Court advocates are professionals trained to assist victims of abuse with filling out protective orders and providing guidance throughout the court process. Advocates offer information, support, and assistance in finding resources for victims of abuse that increases the accessibility of the criminal justice system to victims. It empowers victims to have a VOICE in the criminal justice system as well as coordinate services to promote victims' safety and wellbeing.
What to Expect of a Court Advocate
- Supporting and empowering you to choose your own options, make educated decisions about your alternatives, and increasing your access to community services
- Assistance with navigating through the legal filing process:(50B) - Domestic Violence Protective Order(50C) - No-Contact Order for Stalking or Nonconsensual Sexual Conduct
- Helping you understand the various legal systems: (criminal and civil court)
- Providing you with objective and knowledgeable information about the court process
- Accompanying you to court proceedings
- Referring you to additional services such as emergency shelter, legal aid assistance, safety planning, crisis intervention, Crime Victims Compensation Fund, Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE), and/or SAVAN
- Monitoring the criminal and civil justice system responses to domestic violence and the survivors
- Communicating with local criminal and civil justice systems regarding particular cases/victims
- Providing crisis intervention support and information about domestic violence and/or sexual assault
- Maintaining absolute confidentiality regarding information and communication
What Can the Judge Order in Civil Cases?
The following relief can be provided in a Domestic Violence Protective Order:
- Abuser may not assault, threaten, harass, abuse, or contact you. Abusers may not go to your work, home, school, children’s school, or other places you may go regularly.
- Possession of the residence.
- Suitable housing if residence is not desired.
- Law enforcement assistance in evicting the abuser or obtaining your personal belongings.
- TEMPORARY custody of minor children. (This is NEVER guaranteed and a domestic violence protection order is not a practical way to obtain child custody)
- Temporary child and/or spousal support.
- Possession of a vehicle.
- Temporary visitation rights.
- The abuser to be forbidden to purchase a firearm and to surrender any firearms currently in possession.
- The abuser to attend an abuser treatment program.
What a Court Advocate CAN NOT Do FOR YOU
- Provide legal advice
- Make decisions for you
- Investigate a crime
- Provide therapy or mental health treatment services