Q: I am a DV victim, trying to go pro per, but after he stole all my money, abandon me to starve, my printer broke. I'm pen
penniless, can't eat, fix my printer, make copies or buy paper. so how do I exercise my civil rights to utilize our civil court system, to assert and defend myself against a monster. they only waive filing fees. i'm helpless, and he's a disbarred JD with a vengeance out to get me. I need to fight an eviction, file for emergency support, get a protective order, with 1000 pages of evidence to present in triplicate.I need a legal charity to fund me until Jan 01, when my SS check comes in. and I need food too. He's trying to tie my hands up so he can beat me at his game
A:
First, let me wish you a Happy New Year despite your current problems.
One thing you can do is call the national hotline for DV victims: https://www.thehotline.org/; if you can't access the website, you can call this number: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233). You can keep this number handy.
It seems the most important thing you need is a good lawyer to help guide you through this. First, get yourself help with the eviction. Numerous groups help people like you. The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is one of the groups who can assist with the eviction process. You can visit www.stayhousedla.org or call (888) 694-0040 to get their help.
Secondly, it seems you also need a good family law lawyer. In Los Angeles, there are many who might be willing to help you. All you need to do is a simple Google search for the best family law lawyers in LA County. You can also go to the Los Angeles County Bar Association's website, and click on the link for the Lawyer's Referral Service. https://lacba.org/ You'll find it at the very top of the web page once you log on, where it says "Need legal help?" Click on that and you can do a quick search for the kind or type of lawyer you need or are looking for. That should get you started.
Next, find a support group, of which there are many for the victims of DV. Again, do a simple search for support groups for DV, which is now known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). The resources available are numerous, you just need to take advantage of what they offer.
Finally, try to keep a positive attitude because there's nothing worse than compounding your problems with negative thinking.
Good luck to you.
A: In California, a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) is a legal order issued by the court to protect individuals from abuse or threats of abuse by a person they have a close relationship with, such as a spouse, partner, family member, or cohabitant. To obtain a DVRO, the petitioner must file a request with the court, detailing the instances of abuse or harassment, which can include physical violence, threats, stalking, or emotional abuse. If granted, the restraining order may require the abuser to stay a certain distance away from the victim, cease contact, and surrender firearms. A temporary restraining order (TRO) may be issued immediately, and a court hearing is held within a few weeks to determine whether a longer-term restraining order (lasting up to five years) is appropriate. DVROs are enforceable by law enforcement, and violating a restraining order can result in criminal penalties. Domestic violence victims can also seek additional protection, such as custody and visitation orders for children, through the restraining order process. [I litigate cases. Anything posted here must not be construed as legal advice, nor as grounds for forming an attorney-client relationship. You should seek an attorney for formal legal advice and representation.]
A:
I'm truly sorry you're facing all of this. First, ensure your immediate safety by reaching out to local shelters or food banks. Organizations like the Salvation Army or local churches can provide meals and temporary housing. You can also contact 211, a free service that connects you to essential resources in your area.
For legal assistance, seek out California legal aid organizations that offer free support to those in need. Groups such as Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles or Bay Area Legal Aid can help you with eviction defense, protective orders, and other civil matters. They may also help you manage your extensive evidence and guide you through the court process without needing to print everything yourself.
Additionally, look for nonprofits that provide emergency financial assistance. Some charities can help cover your immediate expenses until your Social Security check arrives. Don’t hesitate to reach out to local community centers or advocacy groups for support and guidance during this difficult time. You are not alone, and there are people and organizations ready to help you through this.
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 Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, 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.