Sex-assault cases in California military shifting jurisdictions
The San Francisco Chronicle reports:
All sexual assault cases in the California military will be transferred from the chain of command and the court-martial system to local police and prosecutors under a law signed Thursday by Gov. Jerry Brown that is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.
The move – which does not affect U.S. military branches like the Marine Corps and Coast Guard – comes amid a national debate over sexual abuse in the armed forces. Many victims’ advocates say the military justice system is failing.
Sexual assault cases involving active-duty members of the state military are already typically handled in local civilian courts, as the California Military Department isn’t equipped to pursue the cases. The new law codifies that practice starting in 2015, and is envisioned as a trendsetter.
