Topeka City Councilman Resigns Amid Child Abuse Allegations
A Topeka city councilman recently resigned from office in accordance with an agreement with prosecutors to resolve child abuse allegations against him and his wife. Jonathan Schumm and his wife Allison were charged in November of last year by the Shawnee County District Attorney for abusing one of their 16 children.
The couple was arrested on four counts of aggravated battery, child abuse, and torture of the then 12-year-old boy. Jonathan Schumm allegedly whipped the child with his belt, causing a laceration over the child’s eye. He is also suspected of threatening to kill the young boy.
Following the charges, prosecutors filed a pair of motions to have the disgraced city councilman removed from his office. In complying with the prosecutor’s desire to see him removed, Schumm’s was recently placed in a diversion program for first-time offenders.
Several of the Schumm’s other children were taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services (CPS) following the incident. A replacement for Schumm’s vacant seat on the Topeka City Council will be chosen by its current members, and the seat will expire at the end of his term in January 2018.
Kansas Criminal Diversion Programs
Under Kansas law, defendants in criminal cases may have the option of entering into diversion programs to have the charges dismissed and avoid criminal records. These types of programs are not guaranteed and must be agreed to with the county prosecutor overseeing the case.
Generally, first-time criminal offenders have the option of going through these diversionary programs to avoid jail time, fines, and community service. Defendants in these programs may also be subject to drug and alcohol screening by authorized providers.
There are certain expenses associated with these programs and may depend on the seriousness of the charge, which include court costs, screening fees, and educational programs. Additionally, there may be certain probationary periods based on nature of the crime (misdemeanor or felony).
Kansas Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you are facing criminal charges as a first time offender in Kansas, you may be able to enter into a diversionary program in your district. However, these programs are never guaranteed and defendants should strongly consider retaining an experienced Kansas criminal defense attorney to help ensure their admittance into one of these programs. The attorneys of The Morrison Law Firm have the legal training and experience necessary to mitigate criminal defense charges and help people move on with their lives. For a consultation about your case, contact our office by calling (913) 780-6666.
