Hevesi's Bills Help Victims

Victims of domestic violence will soon have longer and stronger orders of protection. Legislation passed in the New York State Assembly increases prison time for those who violate orders of protection.
Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi hailed the passage of his bills as a much needed law enforcement tool to shield those most at risk for being repeat victims of domestic violence.
&#8220These bills send a message to the perpetrators of domestic violence, ‘We will not tolerate repeat domestic violence offenses in New York.’ The state has now increased penalties for repeat offenders who commit the worst domestic violence crimes to ensure that no New Yorker has to live with being harassed, threatened, or abused,” Hevesi said.
Hevesi’s first bill (A.10151) increases the maximum penalty for violating an order of protection in New York State from its existing maximum class E-felony to a new maximum class D-felony, which carries with it a penalty of up to seven years in jail. This legislation provides that repeat offenders who commit the most egregious domestic violence offenses, including stalking their victim, threatening their victim with a weapon, or physically abusing their victim will have their penalties enhanced to the new maximum.
Hevesi’s second bill (A.10150) closes a loophole in the existing law by adding aggravated criminal contempt to the list of predicate offenses that raises misdemeanor-level criminal contempt to felony-level criminal contempt.
Hevesi’s bills have passed the New York State Senate with the sponsorship of Senator Serphin Maltese and will become law with Governor George Pataki's signature.