Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), French presidential hopeful, and accused rapist, has things a little easier than most other people facing sexual assault charges in New York. He doesn’t have to wear an orange jumpsuit or stand in line for meals at the chow hall. Instead, he’s spending his pretrial period in a deluxe Manhattan apartment. You may wonder what separates him from other similar suspects—it’s his money. [Read more…]
Choking Laws: Many States Have Separate Criminal Laws for Strangulation
Domestic violence laws vary dramatically from state to state. All of the laws are designed to keep the alleged victims safe and to prevent further assaults. As this article from USA Today shows, many states now have a separate law on the books strictly to cover choking in regards to domestic violence. [Read more…]
Juvenile Assault with A Dangerous Weapon
A 13 year old middle schooler in Massachusetts was charged in a BB gun shooting of multiple fellow students. [Read more…]
Massachusetts DA Seeks Tougher Laws for Gun Crimes
A county District Attorney in Massachusetts is fighting for tougher laws for using a gun in a crime. The bill would make two new criminal laws – “Attempted Assault and Battery by Means of a Firearm” which would carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and “Assault & Battery by Means of a Firearm”, with penalties of up to life in prison.
According to Bristol County DA C. Samuel Sutter, current law only calls for a maximum of ten years for pulling the trigger.
While this doesn’t seem like a completely outlandish idea, it’s hard to see what it exactly will accomplish. District Attorney Sutter makes the comparison to tougher drunk driving laws, stating that this new penalty will “make people worry” more about the consequences of their actions.
Someone it is hard to imaging a gang-banger thinking twice about doing a drive-by-shooting, knowing that the penalty could be an extra 10 years in prison.
A more plausible explanation here is a bit of political grandstanding the District Attorney. These kinds of “get tough on crime” laws always seem to help politicians looking to grab more power. Is the hoping to run for statewide office, with this legislation as part of a platform and a record?
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Further Reference: Mass Assault w/Dangerous Weapon Laws & Penalties.
