Domestic Violence Court - About Us

Rutherford County Domestic Violence Court is a court based department that is responsible for assisting victims of domestic violence/domestic violence related crimes throughout the court process. Our office is responsible for prosecuting domestic violence crimes for Rutherford County. We seek to help victims by holding offenders accountable, supporting victims through the process and referrals to our community partners. We have daily (Monday-Friday) dockets that are divided by our three General Sessions Judges by defendant’s last name. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns regarding your criminal case.

 

 Are You in a Cycle of Violence?

This behavior is intentionally chosen by the abuser and requires forethought. Over time the incidents of violence can become more frequent and more violent.

In a normal relationship you have a right to respectfully say and do what you want. In a healthy relationship couples respectfully disagree Not get violent. Relationships that are violent often get worse over time, when you become pregnant, when you have children or when you get married.

Verbal Abuse could be: yelling, name-calling, constant complaining, criticizing, blaming you for everything, humiliating you in public or private, using sarcasm, dominating conversations, teasing you about things you are sensitive about, mumbling then denying speaking, and employing total silence as punishment.

Emotional Abuse could be: ignoring your feelings, ridiculing your beliefs, withholding approval, threatening to take your children, telling you about his/her affairs, manipulating you with lies, threatening to leave you, taking the car keys or money, keeping you from working or going to school, abusing your pets or children, or driving your family or friends away, threatening to "out" you if you are gay, and threatening suicide if you leave, threatening to turn you in to the law or the INS if you don't go along.

Financial Abuse could be: taking the paychecks, withholding funds, not giving any money for basic requirements, spending all the money before bills are paid, demanding money from you, refusal to pay you back, over-extending or destroying credit, making you account for every dime, disparity in spanding, threatening or refusing to pay child support, demanding that his/her spending desires are priority, hiding money or assets and depleting accounts.

Physical Abuse could be: pushing, scratching, slapping, hitting, punching, choking, kicking, holding, biting, throwing, locking you out of the house, driving recklessly when you are in the car, throwing objects at you, threatening to hurt you with a weapon, abandoning you in dangerous places, and refusing to help when you are pregnant, injured or sick.

Help is available for victims of domestic violence. There are domestic violence programs throughout the state whose services are usually free. Tennessee also has a victims compensation program available to help you pay incident related bills.

If you would like to sign up to receive updates on an offender being released from jail, you may do so for free on this website.