Orders of protection are issued by judges to protect you from another person who is abusing, harassing, threatening, and/or intimidating you, or has committed a crime against you. Orders of protection are commonly issued in cases involving domestic violence but may also be issued under other circumstances.
Understanding Family court orders of protection
Family court orders specifically issued as part of a civil proceeding to stop violence that is occurring within the family or within an intimate relationship.
These types of orders require the relationship to the each otherto fall into one of the following categories:
- Current or former spouse.
- Someone with whom you have a child in common.
- A family member to whom you are related by blood or marriage.
- Someone with whom you have, or have had, an ‘intimate relationship.’ (An intimate relationship does not necessarily mean a sexual relationship. Family Court will consider several factors such as, but not limited to: “how often you see each other or how long you have known each other.”)
While these types of protection orders are civil matters, family court orders of protection are often issued in connection with criminal cases.
Orders of protection are issued either in full or limited. For a full order, the subject of the order of protection must stay completely away from the person, their home, job and/or school, and must not abuse, harass, or threaten you. For a limited order, the subject may remain in contact with the person but may not abuse, harass, or threaten the person.
Violating an order for protection is a crime and can result in an arrest and a charge of criminal contempt either as a misdemeanor or felony
Defense against family court orders of protection
Whether you’re facing charges of domestic violence or otherwise and are now looking at a family court order of protection levied against you, our team is specially trained to help defend your case.