Crime Prevention and Safety

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is abuse committed against an adult or fully emancipated minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant or a person with whom the suspect has had a child or has had a dating or engagement relationship.

Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

If you are the victim and fear for your safety, you have the right to ask the responding officer for an Emergency Protective Order (E.P.O.) if the violence occurs in the evening or on weekends when the court is closed. The E.P.O. is valid for five (5) court days, allowing the plaintiff time to get a temporary restraining order. Because of state law, if a deputy observes an injury on a victim in any domestic violence case, the officer must make an arrest of the suspect, with or without the victim's desire for an arrest to be made.

For information on temporary restraining orders, consult the Walnut Avenue Women's Center, Women's Crisis Support, the District Attorney's Office, Victim Witness, or a private attorney.