U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research Part II: Prosecution
NCJ Number
              222320

Author(s)
          Andrew R. Klein
Date Published

April 2008
Length
              92 pages
Annotation
              This second part of a three-part study of the practical implications of domestic violence research for criminal justice personnel focuses on prosecutors' policies and procedures.
Abstract
              Among the issues addressed in the reviewed research are the prevalence of nonfatal domestic violence, the rate at which domestic violence reaches the courts, whether arrest is the best response, perpetrator and victim characteristics, risk for reoffending and homicide, whether prosecution of offenders deters reabuse, and the current level of domestic-violence prosecutions across the country. Also discussed are the evidence typically available for prosecuting domestic violence cases, the dispositions most suspects receive, whether specialized prosecution units are effective, sentences for convicted batterers, and whether batterer intervention programs prevent reabuse. One of the implications drawn from research on the prevalence and adverse impact of domestic violence on victims is that prosecutors must commit sufficient resources and attention to ensure that domestic violence cases are handled efficiently and effectively. Given the severity of injuries and high risk for homicide in domestic violence cases, prosecutors must adopt policies that provide protection for victims, their children, other family members, and responding law enforcement officers, as well as to protect abusers from suicide. Another recommendation based on research findings is that prosecutors should encourage law enforcement agencies to arrest abuser suspects by filing charges and committing resources to the prosecution of those arrested. In cases where both intimate partners are arrested by police, prosecutors should independently determine who the primary aggressor was and proceed against only that suspect. Prosecutors should take all steps possible to have firearms removed by the court as soon as abusers are arrested and obtain guilty verdicts so that Federal firearm prohibitions apply. Prosecution deters domestic violence if it imposes appropriate intrusive sentences, including supervised probation and incarceration. 200 references and 373 notes
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2007M-07032


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)
    
  
  
Date Published: April 1, 2008
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Arrests
        Crisis intervention
        Domestic assault
        Domestic assault arrest policies
        Domestic assault prevention



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Research and Evaluation on School Safety: Perceptions of State School Safety Center Supports and Services
                  NamUs Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report
                  A Capillary Electrophoresis Method for Identifying Forensically Relevant Body Fluids Using miRNAs
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov