Three Strikes and Habitual Offender Laws in Ohio

Ohio uses a 'repeat violent offender' specification rather than a classic three-strikes law. When the indictment charges the specification and the court finds the offender is a repeat violent offender, and the current offense is murder, aggravated murder or terrorism (without a death or life-without-parole sentence), a first-degree violent felony, or a second-degree violent felony involving serious physical harm or an attempt or threat of it, the court may add 1 to 10 years on top of the longest prison term for the offense if the usual term is inadequate. The court must impose the longest term plus an additional 1 to 10 years if the offender has been convicted of three or more qualifying violent offenses (counting the current case) within the preceding twenty years. These added terms may not be reduced under the judicial-release statute (R.C. 2929.20) or certain other listed provisions.