Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) is sponsoring a forum on pretrial justice on Oct. 9 at 7:00 pm at Antioch Baptist Church (8869 Cedar Ave., Cleveland) to address the injustice of people sitting in jail for extended periods of time prior to being convicted of anything and sometimes before they even appear before a judge to have a bond set.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6.8
Municipal Judge candidates and other public officials will be in attendance. GCC needs help from its member organizations to get 400 people in attendance for this forum. If you would like to learn more about this effort, or are interested in carpooling to the event, please reach out to Jim Slagle or the church office.
THE ISSUE:
Greater Cleveland Congregations has set a goal to establish an effective centralized booking system for our justice system so those arrested for criminal offenses can be treated fairly — moved more quickly before a judge, released (when appropriate), or have a reasonable bond established.
Local officials have discussed the need for a centralized booking process for over twenty years. Unfortunately, very little progress has been made.
In 2018, the Cuyahoga County Bail Task Force issued a series of recommendations.
- Their first recommendation was for a centralized bail hearing process. A recent agreement was made with the county and City of Cleveland to address this issue. History shows that agreements can be made but not always progress.
- In Cuyahoga County there are 13 different Municipal Court jurisdictions and 63 different arresting agencies. This leads to significant inconsistency in how decisions regarding bonds are made.
- Suspects often sit in jail for days before ever seeing a judge. Many are arrested and held in jail in cases in which there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. In 2024, roughly one of every seven people arrested by the Cleveland Police Department and held in jail were eventually released without ever being charged with a crime. That’s 1016 people!
We want a safe Cuyahoga County. We do not condone crime. We want justice served and we stand with victims. Research shows those who wait longer than 3 days in jail can lose everything: their jobs, housing and even their children. This does not make Cuyahoga County safer!
On October 9th our goal is to bring forth Cleveland Municipal Court Candidates to hear how they see this issue,the goals for their candidacy, and what can be done to ensure justice for all!
INVITED
The 8 Cleveland Municipal Court Judicial Candidates (6 confirmed, 1 declined, 1 pending) are invited:
- In Son Loving (confirmed)
- Heather McCollough (confirmed)
- T.J. Dow (confirmed)
- Khalilah Lawson (confirmed)
- Brett Horton (confirmed)
- Nikki McGowan (confirmed)
- Christopher Woodsworth (declined)
- Joseph Russo (pending).
Why This Action Matters — And Why You Should Be There
The Cleveland Municipal Court handles more than just city matters. It shapes the futures of real people across our region. This forum is your chance to meet the candidates running for a seat on this powerful court. We can raise a collective voice for justice, fairness, and accountability. Whether you live in Cleveland or not, your presence matters.
Here’s Why:
- Justice Has No ZIP Code. The Cleveland Municipal Court impacts anyone charged with a crime in the county, no matter where
they live. If you or someone you love travels, works, or spends time in Cleveland, these judges could shape your fate. - Cleveland Is Our Regional Heart. Our schools, jobs, hospitals, and opportunities are all connected to the strength of Cleveland. When
Cleveland thrives, our whole region thrives. When its justice system fails, we all feel the consequences. - We Are Called to Care. As people of faith and conscience, we believe in standing with those who are suffering—especially
those trapped in cycles of poverty, violence, or injustice. This court sees thousands of those stories each year. - Let’s Pack the House. Let’s Be Heard!