Domestic abuse is a horrible act that should not be treated lightly. The first thing you should understand after suffering from domestic violence is that it is not your fault. Unfortunately, these situations can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, etc. The next thing you should do is take action in order to protect yourself and any family you may have. In order to learn more about this important step in your life, continue reading below and contact a compassionate New Jersey domestic violence attorney for assistance moving forward with your life.
New Jersey Domestic Violence Laws
The law in the state of New Jersey allows all victims of domestic violence to be able to seek out both criminal and civil relief against the individual that abused them. However, the unfortunate truth of the situation is that simply informing law enforcement about an act of domestic violence is not enough to receive the relief that is needed for protection. While an attorney is not necessary in order to recover protection, it can be extremely beneficial to have one when fighting for the justice you deserve. This can be accomplished by filing a restraining order immediately after the first act of violence occurs.
How Do I Obtain a Restraining Order?
An experienced attorney can guide you through the trials and tribulations of trying to obtain a restraining order against your abuser. This process begins by contacting the local authorities. While it is understandable that it can be frightening to involve law enforcement in this matter, it is the most important thing you can do. This is because once the incident is reported to the police or local court, you can receive a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). This prevents your abuser from coming near you or contacting you at all until a hearing can take place. Once a TRO is issued, the final hearing will be scheduled within 10 days.
During this hearing, the evidence must be presented in order to prove the domestic violence took place. If successful, a Final Restraining Order can be granted. This document does the following:
- Protects you from future violence
- Prohibits contact and harassment
- Provides you with temporary custody of any minors
- Provides financial support
- Offers counseling or therapy
- Prohibits the abuser from bearing arms or other weapons
- Allows temporary possession of the personal property
In addition to this, you can press criminal charges if you wish to do so. This can be done by filing a Criminal Complaint regarding the abusive behavior you experienced.
Contact our Firm
If you require strong legal representation for matters of divorce and family law in New Jersey, contact The Law Offices of Paone, Zaleski & Murphy to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.
