1929 Second Street Suite A, Slidell, Louisiana, 70458
Practice Areas : Domestic Violence
7732 Goodwood Blvd., Suite A, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70806
Practice Areas : Criminal Law
301 N. Columbia St., Ste. 2, Covington, Louisiana, 70433
Practice Areas : Criminal Law
109 Stewart Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501
Practice Areas : Domestic Violence
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- ...
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 119
This category covers attorneys who work on both sides of domestic violence matters: obtaining and enforcing protective orders for people who have been threatened or harmed, and defending people accused of domestic assault, harassment or violating an existing order.
These cases move fast and cut across areas of law. A protective order can be granted within days, and it can change where someone lives, who has the children and whether they can possess a firearm. A criminal charge and a family court case often run in parallel, and what is said in one affects the other.
Before you hire
- Ask whether the attorney handles the petitioner side, the respondent side, or both, and whether they regularly appear in the court hearing your matter.
- If children are involved, ask how the case will interact with custody. Findings made at a protective order hearing tend to follow the family for years.
- Many victim-services organisations provide free advocacy and help with filing. An attorney is still worth having for a contested hearing.
If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services first; legal steps come after safety.
Domestic Violence: frequently asked questions
Can a victim drop domestic violence charges?
No. In a criminal case the charges belong to the state, not the victim, so only the prosecutor can dismiss them. A victim can tell the prosecutor they do not want the case to go forward, and that can influence the decision, but many prosecutors continue domestic violence cases even without the victim's cooperation.
Does domestic violence affect child custody?
Yes, significantly. Every state requires courts to consider domestic violence when deciding custody, and many presume that giving custody to a parent who committed domestic violence is not in the child's best interests. The abusive parent may still get visitation, but often supervised and with conditions such as completing a batterer intervention program.
How do you get a restraining order?
You get a restraining order by filing a petition at your local court describing the abuse or threats, asking a judge for a temporary order that day, having the other person served, and attending a hearing — usually within two to three weeks — where the judge decides whether to issue a longer order.
What happens if someone violates a restraining order?
Violating a restraining order is a crime. Police can arrest the violator on the spot without a warrant, and the violation is usually charged as a misdemeanor — or a felony for repeat or violent violations. The court can also hold the person in contempt, and the violation can affect custody and bail in other cases.
What is a restraining order?
A restraining order is a court order that forbids a person from contacting, approaching, threatening or harming someone. In domestic violence cases it is often called a protective order or order of protection. It is a civil order, but violating it is a crime, and police can arrest the person who breaks it.
What is considered stalking by law?
Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted conduct aimed at a specific person that would make a reasonable person fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress. Following, watching, repeated calls and messages, tracking by GPS and threats can all qualify. It is a crime in every state and under federal law.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is abuse by one person against a current or former spouse, partner, family member or household member. It includes physical violence, threats, sexual abuse, stalking and, in many states' definitions, coercive control. It is a crime in every state, and victims can also obtain civil protective orders.
What is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)?
The Violence Against Women Act is a federal law first passed in 1994 that funds services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, strengthens criminal penalties, and gives victims specific legal protections. Despite its name, it protects victims of any gender. It was last reauthorized in 2022.