Governor Signs Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act

May 21st, 2019

This week the Governor signed the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act into law. The bill allows a judge leeway in sentencing for survivors of domestic abuse when a crime was committed against or at the behest of their abuser. The abuser no longer is required to be a member of the survivor’s family or household. The bill will also allow certain domestic violence victims currently serving sentences to apply for re-sentencing.

Governor Cuomo said:

“The vast majority of incarcerated women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and too often these women wind up in prison in the first place because they’re protecting themselves from an abuser. By signing this critical piece of our 2019 women’s justice agenda, we can help ensure the criminal justice system takes into account that reality and empowers vulnerable New Yorkers rather than just putting them behind bars.”