Ohio judge adds getting vaccinated as a term for probation

Judge Richard Frye said that he added getting the jab as a condition on three of the approximately 20 sentences he imposed last week.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that while Frey was discussing the subject with defendants in court, he was told they were not vaccinated due to procrastination, and not philosophical, medical or religious reasons.

"It occurred to me that at least some of these folks need to be encouraged not to procrastinate," said Frye. "I think it’s a reasonable condition when we’re telling people to get employed and be out in the community."

When asked about potential objections from a defendant over medical, religious or philosophical issues, Frye "declined to speculate."

While there isn't word on other judges doing the same practice, concern has been brought up by ACLU lobbyist Gary Daniels.

He said in an interview that the Frey's practice "doesn’t have any real relationship to community control." He added. "At a minimum, it appears to be problematic."

Currently, less than 48% of Ohioans have received at least one dose of an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine.