Domestic Violence: What to Do if You've Been Hurt
If you are a victim of domestic violence, we can help you. Before you do anything else, make sure you are somewhere safe. Try to find a place where your aggressor can't get to you. If all else fails, go to a police station. Take any children you have, even if your partner has never hurt them. Anger may make them turn on people they normally wouldn't.
Once you're safe, you'll have to file a petition for a "Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence." This is essentially a restraining order stating that the aggressor may not come within a certain distance of you and your children and may not communicate with you through any medium. You won't have to testify to file for this injunction, and your aggressor won't be present at the hearing. The Judge will decide solely based on what you say in your petition.
After the Judge enters the Temporary Injunction, your case will be set for a hearing on a Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence. This essentially does the same thing as the Temporary Injunction, but it lasts until it is modified or terminated by the Court. The Court can also use the Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence to order other things, like time-sharing and child support.
No one deserves to be abused. Call us at 813.350.7890, and we'll help you get out of this.
Additional Domestic Violence Resources: