Introduction

Ray Rice and his wife, Janay Palmer, in May, at his arraignment on assault charges. This week, after the emergence of a video showing the altercation, the N.F.L. player was cut from his team and suspended from the league. AP Photo/The Press of Atlantic City, Vernon Ogrodnek Ray Rice and his wife, Janay Palmer, in May, at his arraignment on assault charges. This week, after the emergence of a video showing the altercation, the N.F.L. player was cut from his team and suspended from the league.

The Baltimore Raven’s decision this week to terminate Ray Rice’s contract because of his assault on his then-girlfriend Janay Palmer, coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, which aims to hold abusers accountable. To combat domestic violence, some states have adopted mandatory arrest and “no-drop” prosecution policies.

Are these policies effective? When police have evidence of domestic violence, should prosecution be mandatory?