A high-risk domestic violence court is being established at the Cuyahoga County court of common pleas. The moves comes after the county received a $ 1million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Innovations in Supervision Initiative: Building Capacity to Create Safer Communities Grant Program.
Studies show that one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, according to a press release issued by Cuyahoga County courts Monday.
Judge Sherrie Miday was selected to oversee the 3-year grant.
“I am thrilled that Cuyahoga County has been selected for this grant,” says Judge Miday. “A dedicated high-risk domestic violence docket will ensure consistency, promote accountability and provide resources for both the accused and the victim, thereby reducing recidivism and making our community a safer place.”
Cuyahoga County ranks number one in Ohio with nearly 7,500 incidents and an average of 16 domestic violence deaths annually.
"The High-Risk DV Court will accept defendants charged with felony offenses involving the most severe forms of intimate partner abuse, including incidents of near-fatal strangulation and severe injury to the victim," according to a press release.
“If we can prevent even one domestic violence death with this pilot docket, then it will be a success,” says Judge Russo. “We hope the work done here in Cuyahoga County will be a model for other felony Courts across the state and nation.”
The grant will allow for referral of 50 cases a year to the high-risk domestic violence court. For more information, click here.
