QUEENS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTORNEY

QUEENS IDV COURT

Integrated Domestic Violence (“IDV”) courts use a “one family-one judge ” model to bring before a single judge the multiple criminal, family (civil) and matrimonial (divorce) disputes for families where domestic violence is an underlying issue. Prior to the creation of IDV courts in New York State, these case types were heard in separate courts before a number of judges, often in different buildings or parts of a county. As a result, those affected by domestic violence were left to navigate a complicated court structure. Having their cases handled in this way cost them time and money, led to confusion and jeopardized their safety.

The IDV courts are a response to these challenges. IDV courts aim to ensure consistency and enhance services to victims and families. IDV courts are staffed with judges trained in multiple areas of law and the dynamics of domestic violence. They incorporate ongoing judicial monitoring of offenders. Through coordination with victim advocates and a network of services and outside agencies, IDV courts reduce burdens on victims and families and also improve information flow to both litigants and service providers.
IDV courts are established in Supreme Court. To be eligible for IDV court, a family must have a criminal domestic violence case as well as a family court case, a matrimonial case, or both, where at least one of the defendant and complaining witness to the criminal case is also a party to the family or matrimonial case. The most common family court case types in IDV court are family offense and custody or visitation, which account for about 85% of family cases in IDV court; some IDV courts also take support, abuse and neglect, or paternity cases. Misdemeanors represent the bulk of criminal cases in IDV court, though IDV courts may take felony-level criminal cases as well as misdemeanors and violations.

Contact, The Law Offices of Michael S. Discioarro,LLC at 917-519-8417.