woman and man by a tree

If you have found yourself in a difficult situation with a significant other, and there is violence involved, you need to know your rights and the steps to take to protect yourself.  One of the hardest things that a person can go through is physical and/or emotional abuse.  You may feel confused and unsure of what to do to get protection for yourself.  The legal system is designed to quickly and efficiently protect you in these situations.

While many believe that domestic violence is solely physical, that is not the case at all.  Domestic violence is considered to be an act of physical violence, threat of violence, stalking, or harassing a person with who you have a relationship with.  It can also refer to emotional abuse, coercion, intimidation, or manipulation of a partner.  Another myth regarding domestic violence is that the parties involved have to be in an intimate relationship.  While many cases involve married or former spouses, or people who are dating or have dated each other, it can also occur among parents and children, as well as grandparents and grandchildren.

Many state districts have a domestic violence advocate who can speak to you directly and help guide you through your options.  That person or team of people are available to you to answer your questions, to provide a caring and listening ear, and to guide you through the process of filing an order of protection.  Often a lawyer and a domestic violence advocate work closely with the client as a team to make sure you are comfortable and know all options before proceeding.

Even though you can file an order of protection without the help of an attorney, it is recommended that you know every aspect of the order and the outcome before proceeding.  That is where an attorney is valuable to your case.  Although a protective order can be issued for one person, children can also be protected under the order.  If you feel that the other person’s actions are directly putting your child or children at risk, a judge can order the person to stay away from them as well.

Keep in mind that when an order of protection is filed, neither party shall have contact with each other during the period of the order, whether it be one year or two years.  At no time can you contact that person or be in the same place as that person.  If either of the parties violate the order, criminal charges can ensue.  Please contact King Law at 888-748-5464 (KING) for a consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys, who will follow you through this challenge in your life.

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