Gov. signs bill on domestic abuse
Victims of domestic violence cannot be jailed for refusing to testify against their abusers under a bill signed into law this week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The law takes effect in January.
Existing law allows courts to incarcerate victims who repeatedly refuse to testify about having been assaulted.
The change was sought by groups representing battered women and children, and it was opposed by prosecutors.
In signing SB 1356 by state Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), Schwarzenegger said that “the decision to testify in these types of cases should be made by the individuals most impacted by these crimes.”
-- Nancy Vogel
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