AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – An analysis of cases in Travis County found that most felony domestic violence defendants had their cases reduced.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that in a review of 900 felony cases from October 2013 to October 2014, 65 percent were either dropped or pleaded to a lesser charge.
State lawmakers have made intimate partner strangulation and suffocation felony crimes, and given prosecutors the option to push for felony charges in other cases where the defendant has previous convictions.
Authorities in Travis County say the numbers speak to the longstanding challenges of prosecuting abusers. Victims in many cases retract their allegations under pressure from an attacker or family members.
Prosecutor Kelsey McKay says she tells police officers to try to get everything they will need at trial the day of the assault.
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