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December 24, 2006
Ohio sentencing stories at the heart of it all
For two decades, the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism has used the slogan, "Ohio, The Heart of It All" to promote the state. Two articles today on Buckeye state sentencing developments shows how true this slogan is:
- This article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer provides an effective overview of the recent chaotic rulings in the lawsuit challenging Ohio's lethal-injection protocol.
- This article from the Columbus Dispatch provides an effective overview of recently passed legislation through which the "Ohio legislature dropped the hammer on sex offenders."
Lethal injection litigation and new "get-tougher" sex legislation essentially defines the major sentencing developments of 2006. At least in the arena of sentencing, Ohio truly is at the heart of it all.
December 24, 2006 at 04:48 PM | Permalink
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» Sex Offender Law in Ohio from Sex Crimes
As soon as the governor signs off, a new array of sex offender penalties and restrictions will go into effect in Ohio:Lawmakers weary of stories about abuse of children, often by repeat offenders, acted in a number of areas. While [Read More]
Tracked on Dec 31, 2006 5:29:34 PM
Comments
The part about corroborating evidence here bothers me.
"Require a mandatory oneyear prison term for gross sexual imposition involving a victim younger than 13, if the perpetrator has a past offense or there is corroborating evidence to prove the case."
I don't think a person who is 50% likely to be guilty should get half the sentence. If the word of a child is good enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, then it's good enough to impose a one year sentence. And if it's not good for a mandatory sentence, is it really good enough for a conviction? (This echoes my dislike for the way the death penalty is administered -- if we think the guy might be innocent, the solution is to set him free, not send him to prison for life.)
I also don't care for the mandatory life sentence with a special process to decrease the odds of parole.
Posted by: John Carr | Dec 24, 2006 6:57:02 PM
