Orders of Protection in the Family Court
© 1997 by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
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I am being harassed or abused. What can I do?

If you are married to the person or have had children with him/her, you can file a Family Offense petition in Family Court. When you file the petition, be sure to ask for an Order of Protection.

How do I file a Family Offense petition?

Go to Room 502 of the Family Court Building at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. After an interview, you will be referred to the Legal Division in Room 404. A worker will help you fill out a Petition.

Before you sign the Petition, make sure the worker has included everything that you think is important about the abuse you received and everything that you want to ask the Court to grant you in the Order of Protection.

Will Neighborhood Legal Services represent me in court?

Generally, Neighborhood Legal Services does not represent clients in cases where assigned counsel is available. Instead we are providing you with information on how you can obtain assigned counsel.

How do I get a court-appointed lawyer?

When you go to Court for the first time, tell the Judge you need a lawyer but cannot afford one. Ask the Judge to appoint a lawyer for you. The Judge's clerk should give you a slip referring you to the Assigned Counsel Program. Take the referral slip with proof of income to the office of Assigned Counsel in Room 670 Statler Towers, 107 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, New York.

I'm afraid I might get abused again before this goes back to court. Is there anything I can do right away?

Before you leave the Courtroom ask the Judge for a temporary Order of Protection that will last until your next Court Hearing. Take a copy of the Temporary Order of Protection to your local Police Precinct and keep a copy with you always.

What can I ask the Court to do for me?

We are enclosing a pamphlet that tells what an Order of Protection is and lists some things you can ask for in an Order of Protection.

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