legal
Evidence in North Carolina Domestic Violence Cases
How survivors can collect documentation safely for NC legal matters.
North Carolinaevidence
EVIDENCE COLLECTION
Understanding Evidence in Domestic Violence Cases
Examples of Evidence
Evidence can come in many forms and may include:
- Photos or videos of injuries or damage
- Text messages, emails, or social media posts
- Voice recordings or phone call logs
- Witness statements or affidavits
- Medical or police reports
Safe Digital Organization
Keeping evidence organized and secure is important. Consider using password-protected files or secure cloud storage. Avoid sharing sensitive information on devices that others may access. Backup copies can help preserve important records.
Use in Protective Orders, Criminal, and Custody Cases
Evidence may support requests for domestic violence protective orders (DVPO), criminal proceedings, or custody decisions. Courts and legal professionals consider such evidence to understand the circumstances.
Laws about recording conversations vary by location. Recording without consent may not be allowed everywhere. It’s important to be aware of local rules when collecting audio or video evidence.
Additional support options can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.