Thin diary - just wanted to get this out there
Background:
[Shawnee County District Attorney] Chad Taylor originally announced that his office would no longer prosecute misdemeanors committed within Topeka after the Shawnee County Commission cut his 2012 budget by nearly $350,000. Taylor said the budget cut would limit his staff to prosecuting all felonies and those misdemeanor crimes committed in Shawnee County outside of the Topeka city limits.
The City Council’s move Tuesday in removing the city ordinance against domestic battery was designed, in large part, to force Taylor to take on the prosecution of such cases as violations of existing state laws.
Today
Topeka Capital-Journal reports:
Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor announced Wednesday that his office will again “commence the review and filing of misdemeanors decriminalized by the City of Topeka.”
from Shawnee County District Attorney's Office Press Release:
“I am deeply saddened by the City of Topeka’s unfortunate decision to place resources and political grandstanding before its constituents’ safety. I am also deeply encouraged by the strong, angry response of the people of Topeka and Shawnee County. The citizens of Topeka and Shawnee County have spoken and spoken clearly – public safety must be our government’s first priority."
he goes on:
Therefore, effective immediately my office will commence the review and filing of misdemeanors decriminalized by the City of Topeka. My office now retains sole authority to prosecute domestic battery misdemeanors and will take on this responsibility so as to better protect and serve our community. We will do so with less staff, less resources, and severe constraints on our ability to effectively seek justice. But we will do so willingly to preserve the public safety of all the citizens of Shawnee County.
1:45 PM PT: This diary was merely an informational one - there are far more extensive diaries on this matter that go into greater background detail