Q: I am in an abusive marriage and have a warrant, how can I get around. Going to jail? I cannot leave my home!
My warrant is out of Anoka Co. MN for failure to turn myself in for failing to complete a dwi MADD IMPACT CLASS. My husband made it so I had no way to get to the classes on purpose, I've paid for the classes but was unable to go. I cannot go to jail, he has threatened to sell all my belongings and get me removed from home if I go to jail. It's only 30 day sentence but is it possible to take care of it any other way than going to jail? I need help but have no access to money for lawyer or even to go anywhere to ask for help, NO DRIVERS LICENSE. I feel trapped and need help. !! Please
A:
You obviously have a couple of issues going on here.
One, is your warrant. I would suggest getting in touch with the Anoka County Public Defender. You are unemployed so you would obviously qualify for a PD. Explain the issue that you are dealing with and an attorney in the office may be able to contact the court about getting the warrant quashed. I do not believe that local police or the Anoka County Sheriff will be out executing warrants on misdemeanor warrants, so I don't think that you should be terribly concerned about police showing up to your house to arrest you.
Two is your issue with your husband. No one should have to be in an abusive marriage. This is something where you should contact law enforcement about the abuse. I'm sure that COVID-19 is making the issue more acute because both of you are stuck at home and the general stress and anxiety in the world has only increased. If your husband is arrested for domestic assault (fear or harm), the court will undoubtedly issue a domestic abuse no contact order (DANCO) which will prevent him from returning home and you will be permitted to remain in the house. You should serious consider taking this action so that you can be safe.
A:
Contact the Anoka County Public Defender's Office about the warrant. Getting the class done could also be quite helpful.
On the abuse issues, consider contacting a counselor, support group like Alanon, a domestic abuse services agency, or a family law attorney. Many helps and options are available, if you reach out for some help.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
