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Community Education

PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE ACT
Answers to Some Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE "PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE ACT"?

It is a law that provides help for persons (called "petitioners") who believe they have suffered physical' abuse or other violence by another family or household member (called the "respondent").

 

HOW DOES A PETITIONER GET PROTECTION UNDER THIS LAW?

If you believe you need protection (called a "Family Protective Order") from future abuse you should contact the Legal Aid Society at 175 Walnut Street, Morgantown (296-0001) where you can be referred for a free lawyer.*

OR, you may go directly to the Magistrate Court where the matter can be processed without lawyer assistance. OR, you may start the action at Magistrate Court AND then go (but do so as soon as possible) to Legal Aid for help.

 

WHAT DOES A PETITIONER DO IF A FAMILY PROTECTIVE ORDER IS VIOLATED?

Go back to the Magistrate Court (if you have a lawyer, call him/her first) for the next step (called a "contempt proceeding"). At this second hearing, if the Magistrate finds that the respondent abused you again or refused to stay away from you, the Magistrate will fine (at least $250 up to $1000) the respondent and send him/her to jail (at least 24 hours up to 1 year). For other violations the Magistrate can make the respondent post a bond to guarantee that he/she will obey the order in the future.

HOW DOES A RESPONDENT GET LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER?

There is no provision for court-appointed lawyers in Family Protective Order cases for the first hearing. A respondent must either hire a lawyer or represent himself/herself .

HOWEVER, if a respondent is ordered by the Court to do or not do certain acts, and the respondent violates the Courfs order, the respondent may be fined and put in jail. At this second hearing. held to determine whether the respondent should be fined and jailed for violating the Courts order, the respondent will be entitled to a court-appointed lawyer if he/she cannot afford to hire one. A respondent can make an application for a court-appointed lawyer at the Probation Office in the Monongalia County Courthouse.

SHOULD A PERSON HAVE A LAWYER IN FAMILY PROTECTIVE ORDER HEARINGS?

Normally a person is better off at a court hearing with a lawyer. If you can afford to hire a lawyer, you should do so. If you cannot afford a lawyer, and you are the person claiming to be abused, you should go to the Legal Aid Society. If you are the respondent in a criminal contempt proceeding, you should inquire at the Probation Office to see if you are eligible for a court-appointed lawyer.


*Legal Aid, the WVU College of Law, RDVIC and volunteers from the Monongalia County Bar coordinate a project to provide free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence. If available, a lawyer and law student will help you without charge.

 

 

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