Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2921
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331 (2026)

Failure to comply with order or signal of police officer

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Effective:
October 24, 2024
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 56 - 135th General Assembly
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(A) No person shall fail to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer invested with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.

(B) No person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring the person's motor vehicle to a stop.

(C)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer.

(2) A violation of division (A) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(3) Except as provided in divisions (C)(4) and (5) of this section, a violation of division (B) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree.

(4) A violation of division (B) of this section is a felony of the third degree if the jury or judge as trier of fact finds by proof beyond a reasonable doubt that, in committing the offense, the offender was fleeing immediately after the commission of a felony.

(5)(a) A violation of division (B) of this section is a felony of the third degree if the jury or judge as trier of fact finds any of the following by proof beyond a reasonable doubt:

(i) The operation of the motor vehicle by the offender was a proximate cause of serious physical harm to persons or property.

(ii) The operation of the motor vehicle by the offender caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.

(b) If a police officer pursues an offender who is violating division (B) of this section and division (C)(5)(a) of this section applies, the sentencing court, in determining the seriousness of an offender's conduct for purposes of sentencing the offender for a violation of division (B) of this section, shall consider, along with the factors set forth in sections 2929.12 and 2929.13 of the Revised Code that are required to be considered, all of the following:

(i) The duration of the pursuit;

(ii) The distance of the pursuit;

(iii) The rate of speed at which the offender operated the motor vehicle during the pursuit;

(iv) Whether the offender failed to stop for traffic lights or stop signs during the pursuit;

(v) The number of traffic lights or stop signs for which the offender failed to stop during the pursuit;

(vi) Whether the offender operated the motor vehicle during the pursuit without lighted lights during a time when lighted lights are required;

(vii) Whether the offender committed a moving violation during the pursuit;

(viii) The number of moving violations the offender committed during the pursuit;

(ix) Any other relevant factors indicating that the offender's conduct is more serious than conduct normally constituting the offense.

(D) If an offender is sentenced to a prison term for a violation of division (B) of this section, the offender shall serve the prison term consecutively to any other prison term or mandatory prison term imposed upon the offender.

(E) In addition to any other sanction imposed for a violation of division (B) of this section, the court shall impose a class two suspension from the range specified in division (A)(2) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code. In addition to any other sanction imposed for a violation of division (A) of this section, the court shall impose a class five suspension from the range specified in division (A)(5) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code. If the offender previously has been found guilty of an offense under this section, in addition to any other sanction imposed for the offense, the court shall impose a class one suspension as described in division (A)(1) of that section. The court shall not grant limited driving privileges to the offender on a suspension imposed for a felony violation of this section. The court may grant limited driving privileges to the offender on a suspension imposed for a misdemeanor violation of this section as set forth in section 4510.021 of the Revised Code. No judge shall suspend the first three years of suspension under a class two suspension of an offender's license, permit, or privilege required by this division or any portion of the suspension under a class one suspension of an offender's license, permit, or privilege required by this division.

(F) As used in this section:

(1) "Moving violation" has the same meaning as in section 2743.70 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Police officer" has the same meaning as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.

Last updated February 24, 2025 at 12:58 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 723 cases (357 in the last 5 years), 1991–2026 · leading case: State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374.
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State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. · cites it 105× “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Liddy, 2022-Ohio-4282, 202 N.E.3d 172. · cites it 41× “2022-A-0041 Failure To Comply {¶31} Failure to comply is governed by R.C. 2921.331. R.C. 2921.331(B) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to…”
State v. Fairbanks, 117 Ohio St. 3d 543 (2008). · cites it 40× “” *547 {¶ 14} The section of the Revised Code at issue in this case, R.C. 2921.331, specifies the degree of culpability as willful: “No person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a…”
State v. Heidelberg, 2019-Ohio-2257, 138 N.E.3d 537. · cites it 22× “87518, 2006-Ohio-5024, ¶ 16 (rejecting defendant’s position that trial court was authorized to impose lifetime license suspension only for an actual violation of R.C. 2921.331, and not for an attempt to violate this statute).”
State v. Parker, 2018-Ohio-579. · cites it 25× “{¶4} On April 18, 2006, a grand jury indicted Parker with a two-count indictment in CR-06-479730-A: Count 1, failure to comply with order or signal of police, in violation of R.C. 2921.331 with a furthermore clause, a felony of the third degree; and Count 2, felonious assault,…”
State v. Garrard, 867 N.E.2d 887 (Ohio Ct. App. 10th Dist. 2007). · cites it 15× “11; and (3) failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer (“fleeing”), in violation of R.C. 2921.331. Ordinarily, under R.C. 2921.”
State v. Wingate, 2020-Ohio-6796. · cites it 19× “CT2003-0025, 2003-Ohio-7274, ¶ 44 (finding that the record demonstrated that the trial court considered the R.C. 2921.331 sentencing factors where it “discuss[ed] some of them” and noted that “the probation officer testified -14- Case No.”
State v. Brooks, 2023-Ohio-2978. · cites it 13× “{¶ 30} The Ohio Supreme Court has recognized that “R.C. 2921.331(A) and (B) describe separate violations; R.”
State v. Craig, 2018-Ohio-1987. · cites it 17× “The statute provides in pertinent part: Licking County, Case No. 17-CA-61 6 (A) No person shall fail to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer invested with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.”
State v. Hendershot, 2017-Ohio-8112, 98 N.E.3d 1139. · cites it 12× “CT 2016-0061 3 and one count of failure to comply (risk of harm) in violation of R.C. 2921.331(B), a felony of the third degree.”
State v. Garner, 2012-Ohio-3262. · cites it 16× “Appellant asserts that because he was convicted of attempted failure to comply, rather than failure to comply, the sentencing provisions of R.C. 2921.331 do not apply to him, and the general sentencing statute, R.”
City of Cleveland v. Krebs, 2018-Ohio-746, 107 N.E.3d 774. · cites it 26× “331(B) was a separate offense (requiring the state to prove that the defendant acted willfully), there was “no plain indication in R.C. 2921.331 of an intent to impose strict liability.”
Show all 723 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(A): 56 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Thigpen, 2016-Ohio-1374, 62 N.E.3d 1019.
City of Cleveland v. Krebs, 2018-Ohio-746, 107 N.E.3d 774. “331(B) was a separate offense (requiring the state to prove that the defendant acted willfully), there was “no plain indication in R.C. 2921.331 of an intent to impose strict liability.”
State v. Brewer, 645 N.E.2d 120 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 1994).
Argabrite v. Neer, 2016-Ohio-8374, 75 N.E.3d 161.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B): 522 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Fairbanks, 117 Ohio St. 3d 543 (2008). “” *547 {¶ 14} The section of the Revised Code at issue in this case, R.C. 2921.331, specifies the degree of culpability as willful: “No person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a…”
State v. Liddy, 2022-Ohio-4282, 202 N.E.3d 172. “2022-A-0041 Failure To Comply {¶31} Failure to comply is governed by R.C. 2921.331. R.C. 2921.331(B) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to…”
State v. Nicholson, 2022-Ohio-2037.
State v. Brooks, 2023-Ohio-2978. “{¶ 30} The Ohio Supreme Court has recognized that “R.C. 2921.331(A) and (B) describe separate violations; R.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(3): 1 case
State v. Wooden, 619 N.E.2d 1132 (Ohio Ct. App. 9th Dist. 1993).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(4): 1 case
State v. Snelling, 2011-Ohio-3222.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(5): 1 case
State v. Cargill, 2013-Ohio-2689.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(5)(a)(ii): 4 cases
State v. Hendershot, 2017-Ohio-8112, 98 N.E.3d 1139. “CT 2016-0061 3 and one count of failure to comply (risk of harm) in violation of R.C. 2921.331(B), a felony of the third degree.”
State v. Pleasant, 2025-Ohio-115, 262 N.E.3d 975.
State v. Snelling, 2011-Ohio-3222.
State v. Hilton, 2016-Ohio-8219.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C): 1 case
State v. Brooks, 2023-Ohio-1631.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C)(1)(4): 1 case
State v. Vari, 2010-Ohio-1300.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C)(1)(5): 1 case
State v. Oliver, 2010-Ohio-4182.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C)(3): 3 cases
State v. Terry, 719 N.E.2d 1046 (Ohio Ct. App. 3d Dist. 1998).
State v. Cox, 2017-Ohio-5550.
State v. Head, 2026-Ohio-700.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C)(4): 3 cases
State v. Howard, 2012-Ohio-2836.
State v. Atkins, 2012-Ohio-4744.
State v. Brooks, 2023-Ohio-1631.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C)(5): 1 case
State v. Davis, 2023-Ohio-867.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C)(5)(a): 30 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Craig, 2018-Ohio-1987. “The statute provides in pertinent part: Licking County, Case No. 17-CA-61 6 (A) No person shall fail to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer invested with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.”
State v. Nicholson, 2016-Ohio-50.
State v. Christian, 2014-Ohio-2590.
State v. Brown, 2013-Ohio-5515.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(B)(C)(5)(b): 2 cases
State v. Nicholson, 2016-Ohio-50.
State v. Walker, 2025-Ohio-2649.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C): 11 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Glover, 2023-Ohio-1153, 212 N.E.3d 984.
State v. Lovelace, 738 N.E.2d 418 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 1999).
State v. Karle, 759 N.E.2d 815 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 2001).
State v. Moore, 2023-Ohio-1904.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(1): 5 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Mays, 2024-Ohio-4616, 251 N.E.3d 41.
State v. Liddy, 2022-Ohio-4282, 202 N.E.3d 172. “2022-A-0041 Failure To Comply {¶31} Failure to comply is governed by R.C. 2921.331. R.C. 2921.331(B) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to…”
State v. Washington, 2014-Ohio-1876.
State v. Chatman, 2023-Ohio-1590, 214 N.E.3d 701.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(2): 5 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Lovelace, 738 N.E.2d 418 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 1999).
State v. McDonald, 2012-Ohio-1528.
State v. Hinds, 2024-Ohio-6042.
State v. Smith, 2024-Ohio-3344.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(3): 26 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Semenchuk, 701 N.E.2d 19 (Ohio Ct. App. 8th Dist. 1997).
State v. Hasenyager, 2016-Ohio-3540.
State v. Smith, 905 N.E.2d 151 (Ohio 2009).
State v. Liddy, 2022-Ohio-4282, 202 N.E.3d 172. “2022-A-0041 Failure To Comply {¶31} Failure to comply is governed by R.C. 2921.331. R.C. 2921.331(B) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(4): 26 cases
Argabrite v. Neer, 2016-Ohio-8374, 75 N.E.3d 161.
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Liddy, 2022-Ohio-4282, 202 N.E.3d 172. “2022-A-0041 Failure To Comply {¶31} Failure to comply is governed by R.C. 2921.331. R.C. 2921.331(B) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to…”
State v. Cargill, 2013-Ohio-2689.
State v. Heidelberg, 2019-Ohio-2257, 138 N.E.3d 537. “87518, 2006-Ohio-5024, ¶ 16 (rejecting defendant’s position that trial court was authorized to impose lifetime license suspension only for an actual violation of R.C. 2921.331, and not for an attempt to violate this statute).”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5): 17 cases
State v. Hatfield, 2022-Ohio-148.
State v. Jefferson, 2019-Ohio-156.
State v. Feathers, 2021-Ohio-2881.
State v. Wells, 2013-Ohio-5821.
State v. Standifer, 2022-Ohio-2426.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(A)(ii): 1 case
State v. Wright, 2024-Ohio-78.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(B): 1 case
State v. Dennison, 2012-Ohio-1119.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(a): 22 cases
State v. Smith, 905 N.E.2d 151 (Ohio 2009).
State v. Fairbanks, 117 Ohio St. 3d 543 (2008). “” *547 {¶ 14} The section of the Revised Code at issue in this case, R.C. 2921.331, specifies the degree of culpability as willful: “No person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a…”
State v. Feathers, 2021-Ohio-2881.
State v. Smith, 2022-Ohio-2565.
State v. Strong, 2018-Ohio-5289.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(a)(i): 13 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Glover, 2017-Ohio-7360.
State v. Liddy, 2022-Ohio-4282, 202 N.E.3d 172. “2022-A-0041 Failure To Comply {¶31} Failure to comply is governed by R.C. 2921.331. R.C. 2921.331(B) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to…”
State v. Barnhart, 2023-Ohio-3488.
State v. Eldridge, 2023-Ohio-3998, 228 N.E.3d 38.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(a)(ii): 92 cases
State v. McDonald, 2013-Ohio-5042, 1 N.E.3d 374. “{¶ 1} In this case, which involves a felony enhancement for failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer under R.”
State v. Fairbanks, 117 Ohio St. 3d 543 (2008). “” *547 {¶ 14} The section of the Revised Code at issue in this case, R.C. 2921.331, specifies the degree of culpability as willful: “No person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a…”
State v. Garrard, 867 N.E.2d 887 (Ohio Ct. App. 10th Dist. 2007). “11; and (3) failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer (“fleeing”), in violation of R.C. 2921.331. Ordinarily, under R.C. 2921.”
State v. Hasenyager, 2016-Ohio-3540.
State v. Zitney, 2021-Ohio-466.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(a)(iii): 1 case
State v. Montgomery, 2022-Ohio-4273.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(b): 36 cases
State v. Wingate, 2020-Ohio-6796. “CT2003-0025, 2003-Ohio-7274, ¶ 44 (finding that the record demonstrated that the trial court considered the R.C. 2921.331 sentencing factors where it “discuss[ed] some of them” and noted that “the probation officer testified -14- Case No.”
State v. Farr, 2023-Ohio-4704.
State v. Jordan, 2011-Ohio-6015.
State v. Webb, 2024-Ohio-4862.
State v. Rochester, 2024-Ohio-5306.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(b)(i): 10 cases
State v. Wingate, 2020-Ohio-6796. “CT2003-0025, 2003-Ohio-7274, ¶ 44 (finding that the record demonstrated that the trial court considered the R.C. 2921.331 sentencing factors where it “discuss[ed] some of them” and noted that “the probation officer testified -14- Case No.”
State v. Standifer, 2022-Ohio-2426.
State v. Jordan, 2011-Ohio-6015.
State v. Webb, 2024-Ohio-4862.
State v. Costello, 2017-Ohio-294.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(b)(iii): 1 case
State v. Dennison, 2012-Ohio-1119.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(b)(ix): 1 case
State v. Dennison, 2012-Ohio-1119.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(b)(vi): 1 case
State v. Wingate, 2020-Ohio-6796. “CT2003-0025, 2003-Ohio-7274, ¶ 44 (finding that the record demonstrated that the trial court considered the R.C. 2921.331 sentencing factors where it “discuss[ed] some of them” and noted that “the probation officer testified -14- Case No.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(b)(vii): 1 case
State v. Dennison, 2012-Ohio-1119.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(C)(5)(ii): 1 case
State v. Hookfin, 2025-Ohio-5547.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(D): 92 cases
State v. Parker, 2018-Ohio-579. “{¶4} On April 18, 2006, a grand jury indicted Parker with a two-count indictment in CR-06-479730-A: Count 1, failure to comply with order or signal of police, in violation of R.C. 2921.331 with a furthermore clause, a felony of the third degree; and Count 2, felonious assault,…”
State v. Liddy, 2022-Ohio-4282, 202 N.E.3d 172. “2022-A-0041 Failure To Comply {¶31} Failure to comply is governed by R.C. 2921.331. R.C. 2921.331(B) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to…”
State v. Wells, 2013-Ohio-5821.
State v. Willard, 2021-Ohio-2552, 175 N.E.3d 989.
State v. Cover, 2021-Ohio-1303.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(E): 31 cases
State v. Heidelberg, 2019-Ohio-2257, 138 N.E.3d 537. “87518, 2006-Ohio-5024, ¶ 16 (rejecting defendant’s position that trial court was authorized to impose lifetime license suspension only for an actual violation of R.C. 2921.331, and not for an attempt to violate this statute).”
State v. Gove, 2025-Ohio-701.
State v. Chatman, 2023-Ohio-1590, 214 N.E.3d 701.
State v. Hendershot, 2017-Ohio-8112, 98 N.E.3d 1139. “CT 2016-0061 3 and one count of failure to comply (risk of harm) in violation of R.C. 2921.331(B), a felony of the third degree.”
State v. Parker, 2018-Ohio-579. “{¶4} On April 18, 2006, a grand jury indicted Parker with a two-count indictment in CR-06-479730-A: Count 1, failure to comply with order or signal of police, in violation of R.C. 2921.331 with a furthermore clause, a felony of the third degree; and Count 2, felonious assault,…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(F): 1 case
State v. Hersi, 2018-Ohio-123.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(F)(2): 3 cases
State v. Schwable, 2009-Ohio-6523.
State v. Hersi, 2018-Ohio-123.
State v. O'Day, 2024-Ohio-1654.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(a): 1 case
State v. Covey, 2012-Ohio-4728.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2921.331(b)(c)(5)(a): 1 case
State v. Faulkner, 2018-Ohio-3824.
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.