New law will protect California children from violence

By |2022-04-04T16:54:55+00:0005 Sep 2014|Categories: Family Law, Unmarried Couples|

New law will protect California children from violence

Domestic violence in California is usually associated with conflict between spouses or unmarried couples. These cases often involve physical violence or emotional abuse. When children are involved, however, the consequences of domestic violence can be even worse and are often tragic. Current California law provides substantial protection for adults, but has left children more vulnerable to abuse.

Spurred in part by incidents such as a father punching his 4-month-old infant in the face because the baby was crying, a recent bill that will more adequately protect children recently passed the state senate and will soon be signed by Governor Jerry Brown. Once enacted, Senate Bill 910 will provide the same levels of protection to children from abusersthat granted to adults.

The legislature was sponsored by Los Angeles County’s district attorney and will plug loopholesin current lawswhen it comes to children and domestic violence, especially when convicted domestic violence offenders are released from jail or prison.

Senator Fran Pavley says that children are often the first targets for revenge when an abuser is released. The new law should provide children with protection without the needs for a restraining order as is currently required.

The new law could also reduce the number of domestic violence cases in California. Deaths from domestic violence incidents account for 12 percent of all homicide cases. Under the current law, victims may only ask the court to issue an order of protection after their attackers are convicted. The new law will allow family members to request a new court order to safeguard children from further domestic abuse.

New laws passed in California have a huge impact on family law by identifying both rights and responsibilities. They provide residents with different options for protecting themselves from domestic abuse, including rights they can exercise in such circumstances.

Source: Signal SCV, “Legislature approves bill to protect children from domestic violence,” Aug. 21, 2014

About the Author:

Dorie Anne Rogers - The Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, APC
Dorie A. Rogers, a Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California, has been an attorney since 1981 with an exclusive family law practice located in Orange County. She is accepting dissolution cases with support and property issues including the use of forensics to ascertain business value, community interests and to establish monthly case flow analysis. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in high conflict custody litigation involving sophisticated psychological issues. She drafts premarital and postmarital agreement designed to define and establish parties' separate and community property interests. Paternity cases and domestic violence matters are considered part of her practice. Ms. Rogers is a court-approved and court-appointed to represent minor children.Ms. Rogers consults with individuals concerned about entering or exiting a relationship. She advises effective strategies for dissolution or premarital planning. Knowledge is power and good planning affords better results.Specialties: Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California
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