On November 15, Professor Jonathan Witmer-Rich testified at a public hearing of the Ohio House of Representatives Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Criminal Sentencing.  The hearing, held at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, featured various criminal law experts, including Professor Witmer-Rich.  The hearing addressed ways the legislature can protect the public, make laws less complicated, reform prisons and assist rehabilitated offenders who are looking for a second chance.

Professor Witmer-Rich testified in favor of abolishing the marital rape exemption under Ohio law.  In addition, he addressed the issue of collateral consequences of criminal convictions, which restrict where ex-offenders can live and what jobs they can hold, among other issues.  He urged the Subcommittee to dramatically reduce the number of collateral consequences to enable rehabilitated offenders to get  second change to succeed.

The Criminal Justice Subcommittee is co-chaired by Representative Diane Grendell and Representative Tavia Galonski.