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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2017 Domestic Violence & Family Issues Minutes MEETING MINUTES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & FAMILY ISSUES SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE COLLABORATING COUNCIL May 2, 2017 12:00 PM Room 1216 Government Center St. Croix County Goverment Center - Room 1216 - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Attendee Organization Title Status Arrived Name Joan Sprain St. Croix Family Living Agent Present County Pam St. Croix Victim Witness Coordinator Present Bellrichard County Edward Vlack St. Croix Chair, Judge, Branch II Present County Scott Needham St. Croix Judge, Branch III Present County Kathleen St. Croix Bar Association Representative Present Avoles County Mark Lemke St. Croix Supervisor, Department of Present County Corrections Curt St. Croix Faith Based Representative Present Thomassen County Mark Richert St. Croix Police Chiefs' Representative Present County Tim Heckmann St. Croix Circuit Court Commissioner Present County Steve Kirt St. Croix Behavioral Health Administrator Present County Michael St. Croix District Attorney Present Nieskes County Jason Sykora St. Croix Lieutenant, Sheriff's Office Excused County Alena Taylor St. Croix Executive Director, Turningpoint Present County Susan St. Croix Executive Director, SCVRJP Present Capparelli County Also present; Honorable Eric J. Lundell, Branch I, Honorable R. Michael Waterman, Branch IV, Selena Peterson, Sarah Yacoub, and Mike O'Keefe APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Domestic Violence & Family Issues Subcommittee of the Community Justice Collaborating Council Regular Meeting March 23, 2017 12:00 PM PUBLIC COMMENT BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Domestic Violence Needs Assessment Judge Vlack gave an update on the Domestic Violence Needs Assessment currently being prepared by the Center for Court Innovation (CCI). We expect to have a preliminary report in the next four weeks, but we are still waiting for local statistics from some departments and offices so these can be incorporated into the report. Chief Mark Richert discussed the data that he collected and the need for agencies to be more uniform when entering information. District Attorney Michael Nieskes asked about data numbers from Law Enforcement from 2015 to 2016. Chief Richert discussed the number of arrests versus referrals. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Lethality Assessments Update At this point in time there is no movement on this issue. Alena Taylor, Turningpoint Executive Director stated that they would volunteer to be part of this initiative and the next training application will be in February 2018. This should give us some time to put a plan together for the Maryland Network Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). Susan Capparelli, Executive Director, St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Programs(SCVRJP), discussed another danger assessment (Campbell). Alena Taylor stated the Maryland Network is the preferred assessment model and she will start working with Chief Richert. Curt Thomassen, Faith Based-Representative asked about the danger level in domestic situations and Ms. Taylor stated that the LAP is a good indicator of the dangerousness of the perpetrator. It is also used to attempt to get victims of domestic violence in touch with services. Chief Richert will follow on this issue with his colleagues. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) Update Susan Capparelli, SCVRJP Executive Director, stated she is still conducting the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) and to date has completed 22 assessments on clients from St. Croix and Pierce Counties. The cost per assessment is $50.00 and a batterer's treatment group should start around May 17, 2017. Susan and Alena Taylor are working together on safety planning for victims and it would have been better to start this process sooner. Susan stated the ODARA is evidence based and free once you have been trained. She told the group that Bob Kelly is now licensed in WI to conduct a batterer's treatment group and his name will appear in the directory. Judge Vlack asked about the difference between the ODARA and the lethality assessment. Susan Capparelli discussed the difference and what each is used for with respect to domestic violence situations. She explained the protocols for the ODARA scoring and potential referral to a treatment group. The ODARA is an assessment tool that predicts the risk of an offender to reoffend. Attorney Sarah Yacoub asked about 5th Amendment Rights and is the information disclosed in the ODARA given to the District Attorney's Office. She also asked if we will start seeing the ODARA in bail/bond hearings. Judge Vlack said probably not. District Attorney Michael Nieskes stated that we need the ODARA or an assessment so the judge knows about the risk of the defendant. Judge Waterman commented on the 72 hour no contact provision and the potential request by the victim and defendant to get back together. He stated as a Judge he would like to know the risk the defendant poses to reoffend. Pam Bellrichard, Victim Witness Coordinator, discussed the need for a defendant to complete a risk assessment. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Notice to Appear (NTA) 72 Hours Judge Vlack discussed the recent national training he attended and how to treat situations where the victim of domestic violence is in court. Attorney Sarah Yacoub discussed victim issues and whether the victims can or want to make a statement in court. Judge Waterman discussed a hypothetical domestic violence situation and the need to make decisions about contact and the need to have a risk assessment available when making decisions on cases. Judge Vlack discussed the need for victims to go to Turningpoint for assistance and the perpetrator to get a domestic violence assessment. District Attorney Michael Nieskes discussed the admissability of the assessment in serious domestic violence cases. Attorney Sarah Yacoub made comments about violation of court orders. Tim Heckmann, Circuit Court Commissioner discussed what we as a system can do earlier in the process to prevent serious situations and there is more we can do at this level in the process. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Courtroom Protocols Tim Heckmann, Circuit Court Commissioner brought up the issue of courtroom protocols with respect to the physical set up of the room itself. He also discussed 1-4 year injunctions and what we do with these as a system. Attorney Sarah Yacoub asked if something could be done to have the injuction live on while the person is on probation. Selena Peterson, Victim/Witness Legal Advocate discussed injunctions that are modified or removed and the victim in the case is referred to Turningpoint to talk to advocates. Tim Heckmann discussed the physical set up of the court room that he utilizes and the ability of video conferencing was brought up. RESULT: DISCUSSED 6. Domestic Violence/Family Issues Subcommittee Membership Review Judge Vlack discussed potential membership for this Subcommittee. RESULT: DISCUSSED 7. Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence - Presentation This item was tabled and be moved to our next meeting. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Attorney Sarah Yacoub announced that she has started a non profit business to assist victims and she would like to be part of this group. Judge Lundell stated that subcommittee membership is currently under review and this matter should be referred to the CJCC Bylaws Subcommittee for recommendation and action. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next CJCC Domestic Violence/Family Issues Subcommittee meeting is Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 12:00 p.m., Government Center, Room 1216.