# Topeka decriminalizes domestic violence. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 12, 2011, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topeka-decriminalizes-domestic-violence/599409 "2011-10-12T09:46:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topeka-decriminalizes-domestic-violence/599409/1 "2011-10-12T09:46:53Z")
Two articles about this [One](http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/11/3202008/topeka-repeals-law-against-misdemeanor.html), [Two](http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/kans-capital-city-repeals-domestic-violence-law-14718409) Long story short, Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor is getting a 10% budget cut. To deal with it, he’s laying off staff, and decided to not prosecute domestic violence cases that happen in Topeka, but instead give the cases to the city. The city said they couldn’t afford it so they decriminalized domestic violence in order to force Taylor to prosecute because while not illegal in Topeka, it’s still illegal under state law. Ah, isn’t great when victims are made pawns in budget disputes? Nothing to debate really, I don’t think, and not really a rant. I just thought some of you might be interested in this story. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topeka-decriminalizes-domestic-violence/599409/2 "2011-10-12T12:01:35Z")
We are, and thanks. I’ve heard of cash-strapped jurisdictions choosing not to pursue victimless crimes (e.g., mere possession of small amounts of pot), but this sounds sad and ridiculous…and strange that they would advertise the new policy, rather than just quietly implementing it. (I live half an hour from Topeka, so now I know where to take Mrs. Map if starts given’ me any lip…KIDDING. Not funny. Sorry.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topeka-decriminalizes-domestic-violence/599409/3 "2011-10-12T13:25:27Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > We are, and thanks. I’ve heard of cash-strapped jurisdictions choosing not to pursue victimless crimes (e.g., mere possession of small amounts of pot), but this sounds sad and ridiculous.. **.and strange that they would advertise the new policy, rather than just quietly implementing it.** > > (I live half an hour from Topeka, so now I know where to take Mrs. Map if starts given’ me any lip…KIDDING. Not funny. Sorry.) Maybe hoping the publicity will get the budget cut canceled. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topeka-decriminalizes-domestic-violence/599409/4 "2011-10-12T21:05:44Z")
One or both links say that the city is using this as a bargaining chip with the county. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topeka-decriminalizes-domestic-violence/599409/5 "2011-10-12T22:25:48Z")
What I wonder is why,if it was already a state offense, did the city enact a redundant ordinance in the first place? It seemed to serve no purpose other than to cost the city money that would otherwise have been spent by the county. The crime is just as illegal either way.