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anysiaOnce again, I read about a woman killed by her ex. She had an "Order of Protection" granted by the court, but when is the legal system going to get through its' head that the man has already broken the law by committing acts of violence upon the woman that has requested a restraining order. So what makes anyone think the guy won't break the law about the restraining order? He will have no compunction about looking at this court issued piece of paper and doing any damned thing he pleases. He obviously knows that beating the hell out of his wife/girlfriend will result in probation, a fine and a restraining order, leaving him free to walk the streets.
Now, I am not talking about a couple that had a screaming fight and were throwing things at each other (yes that is bad enough) but a man thrashing a woman, getting arrested and hauled before a judge. Judge decides "ahh domestic spat" (yes, they still do this. 'oh, its just a boyfriend/girlfriend thing' was one statement I heard. In another court room, a judge was reading the record of a violent offender, and asked "What idiot let this man loose?" Turned out he was the idiot, a few months ago.) , fines the guy, issues an Order of Protection, and then lets the jerk walk out of the courthouse.
I don't know what, but something has to change. Stiffer fines aren't going to do it. Violent behavior isn't regulated by the dollar sign. If anything, a huge fine imposed might make the offender even angrier, giving him an 'excuse' to do more violence. Some pillowbiting bedwetters say Jail time isn't an option. I say why the hell not?!?! If the offender has beaten another man in that fashion, it's assault and battery, intent to cause grievous bodily harm, with jail time.
End of rant.
Now, I am not talking about a couple that had a screaming fight and were throwing things at each other (yes that is bad enough) but a man thrashing a woman, getting arrested and hauled before a judge. Judge decides "ahh domestic spat" (yes, they still do this. 'oh, its just a boyfriend/girlfriend thing' was one statement I heard. In another court room, a judge was reading the record of a violent offender, and asked "What idiot let this man loose?" Turned out he was the idiot, a few months ago.) , fines the guy, issues an Order of Protection, and then lets the jerk walk out of the courthouse.
I don't know what, but something has to change. Stiffer fines aren't going to do it. Violent behavior isn't regulated by the dollar sign. If anything, a huge fine imposed might make the offender even angrier, giving him an 'excuse' to do more violence. Some pillowbiting bedwetters say Jail time isn't an option. I say why the hell not?!?! If the offender has beaten another man in that fashion, it's assault and battery, intent to cause grievous bodily harm, with jail time.
End of rant.
