The proposed legislation would grant a special victim’s status for those trained to officiate sports contests. Anyone assaulting them would be subject to a Class A misdemeanor instead of the current Class C penalty. would put them on equal footing with utility workers and MODOT workers.
Special victims? I don't like the idea of special victims. If anyone in my family were to be a victim of assault, I sure wouldn't want them to get less justice just because they were not a referee.
Wow. What about a cop? Should assaulting a cop have larger repercussions than assaulting a civilian? A firefighter? An EMS worker? A teacher? A transportation worker directing traffic?
There is no right or wrong answer. If you're going to debate then do so intelligently with a coherent argument. Or, just say "Wow." Can't say I disagree much. The problem isn't so much the law as it is the bogged down judicial system in so many jurisdictions around this country where everything gets plead down to almost nothing, especially for those with no criminal background. Both battery and assault laws vary quite a bit from state to state as well. Getting justice for referee battery or assault cases requires a lot of pressure from the referee, their family, and even the referee association making a huge stink, showing up en masse to hearings, etc.
It's not about being special as you frame it, it's recognizing there are specific groups of people, who due to the nature of their professions, are in inherently riskier positions to be assaulted, abused, etc. The punishments for committing a crime against these people should be stronger, otherwise no one will do these jobs and then we all suffer.
Thus my question to him. Either he feels no one is worthy of this additional protection. or He accepts that some occupations are worthy of this, but not referees. I was wondering which it is. But as you say, it has little to do with the victim being special rather, it is the risk involved. I'd add to that that most of the professions that have this increased punishment for assault are professions that are almost defenseless. Neither a DOT worker nor a referee will be carrying any type of protective device. Their area to flee is usually limited. Also, they are easily out-numbered.
I didn't frame the referees as being "special", the original post used those words. Being more likely to be assaulted is not a justification for more justice than being less likely to be assaulted. I would argue just the opposite. I'd rather that assault on elderly and young children should receive higher punishment than referees, police, and other "special" victims.... That's one argument. But my original point is that there should be no special victims. I'm sure the friends and family of all victims feel that there is nobody more special. Including cops, referees, politicians, teachers, firemen, DOT workers ........ Where does the list of "special" people stop?
You're missing the point. It's not about justice, it's about prevention. Having higher punishments against people that are more likely to be assaulted prevents the assaults.
No, you are missing the point. Why on earth would you NOT want to prevent assaults against all people, including the elderly and young children? By creating a "special" class of victims who are more protected against assault, you are creating another class of "less special" victims who are less protected. Some of the most likely people to be assaulted are jerk drivers and people who owe money to loan sharks. Shall we include them in the "special victim" class?
Well, when a player shoves a ref during a game, do you not believe he should be sent off? why is that different from when a player shoves an opponent? Our authority by its nature creates antagonism. As we have all experienced, when there is no teeth behind sanction, our authority is degraded, and our risk rises. I am in favor of pretty much anything that enhances the absolute nature of that authority. that having been said, I didn’t read the bill but there’s no reason we should be treated specially when not in our official capacity, or at least If the motive of an assault is not related to our actions as referees.
The bills amend the definition of “special victims” to include: In MO, assault is as follows: If it is a special victim, it moves from Class B felony to Class A felony If it is a special victim, it moves from Class D felony to Class B felony If it is a special victim, it moves from Class E felony to Class D felony If special victim, it becomes a Class A Misdemeanor
It looks as most referee assaults would fall under "Third degree" The bump from E to D means a possible 4 years to a possible 7 years Both include fines unto $10,000
I disagree. They are still equally protecting ALL people from assault. You do action X and it results in a charge of Assault, Y Degree. Assailants are being charged with the same crime regardless of the nature of the victim. no victim is "more protected" and no victim is "less protected". These bills are simply allowing judges to enhance sentencing in certain circumstances, that maybe not you, but most of society view as especially heinous.
Beyond that, if a person has enough anger to assault a ref, do we really think they have the time or state of mind to process the possible consequences?
When I read that referees who are assaulted will be "special victims," this is what went through my head: "In the criminal justice system, assaults against sports officials are considered especially heinous. In Missouri, the dedicated detectives who investigate these crimes are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories."
I am grateful for added protections and I'm hoping it'll catch on and more states will adopt these changes. It only takes a few people getting seriously punished before people get to understand that you shouldn't touch referees.
I'd rather focus severe punishments for verbal abuse of youth referees. Obviously assaulting a minor would be dealt with seriously by the justice system, but I'd love to see more focus from SRCs and state associations about verbal/mental abuse towards youth refs.
This is also something we as referees can have more impact on. We could get together and make a push for it, and the SRCs are much more directly affected by our actions.