Sheriff`s Corner

Hi everyone and welcome to this week's Sheriff's Corner. I'd like to go back to domestic violence issues this week and specifically talk about "Injunctions for Protection."

An Injunction for Protection is a request that you make to a judge asking that someone be court ordered to stop acts of domestic violence against you. This request is in the form of a petition or application for an Injunction for Protection. They are available through the Clerk of the Court in the courthouse.

Now depending on your situation and your needs, the petition you present needs to be specific to you. You can ask the judge to order some or all of the following. The judge can order the abuser to stop all acts of violence toward you. The abuser to leave the home that you share. The abuser to have no contact with you at all unless ordered by the judge. The abuser to have no contact with you at all at your work, school, family members houses or other places you spend time. The judge may order child support and custody for minor children.

If you have other needs and/or requests, be prepared to state them clearly in your petition. Describe your relationship to the abuser as well as the last act of violence. Also explain why you think violence will continue if this aspect is appropriate.

When actually applying for the Injunction for Protection you are required to provide the Clerk of Court with some information including; a photo identification of yourself. Directions to where the abuser can be found so we can serve them with the Injunction for Petition. Also they will need the names and ages of children under 18 years of age.

Next week, I'll finish up on this aspect of domestic violence. I'll include what happens next week with the judge and what happens if the injunction is violated.