Minnesota movie fans may have heard about the impending divorce between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Although not much is known concerning the details of their filing, some of the allegations surrounding the situation may prove illuminating for others in a similar one.
After Amber Heard filed for divorce, she alleged that Depp had thrown a cellphone at her face during a dispute in May. While some have expressed skepticism about her claim, the case is potentially illustrative of why it’s important to file for a restraining order soon after a domestic violence incident takes place. Sources say that Heard waited a few days before doing so, and if someone waits too long to seek out a restraining order, a court could use that to dispute their claim of feeling unsafe.
In this case, police were called to the scene of the argument, but they took no action because of a lack of evidence of abuse. While this isn’t necessarily uncommon, it’s still a good idea to pursue a protective order immediately after a domestic violence incident. Not only can waiting make the situation more dangerous, but such delays can harm a victim’s credibility. It’s true that most people won’t be in the public eye to the extent that Heard is, but everyone will nevertheless need to make their case before a judge at the very least.
Someone who has been the victim of domestic violence may find it advisable to meet with an attorney about the situation at the earliest opportunity. In addition to aiding with the filing of restraining orders and other such matters, an attorney can provide legal counsel that’s relevant to a person’s unique circumstances and help to build a case against the other party.