How to Prepare for a Protection Order Hearing

 Posted on December 16, 2024 in Family Law

Getting an order of protection can help you stay safe while you are in the process of divorcing your abuser. Perpetrators of domestic violence can react violently when they find out that the victim is leaving for good. This makes the first few weeks after leaving a highly dangerous time for domestic violence survivors. While it is possible for an abuser to ignore a protection order, having one in place can greatly reduce the chances of an incident. Protection orders act as a strong deterrent for abusers, who know that they can be arrested just for approaching your home. They also inform the police and everyone around you that your spouse is a dangerous person and any sightings of him near your home or workplace need to be taken seriously. An aggressive Schaumburg, IL protection orders attorney should represent you.

Find a Safe Place to Stay First 

Even if your protection order tells your spouse that he has to leave your family home, it is advisable to have a safe place to stay for several days. It is best if you can go straight from your initial hearing to your safe place. If the police go to your home to serve your spouse with the protection order, you probably do not want to be present, especially if your abuser has firearms in the house. Staying with a friend or family member or in a domestic violence shelter for a few days can keep you safe during your abuser’s initial cooling down period and reduce the chances of an incident.

List as Many Specific Abuse Incidents as Possible 

The court will want to hear about the abuse you have endured. When the abuse has been going on for some time, it may be harder for you to think of specific incidents of abuse because it happens so frequently. However, the more detail you can provide about exactly what your spouse has done, the easier it is for the court to grant your order. If you can list several instances of abuse, you likely have a strong case.

Gather Any Possible Evidence 

While protection orders are frequently granted based on the survivor’s testimony alone, any evidence you can offer is helpful. Photos of the injuries your spouse has inflicted can be particularly compelling. You may want to go through your photos to see if you have visible bruising, scrapes, or other injuries in any of your photos. If you have ever sought medical treatment for an injury your spouse inflicted, those medical records can be very helpful - even if you were intimidated into lying to the doctor about how the injury happened at the time. Courts are used to victims who have in the past claimed they "fell down the stairs" or "walked into a door" to explain abuse injuries.

Contact a Schaumburg, IL Orders of Protection Attorney

Anderson Attorneys, P.C. is committed to helping people who have experienced domestic violence obtain orders of protection and get divorced from their abusers. Our caring Cook County, IL domestic violence divorce lawyers will do all we can to help you leave safely and permanently. Contact us at 847-850-8899 for a complimentary consultation.