Prepare for court

• Make copies of court papers. Take copies of all your papers to your court hearing, including a copy of your Proof of Service. 
• Gather any evidence that the restrained person has violated your restraining order:
  • pictures (for example, pictures of injuries, damage to property)
  • text messages 
  • emails
• Make 3 copies of any document you want the judge to see.
  • One copy is yours, one is for the other side, and one is for your court file. 

• If you have recordings (video or audio), check in with your local self-help center before your court date.
  • Sometimes judges may require a transcript for a recording.
• Talk to your witnesses. Witnesses are people who can help support your case.
  • If you have witnesses, take them with you to your court date. Make sure they know when and where to go.
• Make notes of what you plan to say. 
  • It can help to plan out and make notes about what you want to say to the judge.
  • Read over the court papers in your case and write out anything else you want the judge to know. 
  • You can read from your notes in court if you need to.
• Take a support person, if you want one. Your support person can sit next to you when you present your case. But, your support person cannot speak for you.

If you know you will be attending your hearing remotely, by phone or by video:

• Follow the instructions you received from your court.
• If you plan to share evidence, like photographs, audio, or video, follow any instructions the court has on how to do that including how to send the court and other side a copy.
• Review the remote court hearing section for more general tips about how to prepare.

If you would like to have a remote hearing, contact the court to find out if it is an option in your case. 

🌐 If you don't speak English well, ask for an interpreter right away.  

♿ If you have a disability, ask for an accommodation.