Criminal Law Attorneys in Ohio
A Criminal defense lawyer helps his clients understand how criminal law in Ohio can affect their cases. With a thorough knowledge of criminal statutes and procedures, our featured Criminal Law Attorneys develop defense strategies that weigh many factors, such as whether a plea bargain or a not guilty verdict will have a greater likelihood of delivering favorable resolution to your case. During this process of formulating your defense and responding to the prosecutorial actions, a criminal law attorney maintains open communication with his clients and keeps them informed of all important developments.
Truth-in-sentencing in Ohio
One of the more unique aspects of Ohio criminal law relates to sentencing. In 1996, the Ohio state legislature passed Senate Bill 2, which enacted broad sentencing reform. Senate Bill 2 marked a shift in Ohio sentencing philosophy in favor of truth-in-sentencing. Truth-in-sentencing refers to the idea that, when a person receives a sentence from a judge, a sentence should accurately reflect the amount of time that a convicted person is going to serve. Therefore, truth-in-sentencing advocates are typically in opposition to parole and early releases. Learn more about Ohio criminal laws.
For information about how truth-in-sentencing could affect you, contact Ohio criminal defense lawyer with the QuickJd Legal Portal.
Senate Bill 2
Prior to the passage of Senate Bill 2, judges would issue sentences as ranges (e.g., 5-25 years) and then a parole board would determine the release date in relation to the inmate's behavior. Since Senate Bill 2, the rules governing sentencing are more concrete:
- Control over an offender's sentence is left to the sentencing judge.
- A parole board cannot release people from non-life sentences committed after 1996.
- In almost all circumstances, only a judge can modify a sentence.
- Judges can use discretion in choosing sentences, with respect to sentencing guidelines of the criminal code.
- Some crimes have mandatory prison terms, including murder, rape, repeat felonies, drunk driving assaults and homicides, and various sexual offenses.
When deciding sentences, judges can also consider factors such as the age of victims and whether deadly weapons were used. In the truth-in-sentencing system of Ohio criminal law, judges have greater control over the sentencing process and victims and their families can feel relieved about knowing that a convicted criminal will not be released early. At the same time, the true goal is not for judges to be more powerful, but for the law to be more explicit.
