Help with Restraining Orders in Camden County
Restraining Order Attorneys in Camden, New Jersey
Dealing with a domestic violence restraining order can be a very stressful time for anyone, whether you are the Plaintiff or the Defendant. Let our experienced trial lawyers walk you through this process and get you the best possible outcome in court.
The Tormey Law Firm domestic violence lawyers know what it takes to get or fight a restraining order in Camden County. In fact, the experienced restraining order attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm have battled restraining order cases at both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s counsel tables. Regardless of whether you are the victim of domestic violence or you are alleged to have committed a predicate act of domestic violence, your case will be handled in the County Superior Court that has jurisdiction over the case, that is either in the county in which the parties reside or the county in which the alleged acts of domestic violence occurred. Click here to learn more about when a particular court will have jurisdiction over a restraining order case.
The domestic violence attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm are here to help you with your restraining order case in Camden County whether your are the plaintiff or the defendant including in Berlin, Collingswood, Cherry Hill, Gloucester, Voorhees, and Winslow. Contact our offices now for immediate assistance at (908)-336-5008. The initial consultation is always provided free of charge.
Here is a review from one of our many satisfied domestic violence, restraining order clients:
“Breath of fresh air”
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous“Chris was respectful, courteous, well spoken and very professional. He slowly explained the entire process, prepped me patiently before the court hearing and it looked like he genuinely cared about his work. Afterwards he stuck around to answer any questions I may have. I highly recommend Chris if you want a lawyer you feel like you can trust and not just take your money. He made the experience very personable and even gave me his direct cell phone. If I ever need another lawyer in NJ I will call Chris for sure!”
CAMDEN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
Restraining order cases in Camden County will be heard at the Camden County Superior Court. The Camden County Superior Court is located at, 101 South 5th Street
Camden NJ, 08103, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be contacted at 856-379-2200. Click here for more information regarding the Camden County Superior Court. For directions to the Camden County Superior Court, click here.
CAMDEN COUNTY FAMILY DIVISION – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT
Any restraining order cases in Camden County Superior Court will be handled by a Judge who sits in the Family Part of the Chancery Division of the Camden County Superior Court. The Presiding Judge of the Camden County Family Part is the Honorable Charles W. Dortch, Jr., P.J.Fp., whose chambers can be contacted at 856-379-2367. The Camden County Family Part also has a Domestic Violence Unit with court staff dedicated to domestic violence and restraining order cases. The Family Division Manager is Nalo Brown and the Domestic Violence Unit can be contacted at 856-379-2200, ext. 3633. Click here for more information on the Camden County Family Court Domestic Violence Unit.
CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT
The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office is also available for assistance with domestic violence cases and may prosecute criminal charges against those accused of perpetrating crimes related to domestic violence or criminal contempt charges against anyone accused of violating the terms of a temporary or final restraining order in Camden County. The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office is located at 25 North 5th Street, Camden, New Jersey 08102, and can be contacted at 856-225-8400. For more information on the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Domestic Violence Unit, click here.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN CAMDEN COUNTY
If you’re the victim of domestic violence in Camden County, don’t hesitate to call the confidential National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233), which are available on a 24/7 basis for domestic violence victims and others seeking crisis intervention and/or referrals to local services. And click on the following link for the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence to learn about what services and resources are available in Camden County.
The Camden County Women’s Center provides emergency and transitional housing as well as counseling and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence in Camden County. The Camden County Women’s center can be reached 24/7 at 856-227-1234 and is located at 311 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey 08102, phone: 856-963-5668. Volunteers of America Delaware Valley is also available to provide housing assistance and counseling services to victims of domestic violence in Camden County: 235 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ 08107, 856-854-4660
Additional domestic violence services including batterer’s intervention, anger management, counseling and family services may be found through the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Click here for a list of available domestic violence services in Camden County.
In addition to the locally available domestic violence services in Camden County, there are also statewide and national services available for the victims of domestic violence. In New Jersey, the Department of Children and Families’ Division on Women, Office of Domestic Violence Services funds twenty-three domestic violence programs and the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women. Click on the following links to learn more about New Jersey’s Office of Domestic Violence Services, the Coalition for Battered Women, or the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
LEGAL SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN CAMDEN COUNTY
Victims of domestic violence in Camden County may be able to obtain assistance with legal issues related to restraining orders by contacting the following agencies:
South Jersey Legal Services, 745 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102, Phone: 1-800-496-4570, Phone: (856) 964-2010,
The Rutgers Law Domestic Violence Project, 217 North Fifth Street, Camden, NJ 08102, Phone: (856) 225-6425
I need to file a restraining order in Camden NJ
If you are the victim of domestic violence in Camden County, you can request a temporary restraining order at the Camden County Superior Court Family Division Intake Office located on the 2nd Floor of the county courthouse. The Family Division Intake Office takes complaints related to restraining orders from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Anytime before 8:30 a.m., after 3:30 p.m., on weekends, or holidays a complaint for a temporary restraining order can be filed at the local police department where the victim of domestic violence resides, where the perpetrator resides, or where the domestic violence occurred. Click here for the contact information for local police departments in Camden County.
Arrested for Domestic Violence Charges in Camden County?
If you have been arrested and charged with domestic violence in Camden County, this is a separate case from your temporary restraining order. It is essential that you understand that because you will have two different court dates that you must appear for, one for your restraining order and one for your criminal case. If you fail to do that, a warrant will issue for your arrest (on the criminal case) and you could be defaulted on the restraining order and a final restraining order could be issued against you which is permanent and never expires.
These two cases are completely different and have two different standards of proof. The criminal case must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt while the restraining order is a civil matter and the standard of proof is called “by a preponderance of the evidence” which means more likely than not. You can win one case and lose the other, win both cases or lose both cases. The outcomes are not related as one case will have a different hearing or trial than the other and a different judge or jury.
Motion to Remove a Restraining Order Camden County Court NJ
If you have a restraining order that was issued against you years ago in Camden County court, you may be eligible to have the restraining order vacated and removed. Restraining orders in New Jersey are permanent and never expire. However, you can always try and file this motion to have one lifted. You must convince the Judge that the original restraining order is no longer necessary – that there has been a significant change in circumstances since the issuance of the original restraining order. Some of the factors the Judge will consider include the following:
- How much time has passed
- Any violations of the order
- Any restraining orders from other women
- Did the defendant undergo any domestic violence counseling
- Do the parties have any ties (children in common, etc.)
- Where do the parties reside (close? different states?)
The motion must be served on the plaintiff who will have an opportunity to object in writing and appear in court to be heard on the record. If the Judge denies the motion, the restraining order remains in place. If the Judge grants the motion, the restraining order is removed and dismissed.
If you need assistance filing a motion to remove an old restraining order, contact our office now for immediate assistance.
Appeal a Final Restraining Order Issued in Camden County NJ Court
If a final restraining order was issued against you in Camden County NJ, you have the right to appeal. The appeal must be filed to the Appellate Division in Trenton within 45 days of the issuance of the final restraining order.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Regarding Restraining Order Cases in Camden County NJ
FAQ: Does a restraining order expire in NJ? No, restraining orders in NJ are permanent and never expire.
FAQ: Is a restraining order a criminal case? No, it is a civil case that will be handled in the family division of the Superior Court. However, a violation of a restraining order is a criminal matter in NJ.
FAQ: Are there public defenders for restraining order cases? No. Because it is not a criminal case, there is no right to counsel or right to a public defender. A plaintiff or defendant can hire a private attorney to represent them or represent themselves at the hearing.
If you or a loved one needs assistance with a domestic violence restraining order in Camden County, contact our offices anytime for a free initial consultation at 908-336-5008.