All Laws Decoded

Revenge Porn Laws in Ohio

How Ohio law treats revenge porn (sharing intimate images): what is illegal, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, and the penalties, from the state code.

Short answer: Yes. Knowingly disseminating an image of an identifiable adult who is nude or engaged in a sexual act, without consent and with intent to harm, is nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a fifth-degree felony (six to 12 months), or fourth-degree with a prior conviction or… R.C. 2917.211, 2307.66; R.C. 2929.14, 2929.18, 2929.24, 2929.28

Revenge porn (sharing intimate images)Yes. Knowingly disseminating an image of an identifiable adult who is nude or engaged in a sexual act, without consent and with intent to harm, is nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a fifth-degree felony (six to 12 months), or fourth-degree with a prior conviction or sex-offense record. Disseminating a fabricated ('deepfake') sexual image of a person without consent, or creating one to harass, extort or harm, is a fourth-degree felony (third-degree for repeat offenders). Victims may sue for an injunction, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney's fees within four years of discovering the image, with harm presumed.
Effective September 30, 2025 (H.B. 96). Civil action: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2307.66

More Ohio criminal law

FAQ

Is revenge porn illegal in Ohio?
Yes. Knowingly disseminating an image of an identifiable adult who is nude or engaged in a sexual act, without consent and with intent to harm, is nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a fifth-degree felony (six to 12 months), or fourth-degree with a prior conviction or sex-offense record. Disseminating a fabricated ('deepfake') sexual image of a person without consent, or creating one to harass, extort or harm, is a fourth-degree felony (third-degree for repeat offenders). Victims may sue for an injunction, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney's fees within four years of discovering the image, with harm presumed.
Can I get a court-appointed lawyer for revenge porn (sharing intimate images) in Ohio?
Ohio's rule on court-appointed lawyers: Under Ohio Public Defender rules, an applicant whose gross income is at or below 187.5% of the federal poverty level is presumed indigent; an applicant above that may still qualify if net income after basic living expenses is at or below 125% of the poverty level or if the applicant cannot afford qualified counsel. Applicants are presumed indigent if they receive poverty-based public assistance (such as SSI, Medicaid, or SNAP), are committed to a public mental health facility, are incarcerated in a state penitentiary, or are a child. Liquid-asset limits depend on the most serious charge (for example $2,000 for a misdemeanor and $8,000 for a first- or second-degree felony), but exceeding the limits does not automatically bar appointment, and posting bail does not disqualify an applicant. A person applying for court-appointed counsel or public defender services must pay a non-refundable application fee of twenty-five dollars to the clerk of court (at filing of the financial disclosure form or within seven days); the court may waive or reduce it if the person lacks sufficient financial resources or payment would cause undue hardship. Ohio Adm.Code 120-1-03; R.C. 120.36
How much does a lawyer for revenge porn (sharing intimate images) cost in Ohio?
Lawyers set their own fees, and Ohio has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Ohio for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.
What happens after an arrest for revenge porn (sharing intimate images) in Ohio?
How release before trial works in Ohio: All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except a person charged with a capital offense where the proof is evident or the presumption great, and a person charged with a felony where the proof is evident or the presumption great and the person poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person or to the community. Excessive bail shall not be required. When setting the amount of bail, the court shall consider public safety, including the seriousness of the offense, and a person's criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court, and any other factor the General Assembly may prescribe. By statute, a judge may deny bail to a person charged with aggravated murder (non-capital), murder, a first- or second-degree felony, and certain other listed offenses only after a hearing at which the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that the proof is evident or the presumption great, that the accused poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person or the community, and that no release conditions will reasonably assure safety; continuances are limited to three court days for the state and five court days for the accused unless waived. Ohio Const. art. I, § 9; R.C. 2937.222 What happens after an arrest.
Can a conviction for revenge porn (sharing intimate images) be removed from my record in Ohio?
Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Ohio expungement and record sealing rules.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.