FVAP is seeking 1-3 part-time law clerks to join our small but exceptional and dynamic team in our Oakland, California office for Fall 2019. We value diverse experiences and backgrounds. FVAP’s clientele is extremely diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout the state, including rural, suburban, and urban populations. The ideal candidate will bring skills and experiences enabling the candidate to serve these diverse populations adeptly in the context of domestic violence and appellate litigation. Read More
Announcements
Inspire your friends and family to give with our #WhyIGiveFVAP Social Media Toolkit!
Inspire your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter to support survivors of domestic violence by using our #WhyIGiveFVAP Social Media Toolkit! Find some examples of infographics and pre-typed posts and tweets that you can share below:
- Because in custody cases involving documented incidents of domestic violence, the abusive parent is granted custody up to 54% of the time. #WhyIGiveFVAP @FamilyViolenceApellateProject fvaplaw.org/donate
- Because when unjust court outcomes are appealed, this paves the way for more survivors to get justice. #WhyIGiveFVAP @FamilyViolenceApellateProject fvaplaw.org/donate
- Because in custody cases involving documented incidents of domestic violence, the abusive parent is granted custody up to 54% of the time. #WhyIGiveFVAP @FVAP_Law fvaplaw.org/donate
- Because when unjust court outcomes are appealed, this paves the way for more survivors to get justice. #WhyIGiveFVAP @FVAP_Law fvaplaw.org/donate
Legal Victory: Testimonies Providing More Specific Details of Abuse are Admissible
We’re happy to announce that we have obtained publication of In re Marriage of Davila, which holds that testimonies that provide more specific information than is originally provided in a domestic violence restraining order application are admissible in court.
This is a win for survivors who are unable to recite all of the specific details in their written request as a result of trauma or the expedited nature of restraining order proceedings.
Legal Victory for Children Who Witness Abuse
In re Bruno M. (2018) ___ Cal.App.5th ___ establishes that when a child witnesses domestic violence, their mental and emotional peace can be disturbed, which justifies a restraining order under the Welfare and Institutions Code. This case also explains that seeking a juvenile-court-ordered restraining order is appropriate when an abusive parent threatens to take a child from a non-abusive parent.
2019 Summer Law Clerks
FVAP is seeking 1-3 part-time law clerks to join our small but exceptional and dynamic team in our Oakland, California office for Summer 2019. We value diverse experiences and backgrounds. FVAP’s clientele is extremely diverse, and we serve individuals and advocates throughout the state, including rural, suburban, and urban populations. The ideal candidate will bring skills and experiences enabling the candidate to serve these diverse populations adeptly in the context of domestic violence and appellate litigation.
Legal Victory! Restraining orders based on separate incidents are mutual restraining orders & courts must make factual findings
On September 20, the California Second District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of our client, Raymond M., holding the trial court made an error by issuing a mutual restraining order to his former partner, Melissa G., without making the factual findings required under Family Code section 6305, which says that mutual restraining orders should only be issued after the court determines these findings: that both parties were dominant aggressors and neither of them acted in self-defense. The Court of Appeal also said restraining orders based on separate incidents are mutual restraining orders under the law, affirming that domestic violence is often a series of separate but related incidents.
