Protective Orders: From Filing to Enforcement
I’m Jansen Rigney, and this is your criminal Wagoner attorney with Wirth Law. And last we left off, we were talking about how the court system will proceed through the process of hearing your permanency protective order hearing. Once you’ve put on all your evidence and both sides have had the opportunity to say what they believe happened in the incident and put on their evidence, the judge will determine if this incident rises to the level where a protective order is needed so that the opposing party cannot speak to you or get in contact with you for a year, up to five years sometimes.
And this is important because once you get this finding, let’s say the judge says, yes, we’re going to grant you this emergency protective order for two years. If they try to contact you, if the opposing party tries to contact you, any time after that order is in place, it now becomes a criminal issue. You call the police, and you say they’re still trying to contact me, I have a protective order in place, but they cannot contact me due to what the judge has already found. So it becomes a criminal issue and punishment for them if they break that protective order.
Legal Caution Regarding Protective Orders
But like I said, again, as attorneys we like to caution people who are filing for protective orders. Because oftentimes we see people who just get in a fight, not a physical fight, a verbal altercation who aren’t happy with their situation and they just run to the police office and they file an emergency without really needing one. Because you can ruin somebody’s life with a protective order if it’s not warranted. But that’s the judge’s job to determine that. So if you need help with a protective order or an emergency protective order, please reach out to your local criminal attorney.
Initial Strategy Session for Protective Order Cases
If you find yourself in a situation where you need assistance with a protective order or emergency protective order, do not hesitate to contact a criminal defense lawyer in Wagoner County – Wirth Law for a low-cost consultation. We are here to help protect your rights and guide you through the legal process. Give us a call at 918-485-0335 to schedule your consultation today.
