Best Practice Assessment of Investigations & Prosecution Charging Decisions in Domestic Violence-Related Cases

This best practice assessment guide has been designed to assist police investigators, prosecutors, and CCRs in answering such questions. A companion guide outlines a similar process for examining emergency communications (911) and police patrol responses. This guide is not the only tool available, and may not be the best fit for your agency or community, as we will address shortly. It draws on the accumulated experience of many communities, particularly those that have completed a Safety and Accountability Audit (Safety Audit) of investigations and charging decisions over the last fifteen years. It reflects an analysis of criminal justice system reforms related to domestic violence and the sometimes unintended negative consequences of those reforms. It distills that information into specific guidelines for practice in the crucial follow-up and charging phase following the criminal justice system’s initial response to domestic violence–related crimes.