When Judge Elizabeth Finn came to Glendale in 2002, she noticed both a problem in the volume of domestic violence cases in the city and a problem in how courts by and large dealt with domestic violence cases.
Two years later, in 2004, she created a domestic violence specialty court to better hold these offenders accountable.
“It was very evident that we needed to do something with this population,” said Ms. Finn, who’s been the city’s presiding judge since 2003. “One of the things that is stressed when dealing with domestic violence offenders is swift, sure consequences. So, if you’re not monitoring closely their counseling and that they’re complying with it…you’re missing that window of opportunity to be able to effectuate change with the offender.”
