Laws current as of July 11, 2024
Step 6 - Full court hearing
You must go to the hearing. If you do not go to the hearing, your temporary order will expire. It may be harder for you to be granted an order in the future. If the abuser does not show up for the hearing, the judge may still grant you a final protection order or may reschedule the hearing.
You may wish to hire a lawyer to help with your case, especially if the abuser has a lawyer. You can also represent yourself. If the abuser shows up with a lawyer, you can ask the judge for a "continuance" (a later court date) so that you have time to find a lawyer. Go to SD Finding a Lawyer to find help in your area.
You may wish to hire a lawyer to help with your case, especially if the abuser has a lawyer. You can also represent yourself. If the abuser shows up with a lawyer, you can ask the judge for a "continuance" (a later court date) so that you have time to find a lawyer. Go to SD Finding a Lawyer to find help in your area.




