Walk It Through: The Night of the Assault at Home
A petition that night, an emergency order, a hearing within fourteen days, and a violation.
After a spouse hits them, a person goes to the circuit clerk's office at night to ask for protection.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A spouse's assault and the order that follows. The terms a domestic violence order can include after the hearing, and the order's length, are on the page itself.
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.
- Domestic violence orderThe order a court may issue after a hearing on finding that domestic violence occurred and may occur again, for up to three years and renewable.
- Emergency protective orderAn order a court issues on the day a petition is filed when it shows an immediate and present danger of domestic violence, lasting until the hearing.
- Class A misdemeanorThe higher class of misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
- Class D felonyThe lowest class of felony, punishable by one to five years.
- ViolationAn offense punishable by a fine only, with no jail.