Family Violence
If you are a victim of physical violence from your spouse, partner, or significant other, your first call is to the proper authorities. Once you are out of immediate danger, your next step is to consider seeking protection from the Court by way of a Temporary Protective Order (“TPO”). These Orders, issued by a Judge after hearing the details and circumstances of the act(s) of family violence in question, provide protection from the party at fault until the date of the hearing, which will be held no more than thirty days following the Court issuing their ex parte (meaning without both sides presenting argument) TPO. At your hearing, and upon hearing evidence and argument from both you and the party at fault, may either dismiss the effective TPO or may issue a new TPO that is effective for a period of up to one year, which may be extended for up to three years.