Get Out – Be Safe
There’s never a good reason to hit your spouse. One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. 85% of domestic violence victims are women. Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew. Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.
There are resources for victims. There are things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. Step one is to ask for help. Step two is to act.
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Loading ...Get a Protection Order
A Protection Order, or what used to be called a restraining order, will help protect you from an abuser. It can help keep you safe! If the abuser violates the protective order, he or she will go to jail. A Protection Order will help stop physical and emotional harassment and give you the time and space you need to get safe.
If you have the resources, you should try to get an appointment with a lawyer immediately. In the event of an emergency, our family law lawyers at Johnson Sauer can usually see you within an hour, but many others won’t be able to see you for several days. In that event, you shouldn’t waste any time and you should seriously consider seeking a protective order on your own.
Use the “Do-It-Yourself” section to the right to download the instructions and the forms.
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Denver County – You can request a temporary protective order in Denver County Court, Courtroom 11S, in the Pre-Arraignment and Detention Facility at 1351 Cherokee Street (map), Monday through Friday at 8 a.m.
Also, Project Safeguard holds a clinic on protective orders each weekday at 8:30 a.m. in the same Courtroom, 11S, at the Pre-Arraignment and Detention Facility (map).
Jefferson County – You may visit the self help desk at the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building (100 Jefferson County Parkway – map). You will be required to complete an application, pay a fee, and be heard by a judge or magistrate on the matter.
The fee may be waived for victims of domestic violence. If you are a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, you may find further assistance by visiting the victim/witness center in the same building. A protection order clinic is available for these victims twice a day, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Temporary Protection Orders
A Temporary Protection Order (TPO) is issued by a judge after a verified complaint is filed in court and a short hearing is held. At this initial hearing, the other party is not even present. The TPO is the first step to a Permanent Protection Order (PPO). A TPO is not enforceable until it is personally served on the other party.
The date for the hearing for a Permanent Restraining Order will be two weeks after the original TPO is granted. On this date, a full evidentiary hearing is held and the defendant can contest the order, giving his or her reasons why the order should not be made permanent.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Emergency Protection Orders
If you qualify for a protection order, you can get an emergency order from the police any time the courts are closed. Emergency protective orders last until the end of the next day the court is open.
Before the EPO expires, you must go to county court to file for a temporary protection order. The temporary order is only good for two weeks, at which time the court will have a hearing to determine if a permanent Protection Order should go into effect.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Permanent Protection Orders
A Permanent Protection Order provides permanent protection from the Defendant’s physical or emotional harassment and abuse. Once granted, it lasts until it is revoked by the protected person.
A permanent restraining order has considerable consequences. For example, federal law prohibits the defendant from possessing firearms (there are some exceptions), and it could risk any security clearance.
It’s important to note, however, that if the Protective Order addresses child issues, such as parenting time, visitation, and decision making, those provisions are only good for 120 days. After that, those provisions expire.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Violations of Protection Orders
Colorado provides for criminal prosecution of defendants who violate the protective order. The violation of a protective order is considered Contempt of Court and can give rise to a misdemeanor charge, for violations.
The Violence Against Women Act gives full faith and credit to valid orders of protection issued by other states. This includes all 50 states, Indian tribal lands, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. This means that abused persons can now call upon law enforcement to protect them from abusers nationwide.
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Do-It-Yourself
There’s no doubt you should consult a Colorado lawyer to protect your interests in these cases, but in the event you just can’t afford one we hope these forms help.
- Case Information Sheet
- Summons
- Petition
- Affidavit Re Children
- Motion to Waive Costs
- Certificate of Service
- Response
- Mandatory Disclosure List
- Certificate of Compliance
- Pre-Trial Statement
- Separation Agreement
- Parenting Plan
- Form of Decree
- Support Order
- Affidavit for Decree without Appearance of Parties
- Child Support Worksheets
- The Unique Challenges Fathers Face in Family Law
- Where’s My Courtroom?
