Colorado lawmakers are currently considering a new bill that would provide victims of domestic abuse with additional legal protections from their abusers.
Under current law, in criminal cases that involve domestic violence and a number of other crimes, courts have the option of entering a set of protection orders to help ensure the victim of alleged domestic violence’s safety. If passed, SB18-060, sponsored by State Senator Don Coram and State Representative Millie Hammer, would add two new types of protection orders to the current list of available options:
- An order prohibiting the taking, transferring, concealing, harming, disposing of, or threatening to harm an animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by the alleged victim or witness; and
- An order directing a wireless telephone service provider to transfer the financial responsibility for and rights to a wireless telephone number or numbers to the alleged victim or witness if the alleged victim or witness satisfies certain criteria.
“I applaud the Colorado Legislature’s consideration of this bill,” The Harris Law Firm President Rich Harris said. “Many studies have shown a clear tie between domestic violence and animal abuse. Victims of the terrible scourge of spousal abuse or often further terrorized by their beloved pet being harmed or stolen or worse.”
If passed in its current form, this bill will also clarify that issuing a protection order in a domestic violence case or in a case involving certain crimes would not prevent a civil court from also issuing a protective order.
At The Harris Law Firm, our Colorado family law lawyers are excited to see this bill pass, and will be keeping a close eye on it. We are committed to fighting for the rights of those in need, and these new legal protections could make a huge difference in the lives of our clients. If you are in need of an experienced lawyer, call us at (303) 622-5502 today, or send us your information through our online form to schedule a private consultation.
Related Posts: