term of thirty consecutive days and may sentence the offender to a longer jail term of not more than one year. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty nor more than one thousand dollars.
In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court may require the offender to attend a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to section 5119.38 of the Revised Code.
(4) Upon a showing that serving a jail term would seriously affect the ability of an offender sentenced pursuant to division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to continue the offender's employment, the court may authorize that the offender be granted work release after the offender has served the mandatory jail term of three, ten, or thirty consecutive days that the court is required by division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to impose. No court shall authorize work release during the mandatory jail term of three, ten, or thirty consecutive days that the court is required by division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to impose. The duration of the work release shall not exceed the time necessary each day for the offender to commute to and from the place of employment and the place in which the jail term is served and the time actually spent under employment.
(5) Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence or the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of being imprisoned or serving a jail term, no court shall suspend the mandatory jail term of ten or thirty consecutive days required to be imposed by division (G)(2) or (3) of this section or place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (G)(2) or (3) of this section in any treatment program in lieu of being imprisoned or serving a jail term until after the offender has served the mandatory jail term of ten or thirty consecutive days required to be imposed pursuant to division (G)(2) or (3) of this section. Notwithstanding any section of the Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence or the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of being imprisoned or serving a jail term, no court, except as specifically authorized by division (G)(1) of this section, shall suspend the mandatory jail term of three consecutive days required to be imposed by division (G)(1) of this section or place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section in any treatment program in lieu of imprisonment until after the offender has served the mandatory jail term of three consecutive days required to be imposed pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section.
(6) As used in division (G) of this section:
(a) "Equivalent offense" has the same meaning as in section 4511.181 of the Revised Code.
(b) "Jail term" and "mandatory jail term" have the same meanings as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.
(H) Whoever violates section 1547.304 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and also shall be assessed any costs incurred by the state or a county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision in disposing of an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor, less any money accruing to the state, county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision from that disposal.
(I) Whoever violates division (B) or (C) of section 1547.49 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(J) Whoever violates section 1547.31 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense. On each subsequent offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(K) Whoever violates section 1547.05 or 1547.051 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree if the violation is not related to a collision, injury to a person, or damage to property and a misdemeanor of the third degree if the violation is related to a collision, injury to a person, or damage to property.
(L) The sentencing court, in addition to the penalty provided under this section for a violation of this chapter or a rule that involves a powercraft powered by more than ten horsepower and that, in the opinion of the court, involves a threat to the safety of persons or property, shall order the offender to complete successfully a boating course approved by the national association of state boating law administrators before the offender is allowed to operate a powercraft powered by more than ten horsepower on the waters in this state. Violation of a court order entered under this division is punishable as contempt under Chapter 2705. of the Revised Code.
The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.
Structure Ohio Revised Code
Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources
Chapter 1547 | Watercraft and Waterways
Section 1547.02 | Applicability of Chapter to Vessels Operating on the Waters in This State.
Section 1547.03 | Flashing Light Prohibition.
Section 1547.04 | Siren Prohibition - Exception.
Section 1547.05 | Completing Boating Course as Prerequisite to Licensing; Exception.
Section 1547.051 | Presenting Proof of License.
Section 1547.052 | Powercraft Rentals.
Section 1547.06 | Child Operators.
Section 1547.07 | Reckless or Unsafe Operation of Vessel, Water Skis, Aquaplane.
Section 1547.071 | Authority of Law Enforcement Officer When Especially Hazardous Condition Exists.
Section 1547.072 | Operator of Vessel to Maintain Control.
Section 1547.08 | Prohibiting Operation in Certain Areas - Low Speed Areas.
Section 1547.09 | Prohibited Acts.
Section 1547.10 | Stopping and Furnishing Information Upon Accident or Collision.
Section 1547.11 | Operation, Control, or Manipulation Under Influence of Alcohol or Drug.
Section 1547.111 | Implied Consent to Chemical Test.
Section 1547.12 | Incapacitated Operators Prohibited.
Section 1547.13 | Failure to Comply With Order of Law Enforcement - Fleeing and Eluding.
Section 1547.131 | Duty to Stop or Give Way Upon Approach of Law Enforcement Vessel.
Section 1547.132 | Vessel Wake Restrictions.
Section 1547.14 | Water Skiing Activity Confined to Ski Zones.
Section 1547.15 | Observer Required When Towing Skier.
Section 1547.16 | Water Skiing After Dark Prohibited.
Section 1547.18 | Personal Flotation Device Required.
Section 1547.19 | Ski Jumps Prohibited.
Section 1547.20 | Permission for Conducting Special Water Events.
Section 1547.21 | Requirements for Inflatable Vessel.
Section 1547.22 | Restrictions on Sitting, Standing, Walking on Moving Vessel.
Section 1547.23 | Warming-Up Engine.
Section 1547.24 | Personal Flotation Devices Required for Child Under 10.
Section 1547.25 | Prohibiting Operation Without Personal Flotation Devices.
Section 1547.251 | Use of Approved Distress Signals or Flags.
Section 1547.26 | Requiring Anchor and Line.
Section 1547.27 | Required Fire Extinguishers.
Section 1547.28 | Backfire Flame Control Device.
Section 1547.29 | Ventilation Requirements.
Section 1547.30 | Ordering Storage of Vessel or Outboard Motor Left on Private Property.
Section 1547.302 | Disposing of Unclaimed Vessel or Motor.
Section 1547.303 | Disposing of Abandoned Vessel or Motor.
Section 1547.304 | Abandoned Junk Vessel or Outboard Motor on Private Property.
Section 1547.31 | Muffler or Muffler System Required - Noise Levels.
Section 1547.32 | Vessel Used as Dwelling Creating Nuisance.
Section 1547.33 | Restrictions on Sink, Toilet or Sanitary System.
Section 1547.34 | Violations Prima Facie Evidence of Negligence.
Section 1547.36 | Secretary of State Agent for Service of Process.
Section 1547.38 | Prohibiting Rental of Improperly Equipped Vessel.
Section 1547.39 | Requiring Capacity Plate.
Section 1547.40 | Exceeding Capacity Plate Figures.
Section 1547.41 | Personal Watercraft Operation Requirements.
Section 1547.49 | Littering Prohibited.
Section 1547.51 | Educational Programs.
Section 1547.53 | Numbering of Watercraft - Exemptions.
Section 1547.531 | Registration and Documentation - Exemptions.
Section 1547.532 | Vessels Exempt From Registration.
Section 1547.533 | Fraudulent Watercraft Identification.
Section 1547.54 | Applying for Registration Certificate.
Section 1547.541 | Historic Watercraft Identification Plates.
Section 1547.542 | Annual Certificate of Livery Registration.
Section 1547.543 | Dealer or Manufacturer Registration Certificate.
Section 1547.544 | Effect of Child Support Default on Certificate.
Section 1547.55 | Moneys Collected Paid Into Waterways Safety Fund.
Section 1547.56 | Reimbursing Political Subdivisions and Agencies.
Section 1547.57 | Watercraft Tags.
Section 1547.58 | Disclosure Statement Regarding Alternative Process of r.c. 1547.305.
Section 1547.59 | Rendering Assistance After Collision.
Section 1547.61 | Applicable State Laws.
Section 1547.63 | Enforcement.
Section 1547.65 | Hull Identification Number.
Section 1547.66 | Altering Identifying Marks - False Information on Application for Registration.
Section 1547.67 | Establishing and Maintaining Marine Patrols to Enforce Chapter.
Section 1547.68 | Boating Safety Education Programs.
Section 1547.69 | Firearm Prohibitions.
Section 1547.71 | Refuge and Small Boat Harbor Agency.
Section 1547.72 | Construction and Operation of Refuge Harbors.
Section 1547.73 | Waterways Safety Council.
Section 1547.74 | Facilities in Harbors and Connecting Waterways.
Section 1547.75 | Waterways Safety Fund.
Section 1547.76 | State Participation in Federal Program.
Section 1547.77 | Action Not in Conflict.
Section 1547.79 | All Fines, Forfeitures and Penalties Paid to Director for Fund.
Section 1547.80 | Rules for Security of Ports and Related Facilities.
Section 1547.81 | Creating Wild, Scenic, or Recreational River Areas.
Section 1547.82 | Approving Structures and Channel Modifications.
Section 1547.83 | Administering Program and Areas.
Section 1547.84 | Advisory Council Appointed for Each Area.
Section 1547.85 | Participation in Federal Protection Program.
Section 1547.86 | Reconciliation of Powers.