Latest news with #GeorgiaCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
New Georgia law offers hope to domestic violence survivors behind bars
The Brief A new Georgia law allows incarcerated domestic violence survivors to present evidence of past abuse to seek reduced sentences, even if they've already been convicted. The Georgia Justice Survivor Act is retroactive and could help the majority of women in prison, as studies show 74% to 95% have experienced domestic or sexual violence. Survivor Latoya Dickens, who served time for killing her abusive husband, hopes the new law will help clear her record and end her parole, offering her full freedom. ATLANTA - A new Georgia law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp this week could change the lives of many women incarcerated for crimes connected to domestic abuse. What we know The Georgia Justice Survivor Act allows survivors of domestic violence to introduce evidence of abuse in court, even if they have already been sentenced—marking a significant shift in how the justice system treats victims who took action to protect themselves or their children. The law is retroactive, meaning women currently in prison can petition for reduced sentences if they can demonstrate their actions stemmed from years of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Advocates say the measure brings long-overdue recognition to the reality that many incarcerated women were acting in self-defense or under extreme duress. Survivor and advocate Latoya Dickens is one such woman. She served time for the fatal stabbing of her husband—an act she says was a desperate attempt to escape further abuse. Her history of domestic violence was never introduced in court. Although she is now out of prison and on parole, she hopes the new law will allow her case to be re-examined and her felony murder charge removed, giving her a chance at full freedom. "I hope that this is a door opener to getting my case maybe reviewed and maybe take the felony murder off my record so I can potentially come off parole," Dickens said. "I would love to have my full freedom back where I can do more for myself and my community." What they're saying "I didn't really want to hurt him. I just didn't want to be hurt again," Dickens said. According to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, between 74% and 95% of incarcerated women have experienced domestic or sexual violence. The nonprofit organization Women on the Rise is working to ensure affected women are aware of their rights under the new law. "This law now says we will recognize that you were trying to survive and we will not criminalize you for doing that," said Robyn Hasan-Simpson, executive director of Women on the Rise. "I most definitely would not have ended up incarcerated, and I was pregnant at that time so I wouldn't have to have spent half my pregnancy in the county jail either. So even though it's not something that can be retroactively changed in my life, I'm happy that going forward a lot of women won't experience what I did experience," survivor Britney Smith said. "It will change people's whole life definitely," Hasan-Simpson agreed. Why you should care Advocates say the Georgia Justice Survivor Act could be life-changing, offering a path to freedom and healing for countless survivors. Georgia's new law is similar to laws in a handful of states, including New York's law that is now part of the Diddy trial. So, there's a lot of hope here in Georgia that this law could help take away the stigma and change the conversation around domestic violence.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GA bill to reduce prison sentences for domestic violence survivors on its way to becoming law
A Georgia bill that would reduce sentences for those who could tie their crimes to domestic abuse is on its way to becoming law. Women nationwide are in prison for killing their abusive partners in self-defense. Others were coerced into committing crimes with their abusers. Women of color are especially likely to end up in prison for crimes tied to abuse, experts have said. House Bill 582 passed the Senate 53-1 on Thursday after the House overwhelmingly passed it last month. Once the House approves final changes, which it is expected to, it will go to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk for his signature. Over 100 women in Georgia prisons could get shorter sentences, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Mary Favors, an incarcerated abuse survivor whose story the AP reported, hopes to work at a battered women's shelter if she gets out. She is in prison for killing her abusive husband. She says he jumped onto a knife she grabbed to defend herself. If Kemp signs the bill, Georgia would join Oklahoma, Illinois, New York and California in giving domestic abuse victims in prison or charged with a crime the chance to ask judges for lower sentences and present evidence to prove abuse drove their crime. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Stan Gunter, would also make it easier for people going forward to prove their crime was driven by abuse and let them bring in more evidence. Current Georgia law is strict about what evidence of abuse people can present and under what circumstances they can present it. 'House Bill 582 would prevent survivors from serving long sentences for conduct needed for their own survival,' said Sen. Bo Hatchett, the Republican carrying the bill. 'House Bill 582 would allow Georgia's criminal law to catch up with society's modern understanding of domestic violence dynamics.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Under Georgia's bill, if a judge determines that family violence, dating violence or child abuse contributed to a crime with a minimum sentence of life in prison, the judge would have to impose a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison unless prosecutors agree to a lower sentence. For other felonies, judges would not be able to sentence the defendant to more than half of the maximum sentence they could have otherwise gotten. People in prison could also request resentencing under the rules if the act ultimately becomes law. Several district attorneys originally opposed the bill and contacted their representatives to oppose it when the House voted on it. But the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council took a neutral stance after they won some changes. For example, the minimum sentence a judge could impose under the original bill if they found domestic abuse contributed to a crime was one year. Between 74% and 95% of incarcerated women nationwide have survived domestic abuse or sexual violence, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 'We only got three dissenting votes the entire time, which sends such a strong message to survivors in our state that we take their experience seriously, we value them, that their voices are heard, that they're safe, and the people care about seeing actual justice and healing,' said Ellie Williams, legal director with the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. TRENDING STORIES: Fulton County prosecutors ask to have Young Thug's probation revoked Regions Bank teller stole money from elderly customer while pretending to help, police say GA mother charged after baby found in trash bag on back porch [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia bill to reduce prison sentences for domestic violence survivors on its way to becoming law
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia bill that would reduce sentences for those who could tie their crimes to domestic abuse is on its way to becoming law. Women nationwide are in prison for killing their abusive partners in self-defense. Others were coerced into committing crimes with their abusers. Women of color are especially likely to end up in prison for crimes tied to abuse, experts have said. House Bill 582 passed the Senate 53-1 on Thursday after the House overwhelmingly passed it last month. Once the House approves final changes, which it is expected to, it will go to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk for his signature. Over 100 women in Georgia prisons could get shorter sentences, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Mary Favors, an incarcerated abuse survivor whose story the AP reported, hopes to work at a battered women's shelter if she gets out. She is in prison for killing her abusive husband. She says he jumped onto a knife she grabbed to defend herself. If Kemp signs the bill, Georgia would join Oklahoma, Illinois, New York and California in giving domestic abuse victims in prison or charged with a crime the chance to ask judges for lower sentences and present evidence to prove abuse drove their crime. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Stan Gunter, would also make it easier for people going forward to prove their crime was driven by abuse and let them bring in more evidence. Current Georgia law is strict about what evidence of abuse people can present and under what circumstances they can present it. 'House Bill 582 would prevent survivors from serving long sentences for conduct needed for their own survival,' said Sen. Bo Hatchett, the Republican carrying the bill. 'House Bill 582 would allow Georgia's criminal law to catch up with society's modern understanding of domestic violence dynamics.' Under Georgia's bill, if a judge determines that family violence, dating violence or child abuse contributed to a crime with a minimum sentence of life in prison, the judge would have to impose a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison unless prosecutors agree to a lower sentence. For other felonies, judges would not be able to sentence the defendant to more than half of the maximum sentence they could have otherwise gotten. People in prison could also request resentencing under the rules if the act ultimately becomes law. Several district attorneys originally opposed the bill and contacted their representatives to oppose it when the House voted on it. But the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council took a neutral stance after they won some changes. For example, the minimum sentence a judge could impose under the original bill if they found domestic abuse contributed to a crime was one year. Between 74% and 95% of incarcerated women nationwide have survived domestic abuse or sexual violence, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 'We only got three dissenting votes the entire time, which sends such a strong message to survivors in our state that we take their experience seriously, we value them, that their voices are heard, that they're safe, and the people care about seeing actual justice and healing,' said Ellie Williams, legal director with the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. ___ Charlotte Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Georgia bill to reduce prison sentences for domestic violence survivors on its way to becoming law
A Georgia bill that would reduce sentences for those who could tie their crimes to domestic abuse is on its way to becoming law. Women nationwide are in prison for killing their abusive partners in self-defense. Others were coerced into committing crimes with their abusers. Women of color are especially likely to end up in prison for crimes tied to abuse, experts have said. House Bill 582 passed the Senate 53-1 on Thursday after the House overwhelmingly passed it last month. Once the House approves final changes, which it is expected to, it will go to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk for his signature. Over 100 women in Georgia prisons could get shorter sentences, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Mary Favors, an incarcerated abuse survivor whose story the AP reported, hopes to work at a battered women's shelter if she gets out. She is in prison for killing her abusive husband. She says he jumped onto a knife she grabbed to defend herself. If Kemp signs the bill, Georgia would join Oklahoma, Illinois, New York and California in giving domestic abuse victims in prison or charged with a crime the chance to ask judges for lower sentences and present evidence to prove abuse drove their crime. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Stan Gunter, would also make it easier for people going forward to prove their crime was driven by abuse and let them bring in more evidence. Current Georgia law is strict about what evidence of abuse people can present and under what circumstances they can present it. 'House Bill 582 would prevent survivors from serving long sentences for conduct needed for their own survival,' said Sen. Bo Hatchett, the Republican carrying the bill. 'House Bill 582 would allow Georgia's criminal law to catch up with society's modern understanding of domestic violence dynamics.' Under Georgia's bill, if a judge determines that family violence, dating violence or child abuse contributed to a crime with a minimum sentence of life in prison, the judge would have to impose a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison unless prosecutors agree to a lower sentence. For other felonies, judges would not be able to sentence the defendant to more than half of the maximum sentence they could have otherwise gotten. People in prison could also request resentencing under the rules if the act ultimately becomes law. Several district attorneys originally opposed the bill and contacted their representatives to oppose it when the House voted on it. But the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council took a neutral stance after they won some changes. For example, the minimum sentence a judge could impose under the original bill if they found domestic abuse contributed to a crime was one year. Between 74% and 95% of incarcerated women nationwide have survived domestic abuse or sexual violence, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 'We only got three dissenting votes the entire time, which sends such a strong message to survivors in our state that we take their experience seriously, we value them, that their voices are heard, that they're safe, and the people care about seeing actual justice and healing,' said Ellie Williams, legal director with the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. ___ Charlotte Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.
Associated Press
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Georgia bill to reduce prison sentences for domestic violence survivors on its way to becoming law
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia bill that would reduce sentences for those who could tie their crimes to domestic abuse is on its way to becoming law. Women nationwide are in prison for killing their abusive partners in self-defense. Others were coerced into committing crimes with their abusers. Women of color are especially likely to end up in prison for crimes tied to abuse, experts have said. House Bill 582 passed the Senate 53-1 on Thursday after the House overwhelmingly passed it last month. Once the House approves final changes, which it is expected to, it will go to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk for his signature. Over 100 women in Georgia prisons could get shorter sentences, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Mary Favors, an incarcerated abuse survivor whose story the AP reported, hopes to work at a battered women's shelter if she gets out. She is in prison for killing her abusive husband. She says he jumped onto a knife she grabbed to defend herself. If Kemp signs the bill, Georgia would join Oklahoma, Illinois, New York and California in giving domestic abuse victims in prison or charged with a crime the chance to ask judges for lower sentences and present evidence to prove abuse drove their crime. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Stan Gunter, would also make it easier for people going forward to prove their crime was driven by abuse and let them bring in more evidence. Current Georgia law is strict about what evidence of abuse people can present and under what circumstances they can present it. 'House Bill 582 would prevent survivors from serving long sentences for conduct needed for their own survival,' said Sen. Bo Hatchett, the Republican carrying the bill. 'House Bill 582 would allow Georgia's criminal law to catch up with society's modern understanding of domestic violence dynamics.' Under Georgia's bill, if a judge determines that family violence, dating violence or child abuse contributed to a crime with a minimum sentence of life in prison, the judge would have to impose a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison unless prosecutors agree to a lower sentence. For other felonies, judges would not be able to sentence the defendant to more than half of the maximum sentence they could have otherwise gotten. People in prison could also request resentencing under the rules if the act ultimately becomes law. Several district attorneys originally opposed the bill and contacted their representatives to oppose it when the House voted on it. But the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council took a neutral stance after they won some changes. For example, the minimum sentence a judge could impose under the original bill if they found domestic abuse contributed to a crime was one year. Between 74% and 95% of incarcerated women nationwide have survived domestic abuse or sexual violence, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 'We only got three dissenting votes the entire time, which sends such a strong message to survivors in our state that we take their experience seriously, we value them, that their voices are heard, that they're safe, and the people care about seeing actual justice and healing,' said Ellie Williams, legal director with the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
