Ohio Code 1327.51 – Entry on premises – orders to prevent violation – seizure of property – hearing
(A) When necessary for the enforcement of sections 1327.46 to 1327.61 of the Revised Code or rules adopted pursuant thereto, the director of agriculture and any weights and measures official acting under the authority of section 1327.52 of the Revised Code may do any of the following:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 1327.51
- agriculture: includes farming; ranching; aquaculture; algaculture meaning the farming of algae; apiculture and related apicultural activities, production of honey, beeswax, honeycomb, and other related products; horticulture; viticulture, winemaking, and related activities; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such husbandry or production; and any additions or modifications to the foregoing made by the director of agriculture by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 1.61
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Property: means real and personal property. See Ohio Code 1.59
(1) Enter any commercial premises during normal business hours, except that in the event such premises are not open to the public, the director or official shall first present the director’s or official’s credentials and obtain consent before making entry thereto, unless a search warrant previously has been obtained;
(2) Issue stop-use, hold, and removal orders with respect to any weights and measures commercially used, and stop-sale, hold, and removal orders with respect to any packaged commodities or bulk commodity observed to be or believed to be sold;
(3) Seize for use as evidence any incorrect or unapproved weight or measure or any package or commodity found to be used, retained, or sold in violation of sections 1327.46 to 1327.61 of the Revised Code or rules adopted pursuant thereto.
(B) The director shall afford an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code to any owner or operator whose property is seized by the department of agriculture.