Kerr County Domestic Violence & Abuse Lawyers

Protecting Your Rights and Ensuring Your Safety in Times of Crisis

If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, there are resources available to help you. For immediate assistance, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text 1-800-787-3224. Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, is here to help you take legal action to protect yourself and regain control of your life.

Dealing with domestic violence or abuse can be profoundly challenging, but our team of compassionate and experienced Kerr County domestic violence attorneys at Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, is dedicated to helping clients navigate this difficult time. We assist clients in obtaining protective orders and provide legal support to ensure they can move forward safely.

To schedule a consultation, reach out to us online or by phone at (512) 991-0576.

What Is Domestic Violence in Texas?

Domestic violence, also known as family violence, is defined under Texas law as any act intended to cause harm by a family member or someone living in the same household. This includes spouses, former spouses, parents, siblings, or anyone with whom the victim shares a household, regardless of blood or marital connection.

Domestic violence can range in severity from a Class A misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, depending on factors like the level of harm caused, use of a deadly weapon, or repeated offenses. Texas law also prohibits individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses or under certain protective orders from possessing firearms.

Common Forms of Domestic Violence

Physical Abuse: This involves actions like hitting, slapping, kicking, or using physical force to control or intimidate. Physical abuse may include choking, burning, and other harmful acts, as well as preventing a partner from seeking medical help.

Sexual Abuse: This includes forcing a partner to engage in unwanted sexual acts or behaviors. It may involve coercion, manipulation, or the use of threats, causing the victim emotional and physical trauma.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Often harder to recognize, this form of abuse involves constant criticism, humiliation, or control of the victim's self-esteem. It can include isolating the victim from friends or family, as well as gaslighting to make them question their reality.

Financial Abuse: Financial abuse restricts a partner’s access to resources by controlling or withholding funds, limiting job opportunities, or sabotaging their work efforts.

Digital Abuse: With the increase in digital communication, digital abuse involves using technology to monitor, threaten, or harass a partner through messages, tracking their location, or demanding access to their devices.

Stalking: Stalking behaviors include following or watching the victim, sending unwanted messages, or showing up uninvited at the victim’s workplace or home.

Domestic Violence Laws in Texas

In Texas, law enforcement is required to arrest an individual if there is probable cause to believe they have committed family violence. Officers must also provide victims with information about their rights and available resources, such as shelters, counseling, and legal aid. These laws are in place to protect victims and ensure they can safely leave abusive situations.

Filing for a Protective Order in Texas

A protective order can offer victims essential protection and legal leverage against abusers. To file for a protective order, victims must visit the district attorney’s office or courthouse in their county. In Kerr County, local law enforcement can escort individuals seeking a protective order to the courthouse to ensure their safety during the process.

The protective order forms require details about the petitioner (the person filing the order) and the alleged abuser. While some forms are available online, it is often best to use court-specific forms provided by the local court clerk. Working with an attorney experienced in domestic violence cases can help victims complete the paperwork accurately and build a strong case for the protective order.

Once the paperwork is submitted, a judge will review it to determine if the petitioner is at immediate risk of harm. If so, the judge may issue a temporary protective order lasting up to 20 days. After serving the alleged abuser with the order, the court will hold a hearing to determine whether a longer-term protective order is necessary, typically lasting around two years. In severe cases, a judge may issue a permanent protective order.

Recognizing the Signs of Abuse

Abuse can take many forms, and recognizing the warning signs is often challenging, especially if the abuse is subtle or psychological. Here are some behaviors commonly associated with abusive partners:

Financial and Social Control: Abusers may monitor or limit their partner's spending, restrict access to social activities, or prevent them from working.

Constant Criticism and Put-Downs: Abusers often undermine their partner’s self-worth through continuous insults and criticism, fostering dependency.

Blaming and Manipulation: Abusers frequently tell their partners that they are to blame for the abuse, excusing their actions and making the victim feel responsible.

Threatening Behavior: Threats to harm the victim, themselves, or loved ones are common tactics used by abusers to control and intimidate.

Cycle of Abuse: Abusers often follow a pattern of honeymoon, build-up, incident, and remorse, creating a repeated cycle that makes it difficult for victims to leave the relationship.

If you recognize any of these behaviors in your relationship or the relationship of someone you care about, taking action to seek help is crucial. Domestic violence tends to escalate in severity, and even if the abusive partner shows remorse, the cycle may continue.

Why You Need a Domestic Violence Attorney

At Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, our Kerr County domestic violence attorneys provide the compassionate and comprehensive support clients need to escape abusive situations and rebuild their lives. Here’s how we can help:

Assistance with Protective Orders: We guide clients through the process of filing for a protective order, ensuring that their paperwork is accurate and compelling. We work diligently to secure temporary and permanent protective orders as needed.

Legal Representation: If your case involves criminal charges, our attorneys have extensive experience defending clients in court. We can represent you in hearings and advocate for your rights in every aspect of the legal process.

Resource and Referral Connections: We connect clients to local resources such as shelters, counseling services, and hotlines to help them transition safely and comfortably.

Empathetic Support: Our attorneys understand the sensitive nature of domestic violence cases. We provide compassionate, client-centered support tailored to each unique situation.

Contact Cofer & Connelly, PLLC for a Consultation

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you don’t have to face this alone. At Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, we stand by our clients, offering the resources and legal support they need to protect their rights and ensure a safe future. We are dedicated to helping victims take the steps necessary to escape abusive situations and create a life free from fear and intimidation.

If you need to discuss your situation or explore legal options, contact us online or call (512) 991-0576. Let us help you protect your rights and achieve peace of mind.