Benchbook to Help District Judges Handle Cases Involving Sexually Violent Crimes

The nation’s first Sexual Violence Benchbook designed specifically to guide state district judges in the handling of the crimes of sexual violence is being distributed to more than 540 magisterial districts judges throughout the state, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court announced on Thursday.

“The benchbook is a valuable resource for our front-line judges, a comprehensive guide providing ‘best practices’ and information to help district judges understand the intricacies and procedural requirements in these highly sensitive sexual offense cases,” Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin said.

Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Jack Panella, the book’s principal author, said, “We addressed the procedural and practical steps of sex offense cases and included detailed information regarding preliminary arraignments and hearings, standard of proof or probable cause to support charges, and the setting of bail and bail conditions to ensure the safety of alleged victims and witnesses.”

The benchbook was completed in collaboration with Criminal Justice Specialist Krista Hoffman from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) and supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The funding originated from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women.

“The benchbook provides special emphasis to the physical and psychological effects of a sexual assault on a victim and invaluable information regarding victim’s rights and programs designed to assist in sexual abuse prevention, detection, recovery and protection,” said Delilah Rumburg, Chief Executive Officer of PCAR.

At the Dauphin County Courthouse Thursday, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin, a Benchbook Advisory Committee member, Judge Panella and Delilah Rumburg presented benchbooks to Dauphin County President Judge Todd Hoover, magisterial district judges and representatives from the county’s District Attorney’s office and Rape Crisis Center.

You can find more about the benchbook here.

Pictured, Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin PA Coalition Against Rape Chief Executive Officer Deliliah Rumburg (left) present Dauphin County President Judge Todd Hoover with Sexual Violence Benchbook.
Photo courtesy of the Administative Office of Pennsylvania Courts