What is the name of your state?NC I have had sole custody since 1997 and father is basic deadbeat dad who works and don't depending on his mod.and pays child support the same. I have been super permissive with visitation up to this point because I felt it was important for a child to have father around. Recently my oldest son(16) requested to move to dad's I agreed only after setting rules and conditions such as continued good grades and attitude and that he must spend one night at my house for supper with rest of family.My second child (daughter 15) wanted the same (she was 14 at this time) I said no because she couldn't give me legitimate reason to move as son had. Since this things have gotten worse in our relationship which resulted in her repeately trying to fight with me and get me to hit her. She has BF that started fight with Dad to get to move in with mom. One night she swung and hit me once and I blocked second swing.then called 911 .She took off and I went looking for her.when I arrived home deputy was there and daughter claimed that I hit her. There were no mark/bruises therefore he advised me to got to juevennile tomorrow and talk with them(which I did)and her dad was there so I allowed her to go home with him.I was later charged with assault & battery and she was taken to ER where they stated she had a black eye. also ex-parte and temp emergency custody was given to dad. He also obtained tempemergency custody of two youngest kids. They were not there when this happened. No One was. How is the best way to fight this?? I can not hire lawyer due to funds and legal aid will not take because of domestic violence issues.Oldest son's grades have fell since he moved with Dad and youngest two kids have attitude/lashing out at school since incident. I have gotten verbal report from school but they are reluctant to help due to legal issues and the fact that dad has spoken to them and created numerous lies.I currently have gotten temp visitation only for weekend with youngest kids(girl 13, boy 9) I am not sure whether 1) I need custody case first or criminal case first 2)in criminal case what defense should I use and what possible course of action to take. I found an online site for students that gave me a sample ligitation case and have used it to figure out what question/evidence might be used but I need something for defendants.I have mounds of evidence that I could present and I know of things that would hurt the case but I am not sure if they are admissable or how to obtain them (such as 911 call.. I placed call and told circumstance of why I called.but was told it was a special procedure to get record not just supoena so I'm lost.)