Victim Advocacy in the Courtroom: Persuasive Practices in Domestic Violence and Child Protection Cases

by Mary Lay Schuster, Amy D. Propen

Overview

This volume examines sentencing hearings in criminal court and the presentation of victim impact statements, as well as child protection cases in juvenile court and the recommendations of guardians ad litem (GALS). Through interviews, observations, and textual analysis, all deeply grounded in an innovative court watch program, the authors illuminate the most effective persuasive practices of victim advocates and GALS as they help protect the rights and needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Mary Lay Schuster and Amy D. Propen offer nuanced interpretations of these strategies in the courtroom setting and provide an understanding of how to develop successful advocacy for vulnerable parties in the legal arena.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781555537586
Publisher:	Northeastern University Press
Publication date:	01/01/2012
Series:	New England Gender, Crime & Law
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	380 KB

About the Author

MARY LAY SCHUSTER is a professor in the Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, Scientific, and Technical Communication Programs, and a faculty fellow in the Law School, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. AMY D. PROPEN is an assistant professor of rhetoric and composition at York College of Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Preface
Victim Advocacy in the Courtroom
Perspectives for Understanding Advocacy in the Courtroom
Reason and Emotion, Objectivity and Subjectivity, in the Courtroom
Issues of Credibility, Trust, and Power for Victims and Their Advocates
Advocacy Work: Giving Voice to the Vulnerable and Abused
The Rhetorical Work of Victim Advocates and Guardians ad Litem: Perspectives and Recommendations
Appendixes
Interview Questions for judges about Victim Impact Statements
Interview Questions for Victim Advocates about Victim Impact Statements
Observation Form for Victim Impact Statements Offered in Sentencing Hearings
Data Coding and Analysis
Interview Questions for Guardians ad Litem
Interview Questions for Juvenile Court Judges
Observations Forms for CHIPS Hearings and Trials
Victim Impact Statement (VIS8)
Sample Written GAL Report of Review or Intermediate Disposition Hearing in a CHIPS Case
Notes
References
Index

What People are Saying About This

Kathleen J. Ferraro

“In Victim Advocacy in the Courtroom, Mary Lay Schuster and Amy D. Propen have harnessed cultural theory and rhetorical analysis to the gritty work of criminal and juvenile courts. This sophisticated yet accessible book provides a nuanced view of the role of victim advocates and guardians ad litem in humanizing the legal process. Both academics and practitioners will find inspiration and practical advice in this brilliant analysis of successful strategies for bridging the ideal of courtroom objectivity with the emotionality and subjectivity of real people.”

Jeffrey L. Edleson

"Schuster and Propen report one of the most comprehensive studies to date on victim statements in court and the work of advocates who help abused women's and children's voices be heard. Their work is deeply grounded in an innovative court watch program and uses extensive interviews, observations and court documents to argue that the way victims voices are heard in court many times shapes the outcomes of domestic violence and child abuse cases. Their unique view and clear writing makes this an interesting read."
— Jeffrey L. Edleson, University of Minnesota

From the Publisher

"Schuster and Propen report one of the most comprehensive studies to date on victim statements in court and the work of advocates who help abused women's and children's voices be heard. Their work is deeply grounded in an innovative court watch program and uses extensive interviews, observations and court documents to argue that the way victims voices are heard in court many times shapes the outcomes of domestic violence and child abuse cases. Their unique view and clear writing makes this an interesting read."—Jeffrey L. Edleson, University of Minnesota

"In Victim Advocacy in the Courtroom, Mary Lay Schuster and Amy D. Propen have harnessed cultural theory and rhetorical analysis to the gritty work of criminal and juvenile courts. This sophisticated yet accessible book provides a nuanced view of the role of victim advocates and guardians ad litem in humanizing the legal process. Both academics and practitioners will find inspiration and practical advice in this brilliant analysis of successful strategies for bridging the ideal of courtroom objectivity with the emotionality and subjectivity of real people."—Kathleen J. Ferraro, Chair and Professor of Sociology & Social Work, Northern Arizona University

Editorial Reviews

"Schuster and Propen report one of the most comprehensive studies to date on victim statements in court and the work of advocates who help abused women's and children's voices be heard. Their work is deeply grounded in an innovative court watch program and uses extensive interviews, observations and court documents to argue that the way victims voices are heard in court many times shapes the outcomes of domestic violence and child abuse cases. Their unique view and clear writing makes this an interesting read."—Jeffrey L. Edleson, University of Minnesota

"In Victim Advocacy in the Courtroom, Mary Lay Schuster and Amy D. Propen have harnessed cultural theory and rhetorical analysis to the gritty work of criminal and juvenile courts. This sophisticated yet accessible book provides a nuanced view of the role of victim advocates and guardians ad litem in humanizing the legal process. Both academics and practitioners will find inspiration and practical advice in this brilliant analysis of successful strategies for bridging the ideal of courtroom objectivity with the emotionality and subjectivity of real people."—Kathleen J. Ferraro, Chair and Professor of Sociology & Social Work, Northern Arizona University

From the Publisher