Protective Order Hearing

The best thing to do when dealing with family court and protection orders is to ALWAYS assume the worse outcome

Make sure you have your evidence in order, presentable, and contact your attorney if you have one. Whether it’s text, video, witnesses, or even your own testimony. Make sure it’s all in order, printed out, written out and or gathered. Remain calm, don’t rise to any bait. Know why you’re doing this and stick to your truth.

@Natasha sadly I know it has to be that way. I wish it didn't. 🙃

@courtney thank you!!

@Kelsey even with the evidence it needs to be given in a legal matter along with how it was obtained. Pulling up a screenshot isn’t going to be admissible. You have to show it came from that number only so going to the phone company and subpoenaed the records. If it is a video you have to ensure it is UNEDITED and there is someone saying they approve to be recorded. Witnesses cannot be biased meaning family/friends could lie on the stand. Without knowing exactly what evidence you have or what exactly this protection order was submitted for it is hard to give proper advice

@Natasha domestic violence. My husband hit me and threatened that he wanted to kill me in the presence of our son. He has drug and alcohol problems. He's trashed my house and it's not a safe environment for a child (broken picture frames in the crib, trash everywhere, moldy rags and dishes in my bathroom, medication where a child could easily access it)

@Kelsey was he arrested? Did the police take pictures of the damage?

@Natasha not yet. I'm waiting for the prosecutor to determine charges. But they do have picture evidence.

@Kelsey be aware that pictures of the house/environment can affect you as well. Even if you are the only one cleaning or are forbidden to clean/move things/what have you unless you have proof then it will count against you as well. Are his addictions documented in any way? Even hospital/er visits/stays count. If he was arrested that will also go a long way. Not necessarily for restraining order but for custody, having evidence you’ve tried to bring things up, submitted things to court, asked for help, etc will help for custody.

@Kelsey get the picture evidence from the DA. DONT take any other pictures just ask for copies and verification that the DA/Police took them. Also request the police report as well. That is really all you need.

Be absolutely positively sure. If you ever want to get it dropped it's damn near impossible.

@Breawna most protection orders are not permanent. Most are only given for an average of 2 years

@Breawna I'm most definitely sure. He's a dangerous POS

@Natasha yup, mine was for 2 years. But getting it dropped in that time period was impossible, I tried several times and was denied each time.