Protective orders or restraining orders are meant to keep you and your family safe in domestic violence situations. When someone threatens your safety and well-being, you have the right to seek protection with the help of a Salt Lake City protective order attorney. Besides domestic violence scenarios, protective orders can also be used in cases involving harassment, stalking, and elder abuse. If you or a loved one has been a victim of domestic violence, and you feel a protective order is needed, contact a family law attorney in your area to find out your legal options.
Different Types Of Restraining Orders
Protective orders are not difficult to obtain when the victim has been harmed before. If you are seeking protection for someone and you have proof that the aggressor has injured this person before, you will have a few options available:
- Emergency protective order – This order lasts about 20 days and it’s meant to protect you until a hearing is held.
- Temporary orders – This is a short-term order used for emergencies and lasting about 24 hours.
- Final protective order – This order is granted on a long-term basis after a full hearing and it can last for years.
How Do These Orders Work?
If someone is threatening your safety, a protective order will definitely help you keep you and your loved ones safe. Some of the things these orders will do for you include:
- Prevent further harassment and block contact with the aggressor
- Protect you from coercion and harm
- Forbid possession of a weapon
- Help you enforce child visitation and child custody
Violation of protective orders
Violating a protective order can be categorized as a misdemeanor, felony, or contempt of court. Felonies are generally serious violations while a misdemeanor is a lesser criminal act. Contempt of court is when someone disrespects a court of law.
Enforcing a Protective Order
A protective order can be enforced as long as it was issued in the United States. For example, if the victim decides to move to another state and the abuser keeps stalking the victim, law enforcement in the new state must enforce the restraining from the other state. It’s common for survivors of domestic violence to move far away from the abuser, therefore, it’s important to understand what are the legal rights under such circumstances. Let a family law attorney help you with the necessary paperwork and advocate for your rights in court.
Get a protective order today
The best way to protect yourself and your children from someone dangerous are contacting a Salt Lake City protective order attorney with experience in these types of cases. Here at The Ault Firm, we understand safety is very important for you and your family. This is why our legal team endeavors to pursue legal protection for our clients in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. If you believe your family may be in danger, don’t hesitate to call us today and schedule your initial case evaluation.