Your attorney is your advocate, and they are there to help and support you. Attorneys are bound by ethical rules and all information you tell them must be kept confidential. In order that they can provide the best representation, it is important that you tell your attorney everything that is relevant to your case, even if you think it makes you look bad. Your attorney will work with you to decide how to deal with any negative information.
Here are a few things that you might want to bring up in your first couple of conversations with your lawyer:
- your concerns about the case
- your goals for the case
- the attorney's strategy for how to accomplish your goals
- things can you do to better prepare your case
Take care to explain to your lawyer everything that you think is relevant about your case. It is in your best interest to be as specific as possible. As you work with your attorney, consider the following:
Be specific about incidents of abuse
If you do not feel comfortable verbally informing your attorney about specific acts, put them in writing. Try to be as specific as possible and detail ALL incidents of abuse. Try to provide you attorney with the following information:
- Dates of abuse
- Places where the abuse occurred - i.e., in your home (what room), in public (give street name), etc.
- Types of abuse - i.e. threats, hitting, punching, pushing, shoving, biting, or forced sex acts, etc.
- Objects used - i.e. knives, guns, furniture, etc.
- Witnesses. Give your attorney the names of any possible witnesses.
- Any pictures that show any injuries that were a result of abuse
- Information about any medical attention you sought
- Which hospital did you go to?
- Did the hospital treat you for any injuries?
- Whether you ever called the police
- Did the police respond?
- Was a report written?
- Was your abuser arrested?
Let your attorney know if you have children
If you have children, share the following information with your attorney:
- Are your children safe?
- Is there a custody order in place?
- NOTE: If there is no order in place both parents always have rights.
- Biographical information: Names, ages, addresses, and school addresses of your children.
- Exchanges: That you would like the exchange to take place in a neutral setting if the respondent wants visitation.
- Visitation: what days and times would work best for you and your children.
- Supervision: whether you want supervised visitation, and who you would be comfortable with as a supervisor
- Child support: whether you are receiving child support from the respondent.
- Health insurance: whether respondent is paying health insurance for your children.
You may wish to review the checklist on the checklist on Preparing for the Final Protective Order Hearing.
Disclose any benefits you receive
Tell your attorney if you are receiving any type of benefits from the state (i.e. temporary cash assistance, housing choice voucher, etc.).
Keep your Address Confidential
Inform your attorney that you do not want your current address listed on any documents that your abuser may receive or view. Your safety is the most important issue. You can ask your attorney to keep your new address confidential in the court documents.
Learn more about the Address Confidentiality Program.
Ask questions
Remember, it's your case and your attorney is there to help you. Ask your attorney questions and tell your attorney about any other information that you think may be important.
Don’t forget your documents
REMEMBER to bring ALL court documents. It is important to bring any and all documents that relate to a case you have in court (i.e. protective order, child custody order, or child support order).