Get free answers to your Domestic Violence legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am a senior citizen with limited resources and have a court date on August 27, 2025, in domestic violence court. I need legal representation but did not know I was supposed to request an attorney at the last court date. I have never used legal aid, and I have not received any documentation or... View More 
answered on May 21, 2025
You need to contact the legal services office for your county. It is Prairie State in northern IL, mostly, and Land of Lincoln in central and southern Illinois. Is your case for an order of protection or what? Domestic violence can mean many things.
I live in a condominium and have a neighbor who abuses marijuana, other drugs, and alcohol. He is aggressive and often hosts similar individuals on his patio, which is next to mine. This disturbance makes it difficult for me to open my windows or use my yard peacefully, and during winter, the smell... View More
answered on May 9, 2025
First of all, does the condominium Association impose any restriction on smoking by the residents? If it does, you need to address your concerns with the condominium Association. Many condominium associations have restrictions on nuisance smoke, particularly smoke resulting from the use of... View More
I have a possible warrant in Indiana but I live in illinois
answered on Feb 11, 2025
An arrest Warrant can be executed in ANY state. Take care of the warrant immediately. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who regularly practices in the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued. If it is something very minor, the attorney may be able to take care of it for you.... View More
My boyfriend got out on bond for domestic charges.i never pressed charges and asked if they can not instate a no contact order. They instated one anyways and I don’t want to wait a month to be able to see a judge at his next court date. States attorney never reached out or talked to me yet.
answered on Sep 9, 2024
You are not a party to the litigation and therefore you have no ability to file anything to change that process. You may talk to the State's Attorney to ask or to his lawyer to ask, as one of them would have to file a motion. Of course, you would want to know when the motion is heard so you... View More
answered on Jun 12, 2024
No idea. The sheriff of the county where he lives will serve him asap. If a legal advocate at a women's center or a lawyer helped you and you want him to be on notice sooner, you could have them call him for you and tell him. Make sure they get a phone bill to prove it to the judge. You... View More
The landlord refused to give me my security deposit back because they say it “stays with the property”. My abusive ex has decided to stay there. I wanted to move for safety reasons. I was the one who solely placed the deposit before we moved in. That’s my money. Why couldn’t they refund my... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 6, 2024
In situations involving domestic violence, some jurisdictions have laws that provide specific protections for victims, including matters related to housing and security deposits. If you had to move out for safety reasons due to domestic violence, there might be legal provisions that allow you to... View More
I took a guilty plea and got probation a 4 year suspended doc and had to pay fines and get mental health treatment. But I'm diagnosed with bipolar 1, schizophrenia, PTSD, and hdhd. I was incarcerated for the crime I was allegedly being accused of and the jail wasn't giving me my... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 24, 2024
While it may be challenging to withdraw a guilty plea after it has been entered, it is not impossible. Mental health issues can be considered as a factor in seeking to withdraw a plea, especially if they affected your ability to understand the proceedings or make informed decisions at the time.... View More
i am a victim in a domestic violence case and i got a subpoena. i understand i have to be at court and i will but i don't want to testify because i don't feel comfortable i have social anxiety. i have never been in trouble before and i don't know my rights. what happens if i refuse to testify?
answered on Nov 29, 2023
If you refuse to testify you can be arrested and charged with obstruction of justice or some other penalties. You have been subpoenaed. Failure to appear and testify is a violation of the law. Most state's attorneys have victim witness coordinators. You should call that person at the... View More
To live with me, the father. She’s been here one week transferred schools and is settling in well, now her mom found out her husband is going to jail and will not be there an she needs a sitter for the other children so she wants to take my daughter back. My daughter wants to go back because she... View More
answered on Nov 16, 2023
Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that you would prevail in this case unless you could prove that the mother knew it was happening and chose not to intervene. There are over 15 relevant factors but this is the biggest one in this situation. The law errs on the side of stability. If the... View More
My son, who has no prior legal issues, was involved in an incident with his girlfriend where they both were pushing each other while he was blacked out drunk. He took her to the ground to stop her, but he did not hit her, and she did not press charges. He now has a no contact order in place and is... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 15, 2025
Your son has the right to ask the court to reconsider the no contact order, especially if the alleged victim isn’t pressing charges and he has no prior legal trouble. At his next pre-trial hearing, he should let his public defender know ahead of time that he wants to request a modification or... View More
I am involved in a legal situation where my estranged wife obtained a temporary order of protection against me last year following my domestic battery arrest involving my 16-year-old son. My wife claimed she was recording the incident on her phone but later stated in her affidavit for the order of... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 14, 2025
First, immediately consult with your attorney to formally request a copy of the video through proper discovery procedures; your lawyer can file a motion to obtain and preserve this crucial evidence officially. Having the video in your possession is essential for both contesting the order of... View More
I'm in a situation where a patient stated, 'he abuses me as I abuse him,' but then immediately clarified that they were joking. Considering this, what should I do in this scenario?
answered on May 13, 2025
An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. There's not a lot to go on here. The statement is general, arguably vague, and open to numerous interpretations. Maybe discussing in detail with some more context with a local attorney could possibly enable... View More
I am currently involved in a custody court case regarding my 5-year-old daughter. Recently, she told me that her mother said she was going to kill me. I have not reported this statement to any authorities or sought legal representation yet. What steps should I take to properly address this... View More
I'm currently involved in a custody dispute where mediation is scheduled for two months from now, but there are no specific custody or visitation orders in place yet. The custodial mother, who has a history of DUI and child endangerment, has threatened to move our child out of state unless I... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 25, 2025
Hello. Although there is mention of a DUI causing driving problems, your case should be directed to family loss/custody lawyers. This is not really a DUI question.
Over a year ago, I was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence for allegedly smacking my oldest son. Due to my arrest, I lost my job and faced financial hardship, leading me to rely on a public defender. My case has been delayed repeatedly by my appointed attorneys, making it difficult to take... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 15, 2025
It sounds like you've been carrying a heavy burden for a long time, and it's understandable to feel frustrated, especially when your voice hasn’t been heard. You have the right to defend yourself and pursue a fair trial, even if you're working with a public defender. If your... View More
I've been involved in a legal battle for over a year after being charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. Despite wanting to go to trial to prove my innocence, my court-appointed attorney and the judicial system have pressured me to accept plea deals. This pressure has included threats from... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 15, 2025
You’re in a tough spot, but your rights still matter—even if you’re under pressure. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed when the system seems stacked against you, especially when you’re being pushed toward a plea you don’t want. If you truly believe in your innocence, you have every... View More
When I was about 7 until about 17 yo, my mom's sisters would grope me and my female cousin. They would hug me and then pull my shirt out and look down it or pull it up and comment on whether I was wearing a bra or not. They would also feel my breasts over or under my shirt. They would feel... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 13, 2025
I am so sorry that you had to experience this. What you’ve described sounds like severe and ongoing abuse—both sexual and physical—that is illegal and needs to be addressed. The groping, sexual comments, and inappropriate touching you experienced from your aunts, as well as the physical abuse... View More
I am involved in a complex domestic violence situation that has resulted in an order of protection against me in Chicago. My ex, who has a history of violence, instigated a fight involving his children and their mother, who traveled from Chicago to Hammond to confront me. During the altercation,... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 13, 2025
Given that the domestic violence incident spans two jurisdictions, Chicago and Hammond, it is advisable to have separate legal representation for each case. In Chicago, the order of protection case involves presenting evidence of your injuries, such as photos and hospital records, as well as the... View More
My son's father tells lies in court, such as claiming he is employed at Casey's when he lost his job three to four months before our last court date on August 14, 2024. Despite having primary custody, he promised not to take my son away but did. He has weekly visitation rights for four... View More
answered on Apr 4, 2025
Call the police and DCFS for child abuse. Take pictures of bruises. Get a birth to 3 evaluation to get him extra help for speaking.
I want to leave the father of my child, with whom I am unmarried, and move my son back to Illinois with the support of my family. There is currently no formal custody arrangement, but I plan to set one up once we relocate. The father will likely oppose the move, and he has been aggressive towards... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
Find out what relocation laws are in the state you are in and what you have to comply with there, if anything, prior to moving to Illinois.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
