How does an agency obtain a photograph of the offender?
This is probably the most asked question by government agencies looking into the Hope Card Project. First you must remember that there is no photograph on a protection order, so a photograph is an added feature, not a necessity. There are several methods used to obtain the photograph. Some jurisdictions have a photograph taken of the offender during the first hearing while both parties are present. Another method is for officers to take a photograph in the field or retrieve a booking photograph from their local jail. In a lot of cases the victim brings a photograph and it is scanned. There are other methods under development which include interfacing with state motor vehicle records. Regardless, agencies have found that obtaining a photograph of the offender is easier then expected.
