Overview

Youthful Offender Domestic Violence Courts ("YODVCs")operate on the model of the Domestic Violence Courts and are guided by the same mission statement and key principles. YODVCs are created in jurisdictions with high caseloads to handle exclusively those domestic violence cases involving defendants aged 16 through 19.

The presiding judge in a YODVC is trained in the dynamics of domestic violence and is sensitive to the characteristics of the population of adolescent defendants. The YODVCs work closely with providers of mandated programs geared toward young offenders and the distinct issues they face. A victim advocate is assigned to the court to work with complaining witnesses to provide services and offer support.