Citation

Person CJ, Moracco KEB, Agnew-Brune C, Bowling JM. Violence Against Women 2018; 24(12): 1474-1496.

Affiliation

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801217738582

PMID

29355079

Abstract

One in three U.S. women has experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and many seek domestic violence protective orders (DVPOs) for secondary IPV prevention. Because judges have considerable autonomy making DVPO decisions, there is a need to describe how courtroom interactions and information available to judges may influence DVPO dispositions. We conducted DVPO hearing observations and phone interviews with District Court Judges. Qualitative themes emerged that may influence judges' decision making in DVPO hearings: case information availability, judge engagement level, and litigant credibility. Recommendations include more time for judges to review case files, IPV-related training for judges, and increased court advocate use.

Language: en

Keywords

intimate partner violence; judicial decision making; violence and injury prevention