Johnson eyes efficiency, cost-savings with bipartisan sentencing reform

State Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) today applauded the House Judiciary panel’s passage of House Bill 123, the lawmaker’s bipartisan bill to eliminate some costly pre-sentence investigation reports (PSI) in an effort to clean up Ohio’s judicial system.

“This legislation benefits taxpayers and connects offenders with immediate access to the treatment and services they so desperately need,” said Rep. Johnson. “We have a real shot at saving hundreds of dollars per case in administrative costs while increasing community safety and overall efficiency of the judicial system. I am pleased that the Ohio Supreme Court and the House of Representatives recognize this as an unnecessary burden on local communities and their dwindling funds.”

The bill grants courts the ability to impose a community control sentence, such as a term in a halfway house or probation, as long as all parties feel it to be the best outcome. Now that the bill has passed out of committee, Rep. Johnson and other colleagues are urging it to be brought to the House floor for passage.

House Bill 123 is jointly-sponsored by former Ohio Supreme Court Justice and current State Rep. Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and has garnered the support  of numerous organizations in the legal community.