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Date
of Implementation:
1996
Overview:
The dedicated domestic
violence court combines civil and criminal actions (criminal no
contact orders, civil domestic violence protection orders and
anti-harassment petitions) to improve the safety of domestic violence
victims and the break the cycle of violence.
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Key Elements:
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Judges have complete and
comprehensive records in front of them to make proper decisions about
the orders based on the perpetrator’s record.
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At risk children are “red
flagged” and given special attention to make sure that their needs
are addressed.
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“One Stop Shopping” eliminates
unnecessary barriers to services by having civil domestic violence
court clerks assist victims in filling out the necessary paperwork to
obtain orders for protection and to help ensure that the most
effective order is selected.
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A safe waiting area is provided for
petitioners and their children while awaiting their appearance in
court.
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A special effort is made to treat
batterers and victims, even the recanting ones, with respect and
dignity.
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All cases are handled expeditiously
with the knowledge that unnecessary delay in the protection hearings
can have fatal consequences.
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Focus on allowing all parties
involved to have notice and a voice throughout the process.
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Increases clarity of court orders
and consequences for noncompliance by allowing participant input into
protection orders and insuring that participants understand the
content of the order as well as the full consequences of
noncompliance.
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Uses a comprehensive risk
management process and sets periodic reviews of court orders.
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Development of court involved prosecutors,
defense attorneys, the court, victims, victim advocates, citizen focus
groups, treatment providers, and others.
Evaluation:
Evaluation data not
available at this time.
Other
Support:
Support for the
foundations of the domestic violence court are found in the writings
of Bruce Winick, David Wexler, Leonore Simon and Randal Fritzler.
Contact & Related Links:
Randal B. Fritzler
District Court Judge
Dept 5 Clark County, Washington
PO Box 9806
Vancouver, WA
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