Beyond the gatekeepers: court professionals' self-reported attitudes about and experiences with misdemeanor domestic violence cases

This study used intensive interview and survey data from 62 municipal court professionals (judges, prosecutors, and public defenders) to expand on the limited research on the court processing of domestic violence cases. The participants reported legal variables as both what should be and what were a...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Hartman, Jennifer L. (Author) ; Belknap, Joanne (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2003
In: Criminal justice and behavior
Year: 2003, Volume: 30, Issue: 3, Pages: 349-373
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
court process
court professionals
Domestic Violence
Judge
Prosecutor
victim satisfaction
Description
Summary:This study used intensive interview and survey data from 62 municipal court professionals (judges, prosecutors, and public defenders) to expand on the limited research on the court processing of domestic violence cases. The participants reported legal variables as both what should be and what were actually most commonly used in domestic violence court decisions. Victim testimony was also reported as important, and these data suggest that domestic violence victims cooperate with the courts more often than is believed. Victim advocate and batterer intervention workers' opinions were reported as both what should be and were least influential in the case outcome. Finally, the respondents rated the case sentences as having very little impact on domestic violence recidivism.
ISSN:1552-3594
DOI:10.1177/0093854803030003005