Lay Legal Advocacy Manual

247 Pages·2014·2.31 MB·English

ADVOCATES IN SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE CASES:
A LAY LEGAL ADVOCATES’ GUIDE TO ARIZONA LAW

JULY 2014
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
2800 N. Central Ave, Suite 1570
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tel: [phone] or 1-800-782-6400
TTY: 602-279-7270; Fax [phone]
[email protected]

The contents of this publication may be adapted and reprinted with permission of the Arizona
Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. Any adaptation or reprinting must be
accompanied by the following acknowledgement:

“This material was adapted from the publication entitled Advocacy in Sexual and
Domestic Violence Cases: A Lay Legal Advocates’ Guide to Arizona Law,
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, 2014.”

DISCLAIMER

This Manual is intended as a training and reference guide for lay legal advocates. THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS MANUAL IS NOT INTENDED TO GIVE
LEGAL ADVICE. Lay advocates cannot give legal advice. While information is as accurate and
up-to-date as possible on the date of publication, the law is constantly changing. ACESDV takes
no responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this Manual or for the applicability of any
law to an individual case as this Manual is general in nature. It is not a substitute for legal advice
from an attorney regarding individual situations.

DEDICATION

This manual is dedicated to sexual and domestic violence survivors across the great state of
Arizona, for they are the champions who preserve and succeed in life despite the overwhelming
challenges that confront them!

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ADVOCATES IN SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
CASES:
A LAY LEGAL ADVOCATES’ GUIDE TO ARIZONA LAW

MAY 2014 EDITION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JULY 2014 .......................................................................................................................................1
WHAT IS THE ARIZONA COALITION TO END SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?.....................7
A. AS A PRELIMINARY MATTER… ........................................................................................... 7
B. ACESDV’S MISSION STATEMENT ....................................................................................... 7
C. ACESDV’S VISION STATEMENT ......................................................................................... 7
D. THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE ................................................................................................ 7
SECTION ONE: THE DYNAMICS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ..........................................................11
A. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 11
1. What is sexual violence? ............................................................................................... 11
2. The Prevalence of Sexual Violence ............................................................................... 11
3. Who are the victims? ..................................................................................................... 11
4. Who are the perpetrators? ............................................................................................. 12
5. Impacts of Sexual Violence ........................................................................................... 12
6. Types of Sexual Violence ............................................................................................ 12
SECTION TWO: THE DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ...................................................114
A. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 15
1. What is domestic violence? ........................................................................................... 15
2. The Prevalence of DV ................................................................................................... 15
3. Who are the victims? ..................................................................................................... 15
4. Who are the perpetrators? ............................................................................................ 16
5. The Effects on Children ................................................................................................ 16
6. Impacts of Domestic Violence ....................................................................................... 17
7. Types of Abuse .............................................................................................................. 17
B. DYNAMICS OF POWER AND CONTROL ................................................................................ 22
EQUALITY WHEEL.............................................................................................................. 24
C. Factors Relating to and Potential Predictors of Sexual and/or Domestic Violence .... 25
D. Why Does He Abuse? .................................................................................................... 26
E. The Faces of Domestic Violence ................................................................................... 26
F. Barriers to Leaving ....................................................................................................... 27
G. Domestic Violence Is Not… .......................................................................................... 28
SECTION THREE: ADVOCACY .............................................................................................29
A. WHAT IS ADVOCACY? ....................................................................................................... 29
1. Self-Advocacy ................................................................................................................ 29
2. Individual Advocacy...................................................................................................... 29
3. Systems or Group Advocacy ......................................................................................... 29
4. The Process of Legal or Representative Advocacy ....................................................... 29
B. ADVOCACY AT A GLANCE .................................................................................................. 30
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C. TYPES OF LAY LEGAL ADVOCATES ................................................................................... 31
D. UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW ................................................................................... 31
F. Violations and Sanctions ................................................................................................. 33
G. THE IMMEDIATE ROLE OF THE ADVOCATE ........................................................................... 33
1. Initial Contact/Telephone .............................................................................................. 33
2. Program ......................................................................................................................... 34
3. Termination/Follow-up .................................................................................................. 36
4. Data Collection/Record Keeping ................................................................................... 37
5. Confidentiality and Individual Rights ............................................................................ 38
6. Community Resources .................................................................................................... 39
H. THE ROLE OF THE ADVOCATE IN PROTECTIVE ORDER PROCEEDINGS ................................ 40
1. Functions of a Legal Advocate ...................................................................................... 40
2. Court Accompaniment ................................................................................................... 41
I. THE ROLE OF THE ADVOCATE IN DOMESTIC RELATIONS PROCEEDINGS ............................ 43
J. SAFETY PLANNING ............................................................................................................. 43
SECTION FOUR: LEGAL PROCESSES .................................................................................46
A. HISTORY OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES AND LAWS IN ARIZONA ...... 46
B. THE LEGAL SYSTEM: CIVIL VS. CRIMINAL LAW ................................................................ 53
1. The Civil System ............................................................................................................ 53
2. The Criminal System ..................................................................................................... 54
3. Multiple Proceedings .................................................................................................... 55
C. TAX REMEDIES .................................................................................................................. 55
1. Innocent Spouse Relief .................................................................................................. 55
2. Separation of Liability .................................................................................................. 56
3. Equitable Relief ............................................................................................................. 57
4. Arizona Law .................................................................................................................. 57
5. Injured Spouse Claim .................................................................................................... 58
6. Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 58
D. TORTS: AN OPTION FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ............................................................... 59
1. Introduction................................................................................................................... 59
2. Joinder .......................................................................................................................... 60
3. Res Judicata and Other Defenses ................................................................................. 60
4. Statute of Limitations .................................................................................................... 60
E. JUVENILE COURT ............................................................................................................... 61
1. Department of Child Safety and Dependency ............................................................... 61
F. FULL FAITH & CREDIT ....................................................................................................... 65
G. GUN LEGISLATION—STATE AND FEDERAL ISSUES ............................................................ 66
H. TRIBAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................... 67
I. MILITARY: SEXUAL ASSAULT ............................................................................................ 67
1. Reporting Options and Policy Information................................................................... 68
J. MILITARY: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ...................................................................................... 70
1. Domestic Abuse Reporting Options .............................................................................. 71
K. INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION ........................................................................................ 72
SECTION FIVE: PROTECTIVE ORDERS .....................................................................................73
A. ORDERS OF PROTECTION ............................................................................................... 73
1. Who Can Get an Order of Protection? ......................................................................... 73
2. What Are the Grounds for an Order of Protection? ..................................................... 74
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3. What Relief Is Available Under The Domestic Violence Statute? ................................ 75
4. Limitations of an Order of Protection .......................................................................... 76
5. What Is the Duration of an Order of Protection? ......................................................... 76
6. Where Can You Get an Order of Protection? ............................................................... 76
7. What Are Order of Protection Forms? ......................................................................... 77
8. What is A Petition for an Order of Protection? ............................................................ 82
9. What is an Order? ......................................................................................................... 82
10. What Is an Ex Parte Order of Protection? ................................................................... 82
11. How Does the Defendant Know About the Order of Protection? ................................ 83
12. What Happens With A Contested Order of Protection? ............................................... 83
13. What is the Procedure for an Order of Protection Hearing?....................................... 84
14. How Is Evidence Prepared and Presented? ................................................................. 85
15. Medical and Department of Child Safety Reports ........................................................ 86
16. Records of Conviction .................................................................................................. 87
17. Photographs and Videotapes ........................................................................................ 87
18. Physical evidence ......................................................................................................... 88
19. How are Subpoenas Used? ........................................................................................... 88
20. Evidentiary objections: ................................................................................................. 89
21. What Are the Steps to Obtain an Emergency Order of Protection? ............................. 91
22. How Is The Order Of Protection Enforced? ................................................................ 92
23. What happens if the Order is violated? ........................................................................ 93
24. What is a Modified or Amended Order of Protection? ................................................ 94
B. INJUNCTIONS AGAINST HARASSMENT ............................................................................... 96
C. INJUNCTIONS AGAINST WORKPLACE HARASSMENT .......................................................... 97
1. An Injunction Against Workplace Harassment is like an Order of .............................. 97
Protection in that: ................................................................................................................. 97
2. An Injunction Against Workplace Harassment is different from ..................................... 97
an Order of Protection: ........................................................................................................ 97
3. The grounds for obtaining an IAWH and the specific relief available differ from
grounds and relief for OOPs................................................................................................. 98
SECTION SIX: CRIMINAL LAW SYSTEM ...........................................................................99
A. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 99
B. SEX CRIMES ....................................................................................................................... 99
D. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIMES ......................................................................................... 108
E. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE .................................................................................................... 112
F. VICTIMS’ RIGHTS IN THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM ................................................................... 119
G. VICTIM COMPENSATION................................................................................................... 122
The general criteria for eligibility are as follows:.............................................................. 123
2. Allowable/Unallowable Expenses: ............................................................................. 124
3. The Compensation Board Cannot Consider Claims For: .......................................... 124
F. VACATING JUDGMENT OF GUILT, DISMISSING CHARGES AND RESTORATION OF CIVIL
RIGHTS..................................................................................................................................... 125
SECTION SEVEN: FAMILY LAW SYSTEM ..........................................................................129
A. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 129
B. WHAT IS A MARRIAGE? .................................................................................................... 129
C. ENDING A MARRIAGE ...................................................................................................... 130
1. Annulment ................................................................................................................... 130
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2. Legal Separation ......................................................................................................... 130
3. Dissolution of Marriage .............................................................................................. 131
4. Procedures in a Dissolution Proceeding .................................................................... 132
5. Conciliation Court ...................................................................................................... 139
6. Decisions Made in a Divorce Proceeding .................................................................. 139
D. LEGAL DECISION-MAKING AND PARENTING TIME .......................................................... 145
E. UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT (U.C.C.J.E.A.) ....... 153
F. OTHER LEGAL DECISION-MAKING ISSUES ....................................................................... 154
G. PARENTING TIME ............................................................................................................. 156
H. CHILD SUPPORT ............................................................................................................... 157
I. PATERNITY ADJUDICATION .............................................................................................. 166
J. OTHER CUSTODY/LEGAL DECISION MAKING AND VISITATION/PARENTING TIME ISSUES 170
K. ELDER ABUSE .................................................................................................................. 171
L. TEEN DATING VIOLENCE ................................................................................................. 174
M. PROTECTION OF DISABLED PERSONS OR MINORS .............................................................. 175
SECTION EIGHT: OTHER LEGAL ISSUES ........................................................................178
A. DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY ........................................................................... 178
B. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) ................................................................... 182
Resources for Battered Immigrant Women ......................................................................... 198
C. CREDITOR/DEBTOR ISSUES .............................................................................................. 207
D. HEALTHCARE ................................................................................................................... 210
E. SHELTER REGULATIONS ................................................................................................... 212
F. COUNSELOR’S DUTY TO WARN ....................................................................................... 214
G. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PUBLIC RECORDS .......................................................................... 215
1. VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS ..................................................................................... 215
2. DRIVER’S LICENSE RECORDS ........................................................................................... 216
3. ARIZONA ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM ........................................................... 217
H. PUBLIC HOUSING ............................................................................................................... 218
I. ARIZONA LANDLORD TENANT LAW ................................................................................ 219
SECTION NINE: PROCEDURES ...........................................................................................226
A. FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST A SHELTER, A JUDGE, A PROSECUTOR, A LAWYER, POLICE
OFFICERS OR THE ACESDV .................................................................................................... 226
B. OBTAINING COURT FILES ................................................................................................. 227
C. DETERMINING WHEN A HEARING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED ............................................... 228
D. WAIVER OF COURT FEES.................................................................................................. 229
E. OBTAINING PUBLIC RECORDS .......................................................................................... 230
SECTION TEN: RESOURCES ................................................................................................232
RESOURCES FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE ...................................................................................... 232
National Programs.............................................................................................................. 237
INDEX ...........................................................................................................................................242

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WHAT IS THE ARIZONA COALITION TO END SEXUAL AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

A. As a Preliminary Matter…

The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence was formed in 1980 by
concerned citizens and professionals for the purpose of uniting-- through a state-wide
organization-- to:
Increase public awareness about the issue of Domestic Violence;
Enhance the safety of and services for Domestic Violence victims; and
Reduce the incidence of Domestic Violence in Arizona families.

B. ACESDV’s Mission Statement
To lead,
to advocate,
to educate,
to collaborate,
to prevent and end sexual and domestic violence in Arizona.
C. ACESDV’s Vision Statement
We envision a world in which all individuals are safe and communities champion respect and
equality.
D. The Services We Provide

i. Legal Advocacy Hotline

About The ACESDV Legal Advocacy Hotline
Our Hotline Services Are Available to
victims and survivors of sexual and domestic
violence &

professionals working on their behalf

602-279-2900/800-782-6400/
TTY 602-279-7270/TTD 800-787-3224

The Legal Advocacy Hotline represents Arizona’s only statewide legal advocacy hotline for
victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence and only one of a few statewide sexual
and domestic violence and legal advocacy information hotlines in the country. It is staffed by
knowledgeable staff, interns and volunteers who provide services in both English and Spanish.
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Having received more than 45,000 calls since the hotline was created, AzCADV (now
ACESDV) is proud to be the recipient of the 2012 Arizona Attorney General’s Innovative
Practices on Behalf of Victims of Crime award.

The Hotline is available Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Arizona Time
Victims or Survivors of sexual and domestic violence who have questions about criminal, civil,
immigration or domestic relations legal issues, should call the Hotline for information, referrals
and explanations of Arizona’s legal process, including:

 Legal rights in the criminal process
 Legal resources in the community or in other states
 Information on how and where to file an Order of Protection or Injunction Against
Harassment
 The Violence Against Women Act
 Domestic violence
 Immigration and filing a self-petition for U.S. citizenship
 Sexual Violence
 Child Abuse
 Filing for divorce, legal decision making, parenting time, etc. without an attorney
 Filing a criminal complaint
 Safety planning
 Stalking resources and information
 Technical support to professionals who are working with victims and survivors of sexual
and domestic violence

ii. Resource Center & Library

ACESDV’s reference collection serves as a link to the latest information on public policy,
program development and sexual and domestic violence research. Information in the Resource
Center includes popular videos and an extensive library of printed materials with topics such as:

 General Domestic Violence
 Special Populations
 Batterer’s Intervention
 Law Enforcement
 Children Witnesses to Domestic Violence
 Teen Dating Violence
 Prevention
 Health Care
 Domestic Violence in Later Life/Elder Abuse
 Religious Community Response

All videos and books may be borrowed with a refundable deposit from the ACESDV library for
up to two weeks for your reviewing and reading pleasure. Materials must be returned to the
ACESDV.

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ACESDV also has articles, newsletters, training curricula, sexual and domestic violence
protocols and various other reference materials, which can be borrowed or reproduced for your
convenience on various topics including:

 Marginalized Populations
 Dating violence
 Domestic Violence
 Legal system
 Faith Based
 Family law
 Law enforcement response
 Gender and Sexual Minorities
 Risk and Lethality

iii. ACESDV Newsletter and Electronic Communications

ACESDV produces a quarterly e-newsletter that connects readers to a wide spectrum of current
issues, events and resources in the field of sexual and domestic violence throughout Arizona and
the United States. Each issue highlights timely topics and includes such regular features as
public policy updates, upcoming events and conferences and national news.

In addition, ACESDV sends out weekly e-updates regarding its legislative initiatives during the
legislative session. To sign up to receive weekly Legislative Updates, please e-mail the Public
Policy Department at [email protected].

iv. Public Policy Initiatives

ACESDV strives to positively affect public policy thereby creating social change to eradicate
sexual and domestic violence. ACESDV provides information and education necessary to
advocate for legislative and systems reform in sexual and domestic violence and other related
issues. ACESDV also works to ensure that the voices of survivors areheard in the Arizona
Legislature and in the United States Congress.

v. Technical Assistance

On-site and telephone consultation is provided by ACESDV to sexual and domestic violence
service providers and allied professionals. Our staff can provide technical assistance on issues
such as:

 Program planning and development
 Evaluation and outcome measurement
 Quality improvement techniques
 Volunteer coordination
 Budgeting and management information systems
 Board of trustee training and development
 Grant and Proposal writing
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 Cultural diversity
 Best Practice standards
 Literature searches and research

vi. Training

ACESDV provides a number of training opportunities for professionals and community
members throughout the year. Some of the trainings include: The Sharing Experience, Sexual
Violence Core Training, Lay Legal Advocacy Training, Best Practices: Documentation and
Mandated Reporting Training, Speaker’s Bureau Training, Trauma Informed Care Training, Self
Care and Vicarious Trauma Training, Technology Safety and Advocacy Training, Dynamics of
Domestic Violence Training, Sexual Violence 101 Training, Victim Defined Advocacy,
Reducing Rules in Shelter Training, Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Project
Training, Exposure to Domestic Violence and the Effects on Children Training, and Teen Dating
Violence Training.

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