State v. Volpe, 527 N.E.2d 818 (Ohio 1988). · Go Syfert
State v. Volpe, 527 N.E.2d 818 (Ohio 1988). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“well-established principles of 11 statutory construction require that specific statutory provisions prevail over conflicting general statutes.”
213 citation events (134 in the last 25 years) across 6 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Citizens Against Am. Landfill Expansion v. Koncelik (ohioctapp, 2014-01-16)
Treatment trajectory · 1988 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1988 2007 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 19 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Citizens Against Am. Landfill Expansion v. Koncelik
Ohio Ct. App. · 2014 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
well-established principles of statutory construction require that specific statutory provisions prevail over conflicting general statutes
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Estate of Gsellman v. Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Servs.
Ohio Ct. App. · 2012 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
well-established principles of 11 statutory construction require that specific statutory provisions prevail over conflicting general statutes.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Steele
Ohio Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
“It is a well-established principle of statutory construction that specific statutory provisions prevail over conflicting general statutes.” State v. Chippendale, 52 Ohio St.3d 118, 120 (1990), citing State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 (1988).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Steele
Ohio Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
“It is a well-established principle of statutory construction that specific statutory provisions prevail over conflicting general statutes.” State v. Chippendale, 52 Ohio St.3d 118, 120 (1990), citing State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 (1988).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Homrighausen v. Dover
Ohio Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 (1988).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Swift
Ohio Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Adams No. 16CA1035, 2018-Ohio-1278, ¶ 52 , citing Chippendale and State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 (1988). “[T]he state is not required to proceed against a defendant under a specific statute where the specific and general statute ‘each provides a different penalty for a different course of conduct’ and are therefore reconcilable.” Clark at ¶ 19, quoting State v. Culwell, 10th Dist.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Armstrong
Ohio Ct. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Under Ohio law, "[p]rinciples of statutory construction require that specific statutory provisions prevail over conflicting general statutes." Id., citing State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 (1988). {¶ 15} R.C. 1.51 states as follows: If a general provision conflicts with a special or local provision, they shall be construed, if possible, so that effect is given to both.
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Warfel
Ohio Ct. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 (1988).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Satterfield
Ohio Ct. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Relying upon R.C. 1.51, the Supreme Court determined that the statutes were irreconcilable. *178 Volpe at 193, 527 N.E.2d 818 .
cited Cited "see" State ex rel. Honda of Am. v. Indus. Comm.
Ohio Ct. App. · 2021 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 (1988).
examined Cited "see" Eppley v. Tri-Valley Local School District Board of Education (4×)
Ohio · 2009 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Volpe (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 194 , 527 N.E.2d 818 . 3 {¶ 10} Since the wrongful death saving statute is the specific statute, R.C. 2125.04 applies, and the complaint was untimely filed.
discussed Cited "see" Akbar v. Fifth Third Bank, 22245 (8-1-2008) (2×)
Ohio Ct. App. · 2008 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Volpe (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 191 , 527 N.E.2d 818 ." {¶ 20} Pursuant to Abraham and R.C. 1109.69 , Akbar's claim against Fifth Third Bank was time-barred as a matter of law, because he failed to commence his action within six years of his alleged April 1998 deposit.
cited Cited "see" State v. Davis, Unpublished Decision (6-23-2004)
Ohio Ct. App. · 2004 · signal: see · confidence high
See Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d at 193 ; Chippendale, 52 Ohio St.3d 118 , paragraph three of the syllabus.
discussed Cited "see" Abraham v. National City Bank Corp. (2×)
Ohio · 1990 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Volpe (1988), 38 Ohio St. 3d 191 , 527 N.E. 2d 818 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Stalnaker v. Bobby (2×)
N.D. Ohio · 2008 · signal: see also · confidence low
Twin City Fire Insurance Co. v. Adkins, 400 F.3d 293 , 300 (6th Cir.2005); Brown v. Borchers Ford, Inc., 50 Ohio St.2d 38, 39 , 361 N.E.2d 1063 (Ohio 1977) (“Certification of the record of the case to the Supreme Court, because of a conflict between judgments of the Courts of Appeals upon any question, brings the entire case, not merely the certified question, before this court for review.”); see also, State v. Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 192 , 527 N.E.2d 818 (Ohio 1988).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." State v. Davis, Unpublished Decision (7-14-2004)
Ohio Ct. App. · 2004 · signal: see also · confidence low
See, also, Volpe, 38 Ohio St.3d at 193 ; Chippendale, 52 Ohio St.3d 118 , paragraph three of the syllabus. {¶ 32} Also, given our determination as to Defendant's fourth assignment of error, we cannot find that defense counsel's failure to object to the "serious physical harm" instruction rendered the trial unfair or its result unreliable.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." State v. Morgan, Unpublished Decision (2-13-2004) (2×)
Ohio Ct. App. · 2004 · signal: see also · confidence low
Co. v. Constantine (1944), 144 Ohio St. 275 , 58 N.E.2d 658 . 8 R.C. 1.51 . 9 Id.; see also, State v. Volpe (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 191 , 527 N.E.2d 818 ; State v. Chippendale (1990), 52 Ohio St.3d 118 , 556 N.E.2d 1134 . 10 R.C. 2923.12 . 11 R.C. 2923.16 (C). 12 R.C. 2941.25 (A). 13 Id. 14 (Oct. 18, 1977), 10th Dist.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." State v. Brooks, Unpublished Decision (12-14-2001) (2×)
Ohio Ct. App. · 2001 · signal: see also · confidence low
See, also , State v. Volpe (1997), 38 Ohio St.3d 191 , 527 N.E.2d 818 , paragraph one of the syllabus; State v. Frost (1979), 57 Ohio St.2d 121 , 387 N.E.2d 235 , paragraph one of the syllabus. 6 State v. Lane (1995), 108 Ohio App.3d 477 , 482 , 671 N.E.2d 272 , 275 . 7 State v. Griffin (2001), 142 Ohio App.3d 65 , 72 , 753 N.E.2d 967 , 973 , jurisdictional motion overruled (2001), 92 Ohio St.3d 1442 , 751 N.E.2d 481 . 8 As we have earlier noted, the trial court excluded evidence of another prior act of theft.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." State v. Barcus Wheatley (2×)
Ohio Ct. App. · 1999 · signal: see also · confidence low
Id.; see, also, State v. Volpe (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 191, 193 , 527 N.E.2d 818, 820-821 .
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
The State of Ohio
v.
Volpe, Appellant The State of Ohio v. Chisholm
Nos. 87-1043 and 87-1044.
Ohio Supreme Court.
Aug 17, 1988.
527 N.E.2d 818
Robert D. Horowitz, prosecuting attorney, and Paul A. Mastriacovo, for appellee., Lambert & MacDonald Co., L.P.A., IdaL. MacDonald and John A. Connor II, for appellants.
Brown, Douglas, Holmes, Locher, Moyer, Sweeney, Wright.
Cited by 92 opinions  |  Published
Moyer, C.J.

Since these cases were certified to this court, we have decided State v. McDonald (1987), 31 Ohio St. 3d 47, 31 OBR 155, 509 N.E. 2d 57, in which we held that “R.C. 2923.24, prohibiting the possession of criminal tools, is constitutional on its face.” Id. at syllabus. We note: “Certification of the record of the case to the Supreme Court, because of a conflict between judgments of the Courts of Appeals upon any question, brings the entire case, not merely the certified question, before this court for review. * * *” Brown v. Borchers Ford, Inc. (1977), 50 Ohio St. 2d 38, 39, 4 O.O. 3d 89, 90, 361 N.E. 2d 1063, 1064. See, also, Couk v. Ocean Accident & Guarantee Corp. (1941), 138 Ohio St. 110, 20 O.O. 65, 33 N.E. 2d 9, paragraph one of the syllabus; Pettibone v. McKinnon (1932), 125 Ohio St. 605, 183 N.E. 786, paragraph one of the syllabus. Since appellants, however, also challenge the constitutionality of R.C. 2923.24 as applied to them, we therefore consider that issue today.

Appellants were charged with violations of R.C. 2915.02 (gambling), R.C. 2915.03 (operation of a gambling house), and R.C. 2923.24 (possession of criminal tools).

R.C. 2915.02 states in relevant part:

“(A) No person shall:
“(1) Engage in bookmaking, or knowingly engage in conduct that facilitates bookmaking;
“(2) Establish, promote, or operate, or knowingly engage in conduct that facilitates any scheme or game of chance conducted for profit;
“(3) Knowingly procure, transmit, exchange, or engage in conduct that facilitates the procurement, transmission, or exchange of, information for use in establishing odds or determining winners in connection with bookmaking or with any scheme or game of chance conducted for profit;
[*193] ‘ ‘(4) Engage in betting or in playing any scheme or game of chance, except a charitable bingo game, as a substantial source of income or livelihood;
“(5) With purpose to violate division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section, acquire, possess, control, or operate any gambling device. << * * *
“(F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of gambling, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender has previously been convicted of any gambling offense, gambling is a felony of the fourth degree.” (Emphasis added.)

The complete text of R.C. 2923.24 is as follows:

“(A) No person shall possess or have under his control any substance, device, instrument, or article, with purpose to use it criminally.
“(B) Each of the following constitutes prima-facie evidence of criminal purpose:
“(1) Possession or control of any dangerous ordnance, or the materials or parts for making dangerous ordnance, in the absence of circumstances indicating such dangerous ordnance, materials, or parts are intended for legitimate use;
“(2) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article designed or specially adapted for criminal use;
“(3) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article commonly used for criminal purposes, under circumstances indicating such item is intended for criminal use.
“(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of possessing criminal tools, a felony of the fourth degree.”

Appellants challenge R.C. 2923.24 on the grounds that in enacting R.C. 2915.02, the General Assembly clearly stated a specific intent to charge with a misdemeanor, not a felony, first-time gambling offenders who engage or use a tool in gambling. Therefore, appellants argue that they were improperly convicted of violating R.C. 2923.24. We agree and accordingly reverse the judgment of the court of appeals.

Well-established principles of statutory construction require that specific statutory provisions prevail over conflicting general statutes. R.C. 1.51 states that:

“If a general provision conflicts with a special or local provision, they shall be construed, if possible, so that effect is given to both. If the conflict between the provisions is irreconcilable, the special or local provision prevails as an exception to the general provision, unless the general provision is the later adoption and the manifest intent is that the general provision prevail.”

R.C. 2915.02(A)(5) and 2923.24 are irreconcilable. R.C. 2915.02(A)(5), in conjunction with R.C. 2915.02(F), treats possession of a gambling device as a first degree misdemeanor. As such, a person convicted of violating R.C. 2915.02(A)(5) could receive no prison sentence or a prison sentence of up to six months. See R.C. 2929.21. R.C. 2923.24 makes possession of criminal tools, arguably such instruments as gambling devices, a fourth degree felony, carrying a minimum prison sentence of six months and a maximum prison sentence of five years. See R.C. 2929.11. Therefore, since R.C. 2915.02 and 2923.24 provide for different penalties for the same conduct, they cannot be construed to give effect to both. R.C. 2915.02[1] and 2923.24 were enacted effective January 1, 1974, as part of the[*194] modern Ohio Criminal Code. Therefore, under R.C. 1.51, the general law, R.C. 2923.24, does not prevail as being the “later adoption.” Further, the fact that the General Assembly enacted R.C. 2915.02(A)(5) to reach possession and control of gambling devices indicates that it did not intend for R.C. 2923.24 to reach possession and control of such devices.

Although it was dicta, we observed in State v. McDonald, supra, at 50, 31 OBR at 157, 509 N.E. 2d at 60, fn. 1, that “there are statutes prohibiting possession of specific articles, such as R.C. 2915.02(A)(5) (gambling devices) and R.C. 2925.12 (drug abuse instruments). The General Assembly has manifested a specific intent to classify possession of those articles as misdemeanors. These specific provisions would control over the general provision in R.C. 2923.24. R.C. 1.51.”

In State v. Frost (1979), 57 Ohio St. 2d 121, 11 O.O. 3d 294, 387 N.E. 2d 235, this court was presented with the issue of whether the enactment of R.C. 2901.05(A), placing the burden of going forward with evidence of an affirmative defense upon the accused, impliedly repealed R.C. 1707.45, which placed the burden of proving an exemption from compliance with the Ohio Securities Act on the party claiming the exemption. Noting that repeals by implication are not favored and will not be found unless the subsequent legislation clearly requires that holding, the court also cited R.C. 1.51 and held that “[w]here there is no manifest legislative intent that a general provision of the Revised Code prevail over a special provision, the special provision takes precedence. * * *” State v. Frost, supra, paragraph one of the syllabus. See, also, State, ex rel. Myers, v. Chiaramonte (1976), 46 Ohio St. 2d 230, 75 O.O. 2d 283, 348 N. E. 2d 323, paragraph one of the syllabus; Cincinnati v. Thomas Soft Ice Cream, Inc. (1977), 52 Ohio St. 2d 76, 6 O.O. 3d 277, 369 N.E. 2d 778, paragraph one of the syllabus; and Leach v. Collins (1931), 123 Ohio St. 530, 533, 176 N.E. 77, 78, citing Rodgers v. United States (1902), 185 U.S. 83.

Given that the General Assembly clearly enacted R.C. 2915.02(A)(5) to reach criminal possession and control of a gambling device and classified such conduct as a misdemeanor of the first degree under R.C. 2915.02(F), we hold that R.C. 2923.24, a general statute prohibiting possession and control of criminal tools and classifying such conduct as a fourth degree felony, cannot be used to charge and convict a person of possessing and controlling a gambling device. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the court of appeals and remand these two cases to the trial court for disposition consistent with this opinion.

Judgment reversed and cause remanded.

Sweeney, Locher, Holmes, Douglas, Wright and H. Brown, JJ., concur.
1

R.C. 2915.02 was amended several times after its enactment, but none of those amendments is relevant herein.