Police responses to restraining orders in domestic violence incidents: identifying the custody-threshold thesis

The present analysis examines the extent to which police officers arrest domestic violence offenders who violate restraining orders. The study develops a theoretical framework, referred to as the custody-threshold thesis, that considers the decision to arrest to be a function of the officers' g...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kane, Robert J. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2000
In: Criminal justice and behavior
Year: 2000, Volume: 27, Issue: 5, Pages: 561-580
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Description
Summary:The present analysis examines the extent to which police officers arrest domestic violence offenders who violate restraining orders. The study develops a theoretical framework, referred to as the custody-threshold thesis, that considers the decision to arrest to be a function of the officers' goals to satisfy one of several purposes of custody. Findings from logistic regression modeling show that restraining-order violations in domestic violence incidents have the greatest impact on arrest probability when risk of injury to the victim is low, but that as risk increases, the predictive strength of restraining-order violations diminishes. Findings support the custody-threshold thesis, suggesting important policy implications, which are identified and discussed.
ISSN:1552-3594
DOI:10.1177/0093854800027005002