Although domestic violence deaths were at a 20-year low in 2012, the troubling start to the new year has prompted women’s rights advocates to petition state legislatures to allocate more funds to combat domestic abuse.

In 2012 there were 19 reported cases of homicide connected with domestic abuse, but there have already been eight such cases in less than three months in 2013.

To voice their opinions, domestic violence victims’ advocates gathered at the State Capital on Tuesday to ask for $3 million in funding over the next two years to help put a stop to domestic violence.

“[Domestic violence] won’t go away unless we collectively work on this issue,” said Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Edward Ehlinger.

State officials were encouraged when the 2012 Femicide Report showed that the 19 deaths in 2012 represented a 20-year low, but the state is on pace for 41 domestic violence deaths in 2013.  That’s 41 too many.

Domestic abuse has been in the news recently, as a St. Paul husband has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder of his wife, Kira Trevino.  Trevino has been missing since February 24, and there is dwindling hope that she’ll be found alive.

Victim Services

Many advocates point to the lack of funding for domestic abuse services.  Seven counties and four reservation communities had state funding for domestic abuse services taken away, and three domestic violence programs in Fillmore, Carlton and St. Louis counties have had to close due to lack of funds.

“It’s very alarming,” said Bree Adams Bill, who works as program manager for the St. Paul Domestic Abuse Intervention Project.

63,267 domestic abuse victims sought services from abuse programs in 2012, but officials feel that number greatly under-represents the actual number of victims.  According to their reports, only one in five abuse victims seek professional services.

Lack of state funding isn’t the only reason domestic violence programs have had to close their doors in recent years.  Advocates say donations and foundation funding as decreased roughly 10-20% over the past two years.

“Violence against women is preventable, but to be successful, we need continued funding and support from policymakers, business leaders and the wide range of communities that make Minnesota great,” said Dr. Oliver Williams, who works with the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, please speak up.  Contact the police and an attorney to make sure you and your loved ones stay safe.

Related source:  Star-Tribune

In 2010, 73 percent of human resources professionals said their company conducted a criminal background check during the hiring process, and that number has likely increased over the past few years as more information is becoming digitized.  Most people don’t have anything interesting on their record, but job seekers who have a criminal record may feel that past convictions will start them off on the wrong foot.  Because background checks are becoming more common, we’ll explore some ways to best present yourself to an employer if you have a criminal record.

• Consider getting your criminal record sealed – Depending on what crime you committed, you may be able to get your record sealed.  Sealing or expunging your record doesn’t erase any information, but it does limit who can access it.  You can talk with an attorney or legal professional to determine if sealing your record is an option, or you can visit your state government’s website.

• Volunteer opportunities can speak volumes – Exploring volunteering options can provide many benefits for job seekers.  First, it can show a company that you are focusing on the future, not dwelling in the past. Also, volunteer opportunities give you a chance to develop solid references that can put in a good word if your prospective employer calls for a reference.

• Be knowledgeable about your conviction – It’s important to know exactly what you’ve been convicted of, as inaccurate information can be harmful in the interview process.  If you show an interviewer that you understand the charges and accepted the penalties, it can put you in a better light than those who don’t acknowledge or show remorse for their crimes.

• Participate in re-entry programs – There are plenty of programs that help job seekers with a criminal record re-enter the professional world.  In Minnesota, there are certain groups like the Minnesota Second Chance Coalition and 180 Degrees who work to get people with a criminal record a job by focusing on education, training and support.  These programs can be listed on a resume and discussed in an interview to show that you are committed to developing professional skills and have a desire to learn.

• Consider where you apply – During the application process, you’ll likely be asked if you have been convicted of a crime.  Read the section carefully, as some employers only ask for a certain time period (i.e. last five years) or for certain levels of crime (only list felonies).  If you’re applying at a larger company, you might have a tough time explaining your past convictions to a hiring manager.  Oftentimes at larger companies, human resources professionals without “hiring power” conduct an initial interview.  Second and third interviews with hiring and on-site managers are then conducted, and it can be difficult to explain your conviction to a person in charge if you have to go through multiple interviews.  By applying at a smaller company, you increase the likelihood that your initial interview will be with someone with greater hiring power and will give you a first-hand chance to explain any convictions.

• Honesty is the best policy – It’s always best to disclose any past criminal convictions, as neglecting to do so can be cause for termination, even months after you get the job.  With that said, don’t start the interview by jumping into your past legal troubles.  Prepare what you plan to say before your interview in case it comes up.  Also, consider discussing the prior conviction after the company had expressed interest in you.  When discussing your conviction, it’s important to walk the line between accepting responsibility for your actions and explaining yourself.  For example, I knew a colleague back in college whose house got busted for having a party.  He took the fall for his roommate who purchased the keg because the roommate was a criminal justice major, and a ticket for “supplying to minors” would result in his expulsion from the program.  The roommate paid my colleague for the ticket, but now he has to explain the supplying to minors ticket during interviews.  He said he often has to tiptoe the line between explaining his side of the story and accepting the consequences for making a rash decision to support a friend.  He is prepared for the question, and tries to turn his answer into a positive outlook on his character.  He admits that it doesn’t always work, but being prepared and answering honestly help explain a conviction that looks bad on paper.

Ramsey County and other criminal justice departments will begin using GPS monitoring to track alleged domestic violence offenders before their trial to ensure compliance with court orders.

The GPS will monitor the location of the defendant in order to protect the victim and prevent violations of pre-trial stipulations.  Participation in the GPS tracking program must be agreed upon by both parties involved.  Ramsey County Attorney John Choi believes the technology can offer another sense of protection to victims.

“This program will apply the power of technology and creative thinking to intervene in this all-too-familiar cycle of violence,” said Choi. “Most importantly, it gives victims of domestic violence another layer of protection at a critical point in their lives.”

Although use of the technology does not guarantee a victim’s safety, the benefits to both parties seem to outweigh the drawbacks.

From a victim’s state of view, the GPS technology can offer peace of mind knowing that police can see when an alleged abuser is nearing the victim’s home or place of employment.  This assurance gives victims a chance to focus on their daily routine as opposed to fearing that they may receive an unwelcomed visit from the defendant.

There are also drawbacks for the victims in a GPS monitoring program.  Researchers fear that victims may curtail their schedules to only stay in “victim zones”, or they may develop a false sense of security.  Also, they may receive less financial support from the defendant if the abuser is unable to find employment or faces work restrictions due to the presence of a GPS monitor.

The program also has benefits for defendants.  Defendants may receive lower bail amounts if they agree to the GPS program, and they would have peace of mind knowing that GPS tracking would prevent false accusations about harassment attempts.  Also, successful completion of the program would show the court that the defendant is willing to comply with court orders.

Minnesota Defense Lawyer Adam Goldfine believes most of the benefits favor the alleged victim.

“There are not too many benefits for the defendant,” said Goldfine.  “It’s also pretty presumptive to place a GPS device on an alleged abuser before trial.”

Goldfine also mentioned that although the defendant may receive a lower bail amount, they would likely have to cover some of the expenses associated with the GPS program.  That being said, Goldfine believes it will be a good program and he is curious to see the results.

“It won’t be a complete deterrent, but it will be a good measure.”

Related source:  My Fox Twin Cities

Last week, Hillary Adams took to the internet and posted an 8-minute video of her father, Judge William Adams, beating her with a leather belt back in 2004. It was announced on Thursday that the 5-year statute of limitations for the incident has expired.

Judge Adams will not be charged with assault in connection with the beating of his disabled daughter, who suffers from ataxic cerebral palsy. However, according to Rockport Police Chief Tim Jayroe, “We believe that there was a criminal offense involved and that there was substantial evidence to indicate that and under normal circumstances- a charge could have been made.”

Hillary and her mother Hallie Adams told Matt Lauer on the Today show that this was not an isolated incident. “It did happen regularly for a period of time” said Hillary, “and I could tell because of the pattern that things were escalating again.”

It was during this period of the alleged intensifying abuse in 2004 that Hillary decided to capture it on video. She positioned the camera on her bedroom dresser and covered it with a scarf. When asked what prompted her to post the video 7 years later, Hillary told Lauer, “It wasn’t any huge happening or anything. I told him I had the video. He didn’t seem to think anything of it, and basically dared me to post it.” She later told Anderson Cooper, “I just knew this was something I needed to hold on to. I needed to show people one day. I didn’t know why.”

According to Adams’ criminal defense lawyer, William Dudley, “Hillary warned her father if he reduced her financial support and took away her Mercedes automobile, which her father had provided, he would live to regret it. The post was then uploaded.”

According to Judge Adams, a family law judge who presides over child abuse cases, the video is “not as bad as it looks,” and he was simply disciplining his daughter for downloading pirated internet content. Despite not being charged, the judge is still being investigated by the state’s judicial conduct commission and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Judge Adams has been suspended from his court duties for two weeks. Officials are unsure whether he will ever return to presiding over domestic violence cases in the wake of the video.

You can see the 8-minute long video here.

Keywords: child abuse, domestic violence, Judge William Adams, Hillary Adams, criminal defense

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