The law defines domestic abuse as physical abuse, sexual abuse, or terroristic threats. In order for Tubman's legal advocates to help, one must be experiencing some form of domestic abuse. Emotional abuse is not considered domestic abuse under the law.
Family members or people living with an abuser can ask the court for an OFP. The relationship must be one of the following:
- Wife, husband, ex-wife, ex-husband
- Parent, child, or any blood relative
- Girlfriend, boyfriend, domestic partner, ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend
- Persons who live together (roommates)
- Persons who used to live together
- Persons who have a child or an unborn child in common
Tubman provides attorney representation in Washington County and works with volunteer attorneys through our Safety Project in suburban Ramsey and Hennepin counties. Tubman will help anyone, male or female, who is experiencing domestic abuse. If you need help, call:
612.673.2244 (Hennepin County)
612.835.3333 (Washington and suburban Ramsey counties)
The OFP Process
A Tubman advocate can appear with you if you are trying to get an Order For Protection, commonly referred to as an OFP. If the abuser is served with a notice for an OFP and shows up for the court date, he/she can admit to the allegations, deny the allegations but agree to the OFP, or contest the OFP. If it's contested, then the case will go to an evidentiary hearing. An evidentiary hearing can happen the same day or be scheduled for another day. The judge will listen to each side of the case and decided to either issue the OFP or dismiss it.
If the abusive partner has been served with the notice for an OFP and does not show up for the court date, the OFP is issued. If the abusive partner has NOT been served with a notice for an OFP, the court will continue the case. Depending on the judge, the notice for the OFP may be sent by certified mail, or printed in a legal newspaper.
After someone has filed for an OFP, an advocate will bring the order to the judge either that same day or the next business day. The first court appearance is scheduled within seven days of the judge receiving the OFP. If the abusive partner shows up for court and accepts the OFP, then the OFP is granted. If the abusive partner does not show up and has been notified about the OFP, the OFP is granted. If the abusive partner has not been notified, then the case is continued, usually about two weeks. |
