Norwalk Protective Order Lawyer
Civil and criminal courts issue protective orders after an incident involving allegations of domestic violence, also referred to by Norwalk law enforcement officials as family violence. Contact a Norwalk protective order lawyer to help understand your rights and obligations.
What is Considered Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is not a specific offense but refers to alleged crimes between members of the same family or household. Under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §46b-38a, a “family or household member” includes:
- Husbands and wives
- Former spouses
- Couples who have parented a child together (even if they never lived together)
- Couples in a dating relationship currently or in the recent past
- Parents and children
- Others related by blood or marriage
- Others who have lived together currently or in the past
A Norwalk protective order attorney could explain the different factors that come into play in family violence cases, including arrest standards.
What is a Criminal Protective Order?
During criminal proceedings connected with domestic violence charges, criminal courts routinely issue criminal protective orders. These orders may only limit certain actions or may be very restrictive and prohibit all communication between the parties involved.
How Long Does a Criminal Protective Order Last?
While a standard criminal protective order generally remains in force while proceedings are ongoing, courts may also issue standing criminal protective orders that continue for much longer.
What are Civil Protective Orders?
A civil protective order is also known as a restraining order. Unlike criminal protective orders, a civil protective order begins with a request by an individual who believes that another individual poses a danger to them. In situations where an individual feels threatened by someone who is not part of a qualifying domestic relationship, that individual may seek a civil protection order if they have been subjected to sexual abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.
Someone in a domestic relationship may ask for a restraining order against another party to that relationship. A dedicated Norwalk attorney can help someone understand the difference between a protective order and a restraining order.
Contact a Norwalk Protective Order Attorney
If a court finds you guilty of violating a protective order, you will be convicted of a felony offense. Violation of any type of protective order is a Class C or D felony punishable by multiple years of imprisonment, heavy fines, and the additional consequences of a felony conviction.
To protect your future, it is important to take protective orders seriously. A Norwalk protective order lawyer may be able to negotiate terms that are easier to comply with. An attorney could also help you avoid violations or keep the negative consequences to a minimum if you have already committed one. Prompt action could make all the difference, so call Mark Sherman Law to learn more about your options.