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Domestic Violence Matters
- The Domestic Violence Unit handles cases in which parties request protection orders against persons related by blood, legal custody, marriage, having a child in common, sharing of the same residence (currently or in the past), having a romantic dating relationship (currently or in the past), parties with a partner in common (currently or in the past), or parties who claim they have been stalked or otherwise harassed. Judges in the Domestic Violence Unit also hear cases alleging violations of protection orders and all misdemeanor criminal cases involving an 'intrafamily offenses.' When appropriate, judges in the Domestic Violence Unit also adjudicate related divorce, custody, visitation, paternity and support cases involving the same parties, as well as certain related civil actions.
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Intake Centers
Those seeking protection orders should go to one of the two Domestic Violence Intake Centers that the Superior Court hosts.
- Domestic Violence Intake Center - N.W., Moultrie Courthouse, Room 4200, 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001
- Domestic Violence Intake Center - S.E., United Medical Center (formerly Greater Southeast Hospital), Room 311, 1328 Southern Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032
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Domestic Violence Matters para3
- The Domestic Violence Intake Centers have representatives from the Superior Court as well as the following organizations: D.C. Office of the Attorney General (including a child support enforcement officer), D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment, Inc (SAFE), D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the U.S. Attorney's Office.
- The Center in the Moultrie Courthouse handles all aspects of a case.
- The Greater Southeast Intake Center handles only initial filings for two-week Temporary Protection Orders (TPOs), but also hosts a number of government and non-profit agencies that provide counseling and social service assistance to victims.
- Hearings are held via close-circuit television between a Domestic Violence Unit judge and the petitioner at Greater Southeast.
- To obtain a year-long Civil Protection Order (CPO), the petitioner will have to go to the Moultrie Courthouse for a hearing before the judge, with the respondent present (only TPOs may be granted without the respondent present).