Family Violence

As used in this article, the term "family violence" means the occurrence of 1 or more acts of battery, simple battery, simple assault, assault, criminal property damage, unlawful restraint, or criminal trespassing between past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, or persons currently or formerly living in the same household:

The term "family violence" shall not be deemed to include reasonable discipline administered by a parent to a child in the form of corporal punishment, restraint, or detention.

Criminal Warrants

Under current law, there are very few instances when a criminal warrant for arrest can be issued immediately upon the application of a private citizen without the scheduling of a formal warrant hearing.

Family Violence Protective Orders

Family violence protective orders cannot be granted by the magistrate court. These orders are signed by superior court judges and must be obtained and filed by the clerk of superior court. The magistrate court has, however, provided the appropriate family violence forms as a courtesy to speed up the process of obtaining a protective order.