# Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.09: Forfeiture of property as instrumentality where value disproportionate

> Ohio · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.09

## Section

- **Citation:** Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.09
- **Heading:** Forfeiture of property as instrumentality where value disproportionate
- **Jurisdiction:** Ohio
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Ohio Revised Code / Title 29 / Chapter 2981 / § 2981.09

## Text

April 6, 2017 House Bill 347 - 131st General Assembly (A) Property may not be forfeited as an instrumentality under this chapter to the extent that the amount or value of the property is disproportionate to the severity of the offense. The state or political subdivision shall have the burden of going forward with the evidence and the burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the amount or value of the property subject to forfeiture is proportionate to the severity of the offense. (B) Contraband and any proceeds obtained from the offense are not subject to proportionality review under this section. (C) In determining the severity of the offense for purposes of forfeiture of an instrumentality, the court shall consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the following: (1) The seriousness of the offense and its impact on the community, including the duration of the activity and the harm caused or intended by the person whose property is subject to forfeiture; (2) The extent to which the person whose property is subject to forfeiture participated in the offense; (3) Whether the offense was completed or attempted; (4) The extent to which the property was used in committing the offense; (5) The sentence imposed for committing the offense that is the basis of the forfeiture, if applicable. (D) In determining the value of the property that is an instrumentality and that is subject to forfeiture, the court shall consider relevant factors including, but not limited to, the following: (1) The fair market value of the property; (2) The value of the property to the person whose property is subject to forfeiture, including hardship to the person or to innocent persons if the property were forfeited. The burden shall be on the person whose property is subject to forfeiture to show the value of the property to that person and any hardship to that person.

## Nearby sections

- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.01 § 2981.01. Purposes of forfeiture](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.01.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.02 § 2981.02. Property subject to forfeiture](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.02.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.03 § 2981.03. Provisional title to property subject to forfeiture](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.03.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.04 § 2981.04. Charging instrument - forfeiture order - amendment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.04.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.05 § 2981.05. Civil forfeiture action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.05.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.06 § 2981.06. Seizure of forfeited or other property - disposition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.06.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.07 § 2981.07. Interference with or diminishing forfeitable property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.07.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.08 § 2981.08. Right to trial by jury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.08.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.09 § 2981.09. Forfeiture of property as instrumentality where value disproportionate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.09.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.11 § 2981.11. Care of property in law enforcement custody](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.11.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.12 § 2981.12. Disposal of unclaimed or forfeited property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.12.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.13 § 2981.13. Sale of forfeited property - application of proceeds - forfeiture funds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.13.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2981.14 § 2981.14. Forfeiture under federal law; disposition of proceeds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2981_S2981.09. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.