OCDV - Find Court

Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence

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OCDV - Find Court

How the Courts Help | Find a Court

How does a victim know which Court they are eligible for? The following charts provide brief overviews of the courts.

	Court Information

	Type of Court	Conditions	Do I Have to Have a Lawyer?

	FAMILY COURT	Must be in a family relationship	You may wish to consult with a lawyer or bring a lawyer to court



	CRIMINAL COURT	Criminal prosecution is necessary to obtain an Order of Protection	NO; the District Attorney brings the case



	SUPREME COURT: CIVIL	Ongoing divorce or separation proceeding	YES; a lawyer is required to bring the case

	Court Eligibility

	If the Victim is:	Family Court	Criminal Court	Supreme Court: Civil

	Legally married to the abuser



	Related by blood to the abuser




	Divorced from the abuser (no children)




	Divorced from the abuser (WITH children)




	Never legally married to the abuser (NO children)




	Never legally married to the abuser (WITH children)

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