Currently holds the office of Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney until December 31, 2024.
Candidate for Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney in 2020 Ohio General Election.
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Get StartedGary is committed to addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system by promoting greater cooperation amongst all involved parties and ensuring recurring implicit bias training is conducted within the office. Learn more
Gary wants to train prosecutors to understand the effects of mental illness to ensure proper measures are taken to encourage treatment in lieu of incarceration, where appropriate, and to create a community-based crisis stabilization center. Additionally, he wants to have a social worker on staff at arraignment hearings to help those suffering from mental health issues navigate the process. For those who are incarcerated, he wants to see that they are provided with appropriate mental health services upon their release so they receive the treatment they need. Learn more
Incarceration costs have dramatically increased over the years. Gary wants to consider the costs of incarceration on taxpayers when it comes to non-violent, low-level offenders. Tax dollars saved through this plan would be re-invested in crime prevention in order to keep our communities safe, and also to provide more social services to enhance public safety. Learn more
Although Franklin County has a drug court, it needs to be expanded so that it can process more cases and ensure that we are giving people the option to seek treatment instead of ending up with a criminal record. Gary wants to ensure the drug courts are properly staffed and funded to achieve the best success rates possible. Learn more
Gary believes cases will be resolved with more certainty, and in a more expeditious manner, without the death penalty being a first choice. He will always personally decide what should be submitted to the grand jury in murder cases, and which, if any, indictments should include the death penalty as an option. Learn more
Gary believes that utilizing diversion programs will help get young people on a path for a brighter future and a productive adulthood. In addition to having social workers on hand who are trained in juvenile psychology, he will also ensure their trauma is taken into account when considering charges, plea bargains, and sentencing, as well as make sure the records of juveniles are kept confidential. Learn more
The laws have changed over the years, and it is time our criminal justice system retroactively works with those who have been convicted of non-violent, low-level drug offenses in the past so they can move forward to a brighter future with fewer obstacles. For example, if someone was charged with a felony 15 years ago for marijuana possession, but they would not receive the same charge today, that part of their record should be expunged. Learn more
This increases the financial burden on taxpayers due to the cost of incarceration for people without the means to make bail. Making sure bail for low-level, non-violent offenders is equitable and reasonable will not only ease the burden on our overcrowded jails, but will also save taxpayer dollars. Learn more
Those suffering from addiction should not fear prosecution if they call for medical aid. The friends and family of those suffering from addiction similarly should not fear their loved one will be prosecuted should they have to call for help. In lieu of criminalizing addiction, Gary will advocate for treatment. Learn more
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