What types of cases do domestic violence courts handle?
Domestic violence courts vary in their scope of jurisdiction, structure, and processes. Many have jurisdiction over the issuance of civil protection orders (CPOs), but only some of these also have jurisdiction over criminal domestic violence cases. Other domestic violence courts have jurisdiction for criminal cases but not for protection orders. Some court programs dedicate a separate unit within a court to handle domestic violence disputes. Other variations involve the type of calendar used and judicial assignments, the use of quasi-judicial officers, the length of rotation of judges through the court, intake procedures, extent of victim services, and the involvement of non-court personnel.
