While many people fear being the victim of a crime committed by a stranger, they may underestimate the danger that can come from someone they know, even their own spouse. In the case of murder-suicide, there are estimates that about 1,250 people die this way each year, with the perpetrator being the current or former spouse or partner of one of the victims. Such a scenario played out in Hopewell Township in Cumberland County, New Jersey, in late July when a fifty-three-year-old man apparently shot his fifty-two-year-old wife to death before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life; state troopers discovered the bodies of the couple at an address on Roadstown Road.

Although details about this tragedy are very limited, the circumstances known thus far do raise reminders about the potentially tragic outcomes of domestic violence. But it doesn't have to be this way—if you are in a volatile relationship with your spouse or intimate partner and experiencing domestic violence, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. The state of New Jersey recognizes domestic violence as a serious and significant crime, and a restraining order is one of the mechanisms it offers to victims who are at risk for future abuse.

The Lento Law Firm Team has experience helping domestic violence victims throughout New Jersey obtain restraining orders, and they can help you. We can advise you on the best course of action in your unique case. Call our offices at 888-535-3686 or complete our online form and tell us about your case.

The Restraining Order Process and Firearms

The state of New Jersey includes nineteen crimes in its definition of domestic violence, including assault, sexual assault, stalking, and false imprisonment. If your spouse or intimate partner commits any of them against you, a restraining order (RO) can offer protection against future acts of domestic violence. An RO is a civil order, but violating an RO can be a criminal offense.

The Lento Law Firm Team can guide you through the RO process, first by helping you apply for a temporary RO and then by representing you at the final RO hearing, which occurs about ten days later. A RO restricts the defendant from contacting the plaintiff and specifies a minimum distance they must maintain from the plaintiff. The judge presiding over the RO case may also require the defendant to turn over any firearms immediately, and they can prohibit the defendant from purchasing or owning firearms in the future.

The Lento Law Firm Can Help Domestic Violence Victims with Restraining Orders

The experienced Lento Law Firm Team will guide you through the process of applying for a restraining order in New Jersey. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or complete our online form; we want to help.