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Rachel Dissell is a Cleveland-based journalist with more than two decades of experience reporting on the justice system. She is a two-time winner of the Dart Award for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma.
Email rdissell@themarshallproject.org
Twitter @RachelDissell
An illustration shows, from left: The silhouettes of three people against a blue background with the word "Ohio" layered over the bottom of the silhouettes; a gavel in black; a pale blue shape of a donkey symbolizing Democrats; a simplified indication of barbed wire in the shape of four upside-down "v"s; a keyhole over a map of Ohio in marigold yellow; and a pale pink shape of an elephant symbolizing Republicans against a coral-colored background in the bottom-right section of the illustration.
Cleveland October 24
Election Views From Behind Bars in Ohio: Divided Just Like the Rest of U.S.
We asked nearly 3,000 people living in prison and jail for their thoughts on the presidential race pitting Harris against Trump and his 34 felonies.
By and
Cleveland October 8
Meet the Candidates Running for Judge in Cuyahoga County’s General Election
What voters need to know about the judicial candidates on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
By The Marshall Project
A collage illustration shows photos of a meeting room full of people, a man in a suit, the exterior of a building that reads “Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center,” and a close-up image of people sitting, one taking notes. Excerpts of various documents are layered throughout the collage. One reads, “I am available, interested, and qualified to serve as assigned counsel in the following case type(s):” and another reads: “Optional delinquency qualification worksheets: The following sections are provided as a convenience to assist you in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications established in O.A.C. 120-1-10 for appointment to various levels of delinquency cases. You are not required to submit these sections with your application.”
Cleveland September 12
Not ‘Mini-Adult Court’: Lawyers Lacking Qualifications Defended 1,200 Cuyahoga County Kids
Juvenile Court judges will now track qualifications, but insist the state system creates barriers keeping experienced attorneys from defending kids.
By and
A diptych photo shows Judge Jennifer O'Malley, left, a White woman, and Judge Thomas F. O'Malley, right, a White man, in judge's robes and seated in a courtroom.
Cleveland March 22
For a Handful of Lawyers in Cuyahoga County, Juvenile Cases Are Big Business
Judges steered two-thirds of cases involving kids accused of crimes to just 10 lawyers in one year, according to a Marshall Project - Cleveland analysis.
By and
An illustration with a dark purple background shows a person with dark hair and purple skin tone standing on top of a large representation of an HIV test. A spotlight focusing on the person and the test beams from the state of Ohio, in red.
Cleveland March 13
Ohio Is Among 34 States That Criminalize People Living With HIV. Who Gets Prosecuted?
Cuyahoga County prosecutes the most people under laws with heightened penalties.
By , The Marshall Project, and Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame
An illustration with a dark purple background featuring a map of Ohio shows a Black man with handcuffs and an orange jail jumpsuit turned toward an older, White male judge. On the left of the image is a representation of an HIV test.
Cleveland March 13
He’s in an Ohio Prison for Exposing Someone to HIV - Even Though He Couldn’t Transmit the Virus
Ohio has six laws that criminalize living with HIV, leading to at least 200 prosecutions in recent years.
By Ken Schneck, The Buckeye Flame, and , The Marshall Project
Cleveland March 5
Have Questions About Cleveland Elections? We Have Answers
We cover everything from evolving voting laws to navigating our court system.
By The Marshall Project and Signal Cleveland
Testify February 8
What Happens During Cuyahoga County’s Criminal Arraignment Process?
An explainer on the felony arraignment process in Cuyahoga County.
By and
Illustration of a courtroom scene. Standing before a judge, with their backs to the viewer, are a man in a suit and a juvenile in an orange jumpsuit.
Cleveland January 11
How Cuyahoga County Picks Attorneys to Represent Children
Ohio sets rules for fairly appointing attorneys and the qualifications they must meet to be paid.
By and , The Marshall Project and Stephanie Casanova, Signal Cleveland
Cleveland November 16, 2023
In Ohio, Losing Your License Is Easy. Getting It Back Is Complicated.
Here’s everything you need to know about the time-consuming — and expensive — process.
By , The Marshall Project, and Kellie Morris, Cleveland Documenters
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