Bench Book On Domestic Violence New Resource For Local Criminal Courts
BINGHAMTON, NY - The Broome County Family Violence Prevention Council is pleased to announce the release and distribution of the Broome County Domestic Violence Bench Book for Local Criminal Courts. The Bench Book, represents months of work by the Inter-Agency Planning Committee of the Council and is designed to serve as a resource for local criminal court judges to help them deal with issues involving domestic violence. The book is scheduled for distribution to all Broome County Magistrates/local criminal court judges on November 5, 2003.
The Bench Book contains detailed information to assist local criminal court judges in handling cases of alleged domestic violence. Included within the material are extensive resources regarding applicable statutes, the issuance and supervision of Orders of Protection and a listing of community resources including domestic violence counselors, advocates and other individuals with extensive training and experience in such matters.
The Inter-Agency Planning Committee of the Family Violence Prevention Council was chaired by Joann Rose Parry, Chief Assistant District Attorney of Broome County. "The purpose of the Inter-Agency Planning Committee is to provide linkage and coordination between agencies charged with the responsibility of addressing family violence," said Ms. Parry. "This Bench Book is designed to assist local criminal court judges who, along with police and prosecutors, must ensure that victims of domestic violence are provided with all the protections afforded by the law when criminal charges have been filed against their abusers," Parry said.
Planning Committee member and Binghamton City Court Judge, Mary Anne Lehmann said, "The Family Violence Prevention Council is pleased to offer this valuable resource to the magistrates to assist in handling these critical cases." "This Bench Book is packed with information on every aspect of handling domestic violence cases from arraignment to disposition including fire-arms regulations and orders of protection. Of particular interest is the resource list, which is designed to immediately provide the victims of these crimes with community resources so they are not forced to return to a violent household," said Judge Lehmann.
Dickinson Town Justice and President of the Broome County Magistrates Association, Gregory A. Gates also served on the Inter-Agency Planning Committee. "Anything that can make someone a better judge is very welcome. This Bench Book has information specifically addressing issues of domestic violence and how those issues impact the local criminal courts," said Gates. Gates went on to say, "the town and village courts of Broome County are the ones with whom most of us have the most contact; it only stands to reason that these courts will have a significant contact with claims of domestic violence and the need to resolve those claims. This book provides invaluable resources to our local judges on such issues and will help to get these cases resolved as quickly, cheaply and safely as possible."
Copies of the Domestic Violence Bench Book will be donated to the Supreme Court Library in Binghamton and are available through the Family Violence Prevention Council of Broome County.
CONTACT:
Joann Rose Parry
office: 607.778.2423
Hon. Mary Anne Lehmann
office: 607.772.7006
Hon. Gregory Gates
office: 607.723.1990
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