First Graduate Celebrates Success in Baton Rouge’s Domestic Violence Court

Daronshel Blackman emerged from the 19th Judicial District Courthouse in East Baton Rouge on October 27, 2023, as the first graduate of the Domestic Violence Intervention Court. The program, launched in April 2024, aims to tackle the increasing issue of domestic abuse in the region. Blackman expressed a newfound sense of freedom, stating, “Nothing can touch me now.” He recognized the opportunity he had been given, choosing a path of rehabilitation over imprisonment.

The Domestic Violence Intervention Court is the result of collaborative efforts among the East Baton Rouge state court, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, probation services, the YWCA, and other community organizations. The initiative seeks to provide support and resources to individuals facing domestic violence charges, with the hope of being recognized as a permanent specialty court by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

During a graduation ceremony, District Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts commended Blackman’s dedication, emphasizing the impact of teamwork and community support. “He has shown us that when there is dedication, teamwork, community support and resources, we can combat domestic violence in our community,” she remarked while presenting him with his certificate.

The District Attorney’s Office in East Baton Rouge handles approximately 4,000 domestic violence cases each year, constituting about one-third of its total caseload. Blackman was previously a frequent figure within that troubling statistic. In June 2023, he faced allegations of breaking into a woman’s home and assaulting her, part of a history of abuse that included previous convictions from four incidents between October 2020 and March 2022. Under state law, he faced a minimum of ten years in prison for further domestic violence offenses.

Instead of incarceration, Blackman opted for the intervention program after pleading guilty to a modified charge of aggravated battery. Over the course of his 20-month participation, he underwent treatment for substance abuse and successfully gained 50% legal custody of his three biological children and a stepchild. Remarkably, the victim of his past abuse attended the court proceedings to commend Blackman’s transformation, calling him a “great father.”

Central to Blackman’s growth were sessions with Baton Rouge forensic psychologist Brandon Ramano, who served as an outpatient counselor for the program. Initially skeptical about the need for treatment, Blackman ultimately learned vital lessons about self-control and conflict avoidance. “I’ve regained my self-control. I’m in control now,” he noted outside the courthouse. He encouraged others to prioritize their peace and avoid volatile situations.

While Orleans Parish has a domestic violence court focused on pretrial intervention and monitoring, East Baton Rouge’s program requires offenders to plead guilty to join. This model allows state prosecutors to defer sentencing while participants undergo psychological evaluations and recommended counseling. Some defendants may also be required to attend substance abuse and mental health treatment, while others wear GPS ankle monitors to ensure compliance with protective orders. Successful completion of the program can lead to expungement of charges from a participant’s criminal record.

So far, five individuals have participated in the East Baton Rouge program, which is designed to span between 12 and 18 months. Judge Foxworth-Roberts highlighted the ongoing challenges of funding, noting that the pilot program was initiated with a federal grant. “One of our major challenges has been funding,” she stated, stressing the need for additional resources to sustain the court’s operations.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is among the partner agencies that helped establish the intervention court. Niles Haymer, the CJCC Deputy Director, described it as the first court of its kind in Louisiana. The coalition offers comprehensive resources, assisting participants with housing, skills training, parenting classes, and transportation to court appearances.

Haymer pointed out that domestic violence incidents surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these cases continue to strain local jails. “We have an epidemic in this parish, and we can’t just sit back and do the same things we were doing before because evidently, it’s not working,” he remarked. Programs like the Domestic Violence Intervention Court aim to create meaningful change in the lives of those affected by domestic abuse in East Baton Rouge Parish.