In 2002, California became the first state in the US with a law allowing incarcerated victims of domestic violence to petition the courts to re-open their cases if important evidence of domestic violence was overlooked. With thousands of victims of domestic violence behind bars across the country, every state should pass such a law. Contact your local and state representatives and encourage them to sponsor and pass legislation in your state. Tell them they can model their legislation after California Penal Code 1473.5, which gives inmates the chance to present previously unheard evidence of domestic violence pertaining to their cases.