Post by NotOWL on Jun 26, 2006 20:43:37 GMT -5
New specialized court will handle domestic violence cases in Oswego
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www.empirestatenews.net/News/20060626-5.htm
According to the FBI, a crime involving domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds in the U.S. Studies show that 50 percent of the men who frequently abuse their wives also abuse their children; conversely, in about half the families where there is known physical abuse of children, the child’s mother is also abused.
It’s estimated that about 20 percent of all cases that enter the criminal justice system are domestic violence cases. Domestic violence crosses all economic, social and geographic boundaries. It can affect all ages and partners in married, live-in and social relationships of both sexes.
According to Oswego County District Attorney Donald Dodd, acts of domestic violence are not isolated incidents. What may begin as a pattern of abusive words and verbal threats may escalate to physical force involving restraint, punches, shoving, kicking, choking or worse.
“Children who are exposed to violence see violence as a legitimate form of behavior,” said Dodd. “If a child is exposed to it, the child sees violence as acceptable.”
Breaking the cycle of domestic violence is one of the goals of the new Domestic Violence Court in the City of Oswego. Oswego City Court received a federal grant last year to develop a specialized law court to handle violation and misdemeanor cases that involve domestic violence. By definition, domestic violence offenses apply to people who are related or have been related by marriage or blood or in an intimate relationship.
The goals of the Domestic Violence Court are to improve victim safety, hold defendants accountable, and ensure that violation and misdemeanor cases of domestic violence in the City of Oswego are handled efficiently and consistently.
Oswego City Court Judge James M. Metcalf will preside. The Domestic Violence Court will be held Tuesday mornings beginning June 27.
The court follows the basic philosophy of specialized “problem-solving” courts being developed across the U.S. Defendants are closely monitored to make sure they are complying with court mandates. Court personnel are trained in domestic violence issues and procedures. All activities are overseen by a partnership of judicial, law enforcement, probation, and victim advocate agencies.
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www.empirestatenews.net/News/20060626-5.htm
According to the FBI, a crime involving domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds in the U.S. Studies show that 50 percent of the men who frequently abuse their wives also abuse their children; conversely, in about half the families where there is known physical abuse of children, the child’s mother is also abused.
It’s estimated that about 20 percent of all cases that enter the criminal justice system are domestic violence cases. Domestic violence crosses all economic, social and geographic boundaries. It can affect all ages and partners in married, live-in and social relationships of both sexes.
According to Oswego County District Attorney Donald Dodd, acts of domestic violence are not isolated incidents. What may begin as a pattern of abusive words and verbal threats may escalate to physical force involving restraint, punches, shoving, kicking, choking or worse.
“Children who are exposed to violence see violence as a legitimate form of behavior,” said Dodd. “If a child is exposed to it, the child sees violence as acceptable.”
Breaking the cycle of domestic violence is one of the goals of the new Domestic Violence Court in the City of Oswego. Oswego City Court received a federal grant last year to develop a specialized law court to handle violation and misdemeanor cases that involve domestic violence. By definition, domestic violence offenses apply to people who are related or have been related by marriage or blood or in an intimate relationship.
The goals of the Domestic Violence Court are to improve victim safety, hold defendants accountable, and ensure that violation and misdemeanor cases of domestic violence in the City of Oswego are handled efficiently and consistently.
Oswego City Court Judge James M. Metcalf will preside. The Domestic Violence Court will be held Tuesday mornings beginning June 27.
The court follows the basic philosophy of specialized “problem-solving” courts being developed across the U.S. Defendants are closely monitored to make sure they are complying with court mandates. Court personnel are trained in domestic violence issues and procedures. All activities are overseen by a partnership of judicial, law enforcement, probation, and victim advocate agencies.
