NCJ Number
222679
Date Published
July 2008
Length
23 pages
Annotation
In order to examine the factors that have increased arrests and dual arrests in domestic violence cases, this report presents the results of a comprehensive, nationwide study of this trend.
Abstract
The study found that despite increased overall arrest rates for domestic violence, dual arrest rates (domestic violence incidents in which both parties in the conflict are arrested) are low, and more than half of arrests made do not result in conviction. Dual arrest rates can be influenced by State laws and policies, the characteristics of the people involved in the incident, the victim's relationship with the offender, and whether the offender remained at the crime scene. The first part of the study examined how often domestic and nondomestic violence arrests occur nationwide, determined common characteristics of offenders, assessed how State laws influence whether police make an arrests and whom they arrest, and examined the factors that influence who is arrested. The second part of the study examined case records from 25 police departments in 4 States, and conducted a more detailed investigation of the factors that influence who is arrested in domestic violence cases, and assessed whether police department policies on domestic violence are consistent with State domestic-violence laws. The study's second part also examined the factors that lead to a conviction and investigated the factors associated with reoffending. 8 exhibits and 3 tables