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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
This guide explains the legal framework and practical steps for people facing domestic violence in Pompeu, a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Domestic violence in Brazil is primarily governed by the federal Lei Maria da Penha - Lei 11.340/2006 - which defines different forms of domestic and family violence and establishes specific protective measures and criminal procedures. Local law-enforcement bodies and courts in Pompeu apply this federal law together with relevant provisions of the Brazilian Penal Code and procedural rules. If you are a victim or a concerned third party in Pompeu, you have rights to immediate protection, medical and psychosocial assistance, and legal remedies. This guide outlines when you may need a lawyer, key legal concepts, common questions, local resources and recommended next steps.
Victims and accused persons both often need legal assistance in cases of domestic violence. A lawyer can help in the following common situations:
- Obtaining urgent protective measures - removal of the aggressor from the home, prohibition of contact, or restrictions on proximity to the victim and children.
- Filing a criminal complaint and navigating criminal proceedings - representation at the police station, with the Ministério Público and in court.
- Civil and family law matters related to violence - divorce, separation, child custody and visitation, division of assets, temporary support and emergency financial remedies.
- Advising on evidence collection - document preservation, medical and forensic exams, witness statements and electronic evidence.
- Ensuring enforcement of court orders - if protective measures are violated, a lawyer can act quickly to request enforcement or sanctions.
- Accessing public services and benefits - coordinating with public defenders, social services and shelters, and ensuring access to assistance programs.
- Seeking reparation for damages - civil claims for moral and material damages arising from the violence.
Key legal points that apply in Pompeu include:
- Lei Maria da Penha - the central federal law that defines domestic violence and sets out urgent protective measures for victims. It covers physical, psychological, sexual, patrimonial and moral violence within domestic or family relationships.
- Criminal offenses - acts such as bodily injury, threats, rape, wrongful imprisonment, and property crimes can be prosecuted under the Brazilian Penal Code alongside Maria da Penha procedures.
- Protective measures - judges may order medidas protetivas de urgência, such as removal of the aggressor from the residence, prohibition of contact by phone or in person, suspension of visitation rights, and temporary custody or care measures concerning children.
- Police and immediate response - victims should report incidents to Polícia Militar (emergency) or Polícia Civil. In practice, victims in Pompeu can register a Boletim de Ocorrência (police report) and request assistance; the Polícia Civil coordinates follow-up investigations.
- Forensic evidence - the exame de corpo de delito (forensic medical examination) and medical reports are important for documenting physical injuries and supporting criminal or civil proceedings.
- Public defense and prosecution - the Ministério Público (public prosecutor) conducts or supervises criminal charges; the Defensoria Pública can provide free legal representation to eligible victims and accused persons. Local courts in Minas Gerais hear family and criminal matters arising from domestic violence in Pompeu or the regional judicial forum.
- Administrative and social services - municipal social assistance bodies may offer guidance, shelter and referral to programs serving women, children and families affected by violence.
Prioritize your safety. If you are in immediate danger, call the emergency number - 190 - to reach the police. Seek a safe place, document injuries with photographs, and go to a medical facility for treatment and a medical report. Report the incident at the police station to register a Boletim de Ocorrência and, if needed, request urgent protective measures. Preserve any evidence - messages, emails, recordings and witness contacts - and contact a lawyer or the Defensoria Pública for legal guidance.
Protective measures under Lei Maria da Penha can be requested at the police station, by the Ministério Público or directly in court. After filing a police report, the case is typically forwarded to the public prosecutor, who can request urgent measures from a judge. In practice, the judge can issue temporary orders quickly - often the same day or within a few days - to prohibit contact, order removal from the shared residence and impose other restrictions designed to protect the victim.
No - anyone can file a Boletim de Ocorrência at the police station. However, a lawyer can help ensure the report includes all relevant facts, advise on evidence collection, represent you before the prosecutor and court, and act quickly to obtain and enforce protective measures.
Key evidence includes medical reports and forensic exams (exame de corpo de delito), photographs of injuries or damaged property, text messages, call logs, social media posts, witness statements, audio or video recordings and any written threats. Keep originals safe and provide copies to your lawyer and the authorities. Timely forensic exams and medical records strengthen criminal and civil claims.
Yes. Protective measures can include orders that protect children - for example, temporary custody arrangements, supervised visitation or prohibitions on the aggressor approaching or communicating with the children. The courts prioritize the best interests of the child and can adopt urgent measures to avoid further harm.
Violating a protective order is a criminal offense. If a measure is breached, report the violation immediately to the police and your lawyer. The court can order arrest, increased restrictions, fines or other sanctions. Prompt reporting and documentation of violations are essential for enforcement.
Free legal assistance is available through the Defensoria Pública do Estado de Minas Gerais for those who meet financial eligibility criteria. Municipal social services and specialized agencies may provide referrals. The Ministério Público and municipal bodies also offer guidance and support in public-interest matters. Contact local offices in Pompeu to learn about available services and eligibility.
Yes. Criminal proceedings for assault, threats or other offenses can run in parallel with family law actions for divorce, child custody, support and civil claims for damages. Criminal conviction does not automatically resolve family law issues; separate civil or family court proceedings may be necessary to address property division, custody and support.
Protective measures may be temporary or longer-term. Judges set the duration based on the circumstances of the case and legal provisions. Some measures remain in effect until the criminal process concludes, while others can be renewed or extended by court order. Your lawyer can advise about likely durations and steps to request extension or modification.
Bring any identification documents, police reports, medical records and exam results, photographs, message or call records, witness contacts, documents showing joint assets or housing arrangements and any court orders you have received. If you have concerns for safety, tell your lawyer right away so they can prioritize urgent protective steps.
Recommended local and state resources that can assist people in Pompeu include:
- Polícia Militar - emergency response for imminent danger and protective police interventions.
- Polícia Civil de Pompeu - to register a Boletim de Ocorrência and initiate investigations; ask about where to obtain a forensic medical exam locally.
- Ministério Público do Estado de Minas Gerais - public prosecution service that evaluates criminal charges and may request protective measures and investigations.
- Defensoria Pública do Estado de Minas Gerais - provides free legal representation to eligible persons in criminal, family and civil matters arising from domestic violence.
- Tribunal de Justiça de Minas Gerais - the state court system where family and criminal cases are decided; local forums and officers can provide procedural information.
- Secretaria Municipal de Assistência Social and municipal services in Pompeu - for social assistance, referrals to shelters, counseling and support programs.
- Centers like CREAS - Centro de Referência Especializado de Assistência Social - and local women’s assistance programs that coordinate psychosocial support and protective services.
- Local shelters or Casa Abrigo - shelters may be run by municipalities or civil-society organizations - contact municipal social services for referrals.
- Conselho Tutelar - for matters involving children and the protection of minors in the family context.
If you are unsure where to start, contact the local Polícia Civil or municipal social assistance agency in Pompeu and ask for referrals to the nearest specialized services and legal aid providers.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in Pompeu, consider these immediate and follow-up steps:
- Ensure immediate safety - if you are in danger call 190 and move to a safe location.
- Seek medical attention - get care for injuries and obtain a medical report and, if appropriate, a forensic exam (exame de corpo de delito).
- Report the incident - file a Boletim de Ocorrência at the Polícia Civil or a police station in Pompeu. Ask for documentation of the report.
- Request protective measures - tell the police or your lawyer that you want medidas protetivas de urgência under Lei Maria da Penha.
- Preserve evidence - keep messages, photos, call records and witness information in a safe place.
- Contact legal help - if you cannot afford a private lawyer, seek assistance from the Defensoria Pública. Consider a private attorney with experience in domestic violence if you can afford one.
- Connect with social services - reach out to municipal social assistance, CREAS or local women’s support services for shelter, counseling and practical help.
- Keep a safety plan - plan secure routes, emergency contacts and a list of items to take if you must leave quickly, including identification, medication and important documents.
- Follow up on enforcement - if a protective order is issued, inform your lawyer or the police immediately if it is violated so the authorities can act.
Facing domestic violence is urgent and difficult. Legal professionals, social workers and public bodies in Pompeu and Minas Gerais exist to help you obtain protection, hold aggressors accountable and access services for recovery. If you are unsure where to begin, start with emergency services and then contact the police station, Defensoria Pública or a lawyer experienced in domestic violence cases.
