COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bill in Ohio that prevents judges from considering a defendant’s remorse when they enter an Alford plea when it comes to deciding their sentence has passed the state Legislature and is now awaiting Governor Mike DeWine’s approval.
An Alford plea is a guilty plea in which the defendant maintains their innocence but admits there is enough evidence against them to convict them of the crime. It is still a conviction, however, but is often used to avoid sentences that would be much harsher.
HB 234, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by state Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) and Elgin Rogers Jr. (D-Toledo), was passed by the Ohio Senate on Dec. 4 and the Ohio House in May…