California is considering new protection for domestic violence when the abuser goes out of prison – Calmatters

For many casualties of domestic violence in California, the danger does not end when their abuser is sentenced to prison. Instead, she becomes a waiting game until the attacker is released.

The sports of the Assembly James Ramos, a Democrat from San Bernardino, wants California to create a six -month safety network for survivors by issuing temporary protective orders that restrict contact during this critical window.

His proposal, a bill of the Assembly 285, aims to end the difference between the time when the defendant and the victim is released, provides a constant restraining order.

“By issuing a criminal defense order, we guarantee that after the release of the offender, they cannot receive contact with those who are victims,” ​​Ramos said. “This is especially important when it comes to missing and killed root persons, as many of these cases stem from domestic violence.”

Last year, Ramos adopted a connected bill, AB 2695, which requires the State Department of Justice to track criminal incidents related to missing and killed indigenous people, and to record whether the incidents of domestic violence were held on tribal land. California tribes insist on an emergency declaration to help deal with the high percentage of unresolved cases that often come from domestic violence.

Currently in California, restrictive orders may expire before someone is convicted of domestic violence, leaving the victims rolling.

“Survivors often live in fear of failing to face prison and potential contact with the offender,” said San Bernardino District Prosecutor Jason Anderson, sponsor of the bill.

Ramos’s bill will require a six -month restraining order to enter into force before the abuse of the abuser. Proponents hope that this will give the survivors to receive permanent defense orders, said Riverside District Prosecutor Mike Hestrin, who is also a sponsor of the bill.

According to a temporary order, a judge could prohibit communication with a victim, prevent the defendant from annoying, harasses, threatens or harms the victim and order the law enforcement agencies to secure the protection of the victims and family members, the bill said.

Susanna Barnet, CEO of Home Morongo Basin Unity Home, a non -profit purpose that serves people who have experienced domestic violence in the Yuka Valley, said it was a real concern for its customers.

“When the abuser is released, he or she may be angry because they have been put in prison or prison,” Barnet said. “They feel that it is the victim’s fault that they have called the police or placed a restraining order on them. It is very common. “

When the abusers return, she said, “It’s worse … They think they have lost that control, so they escalate to physical violence.”

She said the judges sometimes refused restrictive orders when the defendant was in prison for a long time and no new crimes had occurred.

“If nothing has happened, they will not issue a restrictive order, which is something like an oxymoron because we want these people to be safe,” Barnet said.