Repeat Felony Domestic Violence Court

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership formed in 2008 following Stearns County’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee’s work examining the use of expensive county jail space. After analysis of who the community is afraid of verses angry with, we knew that significant jail resources were used by repeat domestic violence offenders. An average of 30-40 Stearns County felony offenders each year were committing up to 3 new felony domestic violence offenses apiece, with subsequent charges regularly being filed while the first was proceeding through the court system. A lack of pretrial supervision resources, a lack of specialized response, and a group of offenders who were not changing behaviors were taking up precious time and effort. And, in the vast majority of these homes, the children were watching. Operational since April 9, 2009, Stearns County’s first and only in the nation Repeat Felony Domestic Violence Court has not only dramatically reduced crime, but has redefined wrap around victim services and dramatically cut time through the criminal justice system. Offender accountability and victim safety – including better outcomes for children – has changed for the better through intentional program choices and resource re-allocation, building new and continually expanding partnerships in and outside county government.