Ohio Felony Laws
Posted by Tamara
When I think of felonies, I usually think of murder, rape, kidnapping and treason. Now, Ohio has added sending spam to the list. Under Ohio law, it is a felony to send spam, or unsolicited email advertisements. Ohio is one of a handful of states, including Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Rhode Island and Utah that make spam a felony, even if the product sold is legitimate.
There are many states with odder laws than the Ohio felony laws. In Arizona, it’s a felony to aimlessly fire a gun into the air in celebration. In Alabama, it’s a felony to pass a stopped school bus, even if there is no traffic accident and no one is injured. In Washington, a new state law makes it a felony to participate in an online poker game. A proposed law in Florida would make it a felony for employers to ban guns in the workplace. In Arkansas, it’s a felony to excavate or display human remains, even for historical or educational purposes.
Originally, felonies were limited to only the most serious of crimes: murder, rape, and child molestation. Less serious offenses were misdemeanors. In ancient times, felonies were punishable by death or dismemberment, and forfeiture of all property. Today, many crimes have been promoted to felony status. In various states, felony offenses include aggravated assault, battery, arson, burglary, drug possession or distribution, embezzlement, treason, espionage and racketeering. Many of these crimes also have misdemeanor versions. Fortunately, penalties have been reduced as well, although virtually all felonies carry a minimum sentence of one year in a state or federal penitentiary.
Ohio felony laws are no stranger than those in other states are. In California, petty thefts can be prosecuted as a felony if the accused has a history of theft. Felony convictions include stealing a single slice of pepperoni pizza from a group of children, or stealing four chocolate chip cookies. Both of these offenders were convicted and sentenced to 25 years in jail or more without parole, under California habitual offender laws. By contrast, possession of 25.9 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor in California. Conviction carries a $100 fine, and no jail sentence.
Last 10 posts by Tamara
- Religious Discrimination in Illinois - November 20th, 2009
- Intermittent FMLA in Connecticut - November 19th, 2009
- Massachusetts Short Term Disability - November 18th, 2009
- Muslim Prayer in Idaho - November 17th, 2009
- Disciplinary Notices in Florida - November 16th, 2009
- Religious Discrimination in New York - November 13th, 2009
- Intermittent FMLA in Colorado - November 12th, 2009
- Kansas Short Term Disability - November 11th, 2009
- Missouri Religious Discrimination - November 10th, 2009
- Federal Disciplinary Notices - November 9th, 2009