You are viewing the "Criminal Justice" Archives

Several bail reform measures on the table for Ohio lawmakers
By: Andy Chow | Statehouse News Bureau
Posted on:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — There are five different pieces of legislation in the Ohio General Assembly that would make significant changes to the state’s laws on bail, which includes a proposed statewide ballot issue. The topic of bail reform has been discussed in the Ohio Statehouse for years, but it gained renewed interest… Read More

Ohio lawmakers push to tighten bail requirements after court decision
By: Kaitlin Thorne | Ohio Valley ReSource
Posted on:
Ohio Valley ReSource · Ohio lawmakers look to tighten bail requirements after court decision GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (OVR) – Mary Evans remembers the look on her mother’s face the moment that the judge set her bail at $500,000. “My mom knew that it was over,” she said. “I could see every thought that my mom was… Read More

For Ohioans Who Committed Crimes Before July 1996, Chance Of Parole Is Slim
By: Matt Richmond | WCPN
Posted on:
MANSFIELD, Ohio (WCPN) — Charles Crawford is 70 years old. In 1988 he was sentenced to a prison term of 12 to 80 years. “They’re not going to let me go. I don’t feel that they are,” said Crawford, on the phone from Mansfield Correctional Institution. Sindrick Tucker is 59. Back in 1984 he was… Read More

A Year In Review: After Countless Cries For Racial Justice, Where Are We Now?
By: Sara Crawford | Maria McGinnis | The Collaborative News Lab @ Kent State University, Sarah Taylor | WKSU
Posted on:
KENT, Ohio (WKSU) — Last year, streets throughout the U.S. were full of people protesting racial injustices that have tormented the country for years, demanding real change. Since then, task forces, declarations, criminal charges and acts of solidarity have been the result. Despite the efforts of government officials and protesters, the question, “Has anything changed?”… Read More

Paying The Price, For A Lifetime? Collateral Sanctions Create Roadblocks For Formerly Convicted Ohioans
By: Foluke Omosun | WKSU
Posted on:
AKRON, Ohio (WKSU) — More than two decades ago, Perry Clark’s substance use led him down a dark path that resulted in a felony conviction for aggravated robbery. He was luckier than many; he had support when he returned home from prison. “I came home, and by the blessing of God I had my mom… Read More

Lawmakers Wrestle with Impact Policies Have on Criminal Justice System
By: Andy Chow | Statehouse News Bureau
Posted on:
AKRON, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — When it comes to reforming Ohio’s criminal justice system, changing the laws tends to start at the state-level. But while lawmakers look at shifting sentencing from prison to treatment, there’s also an urge by officials to increase penalties, resulting in what can be a contrasting approach to reform. Ray… Read More

Advocates Face Challenges In Reforming Ohio’s Sentencing Laws
By: Nahla Bendefaa | WKSU
Posted on:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKSU) — The number of offenses for which someone can be charged with a felony in Ohio has increased more than five-fold since the 1970s. And advocates say criminal sentencing remains uneven and tough to navigate. Ohio’s legislators have been passing bills to help people after they leave prison, but little is being… Read More

Cuyahoga County Gun Court Seeks New Ways To Stop Gun Violence
By: Matt Richmond | ideastream
Posted on:
CLEVELAND, Ohio (ideastream) — Officially, the new docket in Administrative Judge Brendan Sheehan’s Cuyahoga County courtroom is called the violence intervention program. Unofficially, it’s the gun docket. Sheehan got into the details of their lives with several of the program’s participants during recent hearings, asking each: Where are they working? Are they getting their high… Read More

Ohio Chief Justice Convenes Wrongful Conviction Task Force
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court is convening a task force to study the process for dealing with wrongful convictions. Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor says the committee will analyze how Ohio and other states review cases after convictions. O’Connor says the Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Postconviction Review… Read More

3 Months Into New Criminal Justice Law, Success For Some And Snafus For Others
By: Ayesha Rascoe | NPR
Posted on:
While some prisoners are benefiting from reduced sentences under the First Step Act, implementation of other aspects of the law has been hit with delays.