If you’re affected by abuse, the legal system can be helpful. It also can be confusing, overwhelming, and intimidating—especially if you’re unfamiliar with it.
To help you navigate the legal system, we offer these services:
Support and Information
If your safety planning involves family law issues, our helpline workers are available to offer support and information about your choices. They can help you brainstorm things you might need to consider and put you in touch with legal resources, both at Partners for Peace and elsewhere in the community.
Legal Advocacy
If you’re wondering whether a protection order is a good—and safe—idea, we can help you think through this option. Our legal advocates have specific knowledge about the protection order process and are ready to provide specialized information and support. They can also help you decide if you need legal representation, and if so, how to get it. If needed, they might also be able to accompany you to a hearing.
Our legal advocates are able to assist you in all of the courts in Penobscot County: Bangor, Millinocket, Lincoln, Newport, and the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court; and in Dover-Foxcroft in Piscataquis County.
If you’re the victim of a crime related to domestic abuse, another resource available to you is the Victim Witness Advocate. In Penobscot County, call the District Attorney’s Office at 1.800.696.5404. In Piscataquis County, call 207.564.2181.
To reach a legal advocate, you can also call our helpline at 1.800.863.9909. You can talk with a worker about your needs and schedule a legal advocacy appointment.
Legal Representation
Partners for Peace works with attorneys who can represent people in some cases involving protection orders, divorce, and parental rights and responsibilities.
The first step? Call our helpline at 1.800.863.9909 to talk with an advocate and to schedule a legal appointment so we can determine if we’re able to refer you. If it isn’t appropriate or possible for an attorney to represent you, we can help connect you with other community resources.
Additional Resources
Pine Tree Legal
Womenslaw.org
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
Resource Directory