As the Protective Court Mobile Advocate for HCDVCC, I provide support to the 280th Court. This Court is a specific civil district court in Harris County that oversees protective orders. It is located within the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center, 1200 Congress, in downtown Houston on the 1st floor. The Honorable Damiane Dianne Curvey is the presiding judge.
Protective orders are civil legal lawsuits that restrict proximity to a home, work, school and prohibit certain behaviors like abuse, harassment and/or stalking of a survivor. If the order is violated, the person can be arrested.
To get a protective order, a survivor/applicant must have experienced family violence. Family violence can be classified as physical assault, sexual assault, threats (with the intent to cause harm), harassment, and/or stalking.
These orders are often seen as valuable tools in helping to establish boundaries and safety when ending an abusive relationship, however, applying for one and going to court can be a very stressful process.
Thankfully, there are several wonderful agencies that can help someone get a protective order free of charge. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office’s Domestic Violence Division Protective Orders – Harris County District Attorney – Office of the District Attorney as well as Aid to Victims of Abuse avda.org are two local agencies who survivors can contact to apply for an order.
Once a protective order is filed, court is a necessary step for the order to be granted and finalized. To counter the stress an applicant/survivor might feel while in court, I work with survivors/applicants by providing:
Taking the steps to getting a protective order can be hard if you are not familiar with the legal process, however, know there are agencies and people who are available along the way to help in providing education, guidance and support. It is always important to remember you are not alone.
For more information about the 280th Court and protective orders, please visit the Court’s website at Justex.
Fanesha Washington
HCDVCC’s Protective Order Court Adovcate