Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.20 (2026)

Operation in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property

✓ current as of May 2026
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(A) No person shall operate a vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street or highway in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 131 cases (27 in the last 5 years), 1954–2026 · leading case: State v. Earlenbaugh, 479 N.E.2d 846 (Ohio 1985).
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State v. Earlenbaugh, 479 N.E.2d 846 (Ohio 1985). · cites it 12× “R.C. 4511.20 provides, in its entirety, that: “No person shall operate a vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street or highway in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.”
State v. Fairbanks, 117 Ohio St. 3d 543 (Ohio 2008). · cites it 10× “{¶ 1} The issue presented in this case is whether reckless operation of a vehicle, R.C. 4511.20, is a lesser included offense of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, R.”
State v. Shaffer, 2013 Ohio 3581 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 3× “{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Kimberly Jo Shaffer (“Shaffer”), appeals the December 17, 2012, judgment of the Paulding County Court finding her guilty of reckless operation, in violation of R.C. 4511.20(B), a misdemeanor of the third degree, and failure to drive within the marked…”
State v. Ward, 150 N.E.2d 465 (Ohio Ct. App. 1957). · cites it 8× “Section 4511.20, Revised Code, providing that ‘no person shall operate a vehicle * * # without due regard for the safety and rights of pedestrians * * * so as to endanger the life # * * of any person while in the lawful use of the * * * highways,’ is a law applying to the ‘use…”
Judy Fulkerson v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of Am., 36 F.4th 678 (6th Cir. 2022). · cites it 2× “” Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 4511.20 (West 2022).”
State v. Powers, 690 N.E.2d 32 (Ohio Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 3× “This case is before the court on appeal from a judgment of the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas, which found appellant, William Powers, guilty of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, a violation of R.C. 4511.20. As the result of a traffic accident occurring on June 13,…”
In re S.J.K., 867 N.E.2d 408 (Ohio 2007). “, a minor, was cited for reckless operation of a motor vehicle in violation of R.C. 4511.20. Prior to trial, S.J.K. moved to dismiss on grounds that his right to a speedy trial had been violated.”
State v. Birt, 2013 Ohio 1379 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). “19(A)(1)(a), (Count 8); and reckless operation, in violation of R.C. 4511.20, (Count 9). Counts 1, 3-6 alleged that Birt engaged in sexual conduct with T.”
State v. Newkirk, 255 N.E.2d 851 (Ohio Ct. App. 1968). · cites it 4× “” No violation of Section 4511.20, Revised Code, was charged in the affidavit- *161 The bill of exceptions shows the following proceedings upon arraignment and sentence: “The Court: Charles Newkirk, they say yon came in late.”
City of Columbus v. Tyson, 484 N.E.2d 155 (Ohio Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 4× “” R.C. 4511.20. 2 If the legislature had intended to permit a trial court to invoke R.”
State v. Pappas, 2021 Ohio 2915 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 3× “Pappas was charged with reckless operation in violation of R.C. 4511.20 after a traffic stop that occurred on November 27, 2019.”
Neu v. Est. of Nussbaum, 2015 Ohio 159 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 7× “21, (3) operating his vehicle in willful disregard for Neu's safety in violation of R.C. 4511.20, and (4) failing to maintain reasonable control of his vehicle in violation of R.”
Show all 131 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.20(A) — 25 cases
State v. Fairbanks, 117 Ohio St. 3d 543 (Ohio 2008). “{¶ 1} The issue presented in this case is whether reckless operation of a vehicle, R.C. 4511.20, is a lesser included offense of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, R.”
Neu v. Est. of Nussbaum, 2015 Ohio 159 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). “21, (3) operating his vehicle in willful disregard for Neu's safety in violation of R.C. 4511.20, and (4) failing to maintain reasonable control of his vehicle in violation of R.”
State v. Pappas, 2021 Ohio 2915 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “Pappas was charged with reckless operation in violation of R.C. 4511.20 after a traffic stop that occurred on November 27, 2019.”
State v. Bradley-Lewis, 2020 Ohio 3563 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Tancak, 2022 Ohio 880 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.20(B) — 4 cases
State v. Shaffer, 2013 Ohio 3581 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). “{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Kimberly Jo Shaffer (“Shaffer”), appeals the December 17, 2012, judgment of the Paulding County Court finding her guilty of reckless operation, in violation of R.C. 4511.20(B), a misdemeanor of the third degree, and failure to drive within the marked…”
State v. Fairbanks, 117 Ohio St. 3d 543 (Ohio 2008). “{¶ 1} The issue presented in this case is whether reckless operation of a vehicle, R.C. 4511.20, is a lesser included offense of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, R.”
State v. Smith, 2014 Ohio 2115 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Reams, 2026 Ohio 960 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026).
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