July 10, 2026 | Criminal Defense
Ohio law organizes felony offenses into five degrees, with first-degree felonies being the most serious and fifth-degree the least. Fourth-degree felonies sit toward the lower end of that scale, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a big deal to be charged with one.
A fourth-degree felony conviction in Ohio can mean prison time, thousands of dollars in fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows a person into every job application, housing search, and background check for years to come.
Some of the most common ones charged in Cincinnati include the following:
Grand Theft
Theft charges in Ohio are classified based on the value or type of property involved. Grand theft of an automobile, which is knowingly taking or exerting control over someone else’s vehicle, is always prosecuted as a fourth-degree felony.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault in Ohio involves causing serious physical harm to another person. What distinguishes it from the more serious charge of felonious assault is the presence of mitigating circumstances, specifically, that the defendant acted under serious provocation or in a sudden fit of passion that a reasonable person might understand, even if it’s still illegal and not fully excused.
Vehicular Assault
Vehicular assault involves recklessly operating a vehicle in a way that causes serious physical harm to another person. This is a different and less serious charge than aggravated vehicular assault, which typically involves operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Vehicular assault at the fourth-degree felony level generally involves reckless driving behavior rather than impaired driving.
Drug Offenses
Certain drug possession offenses and illegal manufacture or assembly offenses can be charged as fourth-degree felonies in Ohio. Whether a drug charge lands at this level depends on several factors, including the type of drug involved, the quantity, the defendant’s prior criminal history, whether the offense occurred near a school or other protected location, and any other aggravating circumstances the prosecution identifies.
Penalties for Fourth-Degree Felonies in Cincinnati
Understanding the full range of consequences that can follow a fourth-degree felony conviction is important, as the impact of a conviction extends well beyond whatever sentence a judge hands down on the day of sentencing.
Prison Sentence
A fourth-degree felony in Ohio generally carries a prison sentence of 6 to 18 months. The exact sentence a defendant receives will depend on their criminal history, the severity of the crime, and other factors the judge considers important.
Fines
In addition to prison time, a court can impose a fine of up to $5,000. Fines are separate from restitution, which may also be ordered in cases where a victim suffered financial losses as a result of the offense.
Community Control
Not every fourth-degree felony conviction results in a prison sentence. In some cases, a court may impose community control – what most people call probation – as an alternative to incarceration.
Whether community control is available depends on the nature of the offense, the defendant’s prior criminal history, any statutory requirements that apply to the specific charge, and the impact on any victim involved.
Other Consequences
The penalties listed above are just the formal legal consequences. The longer-term impact of a felony conviction on everyday life can be just as significant. Collateral consequences include:
- A felony record that shows up on background checks
- Difficulty obtaining and maintaining employment, particularly in fields that require background checks or professional licensing
- Challenges securing housing, as many landlords screen for felony convictions
- Loss or denial of professional licenses in fields such as healthcare, education, law, and finance
- Restrictions on the right to possess or purchase firearms under both Ohio and federal law
- Potential immigration consequences for non-citizens, including possible deportability or inadmissibility
Because of the serious consequences you’re facing with a fourth-degree felony charge, working with experienced legal representation from the beginning of the process is critical.
Contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers To Speak With a Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you’re charged with a fourth-degree felony in Cincinnati, Ohio, don’t trick yourself into thinking it’s no big deal just because it’s one of the less serious felony charges. You’re still facing possible prison time and a significant impact on other areas of your life.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers has over a century of experience and can help you with any type of felony charge you’re dealing with. For more information, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers give us a call today at (513) 333-0014 or visit us at our Cincinnati Law Office.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Cincinnati
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Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 333-0014
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