Domestic Violence Section
Throughout the years, the Texas Legislature has created a system of legal protections for victims of family violence. Protective orders have been the primary civil legal remedy since 1979. The advantage of these orders is the criminal penalty that occurs when the orders are disobeyed. Over time, protective orders have come to protect not only members of the same family but also members of the same household, individuals who have or have had a dating relationship, and victims of sexual assault. Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis is committed to helping these victims obtain enforceable protective orders.
Persons seeking to apply for a protective order may contact the receptionist in the lobby of the Criminal District Attorney’s Office during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The receptionist will contact a legal secretary in the Family Justice Division, who will provide the applicant with a Protective Order Application and who will also conduct a preliminary screening. The applicant may then complete the application and submit it to the Family Justice Division, Domestic Violence Section (applicants, please allow yourselves at least 30 minutes to complete the application). Upon meeting the legal requirements of the initial inquiry, an applicant meets with a prosecutor, who then handles the case from the intake stage, through filing and disposition of the application.
The Domestic Violence Section attorneys prosecute select cases involving assault–family violence, violations of protective orders, interference with emergency calls, harassment, and terroristic threats. In addition to trial work, this Section educates police officers on the special issues that arise in the investigation and prosecution of these cases. Members of this Section also sit on the Collin County Council on Family Violence and the Collin County Crime Victim’s Assistance Council to ensure that effective steps are taken with our community partners to decrease the incidents of domestic violence by community awareness, intervention, and successful prosecution.
Holly Griffin graduated from Baylor University in 1997 and Baylor Law School in 1999. Prior to joining the Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Griffin worked as a matrimonial lawyer, criminal defense attorney, and prosecutor in East Texas. Ms. Griffin was named a Texas Rising Star in 2007 and 2009 by Law & Politics magazine as published by Texas Monthly.
Jon Hooper graduated from Midwestern State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Investigator Hooper began his law enforcement career with the San Angelo Police Department in 1987. Since then, he has worked for both local and state law enforcement agencies. His various duties have included field training officer, evidence technician, firearms instructor, patrol sergeant, and detective. Investigator Hooper holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate. He joined the Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office in 2008.
Nancy Lloyd graduated from the Bradford School of Business in 1985. She has seventeen years of corporate administrative experience and joined the Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office in 2003. Ms. Lloyd presently serves as a legal secretary in the Family Justice Division in both the Child/Adult Protection Section and the Domestic Violence Section.
Lara Jaramillo has been with the Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office since September 2003. Before joining the Office, Ms. Jaramillo was a legal secretary in the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office in Salinas, California and also worked as a legal clerk at the Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, California. Ms. Jaramillo also has over ten years’ experience as a claims service and underwriting assistant with State Farm Insurance. She is currently assigned to the Family Justice Division, serving in both the Juvenile Law Section and the Domestic Violence Section.
Cindy Frye began working for the Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office in February 2008 as a receptionist. After six months, she was promoted to secretary for the Intake Section of the Grand Jury/Intake Division and then to Legal Secretary I. She is currently assigned to the Family Justice Division, serving in both the Juvenile Law Section and the Domestic Violence Section.
