Domestic Violence Video Project - Texas Council on Family Violence

Domestic Violence Video Project - Texas Council on Family Violence

24 Hour Contact
DV Initiative
JAIME ESPARZA
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
34TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS
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Identifying the Challenges:
Domestic Violence Prosecution in
Texas

The dynamics of the crime are different.
Defendant and victim often live together even after
the crime.
 Defendant and victim often have children.
 The couple’s finances are intertwined.
 Love.


The defendant and the victim already have a
relationship.
911
CALLS
911
CALLS
24-Hour Contact
Initiative
Goals• Domestic Violence a priority
• Victim Safety and Education
• Greater Offender Accountability
• Early Evidence Collection
• Changing the culture in the courthouse
• Increase collaboration with law enforcement
and service providers
• Complete investigation
24-Hour Contact Team
• District Attorney-Jaime Esparza
• Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit
• 2 DV Felony Attorneys
• 2 Clerks
• 2 Secretaries
• 3 Victim Advocates
• 2 Investigators
• Plus weekly guests on Monday meetings
Home Visits
• 2 Teams- victim advocate and
investigator- IPADS
• Clerk informs them if defendant is in
custody
• Make contact with all victims!
• Home, work, hospitals, shelter, homeless,
Mexico
What Happens at the
Meeting?
• We review all photos/videos
• We listen to all 911 calls
• Order medical records with grand jury
subpoena
• Jail recordings
• CPS records
• All other additional evidence
Meeting (cont’d)
• Discuss all victim communications
• Identify the repeat offenders
• Discuss the best outcome for the case
• Accept/decline the case
• recommendations
Benefits
• Stronger cases
• Evidence based prosecutionprosecute cases without the
victim
DIMS
DIMS - Victim
Contact Information
DIMS
Charges
Accepted
(By DA)
Jail Booking
No Bond
Posted
Bond Set By
Judge’s
Schedule
Bond Posted
Released
(3 hours/case)
BOND SCHEDULE APPROVED BY JUDGES EXPEDITES BOND AND IMPROVES CONSISTENCY.
DEFENDANTS PREFERRING BOND SET AT MAGISTRATION WILL SEE THE JUDGE WITHIN 24
HOURS OF ARREST.
Culture
No deviation from recommendation
without prior approval or day of trial
These cases will be tried - even without
the victim
Non-prosecution affidavits
Changing the culture!
TDCAA
Resource Available
Family Violence
Investigation &
Prosecution
by Ellic Sahualla &
Patricia Baca
Other Resources
National Domestic Violence hotline- 1-800799-7233
DV video- www.vimeo/15370761
Evaluationwww.utexas.edu/research/cswr/idvsa
http://www.txcourts.gov/tidc/pdf/FinalReport7-12-06wackn.pdf
Direct Electronic Filing in Criminal Caseshttp://www.txcourts.gov/tidc/resourcespresentat
ions.asp
Domestic Violence
Video Project
Evidence-Based
Prosecution
Direct Interview
of Victim
Direct Interview
of Witness
Follow Up Interview
of Witness
Direct Interview of Victim
or Offender?
Determination
of Offender
Documentation
of Injuries When
Victim Can’t Speak
Interviews of
Child Witnesses
Video of Crime Scene
Interviewing Suspects
RECOMMENDED QUESTIONS FOR
OFFICERS
1. Name
2. What is the offender’s Name? Date of birth? Age?
3. What is your relationship with the offender? (This may include, husband, wife,
common law, roommates, children, etc.)
4. Do you have children? If so, do you have children together?
5. What happened? ( Manner and Means –how did he/she hit you, with what, how many
times and where)
* (For strangulation cases only)- please ask Could you breathe?
6. Did you feel pain AT THE TIME OF THE ASSAULT?
7. Did you give her/him permission to assault you?
8. Did you do anything physical to the offender before he assaulted you?
9. Did you threaten the offender in anyway (verbal/objects)?
10. Did anyone witness the assault?
1. If so, names, ages, address, telephone number, social security number, date of birth
11. Is this the first time he/she hits you? If not, please explain the other times
12. Are you scared of the defendant?
RECOMMENDED QUESTIONS FOR
OFFICERS (SPANISH)
1. Cuál es su nombre?
2. Como se llama el acusado? Cual es su fecha de nacimiento? Que edad tiene?
3. Cuál es su relación con el acusado? (Puede ser esposo, esposa, concubina, compañero de
cuarto, hijos, etc.)
4. Tiene usted hijos? (Si los tiene) Tiene hijos con él/ella?
5. Dígame qué fue lo que sucedió? (Manera – cómo la/lo golpeó, con qué, cuantas veces y
donde)
*en casos de estrangulación, por favor pregunte -¿ podía respirar cuando la/lo trató de estrangular
6. Sintió dolor EN EL MOMENTO EN QUE LA/LO ATACÓ?
7. Le permitió usted que la/lo atacara (golpeará)(pegará)?
8. Hizo usted alguna cosa física en contra del acusado antes de que el/ella lo atacara (golpeará)
(pegará)?
9. Amenazó usted al acusado/acusada de alguna manera (verbal o con algún objeto)?
10. Hubo algún testigo del ataque?
11. De ser así, nombre, edad, dirección, número de teléfono, número de seguro social, fecha de
nacimiento…
12. Es esta la primera vez que la/lo golpea? Si no, por favor explique las otras veces.
13. Le tiene miedo al acusado?
Recording InstructionsEvery officer is trained on
the video process and
equipment
QUESTIONS
THANK YOU!