Predicting Legal Resolutions in Domestic Violence Cases

Group: University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center

URL: http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/forum/26/3fall2009/a_dvrez.html

Description

This article discusses characteristics of assaults in domestic violence incidents reported to Alaska State Troopers — reports, suspects, victims, victim-suspect relationships, and incidents — and the degree to which they influenced prosecution of domestic violence cases. Characteristics that predicted prosecution generally included the following: severity of the incident or corroboration of the victims’ description of events, thorough investigation and/or interrogation practices, intimate partner relationship between victim and suspect, and the incident occurring in an area with a VPSO or VPO program. Characteristics that significantly predicted prosecution can be used as the basis for modifications in policy and/or practice to enhance prosecution of domestic violence cases in Alaska.

Tags

violent crime, domestic violence, sexual violence, courts

Other Attributes