New Mexico Governor Praises New Domestic Violence Laws

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced that three new domestic violence laws will go into effect on July 1st.

The first of the three laws makes it a crime to deprive or damage the property of someone you live with.  Richardson said destroying or taking away another person's property is a way to gain control over them, and that that type of behavior must come to an end.

The second law makes it possible for victims of domestic violence to take time off from work to tend to their legal issues, without fear of losing their job.

The third law amends the state's stalking laws to include cyber stalking and other technical methods of stalking.

"It allows us to better protect victims of cyber stalking," said Richardson. "It's a tool for law enforcement in holding perpetrators accountable."

Richardson said he was proud of the progress the state has made in protecting victims of domestic violence, but that domestic violence and sexual assault are still a big problem in New Mexico, and there is still a lot more to do.

For more information about domestic violence laws, click here to find a family law attorney near you.