16.9.11

Topeka, Kansas - Domestic Abuse Survivor Trembling Over DA's Decision to Pass Down Misdemeanors DV is NOT A CRIME in TOPEKA, KANSAS

PLEASE COMMENT ON ORIGINAL ARTICLE! We need OUTRAGE to stop this political game playing at the expense of women.

Right now in Topeka Kansas—DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is LEGAL. Since last week’s decision of the County DA to stop prosecuting Domestic Violence in the city limits, there have been 35 Domestic Violence arrests that have WALKED with no charges!

The City manager is considering a repeal in the City Ordinances that Domestic Violence is NOT A CRIME within the city. http://bit.ly/nCxc5M

http://www.kansasfirstnews.com/news/local/story/Topeka-domestic-abuse-survivor-trembling-over-DAs/sgAbRRlYaE2M6ljJGYtzFA.cspx#

Topeka domestic abuse survivor trembling over DA's decision to pass down misdemeanors

http://www.kansasfirstnews.com/news/local/story/Topeka-domestic-abuse-survivor-trembling-over-DAs/sgAbRRlYaE2M6ljJGYtzFA.cspx#

16 years after enduring constant physical abuse, the memories still shake Claudine Dombrowski to the core. She says, "I was beaten with a crowbar, it was a misdemeanor. I've had both my wrist broken and it was a misdemeanor."

When Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor decided to hand over misdemeanor cases, like Dombrowski's, to the city, she knew it would weigh heaviest on victims of domestic violence. Knowing the consequences a victim could face when the abuser is arrested, then released, she advises victims not to call the police. She says, "You, as a survivor, know how to survive. You just keep surviving. If you call the police right now, and God forbid you end up with the city, you might die."

Dombrowski says she's disgusted at how poorly survivors are treated after making the terrifying decision to call authorities. She says community leaders see it as, "Let's put these victims in with weed control and dog at large and parking tickets. That's how important you are to our community."

Dombrowski says the word "misdemeanor" has such a harmless connotation and wishes people knew the horrible actions hiding behind it. She says, "I was pushed through plate glass windows and if I had not been in a relationship with this man, he would be in prison."

If the city does decide to take on the domestic abuse cases, Dombrowski hopes it's only until funding can be restored at the District Attorney's office. She says, "We've just jumped back 30 years into the dark ages, and it's very dark. The lights just went out in Topeka."

She says many times the misdemeanor charges get reduced to disorderly conduct and destruction of personal property, and she can't imagine how easy the abusers will have it in city courts. Dowbrowski says you can help domestic violence victims of Topeka by demanding more money for the District Attorney's office, so they can continue to protect the public.


UPDATE:
Wednesday morning, Topeka Interim City Manager Dan Stanley said there is some thought being given to repealing the city ordinances to force the prosecution back on the county. He says it will then be up to the D.A. to prioritize what cases should be prosecuted.
Stanley says he's concerned about what will happen to the individuals whose cases are not being prosecuted. He says, "We know of three cases where judges have released the people accused of domestic violence back out because it their understanding that the district attorney will not prosecute and so there may be more of these."


Topeka Police Officers are forwarding misdemeanor cases involving domestic violence to the District Attorney's Office. Stanley says the D.A.'s office has already turned away 30 cases. He believes the  victims and their families are most affected.

13.9.11

JUDGE Lloyd C. Swartz, Berates a Battered Woman, Tries to Endanger her Life, then Proceeds to 'beat her up' using the Court System.

Lloyd C. Swartz, Berates a Battered Woman, Tries to Endanger her Life, then Proceeds to 'beat her up' using the Court System.

This man is now a Municipal Court Judge. Where his 'power' is now complete.

He and his old friend VIC MILLER-- from back in the good ole days are the ONLY two Judges in City Court.

Welcome to hell's playground.

I am sure the two of them are raping women and children-- just like they always have--- only in their 'black satanic robes'-- using their 'gavels'.

2004 March 31 Loyd Swartz to Judge Emails

Municipal Judge Lloyd C. Swartz Misogynist Pig Swears in His Pal Vic Miller as Judge - another Misogynistic Pig

Municipal Judge Lloyd Swartz Misogynist Swears in His Pal Vic Miller another Misogynistic Pig

Now we can play!!! Beat em up, rape em up torture em-- no one can stop us we are 'gods'

Welcome to HELL in the city with 13 triple 6 zip codes 666---- The henchmen are coming.

Corrupt,misogynist pig -- Vic Miller-Now a Judge, Topeka Kansas

Gives new meaning to the words "CRIMINAL REWARDS"-- BACK DOOR FAVORS"-- in your face and we do not care Power mongering -elitists.

Welcome to hell --- welcome to Topeka, Kansas ---- Municipal Court.

Lloyd Swartz - Associate Judge is a misogynist pig who favors Batterers while punishing victims of Domestic Violence.

Miller look like a fat child molesting self serving pig with a bad hair piece. He is a self serving asshole, he cares about nothing-- but himself.

Both these Judges are narcissistic. Both need removed and God help the 'victims' especially women who will be forced to appear before either of the two.

Class mate buds from Washburn--- 'ahhh-- the good old boys-- good ol days are back--- again.' Just the two of them--- "they are 'gods'.

The dark ages.

Miller dons judicial robe

Posted: September 12, 2011 - 5:58pm

Judge Vic Miller stood in the municipal courtroom, Monday afternoon,  where he is the newest administrative judge of the Topeka Municipal Court. Miller was sworn in by Municipal Court Judge Lloyd Swartz at 9:30 a.m., Monday,  city spokesman David Bevens said.  THAD ALLTON/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

THAD ALLTON/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Judge Vic Miller stood in the municipal courtroom, Monday afternoon, where he is the newest administrative judge of the Topeka Municipal Court. Miller was sworn in by Municipal Court Judge Lloyd Swartz at 9:30 a.m., Monday, city spokesman David Bevens said.

By Fredrick J. Johnson

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Topeka Municipal Court Administrative Judge Vic Miller already has been pointed at one task the city manager wants him to tackle — improving the court's collection of fees and fines.

The city is owed about $16 million in fines and fees, and interim city manager Dan Stanley would like to reduce that amount and improve the collection process for current and future cases.

Miller, who was sworn in by Municipal Judge Lloyd Swartz at 9:30 a.m. Monday, said he had a couple of discussions about the problem during the day.

"There are some things you can do, but yo have to look at the real world, too," he said.

A lot of people who commit crimes and find themselves in court don't have a lot of money, he said.

Eventually, unpaid fines and fees are turned over to a collection agency, Miller said, but as soon as the city does that it loses a percentage of the debt.

Miller, who said he had talked with Ebberts about the situation, said he will probably follow through on shopping the collection business but also said he would look at ways to enhance collections before the fines and fee were turned over to a collection agency.

Shawnee County District Court Judge Steven Ebberts, who Miller replaced on the municipal bench, was considering issuing a request for proposals for companies interested in the municipal court's collection business.

Regardless of how the problem is attacked, it will be impossible to collect all the $16 million now in arrears. The books on unpaid fines and fees have never been purged, which means some of that debt could date back to the beginning of Topeka Municipal Court.

Despite the uncollected debt, Topeka Municipal Court is paying its way.

City spokesman Dave Bevens said Monday the city's finance department indicated the court in 2010 took in $2,872,300 and spent $2,392,926. The expenses include the cost to operate the court, including probation, and house prisoners.

Miller said he didn't know how the dispute between the city and Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor over who would prosecuted misdemeanor crimes in the city would play out, but noted that wasn’t a court question as much at it is a prosecution question. Municipal court, he said, will handle the cases filed by city prosecutors.

A related issue is prosecution of domestic batteries, which the district attorney has been prosecuting.

There are a lot of programs and probationary requirements of people who have been convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery, Miller said. He plans to meet with court services to learn more about what is involved in the post-conviction process.

Topeka Municipal Court doesn't have a lot of probation officers and may need more if it begins trying domestic battery cases, Miller said.

The city's newest judge didn't preside over any trials Monday but did attend docket call at the jail and in Municipal Court chambers with Swartz.

Most of the day, Miller said, was spent handling administrative details, getting connected to the computer and telephone systems and meeting the people he will be working with.

He said Swartz, a classmate at Washburn Law School, was very professional and that he looked forward to working with him and the court's staff.