Domestic Violence Minicourse
Certificate(s): Public Interest and Social Justice Law (List B)
Course Description:
The practice of domestic violence law requires an understanding of legal systems as well as complex social issues. This minicourse begins with an understanding of domestic violence, how it manifests in families and its impact on victims and children. Ethical DV practice will be discussed within an interdisciplinary context, including law enforcement, mental health, community based organizations, and remedies in both criminal and family courts. Students will also see that domestic violence has broad implications for practice beyond criminal and family law, e.g. child welfare, elder abuse, immigration, employment, housing and federal law.Students will learn client counseling techniques and other practical skills through in-class exercises. In addition to attending two Saturday classes, students must conduct one 90 minute court watch, observing a DV calendar at either criminal or family court. Final grades will be based on completion of in class exercises, court watch and a short final paper (minimum 6 pages) that addresses a current topic in domestic violence law.
Class Notes:
Class will meet on Saturday, September 25th and October 23 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Attendance on both days is required. Students will learn client counseling techniques and other practical skills through in-class exercises that will be held on both days. Final grades will be based on (1) completion of all in-class exercises; (2) handing in a 1 to 2 page reflection essay due the morning of the first class; and (3) completion of a short final paper (minimum 6 and no more than 10 pages) addressing a current topic in domestic violence law. Paper topics must be instructor-approved no later than March 21. The paper will be due during the final exam period.
The practice of domestic violence law requires an understanding of legal systems as well as complex social issues. This minicourse begins with an understanding of domestic violence; how it manifests in families; its negative impact on victims and children; and its potential for lethality. Ethical DV practice will be discussed within an interdisciplinary context, including law enforcement, mental health, community-based organizations, and court systems. Students will recognize that domestic violence has broad implications beyond criminal and family law, e.g. immigration, child welfare, elder abuse, employment, housing and federal law, especially concerning firearms.
