‘Tough on crime’ Republicans want voters to change Ohio Constitution on bail rules – By Laura A. Bischoff (The Columbus Dispatch) / March 30, 2022
Unhappy with a recent ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters and other tough-on-crime Republicans want to change the state constitution to make it easier to keep people behind bars until trial or plea deals.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which could be placed on the November ballot, says that when setting bail amounts, courts must consider public safety, a person’s criminal record, the likelihood the defendant will show up for court and the seriousness of the offense.
“The whole goal here is to make Ohio more safe. That’s the bottom line,” said Deters in a press conference Tuesday.
“Victims deserve to know they’re going to be safe from the criminals who have abused them,” said state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green.
