Topeka, Kansas City Council Considers Decriminalizing Domestic Violence To Save Money

[ensho]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/10/06/338461/topeka-kansas-city-council-considers-decriminalizing-domestic-violence-to-save-money/


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But perhaps the most shocking idea to save money is being debated right now by the City Council of Topeka, Kansas. The city could repeal an ordinance banning domestic violence because some say the cost of prosecuting those cases is just too high:

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Here’s what happened: Last month, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office, facing a 10% budget cut, announced that the county would no longer be prosecuting misdemeanors, including domestic violence cases, at the county level. Finding those cases suddenly dumped on the city and lacking resources of their own, the Topeka City Council is now considering repealing the part of the city code that bans domestic battery. <...>

Since the county stopped prosecuting the crimes on September 8th, it has turned back 30 domestic violence cases. Sixteen people have been arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery and then released from the county jail after charges weren’t filed. “Letting abusive partners out of jail with no consequences puts victims in incredibly dangerous positions,” said Becky Dickinson of the YWCA. “The abuser will often become more violent in an attempt to regain control.”

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Domestic violence is still at epidemic levels in the United States, and too few cases are prosecuted as it is. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence. And domestic abuse is a crime that damages entire communities, not just women. Witnessing violence between one’s parents is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next: boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partner when they grow up.

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more proof we have become a for shit country

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. Well, with the current thinking: if you get beat up it's your own fault

You shouldn't have lived with the guy in the first place. You made your bed so lay in it.

If you get raped it's your fault. It had to be that your skirt was too short. You asked for it so tough.

We are going back 50 years in our thinking.

[msongs]

2. gee I wonder what religion these MALE politicans belong to? nt

[ensho]

4. good question - shall we lay bets?

nt

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R

[Ship of Fools]

5. HOLY SHIT.

Now I'm completely through with this state. I WANT OUT!!!

How about decriminalizing marijuana instead, JACKASSES????????????

[hfojvt]

6. old news

and I stil wonder if there is a difference between "domestic violence" and "misdemeanor domestic violence", because I would think that assault and battery would still be assault and battery. But, as I understand it, in Wisconsin and Iowa, when the police get called to a domestic disturbance, they are required to arrest somebody, even if no other law has been violated (other than the ever-present "disturbing the peace"). That charge is perhaps "misdemeanor domestic violence".

Certainly more serious domestic violence can still be prosecuted as such - more than a misdemeanor.

Also, I would not consider "being arrested and spending a night in the county jail" the same thing as "no consequences". According to Wall Street protestors, that process itself is not a lot of fun.

Curious though, because misdemeanors are usually seen as a source of revenue. The guilty party pays a fine (or perhaps does community service). Apparently brings in less revenue than the cost of judges and DAs time.

But if Topeka wants to save money, they could stop harrassing people like me who drive there in February and leave their dogs in the car.