Register Richard Iannella is proud to partner with Greater Boston Legal Services to provide immediate, confidential service to those impacted by domestic violence.  

"There is No Room for Abuse in Any Home:" 

A guide to resources available to families impacted by violence and abuse.

Abuse isn't just wrong, it's illegal. If your family is facing violence or the threat of violence, help is available. If you are in danger, call 911 now!

If not currently in immediate danger, you can obtain a restraining order from the Probate Court, or from your Superior, District or Municipal court. During nights and weekends, your local police department (numbers listed below) can contact a judge to obtain the order for you.

There is no charge for an order. Although police notify the other party if an order is issued, your phone and address can be kept private.

You can ask for a restraining order against:
A family member, spouse, or former spouse;
Anyone you live with or used to live with;
Anyone you had a dating relationship with.

You may seek an order if:
You have been abused physically;
You have been threatened with physical abuse;
Threats, force or duress were used to obtain or try to obtain sexual relations with you.

In order to file, you must be:

At least eighteen years old, or have a parent or legal guardian file for you. (If unavailable, come to the court for advice.)

When you file, it is helpful if you:
Bring a picture of the person to be restrained;
Have their address and/or phone number;
Know their employer's name & work address;
Give description and plate number of their car;
Indicate any drug history or gun ownership

If you need an order to protect your children, you can file additional forms with the court. You may also be able to get an order for support money, unless there is already an order (or a request for an order) in the Probate Court. Support that is part of a restraining order expires when that order does, unless the Probate Court issues an order that continues or modifies it.

Ordinarily, a temporary restraining order is granted the same day that you ask, and, within ten business days, there will be a court hearing to see if the order should be continued. 

You must go to the court for the ten-day hearing if you want the restraining order to remain in effect. Continued restraining orders will expire in a year unless you go to the court and ask to have them continued.

If you live in Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop you can file in the Probate Court, the Superior Court, or at your local court:

Suffolk Probate Court                     617-788-8300
24 New Chardon Street, Boston

Suffolk Superior Court                    617-788-8188
3 Pemberton Square, Boston

Boston Municipal Court                    617-788-8400
24 New Chardon Street, Boston

Brighton District Court                    617-782-6521
52 Academy Hill Road, Brighton

Charlestown District Court             617-725-8720
3 City Square, Charlestown

Chelsea District Court                     617-621-9746
121 Third Street, Cambridge

Dorchester District Court                617-287-1195
450 Washington Street, Dorchester

East Boston District Court              617-567-8650
37 Meridian Street, East Boston

Roxbury District Court                    617-445-8618
85 Warren Street, Roxbury

South Boston Dist. Court                 617-269-7777

353 East Broadway, South Boston

West Roxbury Dist. Court               617-524-8081
445 Arborway, Jamaica Plain

Violence is never your fault. The following public and private organizations can help you find emergency housing, legal assistance and counseling for you and your children: