5/30/2017 Courthouse Facility Dogs Improve the Investigation and - - PDF document

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Courthouse Facility Dogs Improve the Investigation and Prosecution of Crimes

Utah Office for Victims of Crime Snowbird, UT June 8, 2017

www.courthousedogs.org

Emotional Trauma in the Legal System

Salvador Aleman Cruz – serial child rapist

Rape victim's threat to jump off courthouse roof may derail case

November 4, 2010 By Jennifer Sullivan Seattle Times staff reporter A 21-year-old child-rape victim who was set to confront her alleged attacker in a Seattle courtroom Thursday afternoon, made her way onto the roof of the King County Courthouse and spent about three hours threatening to jump before she was led to safety.

Inmate was at hospital hours before jumping from Seattle courthouse window

November 30, 2010 By Mike Carter and Jennifer Sullivan Seattle Times staff reporters A 29-year-old Auburn man who jumped to his death from the 11th floor of the King County Courthouse Tuesday morning had been at Harborview Medical Center the night before because of deepening depression, according to his family.

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Dogs Reduce Stress in Humans

We feel safe when we are with a relaxed dog. Petting a dog reduces our stress level.

The Beginning of Courthouse Dog Programs

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141 courthouse facility dogs are working in 35 states

Kona Courthouse Facility Dog Unitah and Daggett Counties Children’s Justice Center Jessica Willis, Victim Advocate, And Rubix Courthouse Facility Dog Weber County Attorney’s Office

What is a Courthouse Facility Dog?

Courthouse Dog Program

• Dog is a graduate from an accredited

assistance dog school.

• Handler is a professional in the legal system.
• Dog is utilized in a way that does not

disrupt legal processes.

www.assistancedogsinternational.org

Facility dog

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Not a service dog Not a therapy dog

Genetics Preparation Begins at Birth

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Puppy Socialization and Training

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Professional Training and Evaluation

• f Young Adult Dog

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Handler Training and Certification

Kevin Kelly, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kerris Kitsap County

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Industry standards for facility dogs (Assistance Dogs International)

• Dog does not solicit attention, visit, or annoy any

member of the general public.

• Dog does not disrupt the normal course of business.
• Dog does not vocalize unnecessarily, i.e. barking,

growling, whining.

Industry standards for facility dogs (Assistance Dogs International)

• Dog must be technically and analytically trained for

maximum control and for the tasks he/she is asked to perform.

• Dog is not required to be attached by leash to its

handler when working.

• Dog can assist witness in courtroom for 3 – 4 hours.

Concerns Courthouse Facility Dog In the Courthouse

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Marion County, Ohio, Family Court Camry greeting people in the lobby Camry helping out on adoption day Camry keeping everyone calm in juvenile court Juvenile offender performing community service Camry brokers peace deal between opposing counsel

Courthouse Facility Dogs at Child Advocacy Centers

Establishing rapport

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Courthouse Facility Dogs In Forensic Interviews

Fantasy

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Just tell Stilson. See, Ellie loves me.

Medical Exams

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Therapy

Play Therapy

Courthouse Facility Dogs Support Vulnerable People in the Prosecution of Crimes

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) research links childhood abuse and neglect with adult onset of chronic disease, mental illness, violence and being a victim of violence. CDC and DOJ

The Need for Trauma Sensitive Courts

Child Witness in the Courtroom

Policy Statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics February 2017

Domestic Violence Chad’s Story

Father and Defendant Chris Simcox Accused Child Molester to Cross- Examine His Daughters ages 7 and 8

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Factors to consider during pretrial hearing

Defense

• bjections
• Have dog and witness enter and exit outside the

presence of the jury.

• Have dog concealed in the witness box as much as

possible.

• Jury instructions
• Do not refer to the dog as a therapy or advocate

dog.

Pretrial motion – minimizing prejudice to the defendant Dog in the gallery Child and facility dog in witness box

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• You must not draw any inference either favorably or negatively for either

side because of the dog’s presence.

• You must not permit sympathy for any party to enter into your

considerations as you listen to the testimony.

• The presence of the facility dog is in no way to be interpreted as reflecting
• n the truthfulness of the testimony offered by the witness nor does it

suggest the court’s endorsement of the testifying witness.

• Each witness’s testimony must be evaluated upon the instructions I give

you during my charge and on nothing more.

Jury instruction

Appellate Court Decisions

Washington California - 2 New York Connecticut Ohio – 2 Michigan Tennessee Texas Arizona

Cases fall into two groups:

• 1. Use of dog allowed if it will assist witness in

testifying (New York, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Connecticut, Arizona, and Ohio).

• 2. Use of dog allowed only if it is necessary to

facilitate witness’s testimony (Washington and California). How to Make a Bullet-Proof Appellate Record

• Prosecutor must make an adequate record

for the accommodation

• Make a record of the court’s decision
• Make a record of the dog’s behavior in the

courtroom

Douglas Lare with Ellie

Developing a Courthouse Dog Program

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It only takes one person to begin a program, but you need to be a team player.

Steps in program development

1. Research, including budget and timeline 2. Bring in stakeholders 3. Create job description for your dog 4. Choose the handler(s) 5. Choose an accredited service dog school and apply for a dog 6. Develop protocols and prepare your office for the dog 7. Train judges, prosecutors, defense bar, victim advocates, etc. 8. Team training for the handler 9. Incorporate the dog into your office

Average program development cost is $5,000 to $20,000. Factors influencing development costs

• Cost of dog
• Distance to assistance dog school
• Training of judges and other legal

professionals – DIY vs. consultants Hayward fundraising for the CAC in Hammond, Louisiana

Typical timeline for program development 1 to 2 years

• 1. Research, including creating draft budgets
• 2. Enlisting stakeholders
• 3. Creating a job description for the dog
• 4. Choosing the primary and secondary handlers

First 2 – 6 months – Preparation Steps

• 1. Applying for a dog
• 2. Creating protocols and preparing your office

for a dog

• 3. Training for legal professionals
• 4. Handler training
• 5. Integrating dog into office

After preparation steps, the next 6 to 18 months

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Initial research www.courthousedogs.org

Free download from www.courthousedogs.org

www.assistancedogsinternational.org

Assistance Dogs International

• Colleagues
• Director of your agency
• Board of directors
• Elected prosecutor
• Law enforcement agencies
• Judges
• County council or quorum court
• Others?

Who are the stakeholders?

• Email all of your colleagues and ask what they

think of the idea. File responses to use later.

• Lasagne lunch for the judges to show the

Courthouse Dogs DVD

• Have a working facility dog visit your courthouse
• r child advocacy center to demonstrate their

temperament and behavior

Ideas from successful programs

• Who will he work with? Just children? Just clients of

your child advocacy center?

• What services will he take part in? Forensic interviews?

Medical exams? Meet and greet with the prosecutor? Pretrial hearings? Criminal trials?

• Will he only work at the CAC or only at the DA’s office?

Or both?

• Will he be made available to children who are witnesses

for the defense?

Job Description for Your Facility Dog

• Dr. David Crenshaw and Ace
• Provides home for dog
• Works with the dog

the most

• Is the dog’s advocate

Primary Handler

• Wants to be the handler!
• Commitment to stay with agency for

at least 5 years

• No dog experience needed
• Dog compatible with family life

Choosing the primary handler

Before beginning application process for a dog, you must have in place:

• Primary handler (and secondary if needed)
• Permission for facility dog to work in your

building (in writing)

• Enthusiastic support of all stakeholders

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• Cost of dog
• Location of school
• Dog placed with agency or individual?
• Do they send a trainer to your location?
• Wait list for applicants
• Do they provide insurance?
• References from clients

Factors to consider in choosing the school Application process different for each school.

• Consider written protocol
• Furnish your office and interview room
• Train your staff members, judges,

prosecutors, defense bar, law enforcement

While you are waiting…

Dog needs a home at the office

Furnishing your interview room or lobby Training for your professional staff

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Handler attends team training

Integrating the dog into your office

Staff Rules

Never feed our facility dog. No exceptions! Avoid interacting with the dog when it is in its vest. Do not disturb the dog when he is in his crate or resting.

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Do not give the dog commands. Only designated handlers should direct the dog’s action.

www.courthousedogs.org Courthouse Dogs Foundation