Walk It Through: The Petition at Family Court
An emergency order the same day, a full hearing in 15 days, an order for up to a year, and an arrest for breaking it.
After her partner throws a phone at her and threatens worse, a woman in Dover goes to the Family Court.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A protection from abuse order between partners. Lethal violence orders, custody fights and criminal charges for the underlying abuse are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Protection from abuse orderA Family Court order against domestic violence, lasting up to 1 year, and up to 2 for no contact orders.
- Level VFull incarceration in a custodial institution, the level at which felony sentences are served.
- Physical injuryThe harm that makes assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor, and with a deadly weapon or a victim 62 or older, the second degree.