Introduction

The Stark County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Violence Court  was formed in 2014 with the goal of reducing intimate partner violence by holding participants accountable. Led by The Honorable Natalie R. Haupt, it is the philosophy of the program that a comprehensive approach be used to assist participants in becoming responsible, non-violent, contributing members of society.

The Domestic Violence Court Program consists of an Advisory Committee, Treatment Team, and additional members of the community.

The Advisory Committee supports the Domestic Violence Drug Court by reviewing community outreach, program operations, treatment resources, expenditures, and progress toward meeting program goals.

Additional Service Providers include CommQuest Services, Melymbrosia Associates and the Domestic Violence Project.

 

Legal and Clinical Written Eligibility Criteria:

The Stark County Court of Common Pleas utilizes the following eligibility criteria for the Domestic Violence Court Program. The presiding judge has discretion to decide the admission based on the following criteria. The written legal and clinical eligibility and termination criteria do not create a right to participate in the specialized docket.

 

Eligibility Criteria include:

Legal Criteria:

  1. The defendant is charged with a probational felony offense that does not have mandatory prison time.
  2. The victim is an intimate partner.
  3. The defendant is a Stark County Resident or resides in a neighboring county and is able to travel to Stark County for court hearings and treatment as necessary.  

 

Clinical Criteria:

  1. Eligible participants will be high risk on the DVRNA inventory and moderate to high risk on the ORAS.
  2. Eligible participants will be assessed by a licensed clinician and those eligible will have a diagnosable substance use disorder.
  3. Eligible participants will have exhibited violent behaviors.


Disqualifying factors may include:

  1. Severe medical, mental health, traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities that the treatment team reports would prevent the participant from receiving the maximum benefit of the program.
  2. Sex offenders may be disqualified from participation due to their differing treatment needs.
  3. Defendants who reside in counties other than Stark and are unable to travel to Stark County for court hearing and service may be ineligible.  
  4. Defendants who meet eligibility criteria for another specialized docket that better suits their needs (i.e. Re-Entry Court, Honor Court, or CHANCE Drug Court) may be referred to another docket.

 

Description:

The Domestic Violence Court Program is a minimum year-long treatment program and consists of three phases. The program includes regular Court appearances, submission to random drug screenings, attendance at group counseling sessions, regular meetings with the probation officer, community service work and employment. The DV Court Program is an opportunity to gain services that may otherwise not be available. It is not a diversion program. Defendant’s conviction(s) will not be reduced, dismissed, or expunged after successful completion of the program.

Services provided are targeted to meet the individualized needs of each participant.  The specialized docket has services that incorporate evidence-based strategies.  The DV Drug Court currently serves only male clients to ensure services are gender-responsive.  Female domestic violence offenders are currently referred for treatment at a facility that specializes in Domestic Violence Treatment for females.  Available services are culturally appropriate and effectively address co-occurring disorders.