| Prosecution of domestic violence (DV) cases is often complicated by uncooperative victims, insufficient evidence, and limited training on the part of prosecutors and judges regarding the dynamics of DV. In large jurisdictions, the standard practice of assigning cases randomly to different dockets also complicates victim services in that advocates must cover a large number of courts. Finally, consistency of dispositions and monitoring of DV offenders on probation may also be problematic when many different courts are involved in handling DV cases. Recognition of these problems has resulted in increasing use of specialized DV courts and prosecutorial units. In this presentation we will describe the development and functioning of a DV Court developed in Memphis, TN. Before and after data evaluating the impact of the court will also be presented, including changes in the timing of cases, dispositions, offender treatment referrals, offender compliance, and victim services. |
Updated 05/20/2006