Family & Safety

The alleged abuser (respondent A person who has a petition filed against them ) can show up in court on the date mentioned in the papers they received. On that date, the respondent can tell the judge if they are willing to agree to the Order of Protection A document from a judge that tells an abuser to stop further domestic abuse, or face penalties or not. Sometimes, the respondent is willing to agree to the Order of Protection if certain changes are made to the order. The respondent can let the judge know this, and the judge can ask the reporting party A person or business involved in a court case in a role like plaintiff, petitioner, defendant, respondent, or intervenor. (petitioner A person who makes a written request to a court ) if they agree or not.

The respondent can also tell the judge they plan to hire a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice and ask for more time to do so.

If the alleged abuser (respondent A person who has a petition filed against them ) does not agree to the Order of Protection A document from a judge that tells an abuser to stop further domestic abuse, or face penalties the case will be scheduled for a hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer . At the hearing, the reporting party A person or business involved in a court case in a role like plaintiff, petitioner, defendant, respondent, or intervenor. (petitioner A person who makes a written request to a court ) and the respondent will tell their sides of the story to the judge. The petitioner will go first, testifying about the abuse to show that the Order of Protection is needed. After the petitioner is done, the respondent will have a chance to present their side of the story.  The respondent can bring evidence Anything used to show that something is true such as witnesses, text messages, and voicemails to support their testimony Evidence given orally by witnesses .

There is no right to a jury trial A trial decided by a judge and a jury or to a lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice in this type of case.

After hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer both sides, the judge will decide whether or not to grant a Plenary Order of Protection A long-term order granted by a judge telling an abuser to stop further domestic abuse. Done after both parties had a chance to present their case. against the alleged abuser (respondent A person who has a petition filed against them ), which can last up to two years. The judge may do this right away, or may make a decision after a break. The break could take only a few hours or it could take up to a few weeks.

While waiting for a decision by the judge, the reporting party A person or business involved in a court case in a role like plaintiff, petitioner, defendant, respondent, or intervenor. (petitioner A person who makes a written request to a court ) can ask the judge to extend the existing Emergency Order of Protection A document from a judge that tells an abuser to stop further domestic abuse, or face penalties or Interim Order A temporary order telling a person to do something until a hearing or trial. At the trial, a final order will be made. of Protection. If granted, the respondent will have to continue following the order.