Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2152
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2152.51 (2026)

Definitions regarding child competency proceedings

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
October 12, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly
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(A) As used in sections 2152.51 to 2152.59 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Competent" and "competency" refer to a child's ability to understand the nature and objectives of a proceeding against the child and to assist in the child's defense. A child is incompetent if, due to mental illness, due to developmental disability, or otherwise due to a lack of mental capacity, the child is presently incapable of understanding the nature and objective of proceedings against the child or of assisting in the child's defense.

(2) "Delinquent child proceeding" means any proceeding under this chapter.

(3) "Developmental disability," "intellectual disability," and "moderate level of intellectual disability" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Each juvenile court shall adopt rules to expedite proceedings under sections 2152.51 to 2152.59 of the Revised Code. The rules shall include provisions for giving notice of any hearings held under those sections and for staying any proceedings on the underlying complaint pending the determinations under those sections.

(C) At a competency-related hearing held under section 2152.53 or 2152.58 of the Revised Code, the child shall be represented by an attorney. If the child is indigent and cannot obtain counsel, the court shall appoint an attorney under Chapter 120. of the Revised Code or the Rules of Juvenile Procedure.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 2013–2026 · leading case: State v. D.T., 2024 Ohio 4482 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
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State v. D.T., 2024 Ohio 4482 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 5× “R.C. 2152.51 through R.C. 2152.59 govern juvenile competency determinations.”
In re K.A., 2017 Ohio 6979 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “{¶14} We note the Bock decision was issued in December 1986, which was well before the September 2011 enactment of the juvenile competency laws — R.C. 2152.51–2152.59. In Bock, the adult-defendant was found guilty of rape and GSI.”
In re A.H., 2018 Ohio 364 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “{¶ 13} Competency proceedings for juveniles are governed by R.C. 2152.51 through 2152.59. These statutes address timing requirements for competency evaluations and hearings, qualifications for evaluators, and requirements for competency hearings and written competency assessment…”
In re L.M., 2024 Ohio 2974 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “{¶15} R.C. 2152.51(A)(1) provides that: “Competent” and “competency” refer to a child’s ability to understand the nature and objectives of a proceeding against the child and to assist in the child’s defense.”
In re S.D., 2014 Ohio 2528 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014). “56(B) mandates that a competency assessment report shall address the child’s capacity to do all of the following: (1) Comprehend and appreciate the charges or allegations against the child; (2) Understand the adversarial nature of the proceedings, including the role of the…”
In re T.D.S., 2022 Ohio 525 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “Competency determinations for juvenile delinquency cases are governed by R.C. 2152.51 to 2152.59. R.C. 2152.56(B) mandates that a competency assessment report shall address the child’s capacity to (1) understand and appreciate the allegations against the child; (2) understand…”
In re D.G., 2014 Ohio 650 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014). “G’s competency hearing was held before September 30, 2011, we apply the law that existed before the enactment of R.C. 2152.51 through 2152.59. Ross App. Nos.”
In re D.L., 2017 Ohio 2823 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 3× “{¶13} On June 17, 2016, appellant filed a notice of appeal. He herein raises the following sole Assignment of Error: {¶14} “I.”
In re J.D., 2025 Ohio 746 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 4× “Juvenile competency determinations are governed by R.C. 2152.51 through R.C. 2152.59. Competency concerns “a child’s ability to understand the nature and objectives of a proceeding against the child and to assist in the child’s defense.”
In re T.L., 2013 Ohio 3356 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). “] WAS DENIED HIS RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW WHEN HE WAS ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT WHEN HE WAS INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL, IN VIOLATION OF R.C. 2152.51, R.C. 2152.52, R.C. 2152.58, THE FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, AND ARTICLE I, SECTION 16 OF…”
In re J.S., 2017 Ohio 6898 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “{¶28} R.C. 2152.51 through R.C. 2152.59 govern juvenile competency determinations.”
In re O.J., 2026 Ohio 354 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 2× ““A child is incompetent if, due to mental illness, . . . developmental disability, or .”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2152.51(A)(1) — 6 cases
State v. D.T., 2024 Ohio 4482 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “R.C. 2152.51 through R.C. 2152.59 govern juvenile competency determinations.”
In re L.M., 2024 Ohio 2974 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “{¶15} R.C. 2152.51(A)(1) provides that: “Competent” and “competency” refer to a child’s ability to understand the nature and objectives of a proceeding against the child and to assist in the child’s defense.”
In re D.L., 2017 Ohio 2823 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “{¶13} On June 17, 2016, appellant filed a notice of appeal. He herein raises the following sole Assignment of Error: {¶14} “I.”
In re J.D., 2025 Ohio 746 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “Juvenile competency determinations are governed by R.C. 2152.51 through R.C. 2152.59. Competency concerns “a child’s ability to understand the nature and objectives of a proceeding against the child and to assist in the child’s defense.”
In re J.S., 2017 Ohio 6898 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “{¶28} R.C. 2152.51 through R.C. 2152.59 govern juvenile competency determinations.”
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