COLUMBUS – Citing a surge in domestic violence-related homicides in Franklin County over the past year year, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein says his office will begin asking judges for a $500,000 minimum cash bonds for domestic violence offenses involving a firearm or significant bodily injury to the victim.
Domestic violence homicides in Columbus this year have already surpassed the total number that occurred in 2022, Klein said.
Klein has also instructed city prosecutors to request GPS monitoring of offenders during their arraignments, as well as prohibitions on the use of alcohol or drugs, with random drug testing, and weapons possession for the duration of the case.
“We cannot legally hold individuals charged with misdemeanor domestic violence without bond no matter how dangerous they are to their victims, but we can make it harder for these violent offenders to get out and commit further, more lethal acts of violence,” Klein said.
Under current Ohio law, there is no mechanism for judges to hold a person charged with a misdemeanor without bail, no matter the level of threat the person poses to the victim.