Title: The Charge of Menacing in the State of Ohio – Jeff Hastings | Criminal Civil Defense Law Attorney Cleveland Ohio
Headings: The Charge of Menacing in the State of Ohio
The Charge of Menacing in the State of Ohio
2903.22 Menacing.
2903.21 Aggravated menacing.
2903.211 Menacing by stalking.

Content: (A) No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person’s unborn, or a member of the other person’s immediate family. Menacing is often charged as a misdemeanor but can be charged as a fourth degree felony if the victim is a minor, or if the victim is an employee of a public children’s service agency. A fourth-degree felony is punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a possible fine not to exceed $5,000. 2903.21 Aggravated menacing. (A) No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause serious physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person’s unborn, or a member of the other person’s immediate family
Aggravated menacing is not only the belief that a victim is at risk of physical harm, but the belief that the offender will cause serious physical harm. In order to cause another to “believe” that the offender will cause “serious physical harm”, the law generally requires the offender to have some type of weapon on or about his person, be that a gun, knife or any object that can be used to cause serious physical harm to a person. 2903.211 Menacing by stalking. (A (1) No person by engaging in a pattern of conduct shall knowingly cause another person to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the other person or a family or household member of the other person or cause mental distress to the other person or a family or household member of the other person. Menacing by stalking requires the offender to engage in a pattern of conduct causing the victim to believe the offender will cause physical harm to her/him or the offender’s pattern of conduct causes mental distress to the victim. Menacing by stalking is often charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, but can be charged as a fifth or fourth degree felony if the offender has violated a protection order, trespasses, or has a history of violence towards the victim.