Overview
A legal advocate provides assistance to individuals who meet certain criteria and are not represented by an attorney with the preparation and filing of petitions for Temporary Protective Orders (TPO) under the Family Violence Act.
What Is a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) and How Does a Legal Advocate Help?
A legal advocate provides assistance to individuals who meet certain criteria and are not represented by an attorney with the preparation and filing of petitions for Temporary Protective Orders (TPO) under the Family Violence Act.
A TPO is not the same as a civil restraining order and a legal advocate does not assist with the preparation of petitions for these orders. Please consult an attorney if you are seeking a civil restraining order.
I Need a TPO, Now What?
Before a legal advocate can assist you, you must go through a screening process to determine whether or not the criteria for a TPO has been met. This initial screening may take place over the phone to avoid any inconveniences to you such as long wait times at the courthouse and/or lost time at work. Once this initial screening process is complete, if you are cleared to proceed further a legal advocate may help you.
Some Important Things to Know:
- If the person against whom you are seeking a TPO is a resident of the State of Georgia, you must file your petition in the County where that person resides.
- Before filing a petition, you will need to provide a valid address for the person against whom you are seeking a TPO.
- There is no fee for filing a petition for a TPO under the Family Violence Act.
Hall County
Gateway provides assistance with filing Temporary Protective Orders. Two legal advocates are located on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse and support individuals seeking a Temporary Protective Order due to domestic violence. If you are a victim in need of Legal Advocacy, please call a legal advocate at:
| Courthouse Office Hours: | Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. *** |
| Courthouse Legal Advocates Phone: | (770) 533-7660 or (770) 538-5305 |
| Email: | protectiveorders [at] gatewaydvcenter.org (protectiveorders[at]gatewaydvcenter[dot]org) |
| Mailing Address: | P.O. Box 2962, Gainesville, GA 30503 |
| Crisis Hotline: | (770) 536-5860 |
| Administration: | (770) 539-9080 |
| Legal Advocates: | (770) 531-7153 |
| Fax: | (770) 539-9990 |
***Because office hours may vary, if you need assistance while in the Hall County Courthouse and/or need to reach an advocate, please use the QR Code to apply or call to speak with a representative for further instructions.
For more information about TPO’s visit the Emergency Protective Order section at the link below:
https://www.gatewaydvcenter.org/legal-advocacyprotective-orders/
https://www.gatewaydvcenter.org/contact/
Dawson County
NOA offers support and information about victim’s rights and their legal options, assistance in filing Temporary Protective Orders (TPO), court accompaniment, education about the judicial process, legal representation and referrals. If you are a victim in need of Legal Advocacy, please call a legal advocate at:
| Crisis number: | (706) 864-1986 |
| Admin number: | (706) 344-3853 |
| Legal Advocate number: | (706) 972-4819 |
| Volunteer Coordinator number: | (706) 344-3853 |
| Email: | lcannon [at] noonealone.org (lcannon[at]noonealone[dot]org) |
| Mailing Address: | PO Box 685, Dahlonega, GA 30533 |
For more information about TPO’s visit the Emergency Protective Order section at the link below:
https://noonealone.org/i-need-help/emergency-protective-order/
https://www.dawsoncountyga.gov/341/No-One-Alone