NCJ Number
127192
Date Published
1990
Length
65 pages
Annotation
Recommendations for improving court practices in family violence cases were adopted as official policy of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) at its July 1990 annual meeting.
Abstract
The NCJFCJ began its Family Violence Project in 1987 to implement and evaluate effective court procedures for handling domestic violence and families with multiple forms of abuse. Three jurisdictions have been involved in developing and documenting the improved procedures: Circuit Court of Oregon in Portland; Family Court of Delaware in Wilmington; and Trial Court of Massachusetts' District Court Department in Quincy. Project activities have included case screening and processing, victim assistance, training, case supervision, and data collection. The recommendations focus on policy, courts, and court-related agencies. Specific policy recommendations concern family violence as criminal conduct, adequate resources, omnibus legislation, data collection, family violence as a factor in legal decisions, and legal remedies available to victims. Court recommendations focus on judicial leadership and training, criminal courts, and civil courts. Recommendations involving court-related agencies encompass law enforcement, prosecutors, court administration, probation, victim advocates, child protective services, and treatment providers.