Fort Worth Protective Order Lawyer

Typically, protective orders result from an alleged act of domestic violence. Regardless of the cause of the injunction, though, a protective order could impact where you can live, your custodial rights with your children, and your constitutional right to carry a firearm. Protective orders can range from 20 days to a lifetime in length and may have lasting effects even after short durations.

If you had a protective order filed against you, you may be able to contest the allegations against you that led to the original petition with an experienced domestic violence attorney. Furthermore, a Fort Worth protective order lawyer could represent you at your protective order hearing before the order is officially issued.

Emergency Protective Orders

In the state of Texas, there are several types of protective orders that may be issued against a person. If an individual is accused of stalking, child abuse, family or dating violence, or certain types of assault like strangulation or domestic abuse, the alleged victim or alleged victims of these offenses may seek what is referred to as an emergency protective order, or EPO.

EPOs can inhibit the offender’s ability to go near the accuser, which can be problematic if the two parties live in the same residence. EPOs are unique in that the defendant does not have a chance to defend themselves; in fact, this type of protective order is often issued while the alleged offender is in jail.

Permanent Protective Orders

Permanent protective orders can be put in place for anywhere from two years to a lifetime, depending on the danger posed by the alleged offender to the person petitioning for the order. These orders can impact the defendant in several ways, including:

• Preventing the defendant from making contact with the alleged victim or communicating with them in any way
• Preventing the defendant from going near the complainant’s school, workplace, or home
• Requiring the defendant to partake in a batterer intervention program
• Preventing the defendant from returning to their home if it is the same home where the complainant resides
• Removing or limiting the defendant’s custodial/parental rights
• Preventing the defendant from possessing a firearm

Consequences of Habitual Protective Orders

Beyond the restrictive implications of a protective order, the defendant may also face up to twelve months in jail and fines of up to $4,000. In the event of a defendant’s third or subsequent protective order issued against them, they could be charged with a felony in the third-degree, resulting in possible imprisonment for anywhere from two to 10 years and fines of up to $10,000.

However, those who are facing protective orders as a result of criminal charges against them can enlist legal representation to help. Fort Worth protective order lawyers represent their clients at protective order hearings and may be able to convince the court that the defendant is not a threat to the alleged victims.

Speaking with a Fort Worth Protective Order Attorney

If you are facing any kind of protective order petition, you could need the help of an expert legal team to argue effectively before the court that a protective order is unnecessary. Reach out to a Fort Worth protective order lawyer today to start building an impactful defense strategy against the protective order petition and working to protect your rights.