Jim Arnold proposes "Cooling off Period" for Domestic Violence Arrestees

STATEHOUSE - New legislation authored by State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) would provide a cooling off period for individuals arrested for domestic violence in Indiana. Members of the LaPorte County Domestic Violence Task Force, a local group that helped develop the legislation, joined Arnold at a press conference today to announce details of the bill.

"This law would further enable law enforcement officers to intervene in domestic violence situations and provide a protective period for the victim," Arnold said. "We've received support from local law enforcement agencies on this issue, and I hope to gain support from other agencies throughout the state."

The law would require law enforcement agencies to keep an individual arrested for a crime involving domestic or family violence in custody for at least eight hours from the time of arrest. According to the proposal, courts would be prohibited from releasing an individual charged with a domestic or family violence crime on bail during the eight hour period. Similar laws have been enacted in other states, including 12-hour cooling off periods mandated in Alabama and Nevada.

Arnold said the wait period could also provide time for victims to receive ancillary services, relocate to a shelter, or file a protective order if necessary.

"Our aim is not only to protect the victims of domestic violence, but also to give the perpetrator an opportunity to calm down before being released," Arnold said. "The cooling off period could help de-escalate the situation and hopefully stop further violence from happening."

According to the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 76 deaths were attributed to domestic violence in the state between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. Two of those deaths occurred in LaPorte County in an April murder-suicide. Four unrelated domestic violence deaths occurred in St. Joseph County during the one year period.

The legislation now stands in draft form and is expected to be pre-filed at the end of October. The 2008 General Assembly begins on Organization Day which will take place on November 20, 2007.

Source: Indiana Statehouse

Technorati Tags: News Crime / Police Domestic Violence Jim Arnold LaPorte County Domestic Violence Task Force Politics Senator Jim Arnold