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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- June 23, 2020
Court
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Homicides
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Victims
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On June 22, a DC Superior Court judge granted seven out of 10 requests for civil protection orders against potentially violent individuals.
Judge Kimberley Knowles granted a temporary restraining orders for seven people. They will be required to return on Aug. 24 to get civil protection orders in their cases. The temporary order will only last for 14 days.
A man requested an order so that he wouldn’t be abused and harassed from his long-time romantic partner. The man said that, on June 20, his partner demanded money from him, saying he owed her. Protection orders also require a stay away mandate.
When he was unable to pay, she started packing up his belongings, allegedly trying to “damage his property.” He said that she then started scratching him in the face and the chest.
When the police arrived on the scene, they arrested the woman for domestic violence. She has since been charged with simple assault and was released on personal recognizance.
However, Judge Knowles mentioned that the police might not be able to serve the order due to the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting he do so through a trusted third party.
“During these times with COVID and all of the other things happening in the world today, the police are stretched very thin,” she said. “The police aren’t as able to serve people as they were pre-pandemic.”
Judge Knowles warned that if the woman is not served the paperwork, the man’s request for an order might not proceed.
Judge Knowles also permitted the man to return to his partner’s property to retrieve his mail with police escort if necessary on June 24.
Other orders were granted to women who said their significant others were displaying abusive behavior and a woman who said her father was harassing her and her children over property.
In August the persons who were issued the orders would have to appear at a civil protection hearing where a judge would decide whether or not the situation warrants protection for an extended time period. A civil protection order is valid for one year.
Another man said he was sexually assaulted by two men and requested civil protection orders from both of them. When questioned by Judge Knowles, he was unable to provide specific details on the incident, saying he was drugged and could not recall.
Judge Knowles denied his request for the orders, dismissing the case.