Criminal Defense Lawyers Defending Individuals Accused of a Restraining Order Violation
Los Angeles restraining orders are commonly known as protective orders, no-contact orders, and stay-away orders.
They are typically connected to a domestic violence case. Restraining orders are issued when the court decides that an individual must not have any contact with another person.
If someone, such as a spouse, has inflicted injury, threatened to cause injury, stalked, harassed, or even annoyed another individual, the court can issue a restraining order in order to restrict any contact.
A common example would be in a domestic battery, when the husband may have caused injury to his wife during an argument.
The restraining order itself is not a criminal offense, but if an individual violates the order, they could face a misdemeanor charge.
Being served with a DV-110 Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in California is a serious matter that demands immediate attention and a thoughtful response.
Consult with a Los Angeles restraining order violation attorney at our law firm for more information about your case.
Common Types of Restraining Orders in Los Angeles
The most common types of restraining orders in Los Angeles County are civil harassment restraining orders and domestic violence restraining orders.
Civil harassment orders can be used for a wide variety of situations, such as when someone is:
- threatening you,
- acting violently towards you, or
- harassing.
Domestic violence restraining orders are used in domestic situations in which the accused is:
- acting violently,
- making threats,
- harassing,
- stalking.
Other types of restraining orders include emergency protective orders, elder abuse restraining orders and workplace violence restraining orders.
A violation of these orders could result in a contempt of court under California Penal Code Section 166.
These protective orders can be issued on an emergency basis and can be a temporary or permanent restraining order.
For more information, call our law firm to speak with an experienced Los Angeles restraining order lawyer.
How to Obtain a Restraining Order in Los Angeles
Restraining orders are typically obtained by filing a restraining order with the court or being issued during the domestic violence criminal court process.
The website of your local Los Angeles County courthouse has forms for the different types of restraining orders.
Many courthouses also offer assistance in filing the appropriate documents.
Additionally, you can contact a Los Angeles restraining order attorney to assist you through the process and make sure that you get the restraining order you need.
The only way to have a restraining order removed before its expiration date is to petition the court for its removal.
It's not uncommon for the protected person to want the change a protective order or have it terminated completely. You may wish to contact an attorney to assist you through this legal process.
California Penal Code Section 273.6 - Violating a Restraining or Protective Order
Under California Penal Code Section 273.6, it's a criminal offense to violate a restraining or protective order.
In order for an individual to be charged with violation of a restraining order, the prosecutor must prove the following elements of the crime:
- The court issued a lawful restraining order stating the defendant must stay away or not contact another person;
- The defendant knew there was a valid restraining order issued against them. Under California law, a defendant has to be given notice there was an order issued against them;
- The defendant intentionally violated the restraining order;
- The defendant could follow the terms of the restraining order.
A very common example of a Los Angeles restraining order violation occurs at a criminal court arraignment for a domestic violence case.
The judge orders the husband to stay away from his wife. He is provided with a written copy of the restraining order. To comply, he moves in with a member of his family.
A few weeks later, his wife calls and wants to reconcile their relationship. He moves back to his home, and they soon start fighting again, and she calls the police.
In this example, he could be prosecuted for violating the restraining order even though he was not convicted of domestic violence and invited back to his home. Penal Code 29825 PC defines the crime of firearm possession in violation of a court order.
The civil restraining order process is separate from the criminal justice system, but it often overlaps with criminal proceedings, especially when criminal charges are involved.
Legal Penalties for a Restraining Order Violation
Typically, violating a restraining order is a misdemeanor that can result in a one-year sentence in Los Angeles County jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
The court may also order mandatory counseling and domestic abuse classes. Violating a restraining order can lead to jail time and a fine.
If you injured the protected person during the violation, you can be fined $2000.00 and must serve a minimum of 30 days in jail.
If you have a prior conviction for violating a restraining order in Los Angeles and if the violation involved violence or even just the threat of violence, it can be filed as either a misdemeanor or felony crime.
If convicted of a felony offense, you could face up to three years in a California state prison.
Many people don't realize it's still possible to be charged with a domestic violence-related crime, even in a situation where no physical contact occurred during the incident.
California Penal Code 422 makes it a crime to use criminal threats against someone.
Legal Defenses against a Restraining Order Violation
Defending against a restraining order violation in Los Angeles can be complicated.
However, there may be a valid, innocent explanation. A Los Angeles restraining order violation attorney may be able to show the violation was not intentional.
For example, even though you were ordered not to contact your wife, you accidentally came into contact with her at a public place, such as a grocery store.
Our lawyers may be able to show the court that you need to be given proper legal notice. Under California law, you must be given notice that an order was issued against you.
You can't be charged with violating a restraining order if you don't know about it. Our attorneys would have to prove that it was improperly addressed or handed in person by mistake to someone else.
Our lawyers may also be able to show you were not in court when the judge granted it. Our Los Angeles restraining order violation lawyers may be able to show that the order itself was not valid.
For example, you may have been ordered not to come within 100 yards of your neighbor, but you have a shared pathway with them, and the restraining order should not have been issued as it's impossible to comply.
Our Los Angeles criminal defense law firm secured case dismissals of two separate cases of violating a civil harassment restraining order in the LAX Airport Courthouse.
Get Help Now by Calling a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Our Los Angeles restraining order violation lawyers can help by guiding you through the legal process and taking action to defend you against accusations of violating a restraining order.
At the law firm of Eisner Gorin LLP, our experienced domestic violence attorneys work with family members who have been involved in a domestic violence dispute.
Our lawyers know that once a family member is accused of domestic violence, the Los Angeles police are legally bound to investigate, even if the accuser changes their story.
It's not uncommon for someone to make false accusations during the heat of an argument. This means it's possible to get arrested and prosecuted without committing any type of crime.
Therefore, if you are charged with violating a restraining order, call our criminal defense law firm to get a skilled lawyer fighting on your behalf. We provide immediate response by calling 877-781-570.
Our certified specialists are available 24/7 to take your call and offer a free immediate response by phone. To be fairly compensated for time spent on criminal defense strategy, the Eisner Gorin law firm offers paid office consultations. The office consultation retainer will depend on the time spent and the seriousness of the allegations.
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