NCJ Number
199724
Date Published
January 2004
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on a study by the National Center for State
Courts that identified and analyzed the structure and operations
of domestic-violence courts, which have been created to improve
the effectiveness of the criminal justice system's response to
domestic-violence cases, which account for a significant and
increasing portion of State court caseloads.
Abstract
The study's information on domestic violence courts was obtained
from 3 sources: the responses of 106 of the 160 courts to a
written questionnaire, follow-up telephone interviews with
representatives of 82 of the 106 courts that responded to the
survey, and a modified Delphi study (2 rounds of questionnaires) with a panel of 27 professionals. The 106 courts that responded to the questionnaire reported having numerous specialized processes and structural components to manage
domestic-violence cases, including specialized calendars, intake
units, case screening, specialized judicial assignment, and
court-ordered and monitored batterer intervention programs. Few
of the courts have all of these features. Although many of the
responding courts have instituted some changes in the organization, procedures, or judicial assignment to manage domestic-violence cases more effectively and efficiently,
relatively few courts have apparently implemented a more
comprehensive system for domestic-violence caseloads. In many
courts, screening and case coordination are not standard
operations, and many courts do not use available information systems for case screening and tracking. Most courts do not have systematic mechanisms to monitor batterer compliance, and judicial training is lacking. Also, few courts have the full array of services needed to assist victims, including access to legal assistance for civil matters and economic support. The
Delphi study findings show considerable consensus on several
issues related to the court management of domestic-violence
cases. Professionals experienced in the field agree that victim
safety, batterer accountability, and system integrity are
essential to an effective system response to domestic violence.
Differences exist among professionals regarding the appropriate role of courts in providing services to domestic-violence victims, limitations imposed by court jurisdiction and
organization, and the issues associated with adapting established
systems to address new and different issues. The implications of these findings are drawn for researchers and for practitioners.
16 references
Date Published: January 1, 2004