In an effort to counteract the tradition of police non-intervention in domestic violence incidents, which have been viewed historically as a private family matter, mandatory and presumptive arrest policies for domestic violence have been implemented. This policy has not been without problems. The determination of probable cause for an arrest requires police discretion, and many police are reluctant to base an arrest solely on an alleged victim's claim of assault absent corroborative evidence. Also, there is evidence that women are increasingly arrested, either as part of a dual arrest or as the sole arrestee. There is also evidence that arrest may actually increase the occurrence of future offending. Changes in the police response to domestic violence in the past two decades have served as a catalyst for changes in prosecutorial policies. Currently, prosecutors attempt to have a more active role in prosecuting domestic violence cases. No-drop prosecution policies combined with presumptive arrest or mandatory arrest policies have caused domestic violence cases to flood the system; this has produced tremendous increases in prosecutorial caseloads. Judges have increased the granting of civil restraining orders, and some jurisdictions have created separate courts that deal exclusively with domestic violence cases. Probation is most commonly used to force offender participation in treatment programs. Typically, a sentence of incarceration will be imposed but then suspended if the offender successfully completes other conditions. Probation officers can play a major role in reinforcing the message that battering is a serious criminal offense. This chapter examines the positive and negative aspects of these current policies in terms of how well they are actually implemented, the effect they have on the recidivism of domestic violence perpetrators, and how well they address the needs and preferences of victims. Findings from relevant research are discussed. The authors note that although serious intervention in domestic violence is now a widely accepted goal in the system, the practices and attitudes of criminal justice actors have not always kept pace with legislative and policy changes and mandates. 88 references