Topeka Decriminalizes Domestic Violence: Understandable or Outrageous?

Before you vote "outrageous" and fly off the hinges, there's a long and complicated story behind Topeka's recent decriminalization of domestic violence, and that it does not mean domestic abusers are free to do as they please. It means the cases will not be handled at the city level, and will instead be handled at the district level.

But it has some pretty nasty side-effects.

In an attempt to corner District Attorney Chad Taylor, who stated that budget cuts were forcing him to ignore misdemeanor cases, the state of Topeka decriminalized domestic violence, effectively shifting the burden of prosecution to federal courts, where domestic abuse victims can receive better help.

However, the move also affected the safety and well-being of more than 50 victims of domestic violence, whose abusers are now free or no longer being pursued as a result of the decriminalization. Topeka police are refusing to discuss the releases, but have said they are still actively investigating domestic violence cases.

Rita Smith of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence told , "It's really outrageous that they're playing with family safety to see who blinks first. People could die while they're waiting to straighten this out."

Perhaps more frightening is what Scott Burns, executive director of the National District Attorneys Association, told The New York Times. He suggested this kind of thing happens frequently, explaining, "Usually no one comes out and says that starting today I'm not going to prosecute that crime, which sends a message of failure and tells the community you're free to commit that crime."

After the city decriminalized domestic violence, Taylor promptly announced he would handle all of the cases -- and fire 12 staff members instead. On Thursday, the city of Topeka sent him an olive branch by offering to take care of all existing misdemeanors within the city, in order to free up time for Taylor to prosecute domestic violence charges.