Marais Jacon-Duffy

Written by OJPC Volunteer Lily Meyer The attorney Mark Vander Laan, who serves as the Ohio Justice & Policy Center’s Litigation Director, is not the firebrand I expected to meet. His demeanor is calm and thoughtful; he is a considered talker, given to weighing and contextualizing each idea as he shapes it. Listening to him describe […]

The Ohio Justice & Policy Center’s recommendations to minimize the scale and spread of the new coronavirus in our criminal legal system Ohio’s leaders took swift action to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Large gatherings are prohibited, bars and restaurants are closed, and many of us are working from home (including the OJPC […]

The Ohio Justice & Policy Center has closed its office to walk-ins and has asked all staff to work from home for the rest of the month due to concerns over COVID-19 and guidelines set forth by city and state officials. All free legal clinics in March are also canceled, but you can see our […]

Originally published March 4, 2020 The death penalty is a failed public policy. The Ohio Justice & Policy Center is eager for the advancement of a new, bipartisan Ohio Senate bill that would end the practice of executions in our state. State Sen. Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) announced the bill Wednesday morning, but said it […]

(Already ordered your ticket and can’t find your confirmation email? Search your promotional or junk folder.) Join OJPC at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2020, for a timely discussion on race and justice with Dr. Yusef Salaam. Dr. Salaam is an award-winning motivational and transformational speaker, activist, father, writer, poet and author of Words of […]

As we dive into a new year, here is an update on criminal-legal legislation at the Ohio Statehouse Compilation and analysis by OJPC’s Policy Director, Kevin Werner Senate Bills Pending: Senate Bill 3 (Eklund-R, O’Brien-D) Express intent to reform drug sentencing laws. S.B. 3 had its 10th hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Dec. 17. This bill is a direct result […]

It’s not like “Taken.” Human trafficking often involves much more than a dramatic abduction.

Harvard Law graduate Michael Zuckerman could have taken a job anywhere after he completed his clerkship at the U.S. Supreme Court. So why did he choose to come to OJPC? I’m thrilled to return to OJPC as a Skadden Fellow after interning here during my first summer in law school. Ever since my time here […]

On Thursday, Angelo Robinson walked out of an Ohio jail. Mr. Robinson, 43, had spent more than half of his life behind bars and, until quite recently, he had no reason to believe he would get out anytime soon. Read the rest of Campbell Robinson’s story on OJPC client Angelo Robinson here.

Hunter, a survivor of domestic violence, was awarded clemency by Gov. John Kasich. On July 15, 2019, Thomia “Mia” Hunter was walked out of the Ohio Reformatory for Women. She was incarcerated for 15 years. “Thank you,” Mia said, moments after walking out of the prison. “This is a miracle from God.” Mia was greeted […]