Client Success Story: Representing Herself in Court

Recently, one of our attorneys was connected with a new client.  Our client's hearing was on that Tuesday, and her abuser (who was represented by an attorney) had filed a cross Domestic Violence Protection Order against her, a Petition for Divorce, and an Ex Parte to regain access to the marital home. She felt inundated with these filings, was overwhelmed, and did not know what to do.

603 Legal Aid called her on Friday, and was able to give very comprehensive and in-depth legal advice to help her prepare for her hearing. 

After her hearing, we received this email from the client: 

"I just wanted to reach out and thank you and your team for helping me with the hearing this past Tuesday. I don’t know the name of the lawyer that called me last week, but he was incredibly helpful and I’m afraid with the anxiety and the pressure of the hearing I wasn’t able to hear to everything he said, and I’ve been going over in my head and kicking myself for not being more present... However, the judge decided with me, so we kept the restraining order against her, and they dropped the retaliatory one against me. Again, I wanna thank you and all you do and I hope you have an amazing weekend!"  

Wins for DOVE clients are wins for safety, security, and healing. And Pro Se wins against counsel (especially considering the opposing party was represented by a DOVE volunteer) are no small feat. 603 Legal Aid's advice was key in giving her the tools she needed to be able to successfully represent herself--and her right to safety--in Court.