Domestic violence is an unacceptable form of behavior and the attorneys at Family Lawyers understand its impact in Connecticut law and penalties for domestic violence allegations.

Government strategies designed to combat violence against women and children generally focus on criminal prosecution, education and support - but rarely cover violence and abuse in family law proceedings.
Restraining Orders

Domestic violence or harassment restraining orders provide victims with protection from harm and threats of abuse or harassment by keeping violent individuals away. They can help stop physical harm as well as threats of abuse and harassment. Those seeking protection must file a petition with the court in order to receive an order of protection.

On your petition, you will provide details about incidents that have taken place, while answering any inquiries asked by the Judge. They may then consider issuing either a Temporary or Final Order of Protection as appropriate.

Judges can order that Defendants stay away from you, your home, work and school; as well as instruct them not to hurt or threaten you. Therefore it is vital to check all boxes on the petition to protect yourself fully.

If a judge grants a Final Order of Protection, local law enforcement will be informed immediately so they may arrest anyone found violating it.

Criminal Charges

Criminal allegations resulting from assaulting or other crimes committed against family members or intimate partners require an experienced domestic violence attorney in sydney who understands the laws that govern such cases and can help clients come up with strategies to defend them.

Police and prosecutors take any allegations of domestic violence or assault very seriously, going the extra mile to secure convictions even if the victim does not wish to press charges or has not reported the incident to law enforcement.

Victims don't always have control over what happens in their case; only the prosecutor can make that call. A Houston domestic violence attorney with experience fighting such charges may often convince the prosecutor not to proceed, thus decreasing the risk of conviction and subsequent negative repercussions for those charged; sometimes an experienced Houston domestic violence lawyer can even get it dropped altogether.
Civil Protection Hearings

If you want a permanent order of protection rather than just temporary police orders, filing a petition in Family Court may be your only solution. When filing, discuss with your attorney what grounds there may be for your request and bring any evidence or witnesses that support it on hearing day so they may testify as testimony about what occurred in court.

Once at the courthouse for your hearing, it is necessary to meet with a Family Relations Officer prior to being summoned into court. They will conduct an interview and safety evaluation which will then be provided for review by a judge.

A judge will issue a final civil protection order (CPO), lasting up to one year, which requires your abuser to stay away from you, your children and property. Furthermore, they may issue both criminal restraining orders in addition to civil ones.
Child Custody

Domestic violence victims face unique difficulties when seeking divorce or altering child custody arrangements, since their abuser could threaten re-victimization by cutting access to money, cars and housing if they take steps against him/her.

Family violence lawyer can employ several strategies to assist their clients in this situation, including filing a protective order against an abusive partner and obtaining an emergency custody/visitation evaluation to provide evidence against an abuser spouse in court proceedings. Such evidence will demonstrate why that person cannot serve as parent.

Courts and communities should ensure that custody/visitation decision-making processes and services consider the nature, context and implications of domestic violence when making custody/visitation decisions and services decisions. This means all parties to such cases (judges, lawyers, guardians ad litem, child abuse specialists and evaluators) have awareness of the issues at play in such cases and ensure timely access to relief; courts should prioritize these cases while assuring timely relief as well as creating opportunities for safe disclosure of domestic abuse history in custody/visitation proceedings proceedings.