Maricopa County law enforcement agencies recognize that domestic violence is a preventable crime and that the cycle of violence can be broken. How do criminal charges get filed against my abuser?Ask the police officers for a victim assistance pamphlet and program phone number to obtain further information. AZPOINT, the Arizona Protective Order Initiation and Notification Tool, has been designed to help you fill out a petition for an Order of Protection. If you are facing domestic violence charges when the alleged victim is the one who hit you first, you should speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Domestic violence is a serious crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony in Arizona. There are many ways you can help yourself and many people available to help you. Read on to learn more about the things you can do to help yourself. "Domestic violence" means any act that is a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or an offense prescribed in section 13-1102. Police and prosecutors in Maricopa County will follow updated procedures for investigating incidents of domestic violence and holding offenders accountable.