NCJ Number
155788
Date Published
1995
Length
138 pages
Annotation
This document presents background information for a continuing judicial and legal education program that examines the special issues that arise in child custody and visitation cases involving allegations of domestic violence.
Abstract
The program was broadcast via satellite or tape delay to 78 locations in 42 States. The faculty considered developing legal trends, issues, and appropriate responses for courts in these cases. Topics include the impact of domestic violence on children and families in divorce, the need for judges to maintain neutrality while determining best interests, the use of attorneys for the children or guardians ad litem, Federal legislation and its impacts on the practices of State courts, and jurisdictional issues. Other topics include protection orders, the implications of the Violence Against Women Act, issues related to the handling of pro se litigants, evaluation reports, court services, mediation issues, the corroboration of alleged violence, and methods of dealing with presumptions. Further topics include supervised visitation, permissive relocation, the crafting of creative orders, the handling of changes in circumstances and subsequent violence, State custody and visitation laws, the model code, and case studies applying the concepts from the course. Chapter reference lists