Domestic Violence Prosecution and Outreach Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The Third Judicial District Attorney's Office will use the grant funds to identify, assess, and appropriately respond to child, youth, and adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in rural communities. The overall strategy is to reduce domestic violence and ensure safety among women and children victims in Dona Ana County, New Mexico.

With this grant award, the Third District Attorney's Office will: screen all misdemeanor domestic violence cases in Magistrate Court; screen all domestic violence cases brought by local law enforcement agencies at the felony level; provide 'on call' assistance for law enforcement officers involved in domestic violence cases; provide 'on call' assistance for the Domestic Abuse Response Team; continue to be an active member in the Dona Ana County Domestic Violence Task Force in order to improve communication and collaboration efforts; provide thorough victim advocacy services to women and children victims of domestic violence in courtrooms and in rural areas; provide thorough secretarial support services to prosecutors in their office who prosecute misdemeanor and felony level domestic violence cases; and educate the citizens of Dona Ana County in the area of violence against women and children, with a strong emphasis in the rural areas.

NCA/NCF