Washington Law Help - Domestic Violence: Can the Legal System Help Protect Me?

• Tutorials on definitions of violence, types of protection orders, criminal charges, and victims' compensation

WSCADV: WA State & Civil Safety Order Comparison Chart

• Last updated 06/02/2020 - Please note the information on this handout does not constitute legal advice and laws may have changed since the publication of this information.
• Online Training Courses - many available in both English and Spanish
  • Legal Options for Domestic Violence Survivors
  • Legal Advocacy Essentials — offered in English and Spanish
  • Protective Orders in WA: The Basics — offered in English and Spanish
• Criminal Domestic Violence Cases
  • Information and resources for survivors whose partners have been arrested

Protection Orders

• Read more about the following order types on the website above:
  • Domestic Violence Protection Order
  • Stalking Protection Order
  • Anti-harrassment Protection Order
  • Sexual Assault Protection Order
  • Vulnerable Adult Protection Order
  • Extreme Risk Protection Order
  • Restraining Order
  • Washington VINE Protective Order (WA VPO) - Visit the VINE website or call 877-242-4055

SAVIN - Protective Order

• Register to know when your protective order has been served

VAWNet: Safety & Privacy in a Digital World

• TOPICS INCLUDE:
  • Promoting Safe and Healthy Online Communities
  • Technology-Facilitated Abuse
  • Tech Safety and Privacy for Survivors
  • and more

TechSafety: Resources for Survivors

• The following resource contains safety tips, information, and privacy strategies for survivors on the use of technology.

WSCAP: Technology Safety

Address Confidentiality Program

• Eligibility
  • For victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, trafficking, and for certain criminal justice employees
• How to Apply - click on Snohomish County to find participating providers:
  • Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County: 425-259-2827
  • Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse: 425-297-5771
  • Victim Support Services (for crimes other than domestic violence or sexual assault unless homicide-related): 425-252-6081
• Contact an Application Assistant (see one of the local agencies above). Survivors must meet in person with an Application Assistant.

WA State Domestic Violence Information & Referral

WSCADV: Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

• “WSCADV is the leading voice to end domestic violence in Washington State. We improve how communities respond to domestic violence.”
• A few highlights:
  • Community-Led Responses to Domestic Violence
  • Above link contains alternatives to interaction with the legal system - resources and reading list
  • Know Your Rights when CPS Comes Knocking
  • More Legal Resources

Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs

• “WCSAP provides information, training and expertise to program and individual members who support victims, family and friends, the general public, and all those whose lives have been affected by sexual assault.”
• What Are My Rights?
• What Are My Legal Options?
• Advocates

Womens' Law

• “Despite its name, WomensLaw.org provides information that is relevant to people of all genders, not just women.
• “Our Email Hotline will provide legal information to anyone who reaches out with legal questions or concerns regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, or any other topic covered on WomensLaw.org.”

Snohomish County Legal Services:

• Provides services to Domestic & Sexual Violence Victims, Divorce & Child Custody, Bankruptcy, Foreclosures & Evictions, Loss of Employment cases for low-income clients

Legal Voice - Topic: Sexual Violence Law

• “Legal Voice is home to Sexual Violence Law (SVL), a group of lawyers who provide holistic legal assistance and representation to survivors of sexual violence on emergency legal issues, including protection orders, immigration, housing, employment, Title IX, and victim rights in criminal cases.
• “For legal support or technical assistance in Washington state, speak to an attorney on the Legal Line: Toll-free: (844) 991-7852 (Monday - Friday, Business Hours)”
• More guides available on this page, including guides in Russian and Chinese

National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women (NCDBW)

• “The […] (NCDBW) […] work[s] for justice for victims of battering charged with crimes where a history of abuse is relevant to their legal claim or defense.
• “NCDBW does not provide direct representation or legal advice, nor do they provide financial assistance.
• “NCDBW works primarily with defense attorneys and other members of the defense team by providing information and technical assistance — at any stage of the legal process […] in an effort to increase the likelihood of a better — and more just — outcome.
  • ”[…] let your attorney know about the [NCBDW] and the services we offer. We have developed a short piece to give to your attorney […].
  • “If you are a defendant deciding whether to take a plea bargain[…]This piece includes questions you may want to ask your defense attorney.”
• Please have the attorney's name and contact information when you call the NCBDW.
  • Please call either 215-763-1144 or 800-903-0111, ext. 3. - Available Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 PM Eastern time.

Domestic Violence Manual for Judges

WA Labor & Industries: Crime Victim Claims - Toll-free: 1-800-762-3716

• To qualify for benefits you must have:
  • Sustained a physical injury or mental health trauma as a result of a gross misdemeanor or felony crime in Washington State.
  • Reported the crime to law enforcement and cooperated with the investigation.
  • File a report with law enforcement within one year from the date of crime or within one year from when it reasonably could have been reported.
  • Submit a timely application (within 2 years of repoorting the crime to law enforcement, or up to 5 years from the police report in certain circumstances).
  • For minors, at time of crime, application must be filed withn 2 years of their 18th birthday.
  • Circumstances vary and laws are complex. To determine if you qualify, please file a claim.
• What we may pay for:
  • Medical/Dental treatment
  • Medication
  • Mental health treatment
  • Grief counseling
  • Partial wage loss replacement
  • Funeral expenses
  • Expenses not covered by other insurance (such as co-pays and deductibles)

Colectiva Legal del Pueblo (Puget Sound):

• Immigration law, advocacy, education - fighting deportations and detentions

NW Immigrants Rights Project

• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.
• If you or a family member is detained at the northwest detention center in Tacoma, please contact: 253-383-0519 or 877-814-6444
• Otherwise, contact Seattle: 206-587-4009 or 800-445-5771
• Know Your Rights flyers in multiple languages from multiple legal sources

NW Justice Project:

• For clients with household income of up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Limit
• CLEAR Hotline for legal referrals - WA residents outside of King County: call 888-201-1014 weekdays between 9:15AM - 12:15PM
• CLEAR*Sr Hotline for seniors 60+, statewide: 888-387-7111
• Deaf/Hard of hearing customers, statewide: 877-211-9274 (call using relay service of choice)
• Or apply online for cases involving government benefits, special education, consumer (including debt collection, consumer fraud) or loss of housing other than foreclosure

Washington State Moderate Means Program:

• Lawyer referral service providing discounted legal service rates for clients with 200-400% of state median income.
• Call 855-741-6930 or apply online

Snohomish County Legal Services:

• Domestic & Sexual Violence Victims, Divorce & Child Custody, Bankruptcy, Foreclosures & Evictions, Loss of Employment cases for low-income clients

Columbia Legal Services

• Columbia Legal Services advocates for laws that advance social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty.
• Participates in the low-income legal assistance program, accessed through the CLEAR hotline (NW Justice Project)
• Find resources and legislation updates at Advocacy Issues and Resource Library, or via the blog

Snohomish County Bar Lawyer Referral Service:

• $35 30-minute consultation with an attorney with no obligation to hire the attorney

Washington Law Help

• Tutorials, PDFs, articles, forms, and links on topics such as family & safety, housing, health, seniors, employment, money & debt, and more - available in multiple languages

Legal Voice

• Advances legal rights for women in the Northwest.
• We take on court cases with the potential to improve the quality of life for women; we advocate for legislation that advances and protects women’s rights; and we empower women to advocate for themselves and their families through our education materials.
• Legal Voice generally provides resources and assistance on the following legal topics:
  • Sexual Violence Law
  • Gender-Based Violence
  • Health & Reproductive Rights
  • Employment & Economic Security
  • Family Law
  • Discrimination
  • Lawyers & the Legal System
  • Wills, Estate Planning, & Death
  • Handbook for Washington Seniors

Washington Courts

• Directory of Courts - All courts in Washington
  • VIRTUAL COURT PROCEEDINGS - *COVID-19*
  • Supreme Court Contacts
  • Court of Appeals Divisions and Contacts
  • Tribal Courts and Contacts
  • Snohomish County Courts and Contacts - includes all Municipal Courts
  • County-City Reference List
  • Court Directory by City

Washington Courts: Self-Help Resources

• Including information about representing yourself Court of Appeals, Superior Court Civil Proceedings, District Court, Municipal Court, and Small Claims Court - information in English and Spanish
  • Self-Help Resources by Topic
  • More Self-Help Resources - handbooks, guides, terminology
  • About Courthouse Facilitators - what they can do to help you
  • Court Forms
  • WARNING: Forms and instructions on this website have not been revised to show temporary changes that might apply during the COVID-19 emergency, such as adjustments to dates and requirements for how to serve documents.
  • Please see Proclamations by the Governor and Supreme Court Orders on the COVID-19 Response page at www.courts.wa.gov for additional information.

Revised Code of Washington - Codes (laws) that govern the State of Washington