Bill > HB557

This bill amends section 2929.20 of the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit courts from denying judicial release (a form of early release from prison) solely based on the classification of an offense. Specifically, the bill adds language to ensure that when considering judicial release for an eligible offender or a state of emergency-qualifying offender, a court cannot automatically reject a release request just because the original offense is classified at a certain felony level (first, second, third, fourth, or fifth degree). The bill defines "classification of the offense" and includes this prohibition in two key sections of the judicial release process: one for general eligible offenders and another for recommendations from the director of rehabilitation and correction. This change aims to provide more flexibility in judicial release decisions by requiring courts to consider individual circumstances beyond just the offense's classification. The bill maintains other existing criteria for judicial release, such as considering the offender's conduct, rehabilitation efforts, and potential risk to public safety, while removing the automatic disqualification based solely on offense severity.

Justice

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb557