Section 30-5-6 Hearing on petition; right to counsel; temporary orders.
Section 30-5-6
Hearing on petition; right to counsel; temporary orders.
(a) Within 14 days of the filing of a petition under this chapter a hearing shall be held at which the plaintiff shall prove the allegation of abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. The court shall advise the defendant that he or she may be represented by counsel.
(b) The court may enter such temporary orders as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff or minor children from abuse, or the immediate and present danger of abuse to the plaintiff or minor children, upon good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding.
(c) If a hearing under subsection (a) is continued, the court may make or extend temporary orders under subsection (b) as it deems reasonably necessary.
(Acts 1981, No. 81-476, p. 826, §6; Acts 1995, No. 95-542, p. 1126, §1.)