7. First Client Follow-up

The volunteer should set up a meeting with the client to give them their copies of the emergency protective order, to instruct them on how to use it, and to prepare them for the show cause hearing. The volunteer attorney should be invited to attend. (If the volunteer attorney does not attend this meeting, the student volunteer should ask the attorney when s/he wants to meet with the client before the hearing.)

The client should be given two copies of the Emergency Protective Order. Instruct the client to keep one with her/him at all times and keep the second in a safe place. It may be helpful for the client to leave a copy with a friend or relative.

Instruct the client that, should the Respondent contact him/her, they should call the police immediately and be sure to tell the police that they have a protective order against the Respondent. Any contact with the client is sufficient to constitute a violation of the protective order. The client should also keep a detailed log of all contact with the Respondent.

Inform your client of the hearing date and remind the client to bring any information or evidence the client may have to the hearing.

NOTE: You should also call the sheriff’s office to find out whether service have been effected. Without service, the EPO is generally not valid. See Hill v. Ramey, 744 N.E.2d 509 (Ind. App., Feb 19, 2001).