Who We Are

Kalleigh McCoy serves as Legal Services Coordinator at MCADV. She is a graduate of Mississippi College School of Law (MC Law). At MC Law, Kalleigh earned a Certificate in Family and Juvenile Law, received the Women in Profession Award and received the Best Paper Award for Legal Research I. She also participated in the Guardian Ad Litem Clinic and Youth Court Clinic. During her final year of law school, Kalleigh externed with the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project as a Limited Practice Attorney. As an undergraduate, Kalleigh earned her bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Political Science from Mississippi College. For assistance, please contact (601) 882-5550 or legalservices@mcadv.org.

What We Do

In collaboration with North Mississippi Rural Legal Services and Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation, MCADV provides legal services to victims of interpersonal violence associated with the shelter programs, such as family law matters and other non-tort legal services in a civil context. Below is a list of some of the services MCADV can provide when the actions relate directly to interpersonal violence:

• Emergency legal assistance such as restraining or protective orders
• Emergency custody/visitation rights
• Housing matters
• Intervention with creditors, law enforcement and other entities on behalf of victim’s identity theft or financial fraud
• Intervention with administrative agencies, schools/colleges and any other organization
• Motion to vacate, expunge a conviction or a similar action as a result of victimization

Resources

• North Mississippi Rural Legal Services – http://nmrls.com/
• Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation – http://www.mscenterforlegalservices.org/
• Women’s Law – https://www.womenslaw.org/
  • WomensLaw.org provides state-specific legal information and resources for survivors of domestic violence. WomensLaw.org also offers a confidential Email Hotline to offer direct support to survivors, their advocates, friends and family members.
  • Mississippi – https://www.womenslaw.org/laws/ms
  • Email Hotline – https://hotline.womenslaw.org/
• Mississippi Attorney General’s Office – http://www.ago.state.ms.us/
  • Various resources and forms can be found on the website for the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.
    • Protection Order Brochure – http://www.ago.state.ms.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DVprotectionorderbrochure.pdf
    • Domestic Violence Forms – http://www.ago.state.ms.us/divisions/domestic-violence/

Protection Orders 101

Who qualifies for a Protection Order:

• Spouse or former spouse
• Person currently living as a spouse or who formerly lived as a spouse
• Current or former dating partner
• Person related by blood or marriage and currently reside together or formerly resided together
• Person with whom you have child(ren) in common

Types of and information about Domestic Abuse Protection Orders:    

Emergency
• When: Upon the finding that you are in immediate and present danger of abuse
• Time Frame: No longer than ten (10) days, upon which a hearing date will be scheduled
• Evidence required: No
Temporary
• When: After a hearing where the abuser has been given the opportunity to be present and heard, and the Judge made a determination that abuse has occurred
• Court: Municipal or Justice
• Time Frame: No longer than thirty (30) days
• Evidence required: Yes
Final
• When: After a hearing where the abuser has been given the opportunity to be present and heard, and the Judge made a determination that abuse has occurred
• Court: Chancery and County
• Time Frame: As long as the Judge determines is necessary. If you were awarded temporary custody of minor children as part of the protection order, you must pursue a custody action separately within 180 days.
• Evidence required: Yes
You do not have to receive an emergency to get a temporary, and you do not have to receive a temporary to get a final. It is possible to petition immediately for the final. It all depends on your situation.