Civil Protection Order Clinic
The Civil Protection Order Clinic (“CPOC” or “the Clinic”) is a public interest-based clinic that provides students with hands-on legal experience representing clients who need legal assistance obtaining or renewing civil protection orders (“CPO’s”). At times, CPOC will provide limited representation in related family law issues that are presenting with the CPO litigation.
The Clinic, taught by Professor Amy G. Applegate, is available to up to eight (8) students. CPOC is offered for three (3) credit hours in the fall semester, and classes are weekly for 2 hours. Part of the weekly class will address relevant statutes and important case law for CPO cases, as well as related family law; rules of court; litigation practice; best practices for working with survivors of sexual and relationship violence; considerations about DV; how to conduct DV screening; experiences with clients, attorneys, and courts; the intersection of the law for CPO’s, other restraining orders, and criminal no contact orders; immigration issues; mental health issues; housing issues; and whether and when reaching compromise in CPO cases is appropriate. The other part of the weekly class will be spent on “case rounds”, in which students will discuss the CPO cases they are handling.
There is close coordination and collaboration between CPOC and the Protective Order Project (“POP”). Students may continue for B710 credit in the following spring semester to work on CPO cases assigned to them that are not resolved in the fall semester.
During the semester in the Clinic, the students will work in teams of 2-3 on each case accepted into the clinic. The goal is for each student to work on 2-4 cases during the semester. Student teams will have weekly supervision meetings with Professor Applegate to review case progress and questions. Students will meet with clients and prepare their cases, assist with settlement negotiations (if appropriate), and attend court proceedings. Students who are qualified to serve as Certified Legal Interns (“CLI’s) under Ind. Adm. & Disc. R. 2.1(1)(a) (generally 3Ls in the fall, and 3Ls and 2Ls in the spring) may register to serve as CLI’s. Certification will give the students the chance to represent clients in court when their cases go to hearing. Students who are not CLI’s are also expected to attend court hearings, both to assist and as part of their education in the Clinic.
Cases will mostly be referred to CPOC through POP, although CPOC will also occasionally accept cases referred by social service agencies and courts. CPOC will represent litigants in Monroe County and surrounding counties. CPOC will prioritize representation of petitioners in CPO cases involving DV and family violence, and other high conflict family situations.
Students interested in the CPOC should read the course description for additional information and course requirements. Any questions should be directed to Professor Applegate at aga@indiana.edu.