Sheriff`s Corner

Hello everyone, this week's Sheriff's Corner will again focus on domestic violence and also be the last in this series. If you read last weeks' corner you know that we were talking about Injunctions for Protection. We finished last week with the petition being completed by the victim. We also listed what exactly should in the petition for the judge. So let's continue.

When you finish the petition, the clerk will immediately give it to the judge. The judge then determines what parts will be "temporarily ordered." This temporary order will be valid for no more than 15 days. The judge will have a permanent injunction hearing during the 15-day period. At this hearing, you can tell the judge, in your own words, about the abuse and what kind of protection you are asking the court to give you. The abuser may be present at the hearing. Also, at this hearing, the judge may change the temporary court order or leave it as originally ordered.

If you are afraid of seeing the abuser at the hearing, please let the clerk, court security or victim advocate know that you would like protection. You also can ask one of our court security officers to walk with you to your car.

Once you get the injunction, keep one copy with you at all times and another copy in a safe place. The bad part of this is that an Injunction does not guarantee your safety. It also does not take the place of a well thought out safety plan. What it does do is to let us respond and possibly arrest for any violations of the injunction that occur.

Lastly, what happens if a violation occurs. Immediately report any violation to our office or other law enforcement in your jurisdiction. Get a copy of the report for the record. If it's an emergency, call 911. If an arrest is made the judge and State Attorney's Office will also assist.

Please be safe. If we can help, please call.