Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

Good Practices and InnovATIONS in Public Governance
input and recommendations and to determine areas of referral and intersection. Protocol
development was essential to the long term success of the program ensuring
continuity that survives changes in personnel amongst the stakeholders. Protocols
also identify responsibility areas amongst stakeholders and require ownership and
accountability. An annual protocol review process was recommended.
The creation of the specialized court involved creating and implementing new ways
of thinking about cases of youth violence through the following strategies:
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• “Cast a bigger net” through the creation of new intake and referral protocols:
Law enforcement agencies in the county collaborated on creating new response
protocols, which required police to arrest where appropriate and to refer cases
to juvenile probation for intake. By using more sophisticated models, cases
involving violent youth were specifically screened by Juvenile Probation and
referred to the District Attorney if Probation believed the offense fit the criteria
for abuse. If a criminal case could be proven, the District attorney issued a
petition. Initial risk assessment was crucial for evaluating victim risk and for
issuing appropriate interim orders of protection where applicable; and
• Establish “zero tolerance” through training: Attorneys were re-trained to view
juvenile violence consistent with the county’s “zero tolerance” approach to
adult cases. The county prosecution and public defender received introductory
training about domestic violence and its various forms that are likely to be presented
in court. As result, both sides were able to resolve cases earlier. Training
enabled prosecutors to properly charge cases and to request proper conditions of
probation to supplement those requested by the probation department. The prosecution,
in addition to probation and the police, were able to assist victims with
more community-based referrals. These referrals increased the likelihood that
not only would victims obtain the services they needed, but in addition, increased
the odds that victims would appear in court and testify appropriately as
a result of being less dependent on the defendant for financial and emotional
support. Defense attorneys were better able to defend their clients as a result of
increased trial skills and knowledge of probation conditions and probation violations.
Attorneys could thus identify those clients needing specialized services
in addition to intervention programs for domestic and family violence.
Keep “eyes” on the offender:
• Frequent Judicial review: Judge Hyman deemed frequent judicial reviews
critical, not only for assessing abuser and stakeholder accountability but also
victim safety. Frequent reviews kept the focus on the young offender completing
their 26-week program and complying with all conditions of probation,
including staying in school, avoiding drugs or alcohol, and following any protective
orders in place relating to the victim; and