People were circulating a news story warning that the city of Topeka, KS was considering stopping prosecution of misdemeanor domestic violence, but I didn't believe it would ever happen. I guess I'm naive. The story as to why this happened is that there was budgetary fighting between the city and the county over who would prosecute these crimes after a budget cut hit their department. The county declined to take on the task, as did the city. From Politico:
If you'd like to donate to a local DV program, the Topeka YWCA can be found here. I just did; their job is going to be awfully hard without the legal backup.
Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor said the 10 percent budget cut forced his hand at a time when his office is bogged down by other cases. In response, he decided in early September that his office would drop its prosecution of misdemeanors - which include domestic violence and battery without a weapon - in Topeka.
If you'd like to donate to a local DV program, the Topeka YWCA can be found here. I just did; their job is going to be awfully hard without the legal backup.
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