New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed Lisa’s Law, a measure passed by the state legislature that would require electronic monitoring of some people placed under restraining orders or jailed in domestic abuse cases. The delay was aimed at making sure the technology existed to fully implement the new domestic violence rules, as well as stepping up the pilot program’s reporting time. He tasked the state legislature to conduct research into how changes might be made.
Lisa’s Law was inspired by the murder of a woman by her ex-fiance in 2009, just a day after he was released from jail for violating a restraining order that the woman had entered against him. The man then killed himself. The bill stipulates that some people who are identified as high-risk domestic violence offenders be electronically monitored, with the technology letting their prior targets know if the offender has come into their area. The pilot program created by the bill would report its findings to lawmakers each year for them to decide if it should continue and ultimately be implemented throughout the state.
One change that Christie sought through his conditional veto was that reports regarding the program’s efficacy be submitted no later than 120 days after its launch. The bill would require that offenders placed on this electronic monitoring pay for its use, including a monitoring fee of $250. The fee could be waived due to extreme financial hardship, however.
Victims of physical abuse don’t always know where to turn after a domestic violence incident. Though a restraining order is one way to seek protection, the justice system can offer other solutions following allegations of abuse. A legal professional may assist clients and the court to help in these situations.
Source: East Brunswick Patch, “Domestic Violence Law Inspired by Jersey Murder is Delayed”, Davy James, January 14, 2014
