While there is still much focus in Columbus on the budget, some Ohio lawmakers are also taking a serious look at criminal sentencing reform. Statehouse reporter Andy Chow has more.
The House just passed a bill that revamps the felony sentencing process which currently calls for a presentence investigation that can take three to six weeks and cost up to $800.
Democratic Representative Greta Johnson of Akron says these presentence investigations can sometimes be a waste of time and resources. Her bill would allow people to skip this investigation.
"It basically says the defendant and the prosecutor agree that this defendant needs to be put on community control and needs these services the judge can place that defendant on community control that day," Johnson said.
Republican Representative and former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bob Cupp of Lima, is a co-sponsor of the bill. He says he'd like to continue simplifying the sentencing process.