NCJ Number
231613
Date Published
June 2004
Length
60 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of legislation passed by State legislatures from 1997 to 2003 to deal with the problem of domestic violence.
Abstract
This report presents detailed information on the laws and reforms passed by State legislatures to combat the increasing problem of domestic violence. The report serves several purposes: as a reference for State legislators concerned with domestic violence, especially in spelling out the responsibilities of law enforcement and prosecutor agencies; as a source of ideas for advocates of legislative reforms aimed at reducing domestic violence; and as a tool for researchers and educators who wish to better understand the legal context and constraints that local justice agencies experience in responding to domestic violence. This report is divided into five sections: 1) background on the problem of domestic violence; 2) a listing of State variations in laws that combat domestic violence; 3) a legislative review that discusses criminal code provisions, criminal procedure, and police and prosecutor training and guidelines; 4) an analysis of legislative guidelines, and an assessment of State legislation at both the national perspective and from the view of the State of Pennsylvania; and 5) a summary of how far States have come in understanding the seriousness of domestic violence and the need for laws to deal with the problem. Exhibits