A dedicated court team judge, attorneys, victim advocates and a resource coordinator ensures that defendants are carefully monitored, victims have access to comprehensive services and the judge has the information he needs to make quick and effective decisions. The response to domestic violence is immediate, certain and consistent. It includes traditional punishment incarceration and probation as well as mandated participation in batterers' intervention programs and strict enforcement of orders of protection. Intense scrutiny of defendants' compliance with Court orders and frequent Court appearances ensures a swift response to violations. Defendants are more accountable for their actions because a single judge knows the full history of each case and shares information with the Department of Probation, batterers' intervention programs and others to promote a coordinated response.
Customized technology helps the judge make more informed decisions.
For example, the judge can access compliance information provided directly by the Court's off-site partners. The Brooklyn Felony Domestic Violence Court has expanded to include two full-time judges in the Kings County Supreme Court building. The probation violation rate for defendants sentenced in 2000 was half the typical rate for this population. Victim advocates assigned to the Court have made contact with virtually all victims, offering referral services, counseling and safety planning. And the Court has achieved an average dismissal rate of 6.1 percent over its first four years.