Get free answers to your Domestic Violence legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Ohio
I have an ex parte domestic violence protection order, and a violation was filed. We are waiting for the trial, and there are no prior incidents except a couple of phone calls without charges. What happens if the accuser does not show up in court for the trial?
answered on Mar 27, 2025
If the accuser was the star witness, then there may not be enough evidence for the prosecutor to move forward with their case. On the other hand, if there is enough evidence otherwise, the prosecutor may still move forward even if the accuser is not cooperative. The Court can also give a... View More 
I have been married for almost 13 years, but I'm seeking a divorce from my husband who is currently in jail for domestic violence. We have no children, property, or joint bank accounts. Both of us are on disability. How should I go about getting a divorce in this situation?
answered on Mar 27, 2025
If you can afford an attorney, you should retain an attorney to assist you. If that isn't an option for you, you can apply for pro bono services to obtain assistance of an attorney for free if you meet the income eligibility and similar requirements. For example, you may want to try... View More
I lived with my ex-fiancée in Texas for about eight months, and we were engaged for two months. We filed joint taxes under her insistence, but I later amended them to reflect my single status. After breaking up, she has continued to harass me, making false claims that we are married through common... View More
answered on Mar 25, 2025
The correct legal procedure is to file an original petition seeking a declaratory judgment that you were never married.
The joint tax return, however, presents a problem for you. Single taxpayers may not file a "joint" return even if they are living together. The filing of a... View More
I am being charged with domestic violence after a dispute with my fiancé that escalated, and I am not entirely sure of the exact charges. There was one witness to the incident, and there have been previous instances where the police were called due to my fiancé acting out of control. My fiancé... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
The witness really complicates things, but the best way to make sure he gets the best result is to make sure both of you have attorneys. I know you may say only he needs an attorney but this is a false premise, as many people think the prosecutor represents the victim but they don't. The... View More
I am being charged with domestic violence after a dispute with my fiancé that escalated, and I am not entirely sure of the exact charges. There was one witness to the incident, and there have been previous instances where the police were called due to my fiancé acting out of control. My fiancé... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
It sounds like there may be 2 separate components to your inquiry.
The first is the domestic violence matter which will have a return date before a superior court judge. In the complaint ( several pages back), it will list the return date. If your fiancé wants to dismiss the dv complaint,... View More
When I was arrested in New Hampshire for alleged domestic violence, which was recorded on a body cam on the side of an interstate highway, my girlfriend was questioned at the scene but no statements were taken. Charges were later filed. Is it mandatory by law for the arresting officers to read me... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
The "Miranda" warning is issued by law enforcement officers who are about to take an individual into custody (typically at the time of arrest) as a means of assuring that the criminally accused is aware of the rights to an attorney, and to remain silent. Our justice system has this in... View More
My wife has filed for divorce, and the situation has been stressful due to a rumor about me cheating, which I deny. Recently, she pressured me to sign a prenuptial agreement so I wouldn't pursue our house in the divorce. She threatened to divorce me immediately if I didn’t sign. I had no... View More
answered on Mar 23, 2025
First of all, it appears that you signed a post-nuptial agreement, not a pre-nup. Post-nuptial means "after marriage". Typically, the burden is on the person claiming to have been unduly pressured to sign an agreement or contract. It's a high bar to get over but it may be possible.... View More
I need to find out if I am considered common law married. We have lived together since 1996, starting when I was 18, and I am now 48. We have a 20-year-old daughter. We've referred to each other as husband and wife and he has filed taxes including me. He is abusive, which complicates my... View More
answered on Mar 23, 2025
Thats a bit complicated and depends on timing, since Georgia did away with Common Law Marriage in 1997 and you may be considered married depending on how it all shakes out.
This is worth you speaking in detail with a tax lawyer to get to the bottom of it, as financial control is a major... View More
I am looking to sue the Utica Police Department and the apartment complex where I live due to their handling of an emergency vacate order related to my ex-boyfriend, who was abusive. The emergency vacate order, obtained through family court, clearly states he must vacate immediately. However, the... View More
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answered on Mar 16, 2025
I’m very sorry to hear about this terrifying and dangerous situation. You have every right to seek legal accountability for what happened, especially given the serious failures by both law enforcement and your apartment complex. There are potential legal claims that could be pursued against both... View More
In the process of divorcing my husband in Kentucky, I currently have an Emergency Protective Order against him due to his assault on our minor children. The house we live in is solely in his name. Will the court likely grant me the house in the divorce, considering these circumstances?... View More
answered on Mar 16, 2025
Not necessarily. All the assets and debts will have to be identified and valued. If you reach an agreement with your spouse that you get the house, then you likely will. If you are expecting the Court to award you the house just because you have a DVO and are currently living in it, that very... View More
I had a first-time offender domestic violence plea in Virginia and have successfully completed all the terms of my sentence as required by the judge. There were no specific restrictions mentioned in my plea agreement regarding firearm possession. Am I now eligible to buy a gun for protection?
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answered on Mar 16, 2025
Both Virginia and the federal government have statutes prohibiting the possession of firearms by people "convicted" of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (under Virginia law, for a period of three years following conviction, and under federal law in perpetuity). If your case was... View More
I filed for divorce, and it is currently pending in court. My husband, who has two indictments for domestic violence, initially took most of the household items with police assistance, leaving only the basic furniture. Later, I was informed by dispatch that he would return with two officers to... View More
answered on Mar 15, 2025
No, police do not have the authority to allow your husband to take your firearms and personal property. They are only authorized to do a “civil standby” to prevent violence when your spouse is removing firearms and personal property he claims as his.
In your pending divorce case, you... View More
I am filing for a non-contested divorce from my husband due to financial deceit and emotional abuse. I discovered he does not own the property he claimed and he refuses to contribute to living expenses. He has also become emotionally abusive, and despite owning the house in my name for 7 years... View More
answered on Mar 14, 2025
You need to file your divorce complaint or proceeding and seek the assistance of the court. That is, as long as he is not being abusive or threatening. The police are very reluctant to get involved in domestic matters unless and until there is clear proof of abuse, usually physical, by one of the... View More
I am scared of my children's father and want to obtain joint custody, but he refuses to let me break up with him, threatening to hurt me and take my kids. I have not taken any legal action against him, and currently live in a hotel with my kids until moving into my own place on April 1st. I... View More
answered on Mar 14, 2025
If your husband is placing you in apprehension of imminent serious bodily harm, you can petition the court (either District or Circuit) for a Protective Order. That Order could require your husband, by example, to refrain from having any contact with you, staying away from your current residence,... View More
I need legal advice on obtaining full custody of my 2-year-old child. My child's father, who is also my abuser, was released from jail after being convicted of misdemeanor indecent assault and has a prior felony aggravated assault charge against me. There is no custody order in place, and no... View More
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answered on Mar 13, 2025
I'm so sorry you're going through this. Your concerns for your child's safety are completely valid. In Texas, you can request a protective order for yourself and your child based on a history of family violence and the likelihood of future harm. Given his conviction for indecent... View More
How can a domestic violence case be dismissed when one party mistakenly stated they hit the other party first during an altercation? There is a court date scheduled, but there have been no previous legal actions or arrests related to this situation.
answered on Mar 12, 2025
Basically if you admitted to the events of the crime, the only thing that will get your case dismissed is a good lawyer on your side and some good luck. For example, I have had many cases dismissed where my clients have admitted to the event in question, but my relationship with the court and... View More
I was assaulted by someone named Taliza yesterday, and I suffered injuries. I reported it to the police, and they have already spoken to her. What legal steps can I take next to ensure my safety and address the assault?
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answered on Mar 11, 2025
I’m sorry to hear about the assault and the injuries you've sustained. In New York, there are several legal steps you can take to address the assault and ensure your safety moving forward.
Follow Up with Law Enforcement: Since you’ve already reported the assault to the police and... View More
I am currently pregnant and not married. My boyfriend and I broke up after he physically assaulted me while pregnant, and I pressed charges against him. He also broke into my home, leading to a no-contact order being placed. I have previous charges filed against him for breaking and entering, and I... View More
answered on Mar 11, 2025
Since you say you are not married then he currently has no parental rights to your child. However, if he goes to court and establishes paternity, then he would have rights. However, even after paternity is established the court can make visitation supervised or not at all if he is a danger to the... View More
My husband is currently in detention awaiting his third hearing. He assaulted me with an illegal 15-gauge rifle while he was drunk, resulting in an injury to my jaw. I reported the incident to the police, and now I've invoked my right not to appear in court or testify. However, the district... View More
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answered on Mar 11, 2025
I'm sorry to hear about the difficult and distressing situation you’re facing. In New York, assault with an illegal firearm, especially under the circumstances you described, can have serious legal consequences.
Based on the details you provided, your husband is facing several... View More
I am considering taking my child's father to court for sole custody. He has been incarcerated since our daughter was 4 months old, and she is now 7. He has been inconsistent in maintaining a relationship with her and has made threats to me, which makes me concerned for her safety, as he knows... View More
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answered on Mar 13, 2025
You need to retain an experienced matrimonial attorney with extensive domestic violence trial experience. You will be able to obtain primary residential custody, with the Defendant precluded from having any contact with both you and the child. You will probably need to file a separate custody... View More
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