You have the right to
appear at the Superior, Probate and Family, District or Boston Municipal Court*, if you
reside within the appropriate jurisdiction, and file a complaint requesting any of the
following applicable orders: (a) an order restraining your attacker from
abusing you; (b) an order directing your attacker to leave your
household, building or workplace; (c) an order awarding you custody of a
minor child; (d) an order directing your attacker to pay support for you
or any minor child in your custody, if the attacker has legal obligation of support; and
(e)
an order directing your attacker to pay you for losses suffered as a result of abuse,
including medical and moving expenses, loss of earnings or support, costs for restoring
utilities and replacing locks, reasonable attorney's fees and other out-of-pocket losses
for injuries and property damage sustained.
For an emergency on weekends, holidays, or weeknights,
the police will refer you to a justice of superior, probate and family, district, or
Boston municipal court department.
You have the right to go to the appropriate district
court or the Boston municipal court and seek a criminal complaint for threats, assault
and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to kill or other related
offenses.
If you are in need of medical treatment, you have the
right to request that an officer present drive you to the nearest hospital or otherwise
assist you in obtaining medical treatment.
If you believe that police protection is needed for
your physical safety, you have the right to request that the officer present remain at the
scene until you and your children can leave or until your safety is otherwise ensured. You
may also request that the officer assist you in locating and taking you to a safe place,
including but not limited to a designated meeting place for a shelter or a family member's
or a friend's residence, or a similar place of safety.
You may request a copy of the police incident report at
no cost from the police department.
* If your relationship with the person abusing you is
that "you are or have been in a substantive dating relationship," you may appear
at any of the courts listed above except the Superior Court.
(Footnote added September 1991)
Contact Information
Lynn Police Department
Domestic Violence Unit
300 Washington Street
Lynn, MA 01902
781-595-2000
