FAMILY OFFENSE PROCEEDINGS - FAMILY COURT



This is the proceeding referred to most commonly when someone says “she got an Order of Protection against me”, although this can and does happen in Criminal Court as well. The former is a Family Court proceeding which is primarily designed to stop violence, end family disruption and provide protection.  Family offense proceedings, which provide a victim with a whole range of potential relief, now serve as a complement and supplement to - rather than a replacement for - criminal prosecutions. The Family Court has jurisdiction to determine cases if any one of many crimes set forth in the Family Court Act which  has been committed between certain family members, which include married or divorced persons, persons with a child in common and person related by consanguinity or affinity.

Because the Court can and does issue different types of Orders of Protection, it is extremely important that any person accused of committing a Family Offense, should hire a very competent lawyer who is well versed in this area of law.  This is the only manner that your rights can be protected from the beginning.

 This is not legal advice and should not be viewed as such.  No advice is given until there has been an actual consultation with the attorney.  The statements herein are not advice and no one should act according to such until they have obtained the oral advice of an attorney with regards to these and all legal matters.