The Service Tree lists all services in "branched" groups, starting with the very general and moving to the very specific. Click on the name of any group name to see the sub-groups available within it. Click on a service code to see its details and the providers who offer that service.
Domestic Violence Protective/Restraining Orders
Criminal Temporary Protective Orders
Programs that help victims of domestic abuse obtain a protective order against an alleged domestic violence offender in situations where the offender has been arrested for harming the victim and, where relevant, the victim is willing to press charges. A criminal protective order (also known as a temporary protection order or TPO) prohibits the domestic violence defendant from contacting the victim, generally until and over the course of the trial and, in some cases, during the individual's probation or period of incarceration. If the charges are dropped or the case is dismissed, the criminal protective order is no longer in effect. Included are "stay away" orders which prohibit in-person contact with the protected party and "no contact" orders which prohibit communication by any means.
Programs that help victims of domestic abuse obtain an emergency protective order (EPO) immediately after an incident has occurred. Emergency protective orders are issued by a judge at the request of a law enforcement officer where there is a danger of domestic violence, child abuse, abduction or elder abuse. In most cases, the law enforcement officer has been called to a person's residence for a disturbance. If the officer feels an emergency protective order is necessary, s/he will contact the court to speak to an on-call judicial officer. The EPO can order the abuser not to contact the victim, to stay away from the victim, and to move out of the victim's home immediately until the order expires. The EPO can also award temporary care and custody of any affected children. Emergency protective orders are very short term and generally remain in effect for five business days or seven calendar days. To extend the protection, the individual needs to apply for a temporary restraining order in civil court.
Programs that help victims of domestic abuse who have a temporary restraining order (TRO) obtain a more "permanent" restraining order at a hearing which provides an opportunity for both parties to present their case. Based upon the evidence presented at this hearing, a court can order that the temporary restraining order be made permanent (or remain in effect a specified period of time) or order a permanent restraining order with different provisions than the original. Procedures and timeframes vary by jurisdiction.
Programs that help victims of domestic abuse obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent harassment, stalking or violence on the part of the abusive individual until the court can set a "show cause" hearing to review the evidence and determine what permanent relief is appropriate. Variously known as protective orders or personal protection orders, temporary restraining orders are injunctions issued by the civil court (in most places the family court) that restrain the conduct of the abuser and may identify places such as the abused person's residence or workplace that the individual is prohibited from entering. Although eligibility may vary, restraining orders are generally available to people who have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused or threatened by a current or former spouse, family member (e.g., parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents), partner, other parent of a child, current or former roommate, or current or former dating partner. Temporary restraining orders are usually issued after an "ex parte appearance" (an appearance in court by one party without the other being present), become effective when served on the restrained person and remain in effect until the "show cause" hearing.