Public Records Free Directory Blog

In California, a database providing information about convicted domestic violence offenders could soon become a reality. On April 9, 2008, the California State Assembly Public Safety Committee approved legislation to create such a database. The Bill, AB 1771 was introduced in January by Assembly Member Ma. The Bill, also known by many as the “domestic violence database bill,” requires the Attorney General to “develop an Internet Web site that is available to the public that contains certain information about persons who have been convicted of at least one felony domestic violence offense or at least two misdemeanor domestic violence offenses.”

The database would house the name, date of birth, county and date of conviction for the offenders. The Bill also requires information to remain on the database for at least 10 years. Information about convicted domestic violence offenders is already available to be viewed by the public; however, this database would make the information easier to access.

The hope is that this domestic violence database will arm people with useful information to prevent them from potentially entering into abusive relationships. Similarly, sex offender websites, while controversial, provide a sense of security for many Americans today, and perhaps a domestic violence offender database can create the same affect.