The Abuse Prevention Law (209A) – Plymouth County District Attorney's Office

In an emergency, always reach out to your local police department for assistance.

The Abuse Prevention Law offers protection to people who are physically abused and to those who are at serious risk of physical abuse. The law also protects abused housemates, roommates and same sex partners, as well as, family members.

What is a “209A” order?

An Abuse Prevention Order, called a “209A” or a “Restraining Order”, is a civil court action that provides immediate protection from physical or sexual harm caused by force, or threat of harm from a family or household member. This includes:

a spouse or former spouse
a present or former household member
a relative by blood or marriage
the parent of your minor child
a person with whom you have had a substantial dating relationship
A person under age 18, can obtain a 209A order with some restrictions.
Generally, a parent or guardian needs to be present, but the Judge can decide to issue a limited 209A order if the minor appears to be in danger.
In some cases, the Department of Children and Families may offer assistance in gaining help for a minor.
Many high schools and colleges also offer support groups for students in violent relationships.

Obtaining a 209A

In the courts of Plymouth County, there will be a Victim Witness Advocate from the District Attorney´s Office to help you complete the paper work and to discuss the option of filing criminal charges against your abuser. The advocate will assist you in preparing a safety plan.

A 209A order may be obtained in any district or probate and family court in Massachusetts.
An emergency 209A order can be obtained through any police department after court hours and on weekends.
You do not need a lawyer to file for a 209A order.
You may apply for protection in the district or probate court which serves your community.
If you find it necessary to flee your home to avoid abuse, you may go to the district or probate court serving the community where you are staying.
If you need further assistance or do not know where the nearest courthouse is located, contact the local police department for assistance.
You don´t have to file criminal charges to obtain a 209A order.
However, criminal charges may be necessary in holding a batterer responsible for acts committed against you.

The 209A application

You may request the Judge to order that the abuser stop abusing you, have no contact with you or a child in your custody and move out of your house or apartment.
A 209A can provide you with temporary support and custody of your minor children. Only the Probate and Family Court, however, can decide child visitation rights.
You may request payment for medical costs due to injuries and loss of wages.
You may ask that the abuser not contact you and that your new address be kept confidential from the abuser for your safety.
You must also disclose any other existing 209A order from any court or any probate court action in which you are involved.
On the application or complaint form for a 209A order you will need to make a sworn statement (affidavit), describing the facts of a recent or past incident(s) of abuse.
It is also very important to provide as much information about the abuser as possible.

The initial 209A hearing

After you have completed the 209A application form, return it to the clerk and ask when the court will hear the restraining orders.
They will tell you the time and courtroom location for the hearing.
At the hearing, the Judge will ask why you need restraining order protection and will review your application forms and affidavit.
In some courts, a “209A Briefing Session” is held before the hearing and a Court Advocate will explain the hearing process and be with you in the courtroom.
The Judge may grant or deny the 209A order after speaking with you.
If the Judge approves the request, you will receive a Temporary Order for up to a ten day period. Please keep your copy of the order with you at all times! This means a court date will be scheduled within 10 business days for you to return to court for a Permanent Order.
The advocate may refer you to a battered women’s program to discuss possible options (i.e. shelters, housing, public assistance, etc.)
The police will deliver (serve) a copy of the 209A order to your abuser and will keep a duplicate on file at the police station.
It is important to provide the police with the abuser’s current home and work addresses so they can serve the order.
If the order is denied, it is essential to work with the advocate to prepare a safety plan

The ten day hearing

The Ten Day Hearing requires that you return to court on the date given on the order, or the order will not be in effect after that date.
The hearing offers the chance for both parties, you and the abuser, to come before the Judge and offer information (evidence) as to why a permanent 209A order should or should not be granted.
Bring any hospital records, photographs or police reports you may have for the Judge to review.
You may also bring a support person with you.
The abuser may be present at the ten day hearing and may oppose the 209A order.
If the abuser is not present and has been served with the order, the Judge can still grant the order for up to one year.
If a 209A order is issued by the Judge for a year, you must return to court for another order at the end of that year or it will be dismissed.
Any changes in the order before that date must be made by a Judge with both you and the abuser appearing in the same court where the order was first given.
A request to change or amend the order can be made at the Clerk´s Office.

Violation of a 209A

Once a 209A order is issued, violation of the terms is a criminal offense.
Violations of orders to refrain from abuse, for no contact and to vacate a household, multiple family dwelling or workplace can be prosecuted under c. 209A.
Call the police immediately if the abuser violates the order
Show the order to the police and explain the violation. For example: a punch, slap, threat, refusal to vacate the house or apartment, unauthorized contact with you either in person or telephone at your home or work place.
The police must arrest the abuser if they have reasonable cause to believe or witness that the terms of the order were violated.
Once a criminal complaint has been issued or an arrest made, the abuser will be charged with the crime or crimes at an arraignment proceeding in the district court.
A bail hearing will be held to determine whether the defendant/abuser will be released or held in jail until trial.
If they are released from custody, the court must make a reasonable effort to notify you of the release, even if you are not present in court.
If you do not call the police, you may be able to file criminal complaints on your own at the Clerk´s Office in the district court.
A Victim Witness Advocate can assist you with that process.

Charges

In addition to the crime of Violation of a 209A Restraining Order, an abuser can be charged with a number of other crimes committed at or near the time of the violation, some of which may include:

Assault (G.L. c.265, s.13A) in an attempt or offer to do bodily injury by force or violence or an attempt to batter. Assault and Battery (G.L. c265, s.13A) is a harmful or unpermitted touching of another, no matter how slight, without a legal right to do so. Assault and Battery By Means of A Dangerous Weapons (G.L. c265, s.15) is a battery with an dangerous weapon, such as a baseball bat, shod foot, ashtray, knife or other object used in a way that may cause serious injury or death to another.
Threats (G.L. c27, s.4) are verbal or written threats which a victim reasonably believes the abuser may commit. Annoying Telephone Calls (G.L. c.269 2.14A) are repeated telephone calls for the sole purpose of harassing or annoying an individual or a family.
Trespassing (G.L. c.266, s.120) is entering or remaining in or on a house or land in violation of a 209A order. Malicious Destruction of Personal Property (G.L. c.266, s.127) is the destruction or injury to personal property, a house or building in a manner that is willful and malicious.
Stalking (G.L. c.265, s43A) is the willful, malicious and repeated following or harassment of an individual AND the making of threats with the intent to place that person in imminent fear of death or serious bodily injury. The penalties are increased for a conviction on a stalking crime committed in violation of a 209A order.

Arraignment

You will meet the victim witness advocate and the Assistant District Attorney who will be handling the arraignment at the courthouse.
The Assistant District Attorney represents the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the victim’s interests in prosecuting the case, and works with the Victim Witness Advocate to assist you during the trial.
It is important to provide information to the Assistant District Attorney before the arraignment and bail hearing regarding the history of the abuse and a description of the most recent abuse, including any pictures or hospital records of injuries. You should also mention the location of any guns or other weapons the abuser might have in his possession.
The Assistant District Attorney will bring all of this information to the attention of the Judge, along with your safety concerns and fears at this time. The Judge may also consider whether the defendant is dangerous and a threat to you or the community. The information will help the Judge decide if the defendant should be jailed until trial; or, if the defendant/abuser is to be released, what the amount and conditions of bail will be.

After the arraignment

Interviews with you will be conducted before the trial date to gather information and evidence for prosecution.
Every effort will be made to consider your needs and safety in going forward with the case.
The safety of your children will also be a priority.
Prosecution may provide the means to gain batterer’s intervention services for the defendant as part of a sentence recommendation.
Very few batterers seek or stay with a program on their own, without court orders and probation supervision.
The Assistant District Attorney will speak with you about different sentences should the defendant be found guilty or plea to a guilty finding.
The sentence asked for may also include drug or alcohol counseling, supervised probation and/or jail time.

Batterer’s intervention programs

Batterer´s intervention programs provide services in very strict group settings that help batterers learn to accept responsibility for their violence, as well as, understand and change their controlling and abusive behavior.

The groups are led by certified batterer´s intervention counselors trained in dealing with domestic violence offenders.
The programs are based in community mental health or counseling centers and work with the courts and battered women´s services to make sure that partners of batterers remain safe.
The programs involve weekly, two-hour group sessions for a minimum total of 80 hours.
Most programs also add a 4 to 6 week introduction period at the beginning.
Group leaders feel your safety is a priority concern and will keep ongoing contact with you.

Will intervention stop the abuse?

There are no guarantees that the violence will stop because the abuser attends a Batterer´s Intervention Program. Many abusers drop out of programs or do not comply with the requirements; but, if the Judge requires attendance as part of a sentence, dropping out may mean the abuser will have to serve jail time. The abuser must want to change the abusive behavior. Promises to change, flowers and apologies are not enough. You deserve to be safe and free from abuse.

Will I still be at risk?

The most dangerous time for a person in an abusive relationship is when they are leaving their batterer. The person responsible for the abuse may feel that they are losing control and become dangerously angry. Taking steps to protect yourself from abuse may cause the abuser to retaliate against you.

Please trust your instincts. If you are afraid something may happen, take your personal feelings seriously and protect yourself. You know the situation better than anyone else.