In Ohio, an eligible offender can be released from prison prior to the expiration of a sentence by filing for Judicial Release. When filing for Judicial Release, judges consider multiple factors including the offender's prison record, programs completed while incarcerated, whether or not the offender had or has a job, the offender's security level, letters of support from friends and family, the offender's plans for housing and employment upon release, the offender's dedication to rehabilitation, and being a productive member of society.

An offender cannot earn time towards his Judicial Release until all mandatory time has been served first.

If an offender has been sentenced to less than two years, Judicial Release can be filed any time after arriving at the correctional institution. If an offender has been sentenced to at least two years but less than five years, Judicial Release can be filed one hundred eighty days after arriving at the correctional institution. If an offender has been sentenced to five years, Judicial Release can be filed four years after arriving at the correctional institution. If an offender has been sentenced to more than five years but less than ten years, Judicial Release can be filed five years after arriving at the correctional institution. If an offender has been sentenced to more than ten years, Judicial Release can be filed after half of the sentence has been served.

JUDICIAL RELEASE FILING DATE TABLE
Sentence	Eligible for Judicial Release After Completion of Non-Mandatory Sentence
<2 years	Any Time
>2 years but <5 years	180 days
=5 years	4 years
>5 years but <10 years	5 years
>10 years	Half of Sentence

Fogt Law Can Help

Fogt Law has been successful in having clients judicial released. It is an exciting and great feeling to help clients and see them reunite with their families. Filing for Judicial Release requires gathering all pertinent information on and for the client. It is important to get to know the client and their family in order to submit a detailed and thorough Judicial Release for the client. We are here to help you put this chapter behind you and give you a fresh start!