Union County, located at the transition between Central and Northern New Jersey, is a vital and diverse area. Elizabeth, one of the oldest cities in the United States, lies within its borders, and Union County is among the most densely populated regions in the state. Like the rest of New Jersey, crime and domestic violence are significant concerns in Union County. In 2022, out of more than 38,000 domestic violence reports across New Jersey, 2,033 were filed in Union County.
In New Jersey, crimes committed against family members and intimate partners are categorized as domestic violence. This means that domestic violence offenses may be charged as assault, stalking, criminal restraint, kidnapping, or even murder. After filing a complaint of domestic violence, the victim may also seek a restraining order.
The Lento Law Firm is here to protect you and your family. Whether you need to file a restraining order against a partner or defend against an order, we can advise and guide you through the process. Our Family Law Team has successfully helped many New Jersey families navigate the New Jersey court system. Contact us by calling 888-535-3686 or use our online form, and we will contact you.
Domestic Violence Crimes in New Jersey
In New Jersey, violent crimes fall under the domestic violence category when the victim is a family member or intimate acquaintance of the accused. Under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA), the following crimes may be domestic violence:
- Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Stalking
- Criminal Restraint
- False Imprisonment
- Sexual Assault
- Rape
- Kidnapping
- Terroristic Threats
- Criminal sexual contact
- Harassment
- Homicide
- Criminal coercion
- Any crime which involves the risk of death or serious injury to a protected person.
In Union County, some domestic violence crimes are charged as disorderly persons offenses, while others are charged as indictable offenses.
Domestic Violence Cases in Union County
Domestic violence charges in Union County are tried in several courts. If the charges are for indictable offenses (such as aggravated assault), they will be tried in Union County Superior Court. This court is located in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
If the charges are for a disorderly person's offense, they are tried in the municipal court in which the charges were filed. Municipal courts in Union County include:
- Elizabeth Municipal Court
- Clark Municipal Court
- Plainfield Municipal Court
- Scotch Plains Municipal Court
- Mountainside Municipal Court
- Union Township Municipal Court
Regardless of the court involved, the Lento Law Firm can represent both individuals who are charged with domestic violence in NJ and those seeking restraining orders.
Applying for a Restraining Order in Union County
Restraining orders prohibit someone from having contact with the person filing (called the petitioner). This means the defendant (the person against whom relief is sought) must keep away from the petitioner, their family, place of employment, and other places the petitioner is likely to be. A restraining order may be either temporary (TRO) or final (FRO), and many restraining orders contain financial terms like support or child custody orders.
Individuals may apply for a temporary restraining order at Union County Cherry Annex (Family Division) located at 2 Cherry St. Elizabeth, NJ 07202. The DV Unit Intake Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. In case of emergency, you can seek a temporary restraining order from the local police department. If you decide to file with the police, you can do this where you live, where the domestic violence happened, or where the perpetrator lives.
After getting the temporary restraining order, individuals can get a permanent restraining order through the Union County Superior Court Family Division, which will schedule a hearing. Both the person seeking a restraining order and the individual against whom the restraining order is sought may (and should) have legal counsel during this hearing. If the defendant violates the restraining order, they may be arrested and charged criminally.
Union County Family Court
The Union County Superior Court Family Practice Division supervises all sorts of family law cases in Union County. These include divorce, custody, restraining orders, family crises, and abuse and neglect cases. Being in Family Court is intimidating and scary, but things will be easier with the right law firm behind you. The Lento Law Firm Family Law Team can advise you on the entirety of your situation, including divorce, child custody, financial matters, paternity, domestic violence, and restraining orders.
The Union Family Court is also located at 2 Cherry Street, 3rd Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. When your court date comes around, plan to arrive early so that you have plenty of time to find parking and go through security.
The Lento Law Firm Family Law Team is Your Ally
The Family Law Team at the Lento Law Firm can represent you through this difficult time. It is important to act to defend yourself and your future, and we can help. First, the PDVA offers a great deal of protection to individuals facing domestic violence. The Family Law Team can help you understand the best course of action for your situation.
If you are defending against accusations or facing a restraining order, you also have protection and civil rights. The Family Law Team can help you understand these rights and advise you on the best way forward. Domestic violence cases involve complicated custody issues and other financial issues. These cases also involve the possibility of the loss of many rights, including freedom of movement and gun rights. It is important to understand the potential consequences of a domestic violence case fully.
Whether you are seeking or defending a restraining order in Union County, we can help with the process and give you peace of mind. Don't go it alone—the experienced attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have a proven track record on these cases. Call us at 888-535-3686 or use our online form, and we will reach out to you.
