Domestic Violence Court

Program Description

In January 2004, the 54-A District Court began a new and innovative way to handle domestic violence cases by establishing a Domestic Violence (DV) Court to focus upon these crimes. One of the primary purposes for creating this court is homicide prevention; at least one-half of all homicides committed in Lansing are related to domestic violence. DV Court expedites domestic violence cases fairly and efficiently. The DV Court utilizes a team approach to addressing domestic violence. Team members include the judge, other court staff, prosecutors, defense attorneys, police officers, providers of batterers' intervention programs and providers of victims support services.

Arraignment

When a defendant is arraigned on domestic violence charges, he or she will be given pretrial and jury-trial dates. Additionally, defendants are required to enroll in a Batterers Intervention Program on the day that he or she pleads guilty or is found guilty in a trial. The court refers defendants to different programs, depending upon the facts of the case and the defendant's needs. Attendance at the program is mandatory, and a bench warrant will be issued if the defendant fails to immediately enroll in the program or fails to appear at a session.

At arraignment, a "no contact" order will usually be issued. This order prevents the defendant from having any contact whatsoever with the alleged victim in the case. This order can only be removed by authorization of a judge, and is typically only removed when a case is dismissed or when a defendant has attended multiple sessions of the court-ordered violence program. Defendants are told that they will be immediately arrested, or may be held in contempt of court and face up to 30 days in jail if the defendant pleads or is found guilty of violating the court's no contact order.

Participation in the DV Court requires defendants to be accountable for their behavior. Defendants must know that if they do not comply with the court's requirements, an arrest is imminent. It enforces the idea that those that are guilty of domestic violence must be accountable for their actions.

Sentencing

By the time a defendant reaches sentencing, he or she will have already completed 6-8 weeks of a domestic violence program. The sentencing may also include drug and/or alcohol counseling, community service work, jail time and fines and costs. It is critical to understand that while defendants may have an alcohol or drug problem, it is not an excuse for domestic violence, nor is it an explanation for why they batter.

Review Hearings

The court also monitors each defendant's progress during probation at review hearings. At each review hearing, the Judge is given a report from the Probation Officer highlighting positive achievements as well as items that the defendant needs to work on. Ultimately, if a defendant successfully completes all terms and conditions of probation, the court presides over a "graduation," in the courtroom.

***Please feel free to contact Judge Amy Krause and/or her staff at (517) 483-4441 with any questions or if you need additional information.

Resources

Batterers Programs

  • Total Health Education (517) 484-7700
  • Prevention and Training Services (PATS) (517) 323-8149
  • Cristo Rey Counseling Services (517) 372-4700
  • Highfields (517) 887-2762
  • Peace Counseling Center (517) 543-1150

Healthy Relationships Programs

  • Total Health Education (517) 484-7700
  • Support Services for Victims of Domestic Violence
  • Capital Area Response Effort (CARE) 272-7436 or 272-7428
  • End Violent Encounters, Inc. (EVE) (517) 372-5572 (24 hours)
  • Legal Services of South Central Michigan (517) 394-3121
  • MSU Safe Place (Those not affiliated with MSU can receive services from this MSU campus program on a limited basis) (517) 355-1100
  • Marina Levin Rehabilitation (517) 267-0888
  • National DV Hotline (800) 799-SAFE
  • SIREN (517) 543-4915 (Charlotte)
  • Lansing PPO Office (517) 483-6545