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Defense of marriage, but not women
Apr. 5th, 2007 03:13 pmOhio's Defense of Marriage Act removes protection from unmarried battered women
In March 2005, Ohio judges started ruling that unmarried couples were no longer protected by state domestic violence law, which previously covered family and household members. In Wood County, only 25% of domestic violence cases involve married couples. Under Ohio DOMA, only married partners can be charged with domestic violence and now unmarried partners can only be charged with assault.
When domestic violence is treated as an assault charge...do not face escalating charges. Each assault charge is treated as a mere misdemeanor, which has a maximum prison term of 6 months. By contrast, when domestic violence is charged the first time, it is misdemeanor, but the second time the charge is elevated to a felony with at least 1 year in prison.
In March 2005, Ohio judges started ruling that unmarried couples were no longer protected by state domestic violence law, which previously covered family and household members. In Wood County, only 25% of domestic violence cases involve married couples. Under Ohio DOMA, only married partners can be charged with domestic violence and now unmarried partners can only be charged with assault.
When domestic violence is treated as an assault charge...do not face escalating charges. Each assault charge is treated as a mere misdemeanor, which has a maximum prison term of 6 months. By contrast, when domestic violence is charged the first time, it is misdemeanor, but the second time the charge is elevated to a felony with at least 1 year in prison.