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Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Measure To Delay Some Arrests

South Dakota State Legislature

The State Senate Judiciary Commitee has approved a measure to delay the arrests of some individuals with warrants who are suspected of further non-violent crimes. Proponents of the measure say it will reduce trauma on children already in difficult situations.  South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s Gary Ellenbolt reports.

Senate Bill Two does not exempt someone from being served a warrant, and does not force police to look the other way.  The measure gives officers discretion on whether the person should go to jail at the time a non-violent misdemeanor is suspected.  Senator Deb Soholt says many crime victims who have their own warrants may not report those incidents.

(BITE :16) “One—they may not choose to call because their afraid of being arrested themselves; and also concern for the families, that if the police come and there’s mandatory arrest, and there’s an outstanding arrest for the second person, that actually both parents will be taken away at the same time.”

Soholt says police can recommend victims come in and handle the warrant, but give them time to find someone to take care of their children.  Virgena Wieseler with the State Department of Social Services favors the bill.

(BITE :20) “Because we believe children are traumatized during domestic violence—and to remove them from the victim and place them in foster care is just another traumatic event.  So giving a parent an opportunity to contact relatives or friends for placement, we think is a good policy; so we support this bill.”

Senate Bill Two was amended to make clear the minor child has to be present when the non-violent offense occurs.  The amendment and motion both passed unanimously.  For South Dakota Public Broadcasting, I’m Gary Ellenbolt.