What to Do When Violence Occurs in the Family


Disagreements are a normal part of any relationship. These disagreements can take several forms, one of which would be through arguments. While arguments are also a normal occurrence in relationships, sometimes they are not tolerable. Violence as a result of an argument would happen to be a perfect example of that.

Violence has no place in any family, let alone any relationship. Fortunately, the state of Texas has measures to protect individuals from any harm that would befall them. This may be due to a violent spouse or family member. One such way this is done is through protective orders.

Protective Orders

A protective order is a legal document for the protection of an individual from any harm by another. In this case, it’s meant to protect you from the harm a family member may cause you. What’s good about these kinds of orders is that they’re recognized throughout your local county. This means the law enforcement departments in your area are involved in ensuring your protection.

Usually, this order has to be put in writing. Therefore, it must be written legibly to ensure that it can be read and understood properly. In other circumstances, some orders only require you to fill in the blanks. All the same, it’s important to make sure that your name, as well as the name of the other person concerned, are written legibly.

Since this order is usually handwritten, it’s also important that any specific details that need to be addressed are clearly specified. This is to ensure that whatever you may need from this protective order is clearly understood and met.

How To Acquire A Protective Order

To get a protective order, you first need to apply for one. Your application begins with your local county judge, who is in charge of overseeing your case. When you apply, it’s important to know that the other party, such as your spouse, will be served notice about this as well. This is done to ensure that both sides are heard.

When the hearings begin, your job is to give the judge a clear picture of your situation with your partner. You’ll have to give all the details about the incidences wherein violence was used against you or when harm was inflicted on you. As much as possible, it’s good to tell the judge all the incidences, when it took place, and what kind of injuries you sustained.

Unfortunately, you must know that not all applications are granted a protective order. Since the judge is the one in charge of seeing if you are eligible for a protective order, you’ll have to do your best to convince the judge that you are at risk of being harmed by your spouse. If you need any help, it’s also good to seek legal counsel to assist you in trying to get that order.

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Mr. Hutton is a Divorce and Custody Lawyer based out of Round Rock, TX. His background is with child psychology at Arizona State University where he received a B.S. in 2006, and he continued this by working with the Children’s Right’s Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law where he received his J.D. in 2009. Throughout his practice, he has been a strong proponent of utilizing modern technology to improve his practice and the representation of his clients. He currently is the technology chair of CAFA of Travis County and is committed to improving and modernizing the practice of law in Texas. If you have any questions you can contact him at timothy.hutton@austintexaslegal.com

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