Domestic violence is a serious national problem. Every fifteen seconds, a woman is physically assaulted within her home and her children are negatively affected by what they witness and experience, both emotionally and physically.

For victims of domestic violence

Rice Law has helped many victims of domestic violence obtain restraining orders against their abusers. These orders often include provisions relating to temporary child custody, temporary support, requirement that the abuser attend anger management classes, and sometimes an attorney fee award. For information about services available to victims of domestic violence, visit the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc. of Wilmington, NC.

NC Domestic violence, defined

Under North Carolina law, N.C. GEN. STAT. §50B, domestic violence is the commission of one or more of the following acts upon an aggrieved party or upon a minor child residing with or in the custody of the aggrieved party by a person with whom the aggrieved party has or has had a personal relationship, but does not include acts of self defense:

• Attempting to cause bodily injury, or intentionally causing bodily injury; or
• Placing the aggrieved party or a member of the aggrieved party’s family or household in fear of imminent serious bodily injury or continued harassment, as defined in N.C. GEN. STAT. §14-277.3, that rises to such a level as to inflict substantial emotional distress; or
• Committing any act defined in N.C. GEN. STAT. §14-27.2 through N.C. GEN. STAT. §14-27.7.

For the wrongfully accused

Rice Law has helped a number of individuals who have been wrongfully accused of committing acts of domestic violence. If you have been wrongfully accused of committing acts of domestic violence, you need to see a licensed attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

The impacts of a domestic violence protection order

You need to defend yourself against the imposition of a domestic violence protective order, also known as a restraining order. These orders can prevent you from returning to your home, from seeing your children, from going places that you normally go, and from possessing firearms (under state law for one to two years but under federal law you could be prevented from possessing firearms for the rest of your life). A domestic violence protection order can significantly limit your freedoms and negatively affect your ability to exercise your custodial and/or visitation rights with your children.