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Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Indiana Law - Domestic violence handbook
The Munster Times reports here today that:
CROWN POINT -- Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez unveiled a new domestic violence handbook Tuesday that he hopes law enforcement agencies across the county will put into practice.U.S. Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter joined Dominguez at the Lake County Government Center for a meeting of the Domestic Violence Task Force. The audience consisted of police and legal professionals and those who maintain shelters for victims of domestic violence, such as Lisa Wein, director of Haven House, who invited the officials to mark Domestic Violence Month.
Dominguez said the Sheriff's Department won't officially adopt the policy manual until those agencies and individuals who may use it have an opportunity to provide input.
He described the manual as a tool for police officers to determine if a domestic violence call should produce sufficient evidence to make an arrest. It also covers the duties of 911 dispatchers and how the prosecutor's officer should follow up investigations.
After-care for victims as well as their children and pets are covered, too.
Carter recalled that when he first joined the county prosecutor's office in 1983, domestic violence calls required a 24-hour "cooling off" period before charges could be filed. He explained that was the law and the perceived right thing to do at the time, but no more.
Carter said his office now encourages victims to press charges. He believes deputy prosecutors should receive domestic violence training in order to be more sensitive to the issues involved in such cases.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 20, 2004 07:07 AM
Posted to Indiana Law