Ohio high court says cash-only bonds unconstitutional News
Ohio high court says cash-only bonds unconstitutional

[JURIST] The Ohio Supreme Court [official website] has ruled that it is unconstitutional for judges to require cash-only bonds pending trial. In a 4-3 ruling [PDF opinion] Wednesday, the court said that a 1993 decision that said that Ohio defendants can meet bond requirements by cash deposit, pledges of property or securities, or by bail bond was not changed by a 1998 state constitutional amendment that allows courts to deny bail to defendants jailed for felonies when they pose a risk of serious physical harm. The ruling could affect thousands of criminal defendants across the state. AP has more. Thursday's Cincinnati Enquirer has local coverage.