Bluffton Domestic Violence Attorneys

Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence in South Carolina

Domestic violence is a serious problem in South Carolina. The state has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country, and the problem is only getting worse. In 2018, there were 36,000 reported cases of domestic violence in South Carolina. This is a 20% increase from the previous year.

Domestic violence is a crime that affects people from all walks of life. It can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. If you are a victim of domestic violence, you are not alone. There are resources available to help you escape an abusive relationship and protect yourself and your children.

At Horton & Associates, LLC, we are committed to helping victims of domestic violence. Our Bluffton domestic violence attorneys can help you obtain a restraining order and take other legal steps to protect yourself and your family. We can also help you understand your rights in the workplace and take legal action if your employer is not providing you with the protection you need.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, call our office today at (843) 420-1344 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. It can happen to couples who are married, living together, or dating. It can also happen to couples who are no longer together. Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life.

It can happen in any type of relationship, including:

• Married couples
• Unmarried couples who are living together
• Unmarried couples who are dating
• Parents and children
• Adult children and elderly parents
• Same-sex couples

How to Get a Restraining Order in South Carolina

A restraining order, also known as an order of protection, is a court order that is designed to protect you from an abuser. It can order the abuser to stay away from you, your home, your workplace, and your children. It can also order the abuser to stop contacting you and to stop harassing or threatening you.

There are two types of restraining orders in South Carolina: an emergency order of protection and a permanent order of protection.

Emergency Order of Protection

An emergency order of protection is a temporary restraining order that is designed to provide you with immediate protection from an abuser. You can obtain an emergency order of protection by going to your local family court and filing a petition. You do not need to have an attorney to obtain an emergency order of protection, and there is no fee to file a petition.

When you file a petition for an emergency order of protection, you will need to provide the court with information about the abuse. You will need to tell the court what happened, when it happened, and where it happened. You will also need to tell the court if you have any evidence of the abuse, such as photographs, medical records, or police reports.

After you file a petition for an emergency order of protection, a judge will review your petition and decide whether to issue an order. If the judge decides to issue an order, it will go into effect immediately. The order will be served on the abuser by a law enforcement officer, and it will remain in effect for up to 15 days.

During this time, the abuser will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations in your petition. The abuser can request a hearing, and if a hearing is requested, the court will schedule a hearing within 15 days. At the hearing, the court will hear evidence from both you and the abuser and decide whether to issue a permanent order of protection.

Permanent Order of Protection

A permanent order of protection is a long-term restraining order that is designed to provide you with ongoing protection from an abuser. You can obtain a permanent order of protection by going to your local family court and filing a petition. You do not need to have an attorney to obtain a permanent order of protection, and there is no fee to file a petition.

When you file a petition for a permanent order of protection, you will need to provide the court with information about the abuse. You will need to tell the court what happened, when it happened, and where it happened. You will also need to tell the court if you have any evidence of the abuse, such as photographs, medical records, or police reports.

After you file a petition for a permanent order of protection, a judge will review your petition and decide whether to issue an order. If the judge decides to issue an order, it will go into effect immediately. The order will be served on the abuser by a law enforcement officer, and it will remain in effect for up to one year.

During this time, the abuser will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations in your petition. The abuser can request a hearing, and if a hearing is requested, the court will schedule a hearing within 30 days. At the hearing, the court will hear evidence from both you and the abuser and decide whether to extend the order for up to three years.

How Our Bluffton Domestic Violence Attorneys Can Help

Obtaining a restraining order can be a complicated and time-consuming process. If you are a victim of domestic violence, you may not have the time or the resources to navigate the legal system on your own. You may also be afraid to go to court and testify against your abuser. This is where our attorneys can help.

At Horton & Associates, LLC, we have extensive experience helping victims of domestic violence. We can help you obtain a restraining order and take other legal steps to protect yourself and your family. We can also help you understand your rights in the workplace and take legal action if your employer is not providing you with the protection you need.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, call our office today at (843) 420-1344 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.