Slater-Price Applauds Bill That Denies Spousal Support to Violent Felons

Friday Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that denies spousal support to violent felons, a move saluted by Supervisor Pam Slater-Price.

“Abusive spouses should not be entitled to one dime of alimony from their victims,” Slater-Price stated. “I appreciate Assemblywoman Toni Atkins’ (D-San Diego) leadership in drafting the legislation and Governor Brown’s expedience in signing it.”

Slater-Price led an effort in January that registered the full Board of Supervisors’ support for Atkins’ Assembly Bill 1522, according to a news release from the county.

“The County of San Diego is determined to reduce the suffering caused by domestic violence and sexual abuse,” Slater-Price stated. “It is unconscionable that victims were forced to pay alimony, divide their property or share their pensions with their abusers.”

AB 1522, and a domestic abuse case involving a Carlsbad woman, has garnered national attention.

The woman, Crystal Harris, was ordered to pay her former husband monthly spousal support even after he was charged with sexually assaulting her. After he was convicted and sentenced to six years, Harris was ordered to pay a portion of his legal fees.

Current law already prevents spousal support in cases of the attempted murder or soliciting the murder of a spouse.  AB 1522 adds violent sex felonies to the list of convictions that disqualify a person from obtaining financial benefits from their ex-spouse in a divorce proceeding.