Exposing children to domestic violence now a crime in Columbia Falls

The Columbia Falls City Council last week passed a law that makes it a crime to expose minors to domestic violence.

Under the new law in a domestic violence case where a family member is assaulting another family member, a person could be additionally charged if “the crime is committed in the immediate presence of, or is witnessed or heard by, the person’s or the victim’s minor child, minor stepchild, or any minor child present.”

A minor is defined as a person under 18 years of age.

The offense is a misdemeanor. A person convicted of the offense shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than two days and up to 15 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Under state law, a person commits the offense of partner or family member assault if the person purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to a partner or family member; negligently causes bodily injury to a partner or family member with a weapon; or purposely or knowingly causes reasonable apprehension of bodily injury in a partner or family member.

Police Chief Chad Stephens noted the law would give police the ability to do more in domestic violence cases, as the direct victims don’t always want to testify against their assailants.

But now, if there’s evidence children were exposed to the violent act, the assailant could be charged if the victim does not want to press charges.

Council had tabled the law after a first reading, as the city wanted to do a bit more research on the ordinance.

The law goes into effect 30 days from passage.