McHenry County issued the following announcement on Mar 25.
Patrick D. Kenneally, the McHenry County State’s Attorney, is launching the Domestic Violence Deferred Prosecution Program (DVDPP). This Program is designed for less serious or “situational” offenders, i.e. those offenders with no prior Domestic Battery arrests who have engaged in low-level violence as means of conflict management.
Participants of the Program will meet with and be approved by a panel experienced in the field of domestic violence. Upon acceptance into the program, participants will complete program requirements designed specifically for the individual participant. Program requirements may include, among other things, completing the Partner Abuse Intervention Program, participating in substance abuse counseling, paying restitution, obtaining career counseling, and completing public service work.
As part of the Program, the State’s Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with Turning Point will contact and seek to meet with the victim of the Domestic Battery. The victim will be provided information to help connect them with community-based services and as well as an opportunity to provide input if they desire.
Upon successful completion of the Program, the charge against the defendant will be dismissed. If the defendant fails to successfully complete the Program, the case will be returned to court for prosecution.
Of the Domestic Violence Deferred Prosecution Program, Kenneally stated:
“The DVDPP is an effort to promote a better and more intensive rehabilitation program for the “situational offender,” refocus prosecutorial and court resources on those offenders that pose considerable risk of escalating violence, and ensure that the State’s Attorney’s Office is responding to individual offenses, with specific factual circumstances, in a proportionate manner. We are excited to offer this new, innovative program that will be monitored for its impact on recidivism and believe it will further our mission of maintaining the public trust and doing justice.”
Original source can be found here.
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