October 27, 2022 by Nesibe Selma
Lone Star Legal Aid Helps Survivor of Domestic Violence Get Lifetime Protective Order
Topic
Story of Justice
Jane Smith met her boyfriend Jack in Texas in 2017 through his family, who committed various crimes against her, including assault and stalking. Jack promised he would protect her from his family, so they began dating, marking the beginning of a tumultuous relationship that spanned over four years. No different from the rest of his family, Jack showed himself to be a textbook abuser: possessive, paranoid, and violent. He would follow her to work every day and watch her. He controlled her phone and all her social contacts. Though she was the owner of the car, he was the one who drove it. Jane wasn’t even allowed to go to the bathroom on her own. Jack was often belligerent and volatile, regularly escalating arguments to physical violence and sexual assault. In 2021, Jack went to jail for armed robbery, and the couple took a break. Jane and Jack eventually got back together when he was released, more out of terror than love.
During one of their many fights, Jack took her out to the woods and threatened to blow up Jane’s vehicle with her inside it. He dragged her out of the car by her throat, choking her with one hand and wielding a gun with the other. He warned Jane that if she told anyone, he had a family member that would kill her. Jane was already familiar with Jack’s aggressive family; she already had a lifetime protective order against the brother who once stalked her. Jack then set her car and all her belongings on fire to punish her for attempting to leave him, then forced Jane to pursue an insurance claim. A police investigation was started, and Jack forced her to cooperate with the police, dangling the ominous reminder that she was under his thumb. Jane didn’t tell the police exactly what Jack wanted her to, so after her interrogation, Jack beat her and shaved her head as punishment. She didn’t want anything to do with the investigation, as the police suspected arson.
Shortly after the fire, Jane decided to move closer to her mother in a neighboring city, needing emotional support to recuperate. She rented an apartment in her name, and Jack followed her, unofficially “moving in” with her, despite not being on the lease.
About a month into their move, the couple had an altercation before visiting Jane’s mother. Jack drove, while Jane sat in the passenger seat, bruised, battered, and swollen. When Jack saw a police car’s lights flash behind them, he warned Jane that she “better not say anything.” They were being pulled over because the police had a warrant for Jane’s arrest, due to her lack of cooperation with the arson charge. Jane was relieved and excited to see police, knowing this was her only real escape, and went along willingly. She allowed Jack to take the car to her mother’s house so it wouldn’t be impounded, and did not resist her arrest. The arresting officer, noticing her compliance and calmness, asked if everything was okay. Jane disclosed a portion of her abuse and asked to contact her mother, who got her out the next day. Upon arriving home, Jane realized her wallet, which contained all her identification and money, was stolen, along with her mother’s purse, the car, and multiple firearms. Terrified for her safety, Jane confided in her mother, who took her first to the hospital, then the police station, despite Jane’s pleas. When Jack sent her a text suggesting he would “make it rain [bullets]” on her, she contacted LSLA for assistance.
Although it was initially difficult to track Jack down, lawyer Brittany Hightower and her team found him and helped Jane connect to counseling services. Jane expressed that this was the first time she felt comfortable sharing her whole story, and that we were the first people she trusted to help her. After receiving the necessary emotional and physical care, Jane felt empowered and decided to contact the police about the arson charge. She advocated for herself, meticulously collecting her phone records and making a timeline to show the detective. Charges were dismissed against Jane and filed against Jack, who went on the run. LSLA tracked him down again, this time through his mother, which allowed Hightower to get a lifetime protective order against him. Though Jane exhibited clear signs of trauma like anxiety and paranoia, she persevered and saw the trial to its end. With LSLA’s assistance, Jane was able to get her old job back, complete her certifications, and get on track to qualify for an even better job.
Jane has admitted to feeling desolate and helpless throughout her relationship due to the stigma surrounding conversations about complex domestic abuse. She wanted to protect her loved ones from the details, while also fearing that her experience may be invalidated. She expressed that she felt seen and supported, and was thankful that LSLA could help her find her voice.
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. LSLA focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety, stability, health, and wellbeing; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, the aging, survivors of crime and disasters, the unemployed and underemployed, the unhoused, those with limited English language skills, and the LGBTQIA+ community. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
