THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 24, 1994 TAG: 9409240020
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
More than four of five Virginia child-abuse-neglect complaints are deemed mistaken or malicious. Neither Child Protective Services nor ``family'' court gives due process to an accused.
When error occurs, everybody loses: the unabused but now traumatized child, the devastated falsely accused, the financially ripped-off taxpayer and justice itself. An accused must disprove guilt against often-secret agency records, documenting guilt by opinion.
Whenever official error and actual innocence are obvious, justice demands an easy out for the injured citizen and restitution for that taxpayer's family.
Fair-minded legislators must deal with Virginia's 21-day new evidence trap for innocents before they catapult the prison keys of violent offenders.
Until government agents are forever infallible, General Assembly members must include an ``innocent's exit'' provision in a crime bill.
BARBARA BRYAN
Communications
National Child Abuse
Defense & Resource Center
Roanoke, Sept. 10, 1994 by CNB