Domestic violence can be handled in three different types of courts:

- criminal court, where the state will prosecutethe abuser (possible crimes include abuse of intimate partner, violation of a protection order, elder abuse, murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, property destruction, vandalism, trespassing, stalking, unlawful possessionor concealment of a weapon,intimidating awitness, and many others)

- civil court, where you might address violation of a protection order or sue for money damages (possible civil lawsuits include sexual harassment, personal injury)

- divorce, or family, court (family violence directly affects divorce proceedings and can be a factor in limiting or prohibiting the abuser's rights to child custody or visitation privileges)

Domestic violence might also involve child abuse and neglect and might impact on other areas of law, such as public benefits, immigration status, etc.