Hardin County Texas

Victims can call our office 24/7 at the number listed at the top of this page for assistance. One of our staff members will always be on call after business hours, and during weekends or holidays. For Sexual Assault crisis intervention, call our 24/7 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline.

We assist victims plan a safe escape from their abuser when they feel it is most safe to do so. We understand that everyone's situation is different and help make a customized safety plan to assist victims in getting out of a dangerous environment. We also provide tips for de-escalation in an effort to prevent further violence until it is safe to leave. 

We provide advocacy for all of our clients. We assist in getting updates from law enforcement and the County Attorney's office on the status of the case.

All updates on cases that have been sent to the District Attorney's office will come from the District Attorney's Victim Assistance Coordinator.

We advise all of our clients of their rights as a victim of crime, and provide referrals for counseling, legal assistance, emergency shelters, and local resources.

We assist victims in obtaining Emergency Protection Orders and 2 Year Protection Orders.

We accompany victims to the following:

• Law enforcement interviews
• Hospitals
• Sexual Assault Nurse Exams
• Garth House child interviews
• Meetings with Prosecution
• Court proceedings

We assist victims in applying for Crime Victims Compensation, a program run by the Texas Attorney General's office. Crime Victims Compensation may provide reimbursement for out of pocket expenses that were a direct result of the crime, such as medical bills, counseling services, lost wages, travel to medical appointments or court proceedings, funeral costs, etc.

An Emergency Protection Order is an order signed by a Justice of the Peace (JP) that prohibits the defendant from going within 1200 ft of the home, employment, school, and daycare address of the protected person/s listed in the order. It also prohibits the defendant from committing family violence or assault against the protected person/s; communicating in a threatening or harassing manner with the protected person/s or a member of their family or household; or communicating a threat through another person to the protected person/s or a member of their family or household.

Application for Emergency Protection Orders may only be granted for Family Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking.

An Emergency Protection Order may be applied for at the time of the report to law enforcement. An application for an Emergency Protection Order will be seen by the JP upon arraignment of the defendant, after an arrest for the offense has been made. An application for an Emergency Protection Order must be submitted before arraignment. After the defendant has been arraigned and released from custody, it will no longer be possible to submit an application for an Emergency Protection Order.

An Emergency Protection Order may not be extended.

If your Emergency Protection Order has expired or is about to expire, and you feel that you still require protection, call our office at (409) 246-4300 to discuss other possible means of protection.

The protected person on the Emergency Protection Order must contact the JP that signed and granted the Emergency Protection Order and request that it be dropped. It is that JP's decision on whether or not to drop it.

A 2 Year Protection Order is an order that is signed by a Judge that prohibits the defendant from going within 1200 ft of the applicant's home, employment, school and daycare address; committing acts of family violence, assault, or sexual assault; any acts that reasonably place the applicant/s in fear of physical harm, injury, assault or sexual assault; communicating in a threatening or harassing manner with the applicant/s; communicating a threat through another person to the applicant/s; engaging in any conduct directed toward the applicant/s that is reasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, torment, or embarrass the applicant/s. 

Applications for 2 Year Protection Orders may be granted for Family Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking.

All applications for 2 Year Protection Orders must be filed through our office.

Once an application has been accepted by the County Attorney, it will be submitted to the Judge. If the Judge finds that Family Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking have occurred, there will be a temporary Ex Parte protection order issued. Unless the 2 Year Protection Order is agreed to by the defendant outside of court, there will be a hearing scheduled in which the Judge will hear testimony and evidence, and rule to either deny or grant the 2 Year Protection Order.

There are 2 types of Protection Orders: An Emergency Protection Order, and a 2 Year Protection Order. 

Protection Orders can only be granted for Family Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking. If the defendant is determined to have violated the protection order, they will be charged with the additional offense of Violation of a Protection Order, and will be arrested. (See What is an Emergency Protection Order? and What is a 2 Year Protection Order? above).

A Restraining Order is a civil order filed through the court that restricts one or both parties from certain conduct for the duration of the order, such as destroying or taking certain property, not returning children after visitation, bringing children out of the state or county, harassment, threats, etc. Restraining orders are most often filed in conjunction with a divorce or custody case. 

As Restraining Orders are civil orders, they are not enforceable by law enforcement. If a Restraining Order is violated, it will have to be brought back to court by the other party. At that time, the judge will decide whether or not the violating party is in contempt of court, and may or may not send them to jail.