Calumet County creates Domestic Violence Court
Calumet County launched a new domestic violence court in January. The new program is under the direction of Calumet County Circuit Court Judge Donald A. Poppy, with the assistance of Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs, headquartered in Appleton.
The program was designed by Judge Poppy along with the Calumet County Coordinator Response Team after Judge Poppy attended two national seminars sponsored by the National Counsel of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the U.S. Department of Justice. The goal of the new program is to increase offender accountability and victim safety through the use of rewards and penalties during probationary periods.
Under the new program, offenders convicted of domestic violence will be recommended for the program by the district attorney. This recommendation will be based on the nature and severity of the assault, and the offender's criminal record. Once in the program, the offender will be placed on probation and must participate in domestic abuse and drug and alcohol abuse assessment. The probation officers and treatment providers from Harbor House will work together with the court to ensure the offender is participating in their rehabilitation.
If an offender does not cooperate or fails to meet the deadlines established by the court, he or she will face additional jail time. Cooperation in the program and progress made by the offender will be rewarded with modifications in their probation conditions. The regularly scheduled hearings designed to monitor the progress of the offender will be overseen by Bureau of Community Corrections probation agent Patricia Oaks. In her role as court officer, she will ensure that all information is present for the court to make informed decisions.
The primary goal of the new program is to increase the safety of victims and hold offenders accountable, while insuring they receive treatment, Judge Poppy said. Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson expressed her concern on domestic violence and the Supreme Court’s role in providing training for judges to address the problems facing the community when she attended the Response Team's final planning meeting.
Since its start in January, five offenders have been placed in the new program.
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