Domestic Violence Project
Domestic Violence Project
Family Law Ask A Lawyer Program
In conjunction with the Family Court Self-Help Center and Nevada Legal Services, Legal Aid Center provides self-help assistance to unrepresented parties in the Family Court. Individuals sign up and wait their turn for a brief free consultation with an attorney. The program is held every Thursday afternoon at the Self-Help Center in the back of the Family Court. Please click here for details and regsitration information.
Checklist for Your TPO Hearing
If you have filed an application for a TPO and would like to apply for legal representation, please click here to download an intake packet.
Si usted es la que aplico para la Orden de Protección y le gustaría tener una abogada para su audiencia oprima aquí para la aplicación.
Where Can I Go To Get Help?
GENERAL ADVICE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS BROCHURE available for download.
How Can I Make It On My Own?
What if your abuser earns or controls most of the household money? How will you live on your own? How much child support can you expect to receive, and how can you get assistance from the Welfare Division? What about health insurance? What happens if you can't pay the bills?
Protection Orders Against Domestic Violence
What is a protection order against domestic violence and why would I want one?
1. What is a protection order against domestic violence and why would I want one?
A protection order against domestic violence (protection order) is a court order that protects one person from being abused by another person. You would want one to protect yourself and your children who live with you from violence or threats of violence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Protection Orders
Answers to common questions about protection orders against domestic violence.
Information for Persons Served with a TPO
Do not contact or communicate with the Applicant.
You have been served with a Temporary Protection Order Against Domestic Violence (an "Order") that orders you to stop all contact/communication with the Applicant and to stay away from the addresses/locations listed in the Order. IF YOU DISOBEY THE PROTECTION ORDER, YOU MAY BE ARRESTED, JAILED AND/OR FINED. You have also been served with an Order For Hearing; on that date a Judge will hear your case and decide if the Protection Order should expire or be extended.
- You may not contact the Applicant - not in person, not by telephone, not by email, not by mail, not through third parties or by an other means whatsoever.
- If you think the Order is a mistake or if you have questions regarding the Order, contact the Family Violence Intervention Program. This office is located at Family Court, 601 N. Pecos, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101, (702) 455-3400 [at the corner of Pecos and Bonanza]. They will explain the procedure for asking the Judge to cancel (dissolve) the Order and can help you complete the paperwork asking the Judge to dissolve the Order. Do not contact the Applicant.
- If you have questions regarding custody, visitation or support for your children, you can ask the Judge at the hearing. Do not contact the Applicant.
- At the Hearing: This will be your chance to talk to the Judge. You may tell the Judge why you think the protection order is wrong, why you should have custody of your children, or the dates and times when you would like the Judge to allow you to visit your children. You may ask the Judge to assist you in getting your belongings or other items that are currently held by the Applicant.
YOU MAY WISH TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY TO EXPLAIN THE ORDER. An attorney can answer your questions concerning the Order and concerning custody, visitation or support for your children. The Nevada State Bar has an Attorney Referral Service that you can call at 382-0504. In addition, the Self-Help Center at Family Court [(702) 455-1500] has binders containing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of attorneys licensed to practice in Nevada. The UNLV Boyd School of Law, in cooperation with Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and Nevada Legal Services, offers free Community Legal Education Classes on Divorce and Custody and Paternity (among others); these legal information classes may answer some of your questions. Call 386-1070, extension 155 for the dates and times of the classes.
Child Protective Services
A full discussion of Nevada's Child Protection statutes is beyond the scope of this manual. This manual is intended to provide general information only; it is not a substitute for legal advice from an attorney that is specific to your case. If CPS files a petition charging you with abuse or neglect of your children, you are strongly urged to consult an attorney. If the state files a petition to terminate your parental rights, you are entitled to have an attorney appointed for you, if you cannot afford to hire one.
Criminal Justice System
Is what happened to me a crime?
Maybe. It can be a crime to touch or threaten to touch another person without that person's permission. Many other things that may have happened in your abusive relationship may be a crime as well. It is up to the police and the prosecutors to decide if what happened to you is a crime that can be prosecuted. If you do not want to involve the police or prosecutors but you want to try to stop the abuse, you can get a protection order against domestic violence (See Section 3 of this manual for information on protection orders). A protection order does not involve the criminal courts and will not result in your abuser going to jail. However, the violation of a protection order against domestic violence is a criminal misdemeanor.
Child Support Enforcement
District Attorney Family Support Division
1. What does the District Attorney’s office have to do with child support?
The Clark County District Attorney Family Support Division (DAFS) represents the citizens of Clark County and not the custodial parent (that is, the parent with whom the minor children reside for more then 50% of the time), the noncustodial parent (the parent who is absent from the home) or their minor children. Like child support agencies in other states, DAFS operates under a common set of federal guidelines to assure that children are supported by their parents, and not the taxpayers.
