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Monday, July 29, 2019

Bexar Judge Rosie Gonzalez Launches Effort to Fund Court Focused on Reducing Domestic Violence

Posted By Sanford Nowlin on Mon, Jul 29, 2019 at 1:40 PM

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Bexar County Court Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez - FACEBOOK / JUDGE ROSIE SPEEDLIN GONZALEZ

Facebook / Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez
Bexar County Court Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez

Bexar County Court Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez is pursuing $1 million in funding to create a first-of-its-kind drug court focused on reducing domestic violence, Texas Public Radio reports.

During a Saturday news conference, Gonzalez said she aims to curb the city's alarming family violence problem by intervening when people enter the criminal justice system charged with drug crimes and domestic violence.

The Texas Legislature approved a pilot program for a hybrid domestic violence and drug court in Bexar County during the last session, according to TPR. However, the state didn't allocate any funding.

“The governor signed our bill into law, but the message was clear: it’s a local problem, get some local funding,” said Gonzalez, who added that she's casting a wide net for funding and support.

So far, the judge has at least one prominent city ally for the project. Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan, herself a survivor of domestic violence, said she will begin campaigning for the city to assist.

Last year, 25 San Antonians died in domestic violence incidents, the highest number on recent record. That total is three victims more than in 2017 and roughly triple the 2015 rate.

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Tags: Domestic violence, family violence, drug courts, Rosie Gonzalez, Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, Jada Andrews-Sullivan, Texas Legislature, Bexar County, Image

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