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Testify is The Marshall Project’s investigation into Cuyahoga County’s Criminal Courts. Learn more here.
A group of more than 30 protestors walk through Cleveland’s downtown, holding posters advocating for bail reform and better conditions at the county jail.
Testify September 11
Six Years of Bail Reform in Cuyahoga County: A Timeline
How public pressure, inhumane jail conditions, and informal agreements reshaped the Cuyahoga County bail system.
By Rachel Dissell and Ilica Mahajan
An illustration shows the back of a Black man looking up at a tall building, the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. In front of the building is a panel of three portraits, representing a roulette of judges.
Testify September 11
Cuyahoga County Judges Vowed to Reform the Bail System. Here’s What Happened.
Court officials informally changed their bail-setting practices for felony cases. Now, fewer people have to pay to get out of jail, a Marshall Project analysis shows.
By Ilica Mahajan and Rachel Dissell
Testify June 28
The Basics of Bail in Ohio
How do people get out of jail while they’re accused of a crime?
By Rachel Dissell, Ilica Mahajan and David Eads
A photo of the Cuyahoga County Justice Center building is overlayed with the underlined word, "Testify".
Testify March 23
What Are the ‘Exit Ramps’ From Incarceration in Cuyahoga County?
Help us report on how well the courts provide people charged with low-level felonies a second chance.
By Alexandra Arriaga
Testify December 27, 2022
Cleveland Courts’ Revolving Door in One Chart
A portrait of Cuyahoga County’s repeat defendants.
By Ilica Mahajan and David Eads
A illustration shows the figure of a person standing in front of a police car with red and blue lights on. Two officers stand in the foreground looking on.
Testify October 26, 2022
Five Things to Know About Cleveland Courts’ Revolving Door
In most cases, people who repeatedly appear before the courts are not committing violent crimes.
By Wesley Lowery and Ilica Mahajan
An illustration shows the figure of a person standing in front of the facade of a court building with columns. There are clouds behind the building facade and the color scheme of the illustration is blue, red, and black.
Testify October 26, 2022
Who’s Really Cycling In and Out of Cleveland’s Courts?
Often miscast as violent criminals, most repeat defendants commit nonviolent crimes borne out of untreated addiction and mental illness, a Marshall Project analysis shows.
By Wesley Lowery and Ilica Mahajan
Testify October 26, 2022
How We Analyzed Cases of People Cycling In and Out of Cleveland’s Courts
The Marshall Project examined tens of thousands of criminal cases in Cuyahoga County.
By Ilica Mahajan and David Eads
Testify June 1, 2022
We’re Answering Your Questions About Cleveland’s Court System
We’re answering questions from the community about Cuyahoga County’s criminal courts, and sharing what we have gathered from the public docket of felony cases.
By Ilica Mahajan, Rachel Dissell and Anna Flagg
Testify January 27, 2022
How We Reported on Voting and Criminal Courts in Cuyahoga County
The Marshall Project spent months analyzing court records and voting patterns to understand who chooses county judges and who experiences the consequences.
By David Eads, Ilica Mahajan and Anna Flagg
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