In Ohio, the overriding purposes of misdemeanor sentencing are to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others and to punish the offender. To achieve those purposes, the Court must consider the impact of the offense upon the victim and the need for changing the offender's behavior, rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public, or the victim and the public.

A sentence imposed for a misdemeanor shall be reasonably calculated to achieve the two overriding purposes of misdemeanor sentencing, commensurate with and not demeaning to the seriousness of the offender's conduct and its impact upon the victim, and consistent with sentences imposed for similar offenses committed by similar offenders.

The Court shall not base the sentence upon the race, ethnic background, gender, or religion of the offender.