ONLY ON 3: Man’s protection order delayed, judges unavailable

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County man said he is seriously concerned about his safety and when he went to get a domestic violence protection order no judges were available.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he went to the Brunswick County Courthouse on Friday around 3 p.m.

“I had a reason to request and try to obtain a domestic violence protection order,” said the man. “I was informed at the county clerk’s office that there was no judge here at the time.”

The man said the clerk told him to come back Monday but he couldn’t make it back until Tuesday. And he said a judge wasn’t in again. He said he was told to come back on Friday. That would be a week from when he first tried to get the protection order signed.

“How could it be something as important as a domestic violence protection order and not be available,” said the man. “Not just to myself but to anyone.”

A Brunswick County clerk said most of the judges are at a conference this week and are not available to sign anything. She added that clerks can call judges for emergencies and people can go to other county courthouses.

The man said he ended up going to the New Hanover County Courthouse. A judge was able to sign the paperwork. He then had to take it back to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

He said this whole situation has him concerned for other victims.

“Feel like I have been disregarded,” said the man. “I want them to address the potential victims or the victims they may have turned away, because they weren’t there during business hours, when the judge was there.”

He said he tried to go to a Brunswick County magistrate but they are not authorized to sign protection orders.

The clerk said the magistrate who is available all the time is able to issue criminal warrants.

We tried to contact Chief District Court Judge Jerry Jolly and we are waiting to hear back.

Also we reached out to the Hope Harbor domestic violence shelter. An administrator said this type of situation isn’t new to them. They sometimes have to take victims to Bladen County or Columbus County courthouses.