Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Domestic violence bills pass first hurdle

Senator Will Longwitz issued the following statement after two bills on domestic violence passed. Just remember, folks, you can beat your wife and get half the fine you can get if you beat your dog.

Domestic Violence Prevention Bill Passes Senate Committee;
Would Make Felony Domestic Violence Prosecution Easier, Keep Victims Safe


JACKSON - The Mississippi Senate Judiciary Committee "B"  today passed a bill to improve the procedure for prosecuting cases of felony domestic abuse.

"I am grateful to the committee members and to Chairman Bryan for their support.  I hope my Senate colleagues will agree with me that we should pass this law to give law enforcement another tool to keep abuse victims safe," said the bill's author, Sen. Will Longwitz (R-Madison).

Current law mandates that law enforcement officers make an arrest and file an officer affidavit where they find probable cause for that misdemeanor, or "simple," domestic violence has occurred.  The bill would also make arrest and officer affidavit mandatory for cases of felony, or "aggravated," domestic violence.  The goal of these laws is to separate the abuser from the victim, and to create an affidavit whether the victim is willing to file one or not.

Longwitz said the measure is long overdue.  "When the original misdemeanor law was passed, the felony language was left out, and nobody can explain why.  Adding the felony language is just common sense.  It means that the worst cases can be prosecuted, and victims can get the protection they need."  

Mary Ann Kirby is a spokesperson for Heather's T.R.E.E., an organization that supports victims of domestic violence and advocates for changes in the law to protect victims.  According to Kirby, "This bill is an important step in fighting domestic violence and keeping victims safe from their abusers.  Our organization exists to help fight domestic violence and keep victims safe from their abusers.  This bill will help get more prosecutions, will protect women and will get victims the assistance they need.  We are grateful to the Senate and to Sen. Longwitz for their attention to this issue that affects so many lives."

Madison and Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest praised the legislature for passing the bill:  "I'm pleased to hear that we may get a stronger procedure for felony domestic violence when there is probable cause.  These are the most serious cases of abuse, and law enforcement needs all the tools we can get to prosecute them and protect victims."

In addition, another domestic violence bill authored by Longwitz, SB 2626, passed the same committee today.  This bill increases the possible penalty for domestic violence assaults, so that the penalty for abusing a human is now greater than the penalty for abusing an animal.

The bills will now move to the Senate calendar for consideration by the full body.

SB 2629 can be found here:  http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2014/pdf/history/SB/SB2629.xml

SB 2626 can be found here:  http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2014/pdf/history/SB/SB2626.xml

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is GREAT news!! Thank you to Senator Longwitz for bearing the torch.

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Keep going and let's get this passed!

Anonymous said...

This makes so much sense, I can't believe our legislature is paying attention to it. God I hope this passes.

Anonymous said...

Any idea why this would NOT pass?

Kingfish said...

One legislator tried to argue against it. Needless to say a female legislator shot him down real quick.


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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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