Citation

Mignon SI, Holmes WM. Crime Delinq. 1995; 41(4): 430-442.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0011128795041004004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mandatory arrest laws, although controversial, have gained support as one mechanism for reducing domestic violence. This research examines how police officers responded to mandatory arrest statutes. Twenty-four police departments produced data on interventions in 861 cases of domestic violence. Implementing a mandatory arrest law significantly increased arrests of offenders, especially those in violation of a restraining order. Arrest was affected by injury to the victim, use of a weapon, use of alcohol, and presence of a witness. Police training was crucial to the implementation of the mandatory arrest statute.

Language: en