Bee legislation continues to toughen domestic violence law

Arizona State Senate
1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Senate President Tim Bee (R-30)
602-926-5683
News Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2008

Bee legislation continues to toughen domestic violence law

(STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX) – More abusers will go to jail because of legislation Arizona Senate President Tim Bee, R-Tucson, passed today out of the Senate. His bill makes it a Class 5 felony and a charge of aggravated domestic violence if a person is convicted of two domestic violence offenses within seven years.

“It has been a priority of my time at the Legislature to
introduce and pass legislation that will help victims of domestic
violence,” Bee said. “This bill is a continuation of
my efforts to help these unfortunate victims and put more of their abusers
behind bars.”

Senate Bill 1335 reduces, from three offenses to two, the number of domestic violence offenses of which a person must have been convicted within seven years to be guilty of aggravated domestic violence.

A person who has been convicted of two domestic violence offenses within seven years must serve at least four months, and a person convicted of three or more domestic violence offenses within seven years must serve at least eight months in jail before being eligible for probation, pardon, commutation or suspension of sentence, or release on any other basis.

“The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence is encouraged that a legislative leader such as President Bee continues to look for solutions that will enhance perpetrator accountability and keep domestic violence victims safe. We know that when batterers demonstrate disregard for legal consequences, victims are at an increased risk for abuse and even death. We hope that legislation like this will result in collaboration between the county attorney and city prosecutors to charge perpetrators appropriately and ensure that Arizona holds domestic violence abusers wholly accountable for the crimes they commit,” said Kendra Leiby, systems advocacy coordinator with Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Bee toughened this law last year, expanding the number of years from five to seven to look for past domestic violence offenses for a charge of aggravated domestic violence.


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For further information contact:
Laura Devany, Communications Advisor
Arizona State Senate
Office: (602) 926-3972, e-mail: ldevany@azleg.gov