Category: Domestic Violence Cases in Court

Domestic violence cases in the court system need to be observed regularly to keep the system working properly to protect the victims. Court Watch Montgomery volunteers work tirelessly to collect data in hundreds of hearings to make sure Maryland judges are held accountable and victims get the help they need from advocates in the courthouse.  Court Watch reports are submitted to show the need for change and to keep the problem of domestic violence in the forefront with the general public, elected officials, press and court staff.

This news category shares stories from court regarding the judges, other court employees, the outcome of Montgomery County domestic violence cases and more. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about the work we do to help reduce intimate partner violence.

Dangerous practice at District Court!

Court Watch volunteers at court have recently overheard numerous bailiffs telling domestic violence offenders they could leave the courtroom two, three or five minutes after the victim left.  This is a very dangerous practice!  Staggered exits of at least 10 minutes are essential to keep victims safe on the way to their transportation following protective […]

New report out today on Circuit Court’s practices in domestic violence cases (Nov. 2013)

Court Watch new report

Protection for victims of domestic violence in Montgomery County’s Circuit Court – Deaths from domestic violence are a continuing and preventable tragedy in Maryland. In each of the last three fiscal years, the number of domestic violence victims killed in Maryland has increased. From July 2011 through June 2012, 49 Maryland residents died as a result of domestic violence. […]

Just a piece of paper? New report on protective orders

Just a piece of paper

Just “A Piece of Paper?” : Domestic Violence Peace and Protective Orders in Montgomery County District Courts In the six months since Court Watch Montgomery issued its first report, the County’s district courts have made several significant improvements to protect victims of domestic violence. For the first time, abusers are now regularly held in the […]

Reaction to our first study has been tremendous

Reaction to Court Watch study

State court personnel expressed appreciation for the study and sent it to every district court judge in the state. Some of the recommendations will apparently be incorporated into new judge and bailiff training state-wide. Citizens in numerous other Maryland counties have expressed interest in setting up local court watch programs. We are glad to strategize, […]

Court Watch Montgomery issued it’s first major report (Oct. 2011)

Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence in Montgomery County: Challenges and Opportunities with Protective and Peace Orders Court Watch Montgomery has released our first report analyzing data collected by volunteers in domestic violence protective order dockets to identify needed court reforms. We estimate that over 7,000 residents are victims of domestic violence in Montgomery County each […]

Bilingual audio at court & other encouraging changes

bilingual audio at court

Montgomery County district courts have evaluated our findings and recommendations (Download Report) and have made some significant changes, including the addition of a bilingual audio at court.  Clerks at each courthouse now play an audio recording in English and Spanish before the judge takes the bench for the domestic violence protective order docket. The audio explains […]