bail reform
Ohio Senate approves emergency measure to codify bail rules
The Ohio Senate has approved a measure codifying court rules that govern how judges set bond. The step comes after a clause in last year’s cash bail amendment eliminated the courts’ ability to set its own rules. Senate President Matt Huffman hinted this may not be the last time lawmakers take a more active hand […]
Supreme Court candidates talk racism, redistricting in ‘faith and freedom’ forum
Democratic candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court spoke on racism in Ohio’s court system, the future of redistricting in the state, and how a constitutional amendment on bail could impact the courts in a recent forum with religious leaders. Justice Jennifer Brunner, candidate for chief justice, attended the forum along with 10th District Court of […]
Facts over fearmongering, and why we need actual bail reform
Summer is in full swing. Are you worried about sharks as you order your ice cream cone? Shark attacks increase alongside ice cream sales, but one does not cause the other. The real variable is summertime weather, which drives us to beaches and ice cream stands. Recognition that this is correlation — not causation — […]
Opponents line up against bail reform as cash bail gets cleared for the ballot
The Ohio House and Senate approved a measure to send a cash bail proposal to the ballot. The resolution, which orders judges to consider public safety when setting the monetary provisions of bail, will come before voters in November as a proposed constitutional amendment. Meanwhile, opponents lined up against a different, wide-ranging bail reform measure […]
I’ve been through our pre-trial systems. They need serious reform.
When I was 19, I was sentenced to 14 months in prison for trafficking prescription drugs. I had been homeless for three years; I had dropped out of high school, gotten addicted, and been arrested multiple times. I’m now the founder and CEO of a multi-million dollar company. I started Honest Jobs to help bridge […]
House leaders press pause on cash bail provisions
A proposal directing judges to consider public safety when setting cash bail is in limbo after House leaders backtracked on holding a floor vote. The provisions — one statutory and one meant for the ballot — faltered because some Republican members want to see a broader bail reform measure pass alongside them. “There was discussion […]
House committee approves ‘public safety’ measures that could expand cash bail in Ohio
The House criminal justice committee passed two measures Wednesday that could lead to a greater reliance on cash bail. Meanwhile, lawmakers amended a different bail reform measure to set explicit limits on the calculation of cash bail. Although the proposals appear to be at cross-purposes, advocates are hoping the two could work together. The proposals […]
‘Public safety’ measures that could expand cash bail racing through House
Legislation meant to reverse a state supreme court decision on how judges set bail is progressing rapidly in the Ohio House. The measures could make their way to the floor this week, despite being introduced just 10 days ago. The plan would direct judges to weigh public safety when determining the dollar value for bail. […]
Lawmakers roll out proposed constitutional amendment that could increase cash bail
Ohio Republicans may be lining up behind a constitutional amendment requiring judges to consider public safety when setting the amount of bail. The proposal is going before lawmakers as a joint resolution backed by Reps. Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Township, and D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, in the House and Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Huron, in the Senate. They […]
Bail reform would make Ohio healthier and safer
For years Ohioans have watched states from Kentucky to New Jersey to Colorado and many in between pass legislation to modernize their bail systems. While public conversation and stakeholder interest has been high, Ohio hasn’t crossed the finish line. But that doesn’t mean we can’t, and it’s time to remember what bail reform would actually do […]
Ohio’s cash bail rules create imbalance in equity and justice
‘Innocent until proven guilty’ is one the central tenets of this country’s legal and criminal justice systems, but this isn’t the reality for everyone. Two-thirds of the jail population, and a quarter of the incarcerated population, in the U.S. are pretrial detainees, or people who haven’t been convicted of a crime. The high number of […]
We need cash bail reform to help fix the broken justice system in Ohio
“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” I remember the first time I watched the Wizard of Oz. I was fascinated by the storytelling, mesmerized by the bright colors and exciting action, and terrified of “The Great and Powerful Oz.” That is until Toto, Dorothy’s adorable and fearless dog pulls back the curtain […]