Court Advocacy 101

WCA Court Advocacy

The WCA provides assistance to petitioners seeking protection orders in Ada County through Court Advocacy programming. WCA staff and trained volunteers are at the Ada County Courthouse each week to provide assistance, support and resources to those navigating the protection order hearing process.

The WCA has a long-standing partnership with the Ada County Court system and is involved with most protection order proceedings from the beginning — providing basic information about the process to being a source of emotional support for the petitioner(s) before, during and after proceedings take place. In 2012, the WCA assisted with 542 of the 599 protection orders filed in Ada County court.

“WCA court advocates provide an invaluable resource to the domestic violence protection order hearing process in that they can act as a buffer between the court and the petitioner by answering questions, clarifying expectations, and explaining the specifics of the DV protection order laws requirements,” said Christina King, WCA Court Advocate Manager. “They can really be a calming agent in a highly emotional situation.”

The WCA Court Advocacy program can also provide clients with access to legal referrals, victim attorney services and safety planning.