| You have just been served with a Temporary | | | | contact his/her attorney to discuss witnesses and |
| Restraining Order (TRO) precluding you from | | | | evidence may be introduced at the final hearing. |
| returning to your home, seeing or even speaking to | | | | Second, do not contact the Plaintiff/Victim or have |
| your kids, let alone your spouse/former spouse | | | | anyone do so on your behalf. Such an action likely will |
| ex-partner. You have all of 15 minutes with police | | | | be considered a violation of the TRO and will lead to |
| escort to return to your home and gather up some | | | | even more trouble for you. |
| belongings. Now what? What do you do when you | | | | Third, write down your version of the event/situation |
| find yourself falsely accused of domestic violence in | | | | in question and any allegations by the Plaintiff/Victim |
| New Jersey? Hopefully this article will point you in the | | | | of prior acts of domestic violence. You need to make |
| right direction. | | | | sure that your recollection is clear and consistent. |
| First, find a lawyer and not just any lawyer. | | | | Fourth, be sure to provide your attorney with a copy |
| Interview lawyers that either practice family law and | | | | of any records, notes, tape recordings, video |
| have handled domestic violence hearings or hire a | | | | recordings, and pictures dealing with the event and/or |
| criminal attorney. DO NOT hire an attorney with no | | | | prior acts of domestic violence. |
| experience with domestic violence hearings. Those | | | | Fifth and finally, tell the truth when you testify. It |
| hearings are a breed onto themselves because of | | | | does you no good to lie or to exaggerate. Your |
| the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act provisions. | | | | credibility is at stake along with various other items |
| Your attorney should immediately seek copies of any | | | | of relief that the Plaintiff/Victim can seek. |
| statements prepared by the Plaintiff/Victim and | | | | |