Domestic Violence Information

Domestic Violence

The Self-Help Center will help people who do not have lawyers in applying for and responding to domestic violence restraining orders.  The Self-Help Center will provide instructions on how to complete the court forms, filing at the court, arranging for proper service on the other side, and preparing for your court hearing.  

A domestic violence restraining order is a Court order issued to prevent the recurrence of acts of abuse by a person who is any of the following to you: 

• spouse or former spouse
• boyfriend/girlfriend or former boyfriend/girlfriend
• other parent of your children
•  father, mother, child, grandparent, brother, sister
• current in-laws (if you have divorced your spouse, then you cannot seek a domestic violence restraining order against any former in-laws)

Electronic filing is available for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Gun Violence Restraining Orders. 

• Domestic Violence and Gun Violence filings may be submitted electronically using e-filing. Read more about e-filing.
• Filings may also be submitted in-person at the Bishop or Independence clerk's offices Monday through Friday from 8:30am to noon, and 1:00pm to 4:00pm, by drop box located in either clerk's office, or by mail. 

Additional Resources for Restraining Orders:

• The California Courts website provides step-by-step instructions that will walk you through the process of applying for a domestic violence restraining order. Read more about how to apply for a domestic violence restraining order. 

• The California Courts website provides step-by-step instructions that will walk you through the process of responding to a domestic violence restraining order. Read more about how to respond to a domestic violence restraining order. 

• Other agencies that may be able to help:    Wild Iris (760-873-6601); R.A.V.E. (Relief After Violent Encounters 760-873-9018); Inter-Tribal Council of California Victim Services (760-666-0069)