Over two thousand people have been charged under a new domestic violence law in New York, which went into effect on November 11. Previously, strangulation or intentional choking had usually resulted in charges of harassment. Sean M. Byrne, acting Division of Criminal Justice Services commissioner, said the high number of arrests in less than four months reflects how police previously had found it difficult to find appropriate charges to file against attackers who placed their victims in chokeholds.
The new law consists of two felony counts, first-degree and second-degree strangulation, and the misdemeanor of obstructing breathing and blood circulation. Of the arrests made so far, 83% were for the misdemeanor.
Byrne added that anybody who is convicted of the misdemeanor is required to submit a DNA sample to the state's DNA databank. "We expect to see that the DNA samples will contribute to solving more crimes," Byrne said. Not all misdemeanor convictions carry that requirement. All convicted felons must submit DNA samples.
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