Frequenty Asked Questions about Local Probation
Serving Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
1. Are there different types of Protective Orders?
Emergency Protective Order
An Emergency Protective Order will be requested automatically if an arrest for assault & battery has been made. The order expires 72 hours after it is issued. If the court is not in session, at the time of expiration, it will expire at 5:00 PM on the next business day that the court is in session.
Preliminary Protective Order
A Preliminary Order can be obtained if a recent act of family abuse has occurred or in cases of immediate and present danger. Petitions should be filed directly by the petitioner at the Juvenile Domestic Relations Court Intake Office. The petition can be requested without an attorney and there is no required fee. The preliminary order lasts for 15 days and is effective after the abuser is personally served with the order. A full hearing will be held within the 15 days allowing the abuser an opportunity to respond. This order starts the process for obtaining a Permanent Protective Order.
Permanent Protective Order
A Permanent Protection Order will be issued if the court finds that the petitioner (victim) has proven his/her allegation. The order will be valid for a specific amount of time up to 2 years. The order is effective once it is served on the abuser.
2. What is the difference between Batterer’s Intervention and Anger Management?
CCS Anger Management Class (8 hours)
The Anger Management class is a psycho-educational group suited for first-time offenders who do not have a violent criminal history. The class is a service provided directly by CCS. The Anger Management class is NOT appropriate for situations involving intimate partners or patterns of ongoing abuse. The purpose of the class is to assist people in controlling their emotions and identifying and managing stressors in a more positive manner. Skills and techniques are designed to assist offenders in responding to negative situations in a non-violent manner and communicating more effectively. The curriculum consists of written and oral exercises that focus on the individual crime, moral reasoning, stress management, alcohol/drug abuse and self-change. It is a one-day class held for approximately eight hours. The offender is required to pay an additional $50.00 program fee.
The class is designed to provide:
- Skills in the awareness & appropriate expression of anger
- Conflict resolution skills
- Stress Management
- Non-violent Communication skills
Anger Management Program (8 – 10 weeks)
The Anger Management Program is for offenders who experience frequent problems with communication. These individuals tend to become easily angered, agitated, and frustrated resulting in violent behaviors. Offenders are referred to certified clinical service providers. Participants are given homework and behavioral processing assignments. The program focuses on behaviors, triggers, reactions, conflict resolution, and stress management. The program is 8 – 10 weeks in length. There is an initial assessment fee, followed by a weekly group fee.
Domestic Violence Batterer’s Intervention Program (24 – weeks)
The Batterer’s Intervention Program is for offenders who use violence as a means to obtain power and control over another individual. Participants are family and/or household members with focus on intimate partner relationships. Individuals exhibit a pattern of abusive behavior using physical, sexual, emotional, and/or verbal abuse; often accompanied by threats, intimidation, manipulation, coercion, and fear. The program is designed to address personal responsibility and accountability. It also examines belief systems, providing offenders the tools necessary to identify and articulate feelings without using abusive measures. The program is a total of 36 hours, which is completed between 18 – 24 weeks. An initial assessment fee is required, followed by a weekly group fee. Termination from the program requires the offender to restart from the beginning.
3. How long is probation supervision?
Supervision is for a minimum of three months.
4. What conditions warrant a violation of superivsion?
Major violations include:
- Failure to follow court ordered treatment/intervention/evaluation
- Positive drug/alcohol testing results
- Absconding from supervision
- Receiving a new conviction while under supervision
- Multiple minor violations that break condition imposed in the behavior contract
- Behavior that threatens personal, and/or public safety
Minor Violations include:
- Failure to complete Community Service in a timely fashion
- Missed appointments
- Remaining untruthful or uncooperative
5. What types of safety measures are in place for victims?
Victims of domestic related offenses are referred to the Domestic and Sexual Assault Resource Center for information and safety-planning. Advocates are available to provide individual counseling, support groups, and instruction for seeking protective orders. For more information http://www.chesterfield.gov/PublicSafety/DomesticViolence/dvrchome.asp.
See more information about Juvenile & Domestic Local Probation
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