2981.07 Interference with or diminishing forfeitable property. - Ohio Statutes

2981.07 Interference with or diminishing forfeitable property.

(A) No person shall destroy, damage, remove, or transfer property that is subject to forfeiture or otherwise take any action in regard to property that is subject to forfeiture with purpose to do any of the following:

(1) Prevent or impair the state’s or political subdivision’s lawful authority to take the property into its custody or control under this chapter or to continue holding the property under its lawful custody or control;

(2) Impair or defeat the court’s continuing jurisdiction over the person and property;

(3) Devalue property that the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is subject to forfeiture proceedings under this chapter.

(B)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of interference with or diminishing forfeitable property.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in divisions (B)(3), (4), and (5) of this section, interference with or diminishing forfeitable property is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(3) If the value of the property is five hundred dollars or more but less than five thousand dollars, interference with or diminishing forfeitable property is a felony of the fifth degree.

(4) If the value of the property is five thousand dollars or more but less than one hundred thousand dollars, interference with or diminishing forfeitable property is a felony of the fourth degree.

(5) If the value of the property is one hundred thousand dollars or more, interference with or diminishing forfeitable property is a felony of the third degree.

Effective Date: 07-01-2007