By specializing in domestic violence offenses, these courts aim to process cases more efficiently and deliver more consistent rulings about domestic violence statutes. Some domestic violence courts also incorporate a stronger focus on rehabilitation of offenders and deterrence of repeat offenses.
In the 1990s, many jurisdictions began to create specialized domestic violence courts for judges to ensure follow-through on cases, aid domestic violence victims, and hold offenders accountable, with the assistance of justice and social service agencies. By specializing in domestic violence offenses, these courts aim to process cases more ...
Domestic Violence Courts: Batterer Programs, Monitoring, and Assessments. All domestic violence courts mandate batterer programs to some degree, but states that emphasize rehabilitation are more likely to order offenders to attend such a program.
According to a national study of domestic violence courts, more than half (62 percent) of domestic violence courts order offenders to probation, and most of these courts obtain reports on offenders' compliance with probation.
More than 75 percent of domestic violence courts impose penalties when an offender does not comply with court orders. These sanctions include (in order of frequency): 1 Verbal admonishment. 2 Immediate return to court. 3 Increased court appearances. 4 Revoked or amended probation. 5 Jail.
NIJ researchers have evaluated the most common batterer intervention programs. Most findings show that these programs do not change batterers' attitudes toward women or domestic violence, and that they have little to no impact on reoffending. See Batterer Intervention Programs Often Do Not Change Offender Behavior.
More than half of domestic violence courts require judicial monitoring of the offender after the case is heard, but they vary greatly in the type and frequency of their follow-up practices. They may review program reports, restate responsibilities, and praise compliance and punish noncompliance.