History:
The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office has always been concerned for the physical safety and welfare of the citizens living in our community. This Office has added a several resources to improve their response to the problem of domestic violence in Gaston County.
In 2007, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, The Shelter of Gaston County, and the Gaston County Attorney’s Office developed a partnership to create a Domestic Violence Unit that currently consists of deputies and court advocates. This Unit’s main focus is to advise victims of domestic violence about local and national resources that are available to assist them.
The Domestic Violence Unit has helped many Gaston County men and women to find safety and the support they request through the legal process. Through the positive action of the Domestic Violence Unit and the continued education to the community about domestic violence, the citizens of Gaston County live safer and happier lives.
Court Advocate Responsibilities:
Court Advocates provide confidential services that educate, support, and guide victims and their families through the court process by: Assisting victims in filling out the necessary paperwork to apply for (50-B) Domestic Violence Protective Orders; accompany victims to court, Pre-Trial Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Magistrate’s Office; photographing any injuries and providing printing services for relevant photographs, emails, and text messages; providing victims and their children with referrals to local community service providers, such as: The Cathy Mabry Cloninger Center: A Domestic Violence Shelter, counseling services, Legal Aid of NC, other police agencies, magistrates, etc.; following-up with victims to ensure that they are clear about future court dates and helping find answers to any questions and concerns that they may have; organizing and hosting a legal clinic, free of charge, for victims of domestic violence in Gaston County to ensure that they have an opportunity to speak to an attorney.
Deputy Responsibilities – relating to Civil Process:
Serve Domestic Violence Protective Orders (50-B) on Defendant. Duties possibly included when (50-B) are: carry-out evictions; accompany victims when retrieving belongings; court ordered weapons pick-up; child pick-up; deliver copy of served Order to any schools the children included in the Order attend.
Serve No Contact Orders (50-C).
Serve Permanent Restraining Order (50-D).
Serve subpoenas related to domestic violence.
Deputy Responsibilities – relating to Criminal Process:
Serve criminal warrants and summons that are domestic violence related such as: assault on a female; communicating threats; stalking; harassing phone calls; Criminal Trespassing; Violation of Domestic Violence Protection Order.
Serve Order for Arrest (OFA) where the original charge is: Assault on a female, Communicating threats, Stalking, DV criminal trespass, Cyber stalking, Harassing phone calls, and/or Violation of protective/restraining orders.
Pick-up firearms, ammunition, and gun permits when ordered by the Courts in reference to Domestic Violence Protective Orders (50-B).
Provide transportation and/or escort for female victims of domestic violence to The Cathy Mabry Cloninger Center: A Domestic Violence Shelter.
Web Links:
For additional assistance, contact 704-869-6843 24 hour number.
