Des Moines, Iowa — The governor has signed a bill into law that’s designed to enhance the criminal charges for people arrested more than once for domestic abuse.
It will change guidelines that have prevented prosecutors from charging someone arrested for domestic abuse assault with committing a second or third offense if their previous conviction occurred more than a dozen years ago. Senator Jeff Reichman of Montrose was the only lawmaker who spoke during the senate debate on the change.
A prosecutor who was a key advocate for the bill told The Cedar Rapids Gazette the change was needed because violent offenders have been able to avoid felony or serious misdemeanor charges simply because 12 years had passed since a previous domestic abuse assault conviction or deferred judgment.
