“Write a different ending” portraits used in Annapolis hearing
It was nice to run into Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary (D-Howard) in Annapolis this week. She thanked me profusely for the 6 portraits of domestic violence homicide victims that we had sent her. Each defendant was disqualified from possessing a gun in Maryland, but had one. Del. Atterbeary held up the portraits during a Judiciary Committee hearing […]
Lively discussion at the Neshante & Chloe Davis DV Task Force
Court Watch was pleased to testify today in front of the Neshante & Chloe Davis DV Task Force. The task force will make wide-ranging recommendations about reforms needed to prevent domestic violence. The task force is led by Sen. Anthony Muse and Del. Vanessa Atterbeary and includes representatives from the Governor’s Office of Crime and […]
Judge denies order to victim with photograph of bruise
A female victim recently showed a District Court judge a picture of a bruise on her arm as part of her evidence that she needed protection of the court. The victim had previously had a final protective order against the same respondent. The judge denied the order, as well as a cross-filed petition by the respondent. Court […]
Extremely dangerous precedent in TX protective order court
The Washington Post reports that last week (Feb. 2017) half a dozen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents showed up in a Texas courtroom where an undocumented woman was seeking a protective order against her boyfriend for punching, kicking, choking and attempting to stab her. The agents arrested her. Both the El Paso County Attorney and […]
Court volunteers discuss domestic violence with judges
This week 18 court volunteers spent over an hour discussing the protective order and domestic violence criminal dockets with District Court Administrative Judge Eugene Wolfe, and Judges Mitchell, Moffett, Williams and Sabett. It was a valuable opportunity to more fully understand the court’s approach to domestic violence cases and to share Court Watch’s concerns about […]
Judge goes the extra mile with victims dropping cases
When a victim files a petition many abusers feel they are losing control. The potential for danger rises dramatically. Some domestic violence victims who drop their protective order cases are doing so in reaction to extreme anger or threats by their abuser. Judge Zuberi Williams went out of his way today to increase the chances that petitioners […]
Judge refuses protection to child at great risk
A District Court judge handling protective orders in November listened as a petitioner told her story. The petitioner described how her partner attacked and strangled her while she was holding their young child in her arms. He strangled her again on the bed, with the child lying right next to them. The respondent’s actions put the child in great danger and show a […]
District Court judges and bailiffs provide safe exits only 56% of the time
Staggering exits at the end of every domestic violence court hearing is a simple procedure. Bailiffs can keep victims safe by holding respondents for at least 10 minutes after the petitioner leaves the courtroom. When bailiffs don’t stagger exits, many survivors are harassed or assaulted by angry abusers on the way to their cars or buses. Staggering […]
Judge holds a late defendant accountable
Monitors were surprised to see what played out in DV criminal court last week. A defendant, due at 8:30 am, arrived at court just before noon. The judge vigorously assessed the veracity of the defendant’s claim that he was late because his car had broken down. What the judge did is an excellent best practice! […]
DV prosecutor stands up for victims
A prosecutor handling criminal domestic violence cases implemented a terrific “best practice” this week. She didn’t just assume that bailiffs would hold defendants at least 10 minutes so victims could safely leave the building. (In fact, bailiffs rarely ensure safe exits in criminal court). Instead, the prosecutor informed the judge that she had a victim present who needed […]