Jefferson County has become one of a few Missouri counties to offer a Hope Card program to some of its most vulnerable residents.
The program, which helps those who have been granted a full order of protection, offers a free, wallet-sized plastic card to replace the traditional multiple-page document they would ordinarily carry. Full orders of protection are typically granted to victims of domestic violence and stalking.
“Historically, what has happened after a petitioner is granted a full order of protection is they’re given a certified copy of the order, which is about 10 pages or so long, and they’ve been expected to carry that around with them at all times in order to properly enforce the order,” Division 15 Associate Circuit Judge Charlie Argana said.
“Our overall goal is to incentivize people who are vulnerable – people who are victims of domestic violence, abuse (and) stalking – to actually come and go through the order protection process. It’s already very difficult to be in those situations. Our goal is to do any little thing that we can to make those petitioners feel safer, feel like their order is actually enforceable (and) has some teeth.”
Jefferson County is the third county in Missouri to offer the program, following Clay and St. Louis counties.
Argana estimates between 300-400 full orders of protection have been granted in Jefferson County in recent years.
Argana said most Hope Cards are printed at the courthouse when a full order of protection has been granted, but those who have an active order and wish to obtain a Hope Card may go to the courthouse or provide the courthouse with a mailing address so a Hope Card can be mailed to them.
On Aug. 4, Argana, who had been appointed by Gov. Mike Parson in January 2025, lost a three-way Republican primary race to Michelle Hughes. She will begin her four-year term on Jan. 1.
“I think (Hope Cards are) great, and if I end up with orders of protection on my docket, I will keep using them,” Hughes said. “I believe that docket is going to be reassigned to Division 12, which will be Renee Reuter.”
Reuter said she would continue to use the program if she had the docket.
If you are suffering from domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.