Ohio Supreme Court September 28, 1994, Nos. 86-193, 86-512, 86-642, 86-1130, 86-1499, 86-1597, 87-243, 87-447, 88-1079 and 88-1286 (State v. Steffen)

Moyer, C.J.

The constitutions and courts of our country have established procedural safeguards reflecting our society’s concern for the rights of citizens accused of committing crimes. When those safeguards are used to thwart judgments rendered pursuant to the procedures, it is predictable that citizens will lose confidence in the ability of the criminal justice system to enforce its judgments.