Have you been experiencing domestic violence and questions about handling domestic violence? If you feel unsafe, contact our attorney today.
Any instance of domestic violence rearranges the priorities of a divorce case: if you’ve suffered or have reason to fear physical abuse, psychological and emotional abuse, or threats and harassment, you need to get yourself and your children to safety. An experienced family law attorney can advise you about the steps you can take to ensure your safety before moving forward with the divorce process.
Handling Domestic Violence | First Steps
If you’ve experienced domestic violence, you first call should be to the police, the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline, or your local court’s domestic violence unit. Once the authorities have removed the violent party, you can speak to a family law attorney about the next steps you should take. If you intend to seek a divorce, you can start this process after taking steps to ensure that you and any children remain safe.
Handling Domestic Violence | Restraining Order
You don’t need an attorney to obtain a temporary restraining order. If you’ve experienced domestic violence – including harassment or terroristic threats and other kinds of emotional abuse – you should notify the police, and then contact and experienced family law attorney. The court will be able to issue a restraining order. If the violent party violates the restraining order, he or she will face jail time and other serious penalties.
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Handling Domestic Violence | Temporary Restraining Order
A restraining order is a serious matter. A temporary restraining order “freezes” your parenting time. You would have to ask a judge to reinstate any parenting time. If a court has issued you a temporary restraining order, it will set a date for a final restraining order hearing within ten days. You can waste no time, then, in contacting an experienced family law attorney to accompany you to the hearing. If the judge decides to issue a final restraining order, the court will enter your name into a statewide database of domestic violence offenders. Unlike in most states, final restraining orders in New Jersey are permanent, and very difficult to have removed or vacated.
These orders can negatively affect your family life and employment prospects moving forward. Violation of a temporary or final restraining order could affect future child visitation rights, and in many cases can result in jail time. If the court has served you a temporary restraining order, you need the help of an experienced family law attorney to ensure the best possible outcome. Please call New Jersey domestic violence attorney Brian Freeman today for a free case review.