Going to Court
As a law student at the Domestic Violence Clinic, I am trained to be a advocate, and this service is so vital for the petitioners who come to court to file a restraining order, many for the first time. The majority of the petitioners are women, specifically women of color who may not be fluent in English.
As part of the Domestic Violence Clinic, I visit the Dorchester Municipal Court twice a week. Last week at the Dorchester Municipal Court, I worked with two clients who both filed restraining orders against their partners. Working with victims of domestic violence is not a new experience for me but assisting them with filling out a complaint for a restraining order and standing with them as they speak to the judge is definitely a new experience.
Both clients were afraid about the consequences of their actions and as their advocate, it was my job to inform them of the pros and cons of filing for a restraining order. The most important question to ask a petitioner is how will the batterer/defendant react when he is notified of the restraining order. The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when she decides to leave her partner/batterer. So, an important part of my job is to inform my clients about these dangers and create a safety plan with the client in case the batterer decides to retaliate.
My two clients did obtain a restraining order, but it is only valid for 10 days. My next responsibility will be to prepare my clients for their next court date where the defendant will most likely appear to defend himself. My clients both are seeking to obtain a one-year restraining order. In order to accomplish this goal, I will work with my clients in obtaining any evidence that will support the incidents on their complaint and preparing them to speak with the judge. Wish me luck!!
Till next time..