claim of self defense (Ohio) · Go Syfert
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claim of self defense in Ohio

13 Ohio opinions name it 1 courts 1999–2026 9 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Ohio courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (9)

CaseFollowedCited
State v. Sturgillgreen
· 2020 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026State v. Sturgill, 2020-Ohio-6665, ¶ 19 (12th Dist.).

11
State v. Ridleygreen
ohioctapp · 2022 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025But the trial court prefaced its rejection of Nichols’s self-defense claim with a recitation of the State’s burden of “proof, beyond a reasonable doubt, in defeating a claim of self defense.” That reference matters, because “the prosecution does not assume the burden of persuasion until the defendant first meets his or her burden of production.” State v. Ridley, 2022-Ohio-2561, ¶ 19 (1st Dist.).

11
State v. Corradogreen
ohioctapp · 2024 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025So, when the trial court determined that the State successfully disproved Nichols’s claim, it implicitly acknowledged that Nichols cleared her initial hurdle of producing legally sufficient evidence to support her self-defense claim. {¶23} Because there was sufficient evidence supporting Nichols’s self-defense claim, the burden shifted to the State to “prove beyond a reasonable doubt that at least one of the elements of self-defense was not met.” State v. Corrado, 2024-Ohio-2575, ¶ 12 (1st Dist.); see R.C. 2901.05(B)(1).

11
Toledo v. Duckworthgreen
ohioctapp · 2023 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
1 sentence

2024State v. Bonner, 2023-Ohio-4003, ¶ 95 (6th Dist.), quoting State v. Messenger, 15 2022-Ohio-4562, ¶ 26 ; see also Toledo v. Duckworth, 2023-Ohio-1412, ¶ 13 (6th Dist.).

11
State v. Bonnergreen
ohioctapp · 2023 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
1 sentence

2024State v. Bonner, 2023-Ohio-4003, ¶ 95 (6th Dist.), quoting State v. Messenger, 15 2022-Ohio-4562, ¶ 26 ; see also Toledo v. Duckworth, 2023-Ohio-1412, ¶ 13 (6th Dist.).

11
State v. Howardgreen
ohioctapp · 2024 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
1 sentence

2024State v. Howard, 2024-Ohio-2490, ¶ 17 (6th Dist.), citing State v. Wilson, 2024-Ohio-776, ¶ 20 , citing State v. Messenger, 2022-Ohio-4562 .

11
State v. Thompkinsred
ohio · 1997 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023See generally State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 390 (1997) (Cook, J., concurring) (“[I]n deciding whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, an appellate court determines whether the state has appropriately carried its burden of persuasion.). {¶17} Section 2905.01(B) places the burden of persuasion to disprove a claim of self- defense on the State.

11
State v. Davisgreen
ohioctapp · 2018 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022Franklin No. 17AP-438, 2018-Ohio-58, ¶ 32 (in rejecting a claim of self- defense, the court “considered the lack of record evidence beyond the cursing and loud talking”). {¶24} Moreover, Heald’s conduct was not reasonable inasmuch as he struck Thompson before he could have ascertained the need to use force.

11
State v. Melchiorgreen
ohio · 1978 · cited in 1 Ohio opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
1 sentence

2020If the evidence generates only a mere speculation or possible doubt, such evidence is insufficient to raise the affirmative defense, and submission of the issue to the jury will be unwarranted.” Bitting at ¶ 9, quoting State v. Melchior, 56 Ohio St.2d 15, 20 (1978). 1 Demarcus Shealy’s conduct occurred before the March 28, 2019 effective date of R.C. 2901.05(B) “which places the burden on the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the force was not used in self-defense when there is ‘evidence presented that tends to support that the [defendant] used the force in self-defense * * *.’” St

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Ohio. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (9)

CaseCitedYears
State v. Messenger green
ohio · 2022
2 sentences

2026“The state’s new burden of disproving the defendant’s self- defense claim beyond a reasonable doubt is subject to a manifest-weight review on appeal[.]” State v. Messenger, 2022-Ohio-4562, ¶ 27 . {¶ 34} When a defendant asserts he used deadly force in self-defense, as in this case, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt at least one of the following elements to negate the self-defense claim: (1) the accused was at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the affray, (2) the accused did not have a bona fide belief that he was in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm for wh

2024State v. Howard, 2024-Ohio-2490, ¶ 17 (6th Dist.), citing State v. Wilson, 2024-Ohio-776, ¶ 20 , citing State v. Messenger, 2022-Ohio-4562 .

22024–2026
State v. Bollar green
ohio · 2022
1 sentence

2024Imposing sentences on two of the firearm specifications, one of which was attendant to a merged offense, is required under the combined application of R.C. 2929.14(B)(1)(g) and State v. Bollar, 2022-Ohio-4370 .

12024–2024
State v. Messenger green
ohioctapp · 2021
2 sentences

2024No. 19AP- 879, 2021-Ohio-2044, ¶ 49 . “ ‘When weighing witness testimony supporting a claim of self- defense [or defense of another], the trier of fact is “free to believe or disbelieve the testimony of the witnesses” and “is in the best position to take into account inconsistences, along with the witnesses’ manner and demeanor, and determine whether the witnesses’ testimony is credible.” ’ ” Id., quoting Lawrence at ¶ 41, quoting Bentley at ¶ 24, citing State v. Haney, 11th Dist.

2024No. 19AP- 879, 2021-Ohio-2044, ¶ 49 . “ ‘When weighing witness testimony supporting a claim of self- defense [or defense of another], the trier of fact is “free to believe or disbelieve the testimony of the witnesses” and “is in the best position to take into account inconsistences, along with the witnesses’ manner and demeanor, and determine whether the witnesses’ testimony is credible.” ’ ” Id., quoting Lawrence at ¶ 41, quoting Bentley at ¶ 24, citing State v. Haney, 11th Dist.

12024–2024
State v. Wilson green
ohio · 2024
1 sentence

2024State v. Howard, 2024-Ohio-2490, ¶ 17 (6th Dist.), citing State v. Wilson, 2024-Ohio-776, ¶ 20 , citing State v. Messenger, 2022-Ohio-4562 .

12024–2024
State v. Haney green
ohioctapp · 2013
1 sentence

2024No. 2012-L-098, 2013-Ohio-2823, ¶ 43 . {¶ 50} Appellant first contends the state did not disprove that he was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to his use of deadly force against Edwards.

12024–2024
State v. Champion green
ohio · 1924
2 sentences

2022Self-defense “presumes intentional, willful use of force to repel force or escape force.” State v. Champion, 109 Ohio St. 281, 286-287 , 142 N.E. 141 (1927). {¶ 80} Although the Hubbard case cited by the majority suggests that when an individual asserts that he did not intend to cause harm, it precludes a claim of self- defense, Hubbard rests upon faulty reasoning.

2022Self-defense “presumes intentional, willful use of force to repel force or escape force.” State v. Champion, 109 Ohio St. 281, 286-287 , 142 N.E. 141 (1927). {¶ 80} Although the Hubbard case cited by the majority suggests that when an individual asserts that he did not intend to cause harm, it precludes a claim of self- defense, Hubbard rests upon faulty reasoning.

12022–2022
State v. Barnes green
ohio · 2002
1 sentence

2009State v. Barnes , 94 Ohio St.3d 21 . {¶ 36} In this case, the trial court instructed the jury as follows: In determining whether or not the affirmative defense of self-defense has been proved by a preponderance of the evidence, you should consider all the evidence bearing upon self-defense, regardless of who produced it.

12009–2009
State v. Robbins green
ohio · 1979
2 sentences

2008In State v. Robbins (1979), 58 Ohio St.2d 74 , 388 N.E.2d 755 , the Supreme Court of Ohio stated that to establish self defense a defendant must demonstrate: {¶ 20} "(1) he was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the affray;" {¶ 21} "(2) he had a bona fide belief that he was in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and his only means of escape from such danger was in the use of such force; and" {¶ 22} "(3) he must not have violated any duty to retreat or avoid danger." {¶ 23} The evidence established that appellant was at fault in creating the situation which gave ris

2008In State v. Robbins (1979), 58 Ohio St.2d 74 , 388 N.E.2d 755 , the Supreme Court of Ohio stated that to establish self defense a defendant must demonstrate: {¶ 20} "(1) he was not at fault in creating the situation giving rise to the affray;" {¶ 21} "(2) he had a bona fide belief that he was in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and his only means of escape from such danger was in the use of such force; and" {¶ 22} "(3) he must not have violated any duty to retreat or avoid danger." {¶ 23} The evidence established that appellant was at fault in creating the situation which gave ris

12008–2008
City of Bucyrus v. Fawley green
ohioctapp · 1988
1 sentence

1999City of Bucyrus v. Fawley (1988), 50 Ohio App.3d 25 , 26-27 .

11999–1999

Statutes the citing opinions construe

OH § Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.05 (8) OH § Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.02 (5) OH § Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.11 (5) OH § Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.09 (4) OH § Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.22 (4) OH § Ohio Rev. Code § 2929.14 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

IN 49 (1971–2020) TX 33 (1981–2025) PA 22 (1984–2026) CA 13 (1981–2026) OH 13 (1999–2026) IL 9 (1999–2023) NM 8 (1984–2024) AL 7 (1955–1990) WA 6 (2013–2021) MN 6 (2002–2024) CT 4 (1974–2023) GA 3 (2014–2024) MI 3 (2019–2025) TN 3 (1978–2019) IA 3 (1968–2018) MT 3 (2002–2025) SC 2 (2019–2019) DE 2 (1997–2014) NJ 2 (1997–2020) MA 2 (1980–2019) DC 2 (1990–2017) MD 2 (1987–2018) FL 2 (1991–2008)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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