Solicitor General’s Office Kicked off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at Governor’s Signing of HB711

Governor Nathan Deal signs HB711 into law as Solicitor Generals and Attorneys from across the state look on.

In keeping with this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights week theme “Extending the Vision:  Reaching Every Victim,” Henry County’s  Solicitor- General, Charles A. “Chuck” Spahos, has continued to work hard on legislative issues that impact victims of domestic violence.  Some of that hard work reached fruition on April 16th at the Capitol when Governor Nathan Deal signed into legislation what was formerly known as House Bill 711, co-sponsored by Representatives Lindsey of the 54th, Atwood of the 179th, Houston of the 170th,  Benfield of the 85th, and Jacobs of the 80th.  The legislation amends the spousal privilege under Georgia rules of evidence providing for certain exceptions and thereby allowing greater chances of success in prosecuting domestic violence cases.

Present, in part, for the signing were Solicitor-General  Spahos, his Chief Investigator,  Randall Coppolino, Chief Assistant Solicitor,  Michelle Ferguson, Victim Services Coordinator,  Shannon Duffey, and District Attorney Victim Services Director, Lorraine Bunn. 

No longer can a spouse invoke his or her spousal privilege to not testify against the accused, charged with crimes related to domestic violence involving a crime against a minor child, a crime against the other spouse or concerning his/her property, a crime the husband and wife are alleged to have acted jointly in the commission of, or if the alleged crime occurred prior to the marriage of the husband and wife.

While great strides and progress have been made with regard to victims’ rights, there is still much to do in the field.  Fragmentations in the system and in the law as well as budget strain continue to challenge victim service providers and courts with reaching every victim every time with no gaps.  The dedicated resolve from providers in our community such as shown here by Solicitor-General Spahos continue to strengthen the overall response to victims of crime. 
To learn more about services available for victims of crime, please join the Solicitor’s Office and the District Attorney’s office as well as other victim service providers at a community awareness event to be held Thursday, April 26th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Henry County Judicial Center ground floor atrium.  This will be held in conjunction with the annual memorial service, which begins at 7 p.m. in memory of victims of homicide occurring in Henry County and in honor of them and their families.  Recognition of nominated officers and service providers who have provided outstanding services to victims of crime is also a part of this service. 

For more information, contact the Victims Services Programs within the Solicitor-General’s office at 770-288-7178 or the District Attorney’s office at
770-288-6351.

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