Aggregated News
A justice reform bill endorsed by Gov. Ted Strickland and passed by the Senate designed to prevent wrongful convictions also includes a controversial measure to expand the collection of DNA samples to those arrested on felony charges.
Currently, Ohio only takes DNA from people convicted of felonies and violent misdemeanors.
Law enforcement groups support the expansion, saying it gets violent offenders off the street quicker and prevents future crimes.
But others say DNA collection before conviction crosses the line, especially because the bill does not address what happens if a person isn't convicted.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio opposes the measure, saying it poses a "myriad of civil liberty risks" including violating a person's constitutional protections against illegal search and seizure, is ripe for abuse and is an invasion of privacy.
"This is certainly troubling," said ACLU staff lawyer Carrie Davis. "There is no useful purpose of collecting DNA after arrest to avoid wrongful convictions and it poses all kinds of civil risks.
"Collecting DNA from all arrestees is a search and there should be some process, a...
Currently, Ohio only takes DNA from people convicted of felonies and violent misdemeanors.
Law enforcement groups support the expansion, saying it gets violent offenders off the street quicker and prevents future crimes.
But others say DNA collection before conviction crosses the line, especially because the bill does not address what happens if a person isn't convicted.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio opposes the measure, saying it poses a "myriad of civil liberty risks" including violating a person's constitutional protections against illegal search and seizure, is ripe for abuse and is an invasion of privacy.
"This is certainly troubling," said ACLU staff lawyer Carrie Davis. "There is no useful purpose of collecting DNA after arrest to avoid wrongful convictions and it poses all kinds of civil risks.
"Collecting DNA from all arrestees is a search and there should be some process, a...