A wobbler is a criminal offense (crime) that may be charged by the prosecutor and sentenced by the judge as either a misdemeanor offense or a felony offense under applicable law.
In Ohio, the term 'wobbler' is not officially used in the legal system, but it refers to certain crimes that can be prosecuted either as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on various factors such as the circumstances of the offense, the defendant's criminal history, and the discretion of the prosecutor. Ohio law defines misdemeanors and felonies separately, with misdemeanors being less serious offenses punishable by up to 180 days in jail, and felonies being more serious crimes with more severe penalties. When a crime can be charged as either, it gives the prosecutor flexibility in how to charge the offense and the judge discretion in sentencing. The decision to charge a crime as a misdemeanor or felony can significantly impact the accused's potential sentence and future consequences, such as difficulty in finding employment or housing.
