Domestic Violence: The Use of Pro-Arrest Policies and Mandatory Prosecutions

Domestic violence is a crime that affects millions of American families. Traditionally,domestic violence was recognized by the general population and the courts as being aprivate issue that should be handled within the boundaries of the family. Lawenforcement and the judicial system played a minimal role and generally maintained ahands off policy in relation to domestic violence cases. Adding to this mentality ofprivacy, the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits entering a residence withoutprobable cause. The Minneapolis domestic violence experiment attempted to measurewhich police response was most beneficial. In order to empower victims and bringabusers to justice, state governments should adopt a pro-arrest policy alongside amandatory prosecution policy