Senate Passes Legislation Protecting Domestic Violence Victims In The Courtroom

SENATE PASSES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGISLATION

State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, Brooklyn) today joined his colleagues in the New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.4875), sponsored by Senator Cathy Young (R-C-I, Olean) that would allow victims of alleged domestic violence to testify in court via closed-circuit television.

Senator Marty Golden stated, "Violent abusers can terrify and intimidate their victims during court proceedings. To break the cycle of abuse, victims should be in a non-threatening environment when giving testimony. They shouldn’t be stared down by someone who has physically and emotionally tortured them. Closed circuit testimony will help ensure that justice will be served."

"Many times, victims of violent crimes are victimized twice -- once by the actual crime, and again when they have to face their attacker in court in order to testify," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. " This bill will give vulnerable witnesses a means to come forward and testify without the fear and trauma of having to come face-to-face with their attacker in the courtroom."

This bill (S.4875) amends the current law to include victims of domestic violence as a vulnerable person who may testify in a criminal proceeding via closed-circuit television.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.