Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine not too long ago signed a large legal justice reform invoice, a testomony to the work of activists proposing laws for the reason that Black Lives Matter Motion. Not included in that reform package deal, nevertheless, was the repeal of a regulation that incarcerates tons of of individuals: Weapons Beneath Incapacity.
This regulation criminalizes possessing a gun whereas beneath indictment for violent crimes and/or drug offenses. Even when a defendant is discovered harmless of the unique felony cost, they may very well be incarcerated for possessing an in any other case lawful firearm whereas pending adjudication. Weapons Beneath Incapacity strips the proper to legally receive a firearm with out due course of: that proper is stolen the minute a prosecutor recordsdata a cost.
Due course of is the principle of our legal justice system. When somebody is accused of against the law, they’re presumed harmless till confirmed responsible. This presumption of innocence protects defendants’ liberty till a jury determines that liberty is a security threat − till due course of is adopted. However, what occurs when due course of isn’t revered? What occurs when that constitutional disrespect cuts throughout racial strains? Our jails needlessly swell and our communities are left damaged.
