The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
Two New State Laws To Protect Domestic Violence Victims
According to a state Supreme Court news release Thursday, one law lets judges order cellphone providers to grant domestic violence victims control over their cellphone numbers if they are on an account held by an alleged abuser.
The second law says a judge will issue a "no contact order" if a court finds probable cause that an alleged perpetrator caused serious bodily injury or used or displayed a weapon. The "no contact order" will be a mandatory condition of the perpetrator's bond, and is in addition to restraining orders.
Judge J.B. Bennett in the 11th District Circuit Court says he's hopeful the laws will help victims better maintain independence in the face of abuse.