Domestic Violence
I appreciate The Times’ attention to the San Diego domestic violence crisis. As reported, the city attorney’s office has announced that for the next four months, it will not review for prosecution any new cases unless the defendant is in custody or has been arrested. This is due to an insufficient number of prosecutors for an avalanche of cases.
As your (Nov. 15) editorial stated, several concerned organizations like ours discussed alternatives to increased funding for the city attorney’s office. Those alternatives are long-term, however, and do not address the city attorney’s failure to prosecute more than 2,000 violent assault cases.
We understand the city is in a financial crisis. We understand, and appreciate, that the case overload results from the success of the domestic violence unit--a model program well implemented by the city attorney’s office and the police. That, however, cannot shield the city’s obligation to prosecute violent crimes against its citizens. Emergency measures must be taken to continue vigorous prosecution while long-term solutions are sought.
The domestic violence program promised relief and hope to women traditionally ignored by the justice system. Let’s not turn our backs again.
KITTY JUNIPER
President, Lawyers Club of San Diego
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