Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Police Practices Concerning Family Violence

My wife and I have a friend with a very violent husband. We have been telling her to call the police and finally she did. When the police came she said that she wanted him to leave and that she felt scared because he was threatening her and he had physically abused her before. The police told her that they could do nothing until he physically harmed her. They actually said, ''If he hurts you, you can always call us back''. They also said that they couldn't make him leave because they were married and that he lived in the house too! Is this right? Does a woman really have to be physically abused before police can do anything about it? Don't threats consitute protection from local law enforcement? What can the Police do before things get violent? Certainly they are allowed to do something!


Asked on 1/17/09, 6:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: Police Practices Concerning Family Violence

This is really unusual. Ordinarily, the cops will arrest the husband if she just raises an eyebrow. Must be missing something.

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Answered on 1/17/09, 10:27 pm


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