Your local district attorney is required to represent your interests at the contempt hearing if you cannot afford to hire your own attorney. If you do not have a restraining order and you are the victim of domestic violence, you should call your local police agency. If the police are called to the scene and have probable cause to believe abuse has occurred between spouses, former spouses, or adults who are living together or who used to live together, the police are required to arrest the abuser. The police will give you information on how to obtain a restraining order in your county. If your abuser is arrested, you should go to the District Attorney's office the next working day, first thing in the morning, to file a criminal complaint against the abuser, and you may want to get a restraining order too.
Some counties also have shelters for people who have been abused.
Contact your Legal Aid office or an information and referral network in your area for more information. Although Tel-Law information is periodically reviewed, it is important for you to realize that changes may occur in this area of law. This information is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem, and is not intended to replace the work of an attorney. If you do not have an attorney, the Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can assist you. This service will help you contact a lawyer who can advise you.