The Ohio Supreme Court has determined that a violation of a community control order intended to address behavior that contributes to criminal conduct can lead to prison sentences greater than six months.
In a 5-2 decision Wednesday, the state's high court ruled that disregard of an order not to have contact with a particular person imposed by his probation officer was more than a technical violation of his community control.
A Champaign County court could sentence the individual who appealed the case to 34 months in prison for his behavior even if the violation was not a criminal offense, the Court concluded.
The decision affirmed a Second District Court of Appeals decision rejecting the defendant's claim that the maximum prison time he could receive was 180 days.