[bigkarch]

Contact your local police department. In all communities, the police can issue something called an emergency protective order, (EPO) when court is out of session or even in session. An emergency protective order usually lasts for five days or seven calender days...the judge is liberal on these orders, and can stipulate the aggressor or violent offender to vacate the house, give custody of any children to the victim, have a no contact order, including no messages, calls, texts, emails and third parties messages....but after the order expires, you will need to go to court to obtain a TRO.

How can I help my domestic violence case?
Many people go to court on their own to obtain a restraining order. Some people go the very first time they are abused, while others wait until they can't live with it any longer -- sometimes for many years. What some fail to understand is that, despite the social awareness and sympathy surrounding domestic violence, the decision to grant a restraining order is based on law and legal process. Because of this, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of succeeding in court.

Police Reports. You should call the police if you feel threatened or have been a victim of violence. This is important for your physical safety, but it will also help your case in court. The police must file a report documenting the incident whether you seek a restraining order or not. If you go to court for that particular episode or a future one, you get a copy of the report from the police station and take it to court.

Photographs. Whether or not the police take pictures of any injuries, you should have a friend or family member do the same. (Police photos don't always make their way from the police file to the judge's courtroom in time for a restraining order hearing.) Ask your friend to take approximately ten pictures -- and be sure that she or he photographs your injuries from different angles, using both outdoor and indoor light. It's also important to photograph any property damage. Take pictures, for example, of any broken furniture, unhinged doors or holes in walls that resulted from the violence.