New York State Senate passes bill to protect domestic violence victims

The New York State Senate today passed legislation that gives
judges the ability to consider well-established risk factors in determining
bail or recognizance in domestic violence cases so that a victim and their
family can be further protected from an assailant.

       The bill (S.1414A), sponsored by Senator Stephen Saland (R-I-C,
Poughkeepsie), would allow the history of violence or threats of violence,
prior orders of protection, and the accused’s access to guns to be
considered by a judge, potentially affecting their release conditions and
sparing many victims and their children additional harm or even death.

     “While we have clearly made progress in strengthening our laws
pertaining to domestic violence, more needs to be done,” stated Senator
Saland. “One of the important measures needed to afford greater protection
to victims requires New York to modify its bail system to recognize the
unique nature of domestic violence cases.  My bill accomplishes that.  As
the former Chair of the Children and Families Committee, during which I
passed the Family Protection and Domestic Violence Intervention Act, and as
current Chair of the Senate Codes Committee, domestic violence issues have
been and remain a priority.”

       “Victims of domestic violence should be able to rely on the courts
for protection from their assailant, but our current laws do not go far
enough to ensure that they are protected from a dangerous abuser awaiting
trial,” Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said. “This potentially
life-saving bill would enable judges to evaluate all the risks posed by the
release of an abuser so that an appropriate determination about release
conditions can be made.”

       New York State has been a leader in addressing domestic violence by
passing many progressive laws over the past few decades. However, New
York’s bail provisions have not been updated to take into account the
unique nature of domestic violence offenses. As a result, perpetrators of
domestic violence offenses are often set free on low or no bail, providing
an opportunity to stalk, harm and sometimes kill their victims.

       In December 2002, a perpetrator of domestic violence was released
on $1,500 bail by a city judge in Westchester County after an attempted
assault with a gun on his former girlfriend. Within days after his release
on bail, the perpetrator shot his former girlfriend in the head and killed
himself. As recently as July 2010, a similar tragic incident occurred in
Dutchess County when the perpetrator killed his wife before turning the gun
on himself. This incident occurred only days after his release on bail,
following one month in jail stemming from an incident of domestic violence.
These and many other cases demonstrate that it is essential that the judge
determining recognizance or bail consider factors that indicate a risk of
harm to the victim-witness.

       This bill recognizes the high rate of recidivism in domestic
violence cases. It requires judges to consider specific factors including
prior acts of violence or threats of violence, prior orders of protection,
prior arrests or convictions for offenses against family or household
members, prior violations of orders of protection, and access to firearms
or a history of firearm use.

       The bill will be sent to the Assembly.