Divorce, Criminal & Estate Attorney
7887 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 1100
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
(303) 819-8786 (Free Consultation)
Protection / Restraining Orders
Unfortunately, thousands of people are victims of harassment, domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual assault every year. Protecting yourself from a dangerous acquaintance, love interest, or family member can sometimes require you to get a restraining order against them. Wrongly filed restraining orders can lead to loss of parenting time with your child and being removed from your home
What is a restraining order?
A restraining order (sometimes called a protection order) makes it a criminal offense for an abusive partner to come near you and/or contact you in any way. Restraining orders can be an effective tool to protect you against an abuser. Some of the most common ways it can protect you include:
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Your abuser can face criminal penalties for contacting you
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Filing for a restraining order helps to establish a record of abuse and makes it easier to pursue criminal charges in the future
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Encourages the police and other authorities to take additional steps to protect you
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Can force your abuser to move out of the house
Legal Help With Getting A Restraining Order
In many cases, those petitioning for a restraining order against their ex must attend a hearing at the same time as their abuser. This can be intimidating and influence your testimony and ability to communicate effectively to a judge.
I have nearly 17 years of experience successfully helping the victims of domestic abuse to protect themselves via a protective order. I can help you to file paperwork, present compelling evidence, and stand up to your abuser in court.
Obtaining a temporary and/or permanent restraining order is possible to do on your own. However, I can help to substantially increase the odds of a judge granting your petition, or dismissing the order if it was wrongly filed against you.
What a restraining order cannot do:
While an order of protection can be a powerful tool, it does not 100% guarantee your safety. A restraining order can’t guarantee that an abusive partner will be out of your life (especially if you have children together). Furthermore, it does not stop an abusive partner from making threats, harassing, or attempting to intimidate you. These types of orders make it less likely for your abuser to hurt you, but does not guarantee it.
If you file for a temporary order of protection, a judge will usually make an immediate decision based on the evidence that you provide. The temporary order is in place for no more than two weeks until there is a hearing concerning a long-term protective solution, or making the temporary order permanent. If the judge issues a permanent restraining order, your abuser will be required to follow the rules of the order indefinitely or face criminal penalties.