Should my CPO hearing “trail” my criminal case?
Although the usual practice is for the CPO hearing to “trail” the criminal case, the defendant/respondent might want the CPO hearing to go first.
Should I file a cross-petition in a CPO case in D.C.?
If you have been served with a civil protection order (CPO) petition in D.C. and you yourself are the victim of abuse, you can file for a CPO of your own.
Do I need a lawyer for a CPO hearing in D.C.?
Although many people proceed without legal representation, a good lawyer can serve as your advisor and advocate, particularly if you decide to litigate the CPO.
Finding reasonable doubt in a domestic violence case
There is always a defense in domestic violence cases in Washington, D.C.
Difference between domestic violence and simple assault in D.C.
A specific crime (e.g., simple assault) should not be confused with a general category of crimes (e.g., domestic violence).
Can you get in trouble for sending dirty pictures of someone?
Yes. Most jurisdictions now have some form of a law to deal with the issue of “nonsensual pornography” (also known as “revenge porn”). There are three forms of the criminal offense in Washington, D.C.
Should I enter into a “CPO without admissions” in D.C.?
A person who has been served with a CPO petition in D.C. can enter into a “consent CPO without admissions.” The CPO is granted to the petitioner without a hearing. In exchange, there is no adverse finding of facts against the respondent.
Keeping Score in Room 113
If ever I fancied the notion of becoming a judge, I changed my mind after spending another day in domestic violence court last week. The judge in Room 113 of D.C. Superior Court – where civil protection orders… Read More
God Comes Before a Good Defense
It is supposed to be a three-fer for Wayne my investigator and me. It is a domestic violence case in which the defendant and complainant are still living together. This means that Wayne and I can re-interview the… Read More
Sizing Up Opposing Counsel
Opposing counsel’s praecipe arrives in the mail. I am representing the respondent in a civil protection order hearing; he the petitioner. I google the lawyer’s name to find a self-made website and a less than professional photograph of… Read More
