Allen County Superior Court has a job opening, a unique position created to help victims navigate the maze of process involved in obtaining a protective order.
The newly-approved Protection Order Specialist will help men and women who allege they are victims of family or domestic violence, sexual abuse or stalking. The process of obtaining a protective order can be complicated.
While the court is prohibited from providing legal advice to those trying to obtain a protective order, Allen Superior Court Judge Craig Bobay said the court can make sure the system is not an obstacle for victims to overcome.
“Deciding to leave an abusive or violent situation is traumatic enough,” said Judge Craig J. Bobay, Administrative Judge of the Allen Superior Court Civil Division. “Many victims are abused again and again before they make that choice. “We are working to fundamentally redesign the protection order system to make sure the system itself is not an obstacle to individuals trying to help themselves.”
The Protection Order Specialist will provide petitioners with information about what to expect through the court procedures, including future hearings, service of the paperwork and how to report violations of the Protection Order. While the Protection Order Specialist cannot serve as a victim advocate, the position will serve help connect the petitioner and other community services.
In Allen County, orders for protection are sought via a petition filed in Superior Court's Civil Division, specifically in Small Claims Court. Whoever is hired for this position will be based at the court's Small Claims building, and will be the first point of contact for those seeking an order of protection. They will also enter the information into the state's protection order registry.
“The interests of a person alleging abuse are best served by the efficient consideration of their request for a protective order,” said Judge Jennifer L. DeGroote, a former Superior Court Magistrate who heard thousands of protection order petitions. “This new position is a true customer service innovation for the Court. It will allow us to get people through a difficult time in their lives with minimal delay.”
In Allen County, orders for protection are sought via a petition filed in Superior Court's Civil Division, specifically in Small Claims Court. The Protection Order Specialist will be based at Small Claims and will be the first point of contact for individuals seeking an order of protection.
The Protection Order Specialist will review applications for completeness and assist the petitioner with gaps or errors in information. The Protection Order Specialist will also enter necessary information into the Indiana Protection Order Registry.
“The interests of a person alleging abuse are best served by the efficient consideration of their request for a protective order,” said Judge Jennifer L. DeGroote, a former Superior Court Magistrate who heard thousands of protection order petitions. “This new position is a true customer service innovation for the Court. It will allow us to get people through a difficult time in their lives with minimal delay.”
The Protection Order Specialist will provide petitioners with information about what to expect through the court procedures including future hearings, service of the paperwork and how to report violations of the Protection Order. While the Protection Order Specialist cannot serve as a victim advocate, the position will serve as a conduit between petitioner and other community services.
