Crime Victims resource center:
Victim services
|
We worked with a male individual who has physical disabilities that prevent him from communicating verbally. He initially presented as a walk-in, accompanied by his adult sibling for moral support. Due to his communication issues, he used a special device to help explain his situation. He had concerns about how the members of the household were treating him. He had suffered a history of abuse from both his ex-wife and his stepson. Although police reports were made and appropriate reporting agencies had been contacted, he continued to feel unsafe.
|
|
Together, we proceeded to fill out an Order for Protection (OFP) petition, which the judge reviewed and granted immediately. The order was promptly served to the respondent only a few hours later. The following day, his sibling called and informed us that the abusive individual was still in the home. We encouraged them to contact law enforcement right away as this was a violation of the order. We also contacted law enforcement to discuss concerns that standard procedures, including removal of the respondent, were not followed when the order was served. Law enforcement immediately recognized their mistake and took swift action to correct the situation. The individual was removed and charged with a violation of the order.
Soon after, his stepson (the respondent) requested a hearing to contest the Order for Protection. We communicated with the court to ensure the trial process would appropriately accommodate our client’s needs for mobility and communication. Our client was able to use his communication device to testify in court, present evidence, and cross examine the respondent. After the hearing, the judge ruled that the order was necessary for our client’s safety and upheld the initial ruling.
We at Crime Victims Resource Center (CVRC) continue to provide court advocacy to him throughout the criminal justice process. When the prosecution was unable to contact the client, they requested CVRC's assistance in relaying information on possible plea agreements, as they were unable to communicate with him by phone. CVRC was able to meet the client in his hospital room to discuss this plea, his rights, and relay any questions he had back to the prosecuting attorney. To ensure that our services were accessible, we discussed different ways that he could contact us. This included having the nurses or hospital social workers call our direct line to request we visit his room during his stay.
Our client is now in a safe environment, can focus on himself, and look at more long-term care solutions. Both the client and his family expressed gratitude for our assistance throughout the civil and criminal proceedings, stating, “You have been nothing but helpful to us. Thank you.”
Soon after, his stepson (the respondent) requested a hearing to contest the Order for Protection. We communicated with the court to ensure the trial process would appropriately accommodate our client’s needs for mobility and communication. Our client was able to use his communication device to testify in court, present evidence, and cross examine the respondent. After the hearing, the judge ruled that the order was necessary for our client’s safety and upheld the initial ruling.
We at Crime Victims Resource Center (CVRC) continue to provide court advocacy to him throughout the criminal justice process. When the prosecution was unable to contact the client, they requested CVRC's assistance in relaying information on possible plea agreements, as they were unable to communicate with him by phone. CVRC was able to meet the client in his hospital room to discuss this plea, his rights, and relay any questions he had back to the prosecuting attorney. To ensure that our services were accessible, we discussed different ways that he could contact us. This included having the nurses or hospital social workers call our direct line to request we visit his room during his stay.
Our client is now in a safe environment, can focus on himself, and look at more long-term care solutions. Both the client and his family expressed gratitude for our assistance throughout the civil and criminal proceedings, stating, “You have been nothing but helpful to us. Thank you.”
- Crime Victims Resource Center
