Priscila N. v. Leonardo G.

The family court has jurisdiction under Family Code section 6345, subdivision (a) to renew domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs) initially granted by the juvenile court. The Court of Appeal held that the legislative history of the Family Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code indicates the Legislature intended juvenile and family courts to work together to protect victims of domestic violence. The court explained that it construed both statutes broadly, avoiding a formalistic reading that would require domestic violence victims who receive a DVRO from the juvenile court to repeat the process in family court. In this case, the court reversed the family court's conclusion that it lacked authority to renew a DVRO granted by the juvenile court. View "Priscila N. v. Leonardo G." on Justia Law