Mentally Ill Roommate Files Malicious Restraining Order in Massachusetts

[Founder]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

I am a medical student with no criminal history. To save money, I moved in with a roommate. After a couple weeks, she became hostile and violent, yelling, throwing stuff, bossing me around, unlike anything I've seen before. I was stuck on a lease and couldn't afford to hire movers so I tried staying away from her. Next she filed a malicious restraining order.

I am worried about this impacting my career. How can I find a decent and affordable attorney? Since I am the true victim of domestic violence, is there a program I could use to seek help? I saw a psychologist for this and he told me that I was traumatized by this roommate and everything she's been doing. I hope that moving in with this sick person is a mistake I can overcome and move on with my life. Given my lack of familiarity and how shocked I am, I could really use some guidance and someone to explain to me what I need to do next and why.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

I am a medical student with no criminal history. To save money, I moved in with a roommate. After a couple weeks, she became hostile and violent, yelling, throwing stuff, bossing me around, unlike anything I've seen before. I was stuck on a lease and couldn't afford to hire movers so I tried staying away from her. Next she filed a malicious restraining order.

I am worried about this impacting my career. How can I find a decent and affordable attorney? Since I am the true victim of domestic violence, is there a program I could use to seek help? I saw a psychologist for this and he told me that I was traumatized by this roommate and everything she's been doing. I hope that moving in with this sick person is a mistake I can overcome and move on with my life. Given my lack of familiarity and how shocked I am, I could really use some guidance and someone to explain to me what I need to do next and why.

On what basis was the restraining order issued and how are you restrained?

You should check your university's legal aid department. There are resources available to students needing legal assistance.

 

[Founder]

On what basis was the restraining order issued and how are you restrained?

You should check your university's legal aid department. There are resources available to students needing legal assistance.

The former roommate says I sexually harassed her by making a "sexual advance" over 6 months ago (which I didn't do), and that I have recently slept "across from her bedroom." Truth be told, there is a room across from her room which we share as an office. I have meditated in there. She also said that I told her she would die within 5 years, but I didn't. Those are the accusations. I am ordered to stay 100 feet away from her.

My bigger concern is having this 209a on my background check and CORI. Employers will assume that I did something that meets the criteria for a 209a, even though I have not. The level of injustice here (e.g. the way I've been abused by this roommate; the fact I have to cancel required classes to pay for movers, possible representation, and will potentially lose a lifelong dream of a career over this due to financial problems created by this, or by a bad record) is sickening.

I could really use help. Thank you for your response.

 

[quincy]

The former roommate says I sexually harassed her by making a "sexual advance" over 6 months ago (which I didn't do), and that I have recently slept "across from her bedroom." Truth be told, there is a room across from her room which we share as an office. I have meditated in there. She also said that I told her she would die within 5 years, but I didn't. Those are the accusations. I am ordered to stay 100 feet away from her.

My bigger concern is having this 209a on my background check and CORI. Employers will assume that I did something that meets the criteria for a 209a, even though I have not. The level of injustice here (e.g. the way I've been abused by this roommate; the fact I have to cancel required classes to pay for movers, possible representation, and will potentially lose a lifelong dream of a career over this due to financial problems created by this, or by a bad record) is sickening.

I could really use help. Thank you for your response.

Thank you for answering my questions.

You can find legal assistance through your university. The university has no doubt had to address restraining orders in the past and can either help and advise you or direct you to someone who can.

Restraining orders can be terrible weapons used against the unsuspecting and innocent. I am sorry you are having to add this complication to what is undoubtedly a busy class and study schedule.

 

[Founder]

Thank you for answering my questions.

You can find legal assistance through your university. The university has no doubt had to address restraining orders in the past and can either help and advise you or direct you to someone who can.

Restraining orders can be terrible weapons used against the unsuspecting and innocent. I am sorry you are having to add this complication to what is undoubtedly a busy class and study schedule.

Thank you for your advice and comforting words. I will check with my university. Just in case, they don't have adequate legal resources, if there are any other ideas (from anyone) about how I can get affordable quality representation, please let me know. I have worked hard to get to where I am today and do not want to lose everything to this injustice.

 

[cbg]

PM me the name of your university.

 

[quincy]

Although I think your university is your best resource, here is a link to a guide on Massachusetts legal services:

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/masshealth/membappforms/legal-services-guide.pdf

cbg as a Massachusetts resident who is employed by a university can perhaps narrow the list down and direct you to local sources of help.

 

[cbg]

I referred him to one that is on the list, but if they can't help him there are certainly plenty to choose from!

 

[quincy]

I referred him to one that is on the list, but if they can't help him there are certainly plenty to choose from!

Yes. Massachusetts has made legal assistance easy to find for those with low incomes.

 

[Founder]

Although I think your university is your best resource, here is a link to a guide on Massachusetts legal services:

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/masshealth/membappforms/legal-services-guide.pdf

cbg as a Massachusetts resident who is employed by a university can perhaps narrow the list down and direct you to local sources of help.

Thank you, but do you know which of the agencies on that list offer representation and for whom?

I will call around, but I suspect that most of these organizations only offer legal help to specific categories of people, may not offer representation, and have a waitlist longer than the court set deadlines that I have to abide by. That tends to be the pattern with Massachusetts charities. I hope this doesn't sound ungracious. I will try calling every organization on that list. Meanwhile, if anyone has specific recommendations, please let me know. Given the timeframe I am stuck working in, that would really help!

 

[quincy]

Thank you, but do you know which of the agencies on that list offer representation and for whom?

I will call around, but I suspect that most of these organizations only offer legal help to specific categories of people, may not offer representation, and have a waitlist longer than the court set deadlines that I have to abide by. That tends to be the pattern with Massachusetts charities. I hope this doesn't sound ungracious. I will try calling every organization on that list. Meanwhile, if anyone has specific recommendations, please let me know. Given the timeframe I am stuck working in, that would really help!

I suggest, once again, that you start with your university. You could also start with the organization suggested by cbg. You may have to call around.

Good luck.


(please keep all additional questions to this thread - thanks)

 

[cbg]

I've already given you the only specific recommendation I have.

 

[Founder]

Landlord/Tenant & Traffic: TIME SENSITIVE related questions

TIME SENSITIVE related questions:


Traffic related:
1. Am I likely to have a problem in Jamaica Plain, MA if I am unable to pull a parking permit for the expensive 5-person moving crew and their truck? There will be a police escort present. It's unlikely that I can schedule for any other time due to a lack of availability of movers this time of year. I checked with every moving company I could find and found this one opening that is within the court's deadline. I had to borrow money from about 6 people to afford this move. I cannot pull a permit because it's past the deadline to do so and was when the move was booked.


Landlord/tenant related:
2. Can a landlord (in Massachusetts) move or throw away a tenant's belongings after the tenant has to leave due to a restraining order? I was told that some of my belongings were moved, thrown away, and ruined. What can I do? How do you suggest documenting this?


Police Question:
3. I was told by the police that the police will not schedule a time to escort me, but that I should show up at the police station any time and there will be an officer ready and willing to escort me for the move. Does this sound accurate? It doesn't to me, but hopefully I'm wrong. I am worried because I hired movers, legal witnesses (who will hopefully show), etc.

 

[quincy]

TIME SENSITIVE related questions:

Thank you for adding your additional questions to this thread.

Traffic related:
1. Am I likely to have a problem in Jamaica Plain, MA if I am unable to pull a parking permit for the expensive 5-person moving crew and their truck? There will be a police escort present. It's unlikely that I can schedule for any other time due to a lack of availability of movers this time of year. I checked with every moving company I could find and found this one opening that is within the court's deadline. I had to borrow money from about 6 people to afford this move. I cannot pull a permit because it's past the deadline to do so and was when the move was booked.

That question is best directed to the police department. Because you will have an officer with you and the move is necessitated by a court order, there is not much you can do about it if you are ticketed for not having a permit.

Landlord/tenant related:
2. Can a landlord (in Massachusetts) move or throw away a tenant's belongings after the tenant has to leave due to a restraining order? I was told that some of my belongings were moved, thrown away, and ruined. What can I do? How do you suggest documenting this?

No. A landlord cannot just dispose of a tenant's belongings. The landlord must follow the landlord tenant laws of Massachusetts.

Police Question:
3. I was told by the police that the police will not schedule a time to escort me, but that I should show up at the police station any time and there will be an officer ready and willing to escort me for the move. Does this sound accurate? It doesn't to me, but hopefully I'm wrong. I am worried because I hired movers, legal witnesses (who will hopefully show), etc.

Call the police again (maybe more than once more) to confirm what you were told.

You should seek assistance through your university's legal aid department.

Good luck.

 

[cbg]

Can't help you with these; I don't know JP.