DV Court Judge
Hon. Debra J. Gelson
Court Staff
Resource Coordinator
Nicole Johnson-Roman
607-240-4276
[email protected]
Overview
New York State’s Domestic Violence (DV) Courts adjudicate criminal offenses involving intimate partners. These specialized courts, undergo a structured planning process, facilitate victim access to needed services, monitor offender compliance with court orders and participate in statistical data collection. Essential features of DV Courts include: a dedicated judge; specially trained staff; resource coordination; on-site victim advocacy; and collaboration with technical assistance teams. Domestic violence matters require a deep understanding of the complicated dynamics between the batterer and the victim and recognizing the tremendous emotional and psychological damage that a child suffers who witnesses violence in the home. Domestic violence courts have been developed as part of the justice system’s coordinated response to domestic violence and are dedicated to enhancing victim safety and holding offenders accountable. Domestic violence courts connect victims to needed services, ensure intensive court monitoring of abusers, and promote increased coordination between the court, community partners and victim services providers.
The Binghamton City DV Court was founded by the Hon. Mary Anne Lehmann in October of 2003 with the help and guidance of the Center for Court Innovation and a specialized team of community partners. From 2003 to the present, it is the longest, continuously running DV court in upstate New York. Nicole Johnson-Roman is the current DV Court Coordinator and has served in that role since 2022. Nicole has an extensive background in domestic violence having previously served as a victim advocate to the DV Court as an employee of victim advocacy organizations from 2012-2022. Our DV Court team participates in specialized trainings specific to issues affecting Domestic Violence victims and perpetrators.
Get Help Now
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