Legal Services

LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES

Wherever you live, there are people available to give you information, support and advocacy with the legal systems. These people are often referred to as advocates.

The role of a legal advocate is to support and empower the victim by providing information pertaining to the patterns of domestic violence, the legal options andprocesses, and community resources. An advocate does not make choices for you but rather works from the position that you will make the best decisions for yourself based on accurate information and support.

In Geauga County, there are legal advocacy programs that can assist you:

WomenSafe's Court Advocacy Program
440-286-7154 x226
If you are a victim of domestic violence call, WomenSafe, Inc.

Victim Witness Service Center
440-286-8074
If you are a victim of assault, menacing, aggravated menacing, or intimidation, call Chardon Municipal Courthouse.

If you need a legal advocacy program outside of Geauga County, you may want to check the phone book for a listing or contact a hotline or your local police department to ask for the number. Here are the numbers for the Domestic Violence Programs in the counties surrounding Geauga County:

Lake County: Forbes House	440-953-9779
Ashtabula County: HomeSafe	440-992-2727
Lorain County: Genesis House	440-244-1853
Medina County: Battered Women's Shelter
Outreach Office:	330-374-1111
Portage County: Safer Futures	330-296-4410
Cuyahoga County
Domestic Violence Center	216-631-2275
Witness-Victim Service Center	216-443-7345
East Cleveland D.V. Program	216-249-1522
Euclid D.V. Program	216-289-8232

WORKING WITH AN ATTORNEY

Many lawyers offer a free consultation, and if you decide not to use them, there is no charge. Ask them ahead of time how they handle their consultations. If you do not have confidence in the first lawyer you talk to, you have every right to go to another one. It may be a good idea to talk with several before you decide who you feel most comfortable working with. From the very beginningyou should feel comfortable when you talk to your lawyer and be sure that he or she understands your problems and knows how to help. Because there are some special issues when domestic violence is involved, it is important that your attorney is aware of the dynamics of abuse and the legal options for your protection and the protection of your children. You may want to ask specific questions about his or her training and experience in handling cases similar to yours.

Before you hire a lawyer, ask about his or her fees and when you will be expected to pay them. Most attorneys will require some amounts of money to begin handling your case. This is called a retainer. Legal fees can begin at several hundred dollars and go up to several thousand dollars. In some cases an attorney may be willing to set up a payment schedule with you or to ask the court to have your abuser be responsible for your legal fees.

If you can't afford to pay a private lawyer and you are a person of low income, you may be able to get a lawyer from the Legal Aid Society. There are no fees for a legal aid attorney. If you or your children are being abused and seeing an attorney quickly is important, you may want to contact a battered women's hotline or legal advocate to get help in getting an emergency appointment. These programs can also give you referrals to attorneys with experience is assisting battered women.

Legal Aid of Lake/Geauga County 1-888-808-2800
WomenSafe, Inc. COPEline 1-888-285-5665

Information Your Attorney May Need:

• Your and yours spouse's/partner's date of birth;
• Date of your marriage or date of relationship;
• City and state where you were married;
• Children's names of whom your spouse/partner is the parent;
• These children's birth dates;
• List of addresses where these children have lived for the past five years;
• Your welfare card if you are on welfare or your last two pay stubs if you are working;
• Deed to your house if you and your spouse are buying one;
• The names and phone numbers of two persons with whom a message for you can be left;
• You will need to take $10.00 for the filling fee if you are being represented by Legal Aid;
• Take with you a diary detailing the history (including dates) of abuse you and/or your children have suffered;
• Your and your spouse's/partner's present or last know address;
• Your and your spouse's/partner Social Security Number;

TIPS ON WORKING WITH YOUR ATTORNEY

Once your have retained an attorney, whether privately or through Legal Aid, there a number of thing you can do to make your working relationship with your attorney a positive one, and keep costs down:

1. Time with your attorney costs money, so be prepared and use it wisely. Make a list of questions or concerns you have before you call or meet with your attorney so you can be sure to get everything discussed in the least amount of time. Most attorneys charge for phone time, so call only when you need to. Your attorney is also likely to do a better job of returning your phone calls if he or she knows you call only when necessary and that you will be short and to the point.
2. The more information and documentation you can provide to your attorney, the easier the case is likely to be for both of you. If you can do most of the legwork in getting copies of any police or medical reports, it may speed things up and help limit costs.
3. If you are making payments, set them realistically and stick to them. The attorney will develop confidence that payment will be make, even if it takes you a long time.
4. Communicate information to your attorney in writing when possible and appropriate. This will allow you to have a copy for your records and the attorney can put it straight into your file.
5. Keep a copy of any documents or originals you give to your attorney and request a copy of any motions or judgments filed.
6. An attorney's expertise is in the law and representing you. While it is important that attorneys be empathetic and supportive of their clients, it is also important that you not use your attorney as a counselor. This is easier said than done sometimes, as this is likely to be a difficult time for you and you may be facing some big decisions. It may be a good idea to be involved in a domestic abuse support group so you have others around who can provide support.
7. If a problem develops between you and your attorney, discuss it constructively. If you need your attorney to interact with you differently than he or she has been, communicate that directly. Ask your attorney if he or she needs you to do things differently as well. This is not always a comfortable thing to do, but changing attorneys is usually expensive and time consuming so it's worth trying to try to maintain that relationship if possible.

YOUR LOCAL COURTS AND HOW THEY WORK

Complaints are generally signed at the Geauga Sheriff's department. Motions for the T.P.O. arrive at the Clerk of courts office the next morning.

• T.P.O./Bond hearings are scheduled the following morning or on Monday usually at 9:30 am. The Judge at the arraignment sets Bond. However with a bondsmen the defendant can pay $750 (which is 10% of the bond) to bond out of jail, but will be required to appear in front of the Judge at their arraignment.
• A WomenSafe advocate will be present at court with you for the T.P.O. hearing.
• Pre-trials are generally scheduled and it can be a good idea for you to be present even if not subpoenaed or to speak with the prosecutor prior to the pre-trial.
• See the Law and the Process for further information.

GEAUGA COUNTY

Chardon Municipal Court
111 Water Street
Chardon, Ohio 44024
440-286-2670 (Criminal)
440-286-2684 (Civil and small claims)

Court of Common Pleas Chardon, Ohio
(Domestic Relations, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrates, Probation)
100 Short Court
Chardon, Ohio 44024
440-285-2222

LAKE COUNTY

Mentor Municipal Court
(Jurisdiction: Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake)
8500 Civic Center Boulevard
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-974-5744

Painesville Municipal Court
(Jurisdiction: Painesville, Concord, Leroy, Madison, Perry Harbor and Grand River)
7 Richmond Street
Painesville, Ohio 44077
440-639-4860

Willoughby Municipal Court
(Jurisdiction: Eastlake, Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Lakeline, Timberlake, Waite hill, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills, and Willowick)
1 Public Square
Willoughby, Ohio 44094
440-953-4150

ASHTABULA COUNTY

Ashtabula Municipal Court
110 West 44th Street
Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
440-992-7108

GEAUGA COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Sheriff Department	440-286-1234
Bainbridge Police Department	440-543-8252
Chardon Highway Patrol	440-354-3233
Chardon Police Department	440-286-6123
Chardon Township	440-286-4031
Chester Police Department	440-729-1234
Huntsburg Police Department	440-834-1856
Middlefield Police Department	440-834-1856
Newbury Police Department	440-564-7114
Parkman Police Department	440-834-1856
Russell Police Department	440-338-1212
South Russell Police Department	440-338-7611
Thompson Police Department	440-298-1305
Troy Police Department	440-834-1856
* Any other towns not listed will need to call the Sheriff's Department