Guam § 40103 - Commencement of Proceedings.

§ 40103. Commencement of Proceedings.

(a) A person may seek relief under this Chapter for himself

or herself or on behalf of another person if he or she has personal

knowledge that such person has been abused, or any parent or

adult household member may seek relief under this Chapter on

behalf of minor children by filing a petition with the court alleging

abuse by the defendant.

(b) Victim advocates, as defined in 6 GCA, Chapter 9, §

9102(a), shall be allowed to accompany the victim and confer with

the victim, unless otherwise directed by the court. The court shall

allow victim advocates to assist victims of abuse in the preparation

of petitions for abuse protection orders. Communications between

the petitioner and a victim advocate are protected as provided by

6 GCA Chapter 9, § 9102(b).

(c) A plaintiff or witness may request, without the need for

a motion or good cause determination, that the court allow

appearance by telephone, videoconference or by other two (2)-

way electronic communication device. The court shall consider

whether the safety or welfare of the plaintiff or witness would be

threatened if testimony were required to be provided in person at

a proceeding.

(d) No fees for filing or service of process may be charged

by a public agency to petitioners seeking relief under this Chapter.

Petitioners shall be provided the necessary number of certified

copies at no cost.