Rep. John Mizuno was on KITV News yesterday talking about a bill he introduced last session that would have established an electronic filing system for temporary restraining orders. The idea is similar to a system that already exists in New Jersey.
Excerpt from KITV:
"There is currently a similar law in place in New Jersey. The state’s E TRO allows the police officer to enter the complainant’s name electronically, in place of a signature. A judge then takes sworn testimony over the phone. Once the judge decides whether to issue the TRO, the judge directs the police officer to electronically enter the judge’s name on the TRO. The electronic TRO is immediately enforceable and may be served on the defendant."
The recent double-murder suicide had prompted Rep. Mizuno to announce that he would re-introduce the electronic TRO bill next session to help prevent similar tragedies. Kristine Cass and her 13-year-old daughter Saundra were killed by Clayborne Conley before he took his own life, police said. It's been reported that Cass had wanted to get a TRO against Conley.
“We need to work on more creative laws to protect our victims of domestic violence and I think the E-TRO system would certainly streamline the process. It’s possible it may have averted those fatalities,” Mizuno told reporters.
On Wednesday, August 25, 2010, a silent march will be held to remember the victims at 5 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol.
What do you think? Would you support a electronic TRO bill?
Hawaii's restrictive gun laws are the reason so many continue to die, without the ability to defend themselves.
ReplyDeleteRep. Mizuno must be kidding...TRO's do not stop killers.