Office of the Prosecuting Attorney

Franklin County, Missouri 

PURPOSE

Domestic violence is a pattern of physical, emotional, verbal, and/or sexual abusive behaviors that adults or adolescents use against their partners.  Domestic violence occurs in intimate relationships where the perpetrator and the victim are currently or previously have been dating, living together, married or divorced, or have children in common.   

Domestic violence is a crime, and it ought to be accorded the same prosecution efforts as any other violent offense.  Communities and the justice system have a critical interest in reducing the prevalence of domestic violence, particularly because such violence tends to escalate in frequency and severity if unchecked.    

In addition to holding criminals accountable for their conduct, there are other significant reasons that underscore the importance of a diligent response to domestic violence from members of the criminal justice system.  Prosecution of offenders in domestic violence cases can protect the victim from additional acts of violence, reduce children’s exposure and possible injury, deter the abuser from committing further acts of violence, and reinforce a community’s refusal to tolerate domestic abuse.

PROTECTIVE ORDERS

MOVANS 

A.L.I.V.E. 

AL-ANON

MISSOURI ADULT ABUSE ACT