Being served with an Order of Protection is a serious matter and the repercussions for you, should the Order stand, can be extensive. Eliminating or even minimizing the impacts of this kind of situation requires immediate action. Dedicated legal counsel can help you with this process.
Understanding What an Order of Protection Involves
Under the laws of Arkansas, courts are empowered to issue an order of protection in cases where there are either allegations of domestic violence or an imminent threat of violence. The Order may be criminal or civil. Civil orders relate to domestic relations cases and involve:
- Current or former spouses
- People who are dating
- People who have dated someone who is living in the same house
- Parent or in-law
- Blood relations
- People living together
- People who used to live together
- People who have a child together
An order of protection is intended to keep a person who has committed battery away from the victim of the battery. When an order is issued, it usually states that the person subject to the order is prevented from going within a certain vicinity of the victim’s home, job, school, or other places the victim goes. If living with the victim, he or she may be ordered to move out of the shared home. If children are involved, the order will likely state who is to have temporary custody of the shared children and will also establish a temporary visitation schedule. Contact with the victim is not allowed.
An order of protection may be temporary or permanent. A temporary “ex parte” order of protection is issued with the intent of providing immediate protection for the victim. If a judge feels the victim is in immediate danger, then this is the type of situation where a temporary order would be issued. It is issued “ex parte,” meaning the alleged abuser is not present when it is issued. A permanent order of protection, of course, lasts longer than a temporary one. It can only be issued after a hearing has been held where both parties have the opportunity to present their side of the story. The order can last anywhere from 90 days to 10 years. Even after it has expired, the order can be renewed.
Contact the Law Offices of Bryce Cook Today for Experienced Legal Counsel
If you are facing an order of protection, you are most likely already in a bad situation. You may feel judged. You may feel alone. On top of this, you are facing the serious consequences that come with being the subject of an order of protection. If it holds, the order can do things like restrict your movements, restrict your visitation with your children, and much more. This is not the time to go it alone. You need dedicated legal counsel by your side right away. Contact the Law Offices of Bryce Cook today.