Understanding Domestic Violence
According to a recent report published by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 30.5% of Colorado men and 36.8% of Colorado women have experienced partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking in their life. Domestic violence involves physical acts of violence committed against another family, household member, or intimate partner.
However, domestic violence may take different forms, including sexual assault, stalking, physical abuse, intimidation, battery, and other kinds of abusive behaviors. If you are a domestic violence victim, speaking with an understanding Colorado family law attorney can be extremely beneficial to you.
For more than 30 years, we have presented effective legal counsel, support, and compassionate representation to victims of domestic violence and their families. As your legal team, we can protect your rights, inform you about the next line of action, and help you seek adequate protection from potential violence or abuse incidents. Our firm proudly represents clients throughout Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Elizabeth, Lone Tree, and Centennial, Colorado.
Domestic Violence in Colorado
According to Colorado law – Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-6-800.3 – domestic violence can be described as an act of violence or threat of violence against someone that the perpetrator has or had an "intimate relationship" with. With respect to domestic violence, an intimate relationship involves a relationship between:
Current or former spouses
Past or present unmarried couples, and
Parents of the same child, whether they ever married or lived together.
However, when experiencing violence or abuse in your relationship, you need to take prompt action to avoid getting seriously injured or killed. A strategic attorney can provide advice about what to do when in a domestic violence situation.
What to Do in a Domestic Violence Situation
A domestic violence situation is dangerous for you and your children. If you are a domestic violence victim, you should take the following steps as soon as possible:
Talk to someone you trust or call a domestic abuse helpline.
Call law enforcement to notify them about the domestic abuse situation.
Properly document the abuse. Keep detailed records of your injuries, including incriminating calls, emails, and texts.
Get to safety. Leave the household or end the relationship immediately, if possible.
Obtain an emergency protective order.
Hire a skilled lawyer to help protect your legal rights.
File for a domestic violence protection order against your abuser.
Get professional counseling, therapy, and support to help you heal and finally move forward.
However, you need to understand that the domestic violence situation isn't your fault. Hence, avoid blaming yourself. Rather, you should act quickly and retain a trusted domestic violence protection attorney to help protect your rights and file for a restraining order.
Protection Orders in Colorado
A civil protection order – also known as a "restraining order" or domestic violence protection order – is a court order which protects someone facing legitimate threats or violence from being physically or sexually abused, harassed, stalked, or threatened. The different types of protection orders that are available in Colorado include the following:
Temporary (ex parte) Protection Order – This may be issued if the judge believes the person seeking the restraining order is in immediate danger.
Permanent Protection Order – This requires the victim and the alleged abuser to attend a court hearing. If the judge finds the abuser guilty of domestic violence allegations, a permanent protection order may be granted.
Emergency Protection Order – However, a local law enforcement officer may request an emergency protection order if they believe that an adult or child is in immediate and present danger of domestic violence, abuse, stalking, assault, or unlawful sexual offense.
A practiced Colorado restraining orders attorney can inform you about what a protection order can do and help determine which one is right for you.
Protections They Offer
A domestic violence protection order can instruct the restrained party (abuser) to:
Stay away from your home, school, work, pets, and children's schools.
Stop contacting or coming close to you, your children, family members, relatives, or any other household member.
Move out of your house or the family home.
Pay child support, alimony, and other domestic support obligations.
Release or return any property withheld illegally.
A knowledgeable lawyer can file the domestic violence protection order on your behalf and help you navigate crucial decisions.
Skilled & Compassionate Advocacy
When in a relationship involving domestic violence or abuse, getting adequate protection is crucial to protect you and your loved ones from possible injuries, recurring violence, or harm. At the Law Office of Lori Crystal, LLC, we enjoy providing experienced legal services and helping victims of domestic violence seek protection through the Colorado court.
Our proficient attorney will assess and examine the details of your unique circumstances and take prompt action to seek the appropriate protection order on your behalf. Also, we will strategize an effective plan depending on your personal situation and do everything possible to ensure that you and your children are safe from possible violence, harm, or threat of violence.
No one deserves to be a domestic violence victim. Contact the Law Office of Lori Crystal, LLC today to arrange a simple case assessment with a reliable family law attorney. We're proud to serve clients across Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Parker, Elizabeth, Lone Tree, Franktown, Kiowa, Larkspur, Centennial, and Highland Ranch, Colorado. Call us today to get the personalized legal advice and appropriate protection you need.