Linn County Domestic Violence Response Project

Linn County Domestic Violence Court

The Linn County Domestic Violence Court is the result of an application made by the Linn County Domestic Violence Community Response Project to the United States Justice Department Violence Against Women Office in 2005. A two-year grant in the amount of $499,967.00 was awarded in August 2005.

This award has resulted in the development of a dedicated court to hear matters related only to the crime of domestic violence, child abuse and dating violence. Case hearings began February 1, 2006 after much collaboration between a number of Linn County agencies: the District Attorney’s Office, all police departments, probation and parole, children’s services, ABC House, the Court system, CARDV, and representatives from the defense bar.

Previously there were no coordinated or comprehensive efforts to ensure the safety of victims or to ameliorate the effects of domestic violence on the lives of victims and their children. Because domestic violence is a widely unrecognized problem, minimal community resources are devoted to addressing it. This void in resources has left victims without a system-wide safety net, placing them in danger and allowing the offender to continue abusing.

A primary objective of the domestic violence court is to prioritize and expedite the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence criminal offenses to ensure victim safety and hold offenders accountable. Most cases involving domestic violence must be completed within 45 days from the time of defendant arraignment. Trials are heard on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday and may be either jury or bench. There are no continuances allowed in domestic violence court. The judge also will hear domestic violence probation violations and contempt matters relating to restraining orders and criminal orders.

At sentencing, a defendant is placed on probation to the court, the probation office or both. If a batterer intervention program is ordered, a defendant is given a date to reappear approximately 30 days from the sentencing, or upon release from incarceration, for a review hearing. This is a mandatory court appearance requiring the defendant to appear with proof of compliance with the program. Regular progress reports are sent to the judge from the batterer intervention provider. If a defendant is not in compliance, he is ordered to immediately comply and return to court with proof within the next two weeks. If a defendant fails to appear a warrant is issued.

The result of this collaboration between agencies has been much improved service to victims, greater accountability for offenders and a streamlined process through the criminal justice system.

Contact Information:
300 4th AVe. SW, Room 100
PO Box 100
Albany, OR 97321
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00
Closed: 12:00-1:00
Phone: (541) 967-3805
Fax: (541) 928-3501