Ohio Justice & Policy Center (OJPC) - Cincinnati, OH

Zealous Legal Advocacy and Second Chances Across Ohio

The criminal legal system frequently punishes individuals long after their sentences have concluded. Founded in 1997 by civil rights attorney Alphonse Gerhardstein, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC) is a non-profit law firm committed to creating fair, redemptive justice systems. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OJPC provides pro-bono legal counsel to incarcerated people, returning citizens, and justice-impacted families. If you need to find a lawyer who fights for rehabilitation and human dignity, OJPC provides transformative legal aid.

The Second Chance Project: Record Sealing and Expungement

A past criminal record can create insurmountable collateral sanctions, blocking access to steady employment, safe housing, higher education, and professional licensing. Our dedicated criminal defense lawyers and legal advocates help Ohioans clear their records and reintegrate into their communities.

• Record Sealing and Expungement: We guide eligible individuals through Ohio's expanded expungement procedures, preparing petitions to seal eligible felony and misdemeanor convictions.
• Certificates of Qualification for Employment: We petition courts for CQE relief, removing mandatory administrative bans so qualified applicants can pursue licensed careers.
• Governor's Expedited Pardon Project: As a key partner in Ohio's pardon initiative, OJPC assists rehabilitated citizens in applying for formal executive pardons from the governor.

Beyond Guilt: Compassionate Post-Conviction Defense

While traditional innocence projects focus exclusively on wrongfully convicted individuals, OJPC's landmark Beyond Guilt project does for rehabilitated prisoners who admitted guilt what innocence organizations do for the exonerated. Many individuals in Ohio correctional facilities are serving excessive, outdated sentences despite profound personal rehabilitation and growth.

• Judicial Release and Clemency: Our staff attorneys represent over-punished incarcerated individuals seeking early judicial release, executive clemency, or sentence commutations.
• Parole Board Advocacy: Providing comprehensive representation before the Ohio Parole Board, helping eligible candidates present compelling evidence of rehabilitation and reentry plans.
• Reentry Planning: Partnering with community organizations to ensure clients released through Beyond Guilt have access to stable housing, mentorship, and social support.

Human Rights in Prison: Protecting Constitutional Dignity

Incarcerated individuals do not forfeit their constitutional rights at the prison gates. When facilities fail to uphold safety standards and medical decency, prisoners urgently need a lawyer to demand accountability. OJPC litigates civil rights lawsuits to challenge abusive practices, fight prolonged solitary confinement, and secure essential medical care for incarcerated Ohioans.

Trauma-Informed Legal Support: The Her Voice Initiative

Women in the criminal justice system face unique pathways to incarceration, often rooted in survivor trauma, domestic abuse, human trafficking, and economic vulnerability. OJPC's Her Voice program delivers trauma-informed legal services specifically tailored to justice-impacted women and girls, addressing domestic violence trauma while advocating for alternatives to incarceration.

Every person deserves dignity after their conviction and true freedom after their sentence. Through direct legal representation, statewide educational clinics, and landmark policy advocacy, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center ensures that no one is written off. Whether you seek to consult an attorney regarding record sealing or need assistance navigating post-conviction relief, contact OJPC's Cincinnati headquarters to learn how our free legal initiatives can help you rebuild your future.