Online Handbook

This online handbook is a work in progress. Some of the
chapters in this handbook are linked and available to you now.
And others will be added as we complete them.

Table of Contents

Introduction

A Word on Justice for Women

Part IMapping the Obstacles to Criminal Justice for Women

	Introduction
	The Pivotal Role of the Criminal Justice System in Stopping Violence Against Women
	The Problem: Systematic Denial of Protection and Justice to Women
	Six Principal Obstacles to Equal Protection and Justice for Women
	1.	Near Absolute Police and Prosecutorial Discretion
	2.	Institutionalized Sexism and Racism
	3.	The Absence of Societal Mechanisms for Controlling the Criminal Justice System
	4.	The Cooptation of Victim Advocates and of Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Centers
	5.	The Invisibility of Denial of Equal Protection and Justice
	6.	The Error of Ignoring District Attorney Powers

Part IIFirst Line Criminal Justice Advocacy, Rape, Domestic Violence, and Child Abuse
	A.	Sources of Criminal Justice System Information
	B.	Know Your Client's Rights
	C.	Domestic Violence: Police Response and Investigation
			If Your Client Has Not Yet Reported to the Police
			If Your Client Has Already Made a Police Report
			FORM I: Form for Evaluating the Police Response to a Domestic Violence Call
			FORM II: Form for Evaluating the Domestic Violence Police Report
			List of Domestic Violence Related Crimes and their Codes
			Other Official Police Documents Generated in Domestic Violence Cases
			Common Police Errors in Responding to Domestic Violence
			Getting Corrections Made to the Police Response or Police Report
			Advocating for Domestic Violence Victims Who Have Been Arrested for Domestic Violence
	D.	Sex Crimes: Police Response and Investigation
			Introduction
			A Typical Rape Case Police Investigation
			Advocating for Rape Victims during the Police Investigation
			Form for Evaluating Police Rape Investigation
			Common Abuses in Sex Crime Cases
	E.	Arrest and Arraignment: Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes
			Arrest
			If the suspect has not been arrested
			If the suspect has been arrested
			Arraignment
			Criminal Protective Orders
			Advantages of Criminal Protective Orders
			Disadvantages of Criminal Protective Orders
			How to Obtain a Criminal Protective Order
			Sample Letter to the Judge
			Bail
			Has the District Attorney Filed Adequate Charges in the Case?
	F.	Advocating for Victims of Violence Against Women at the District Attorney's Office
			Introduction
			Part 1 ~ A few general points of information for Dealing with the DA
			Part 2 ~ Advocating for Victims at the District Attorney's Office during the Pre-prosecution Phase
			1. Has your case been sent to the DA? What is thestatus of your case in the DA process?
			2. Make contact early on with the attorney assigned toyour case. Stay in communication with the attorneythroughout the case.
			3. Is the district attorney's decision about your caseappropriate given the facts and circumstances of thecase?
			Part 3 ~  Advocating for Victims at the District Attorney's Office during the Prosecution Stage
	G.	Court Hearings and Trials
			Victim Testifying
			The Preliminary Hearing
			The Victim and the Judge
	H.	Pre-Sentencing Probation Reports and Victim Impact Statements
	I.	Probation and Parole

Part IIISecond Line Advocacy: Strategies for Correcting Inadequate Criminal Justice Response
	Introduction
	Advocacy Strategies and Options
		Face-to-Face Meetings with the Authorities
		Put It in Writing! Put it in Writing! Put it in Writing!
		Monitor, Uncover, and Enter Evidence into the Case Yourself
		Introduction
		Part 1 ~ Tracking and Evaluating Evidence
		Part 2 ~ Uncovering Additional Evidence
		Part 3 ~ Gather and Enter the Evidence into the Case Yourself
		Take It to the Courthouse Steps
		Use Community Powers Outside the Criminal Justice System
		Go to the press
		Organize and Demonstrate