Overview
Authorized under Sections 181.21 – 181.25 and 181.27 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission brings together judges, prosecuting and defense attorneys, behavioral health professionals, academics, corrections officials, law enforcement, victims’ advocates, community corrections experts, and others with a direct interest in criminal sentencing. Because of its broad and diverse membership the Commission is well positioned to bridge the information gap among criminal justice system partners. The Commission routinely seeks bipartisan, meaningful, forward thinking, informed processes and outcomes through creative solutions – beyond simplification and modernizing the Revised Code – the Commission’s work is to enhance justice and ensure fair sentencing in the State of Ohio.
Enabling Legislation
Ohio Revised Code §§181.21 - 181.25 govern the Sentencing Commission. In 1990, the Governor signed legislation creating a 17-member Commission (S.B. 258). The Commission began meeting in February 1991. In 1992, the General Assembly (G.A.) gave the Commission a year to submit felony recommendations (S.B. 273). In 1993, the G.A. placed the Commission within the Supreme Court (H.B. 152). In 1994, the G.A. expanded the Commission to 24 members with an eye toward adding misdemeanor sentencing expertise (H.B. 21). In 1996, the G.A. instructed the Commission to study criminal forfeiture statutes and to specifically monitor the impact of the new felony laws on local government and appellate courts (S.B. 2). In 1996, as part of a reorganization of boards and commissions, the G.A. formally renamed the Commission the "Sentencing Council" (H.B. 670). Effective in 1997, the G.A. expanded the Commission to 31 members and instructed it to study juvenile dispositions (H.B. 591). In 1998, the G.A. gave the Commission until October, 1999 to submit a plan for juvenile sentencing (H.B. 484). Effective in 2000, the G.A. restored "Sentencing Commission" as the group's formal name (S.B. 107).
§181.21
§181.23
§181.24
§181.25
Vision & Mission
Vision: To enhance justice
Mission: To ensure fair sentencing in the state of Ohio
To fulfill its vision, the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission will develop and recommend sentencing policy to the General Assembly that is designed to:
- Advance public safety
- Realize fairness in sentencing
- Preserve meaningful judicial discretion
- Distinguish the most efficient and effective use of correctional resources
- Provide a meaningful array of sentencing options
The Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission will achieve its mission by:
- Analyzing current adult and juvenile criminal statutes and law in Ohio and other states
- Studying sentencing patterns and outcomes and balancing the needs of criminal sentencing and available correctional resources
- Researching and recommending evidence based approaches to reducing recidivism
- Recommending reasonable and specific criminal justice reforms
The Consensus Process
The Commission uses a consensus decision-making process when considering new proposals, advancing recommendations and in conducting its business.
Roster
