New York State’s Integrated Domestic Violence Court Model: Results from Four Recent Studies
This article synthesizes findings from four recent studies examining the integrated domestic violence (IDV) court model. Based on a one family-one judge concept, the New York State court system has established more than 40 such courts across the state since 2001. These courts seek to achieve more informed judicial decision-making, fewer conflicting orders, improved service delivery to victims and their children, and a more efficient and comprehensible case processing system. Published in Domestic Violence Report.
To obtain this synthesis of four recent studies on integrated domestic violence courts, click here.
Domestic Violence Courts: A Multisite Test of Whether and How They Change Offender Outcomes
This article reports findings from an investigation of 24 criminal domestic violence courts across New York State. Overall, the 24 courts achieved a modest positive impact in reducing recidivism among convicted domestic violence offenders. The 24 domestic violence courts also increased conviction rates and sentences involving jail or prison among male domestic violence defendants. Of final interest, court policies specifically designed to increase victim safety, hold offenders accountable, and reduce offender recidivism (through deterrence or rehabilitation) were instrumental in reducing recidivism. Published in Violence Against Women in 2015 and available at the following link: https://vaw.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/06/05/1077801215589231.abstract
The Belmont Revitalization Project: Reimagining an Avenue
The Belmont Revitalization Project is one of many initiatives being led by the Brownsville Community Justice Center, which seeks to transform the justice system in Brownsville, reduce crime and incarceration, and strengthen public trust in justice by providing alternatives to incarceration and creating opportunities for diversion for youth and community members who come into contact with the law.
Families and the Courts: New Thinking podcasts on kids, parents, and the criminal justice system
Can the justice system make a positive difference in a family? Can courts promote healthy relationships between parents and children? These New Thinking podcasts give inside views of innovations for youth and families involved in the justice system.
Adolescent Diversion Program: The Court System Pilots a New Approach to Young Offenders
In an effort to improve the judicial response to 16 and 17 year old offenders, the Center for Court Innovation is helping the New York State Court System pilot the Adolescent Diversion Program. If the initiative succeeds, Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman hopes to institutionalize it across the state.
Can Peacemaking Work Outside of Tribal Communities?
Peacemaking is a traditional Native American approach to justice. While the exact form peacemaking takes varies among tribes, it usually consists of one or more peacemakers—often community elders—who gently guide a conversation involving not only those directly involved in an offense or conflict but family members, friends, and the larger community.
The State of Pretrial Release Decision-Making in Tribal Jurisdictions: Closing the Knowledge Gap
This study examines pretrial release decision-making practices in tribal courts by pulling together evidence from focus group and survey responses, as well as tribal case law. This article was originally published in the Fall 2009 Journal of Court Innovation Special Issue on Tribal Justice.
Full Faith and Credit and Cooperation Between State and Tribal Courts: Catching Up to the Law
An article examining the extent to which four jurisdictions offer full faith and credit to tribal court judgments and the role their tribal-state judicial forums have in fostering cooperative relationships between tribal and state court systems. This article was originally published in the Journal of Court Innovation Special Issue on Tribal Justice.
Treaties, Tribal Courts, and Jurisdiction: The Treaty of Canandaigua and the Six Nations’ Sovereign Right to Exercise Criminal Jurisdiction
An article exploring the potential uses of Indian nations’ inherent authority and treaties to exercise jurisdiction over non-Indian criminal offenders. This article was originally published in the Journal of Court Innovation Special Issue on Tribal Justice.
An article examining the imposition of Western-style legal jurisprudence and “law” upon Native peoples. This article was originally published in the Journal of Court Innovation Special Issue on Tribal Justice.
