Prop 13 Designed To Help In Domestic Violence Cases

SAN ANTONIO, TX.(AP) – A constitutional amendment on next month’s ballot would let judges deny bail to people in some family violence cases, even if the offense is a misdemeanor.

Representative Joe Straus thinks the proposition will create a “cooling-off period” of 48 hours or more in cases where someone is an imminent threat.

The San Antonio Republican also hopes the constitutional amendment will embolden victims of domestic violence to seek protective orders if they know they will be seriously enforced.

Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed says violations of protective orders are generally misdemeanors, but that they often escalate quickly to felonies — including murder. The Texas Council on Family Violence supports the proposition.

But the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association initially said it was too broad and didn’t protect due process rights.

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