Amy McNair tells her side of the story last week regarding her domestic violence charge against Judge Steven Jones. Photo by John Gurzinski.

Embattled Family Court Judge Steven Jones and his former girlfriend are considering reuniting, even though the judge is charged with battering the woman, according to Jones' lawyer.

On Thursday, Jones and Amy McNair signed a legal document asking a judge to rescind his order that the two not contact each other.

"They are exploring reunification," said James Jimmerson, Jones' attorney. "It's not happening tomorrow, but they want to work on their relationship."

McNair said Thursday afternoon that was not true. When asked whether she and Jones were reuniting, she said no. But McNair wouldn't explain why she wanted the no-contact order canceled.

Her attorney, Randall Roske, said he was dismayed at McNair's decision regarding the order.

"I'm terribly troubled," Roske said. "I believe that she's gone back to a situation where there has been an exertion of control over her. I fear for her safety."

Jones was arrested in June on a charge of battering McNair at his Henderson home during an argument over a chicken nugget.

Authorities alleged he shoved McNair to the ground, causing injuries to her face.

It was later learned that Henderson police had been to the home on multiple occasions to investigate other domestic disputes in the family.

In a June hearing, McNair asked Washoe County District Court Judge Charles McGee to extend a temporary protective order against Jones.

McGee said McNair was the primary aggressor in the incident, and he refused to extend the protective order. But McGee did tell McNair and Jones not to contact each another.

Roske said McNair and Jones signed paperwork Thursday to have that condition dropped.

"My client has directed me to sign a stipulation dissolving the order ... that the two aren't to communicate directly or face-to-face," Roske said.

Whether the stipulation will impact the pending misdemeanor charge against the judge was not clear.

Henderson Assistant City Attorney David Mincavage said the city attorney's office still plans to proceed with the prosecution of Jones on the battery charge.

A trial is set for Sept. 13.

McNair had spoken very poorly of the judge during the hearing in front of McGee. She said the judge was controlling and abusive.

McNair also testified that the FBI had contacted her, wanting information about allegations that the judge associates with known felons.

In an interview with a Review-Journal reporter last week, McNair said she would never reunite with the judge. McNair said she was in counseling, getting help for her drinking problem and dealing with the aftermath of domestic abuse.

"I don't want him back," McNair said during the interview. "I don't care if he came back with a million bucks and a 10-carat diamond ring. I don't want him back."

At the time, McNair was also incensed that Jones apparently had called her father, Perry McNair of Oklahoma, several times. She believed Jones was trying to use her father to get to her.

"I'm not talking to my dad anymore," McNair said, angry that Jones was coming between her and her family at a time when she had hit bottom and needed their support.

"I'm homeless. I have nothing," McNair said. "I have no gas in my car. I don't know when I'll get my next job. He's got me so pinned it's ridiculous."

McNair said last week that her priorities were getting her own apartment and finding a job. Her six-year relationship with Jones cost her that independence, McNair said.

"Socially, sexually, economically, he had me under his thumb," McNair said.

Review-Journal writer Lisa Kim Bach contributed to this report.