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Protective Order Lawyer in Virginia

In Virginia, protective orders are essentially restraining orders. As a protective order lawyer in Virginia, I can defend your case in court, I have represented many clients and will do my best to get you the best outcome.

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Experienced Strong Defense Protective Order Lawyer in Virginia

Protective Order Lawyer in Virginia

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They are issued by courts to stop the person named in the order from contacting the petitioner who requested the order.

Violating a protective order in Virginia is a class 1 misdemeanor under law section 19.2-152.10

Under this same section of the law, violating a protective order while armed with a gun is a class 6 felony with a minimum jail sentence of 6 months.

Similarly, assault and battery committed by the restrained person against someone protected by the order is a class 6 felony.

What Is a Protective Order?

Protective orders are what many would casually call a restraining order. 

In Virginia, protective orders are issued by a court to stop someone from contacting or attacking the person who requested the order and others that would be in danger.

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The person who requests a protective order is called the petitioner.  The person affected by the protective order is the respondent. 

For example, an abused wife gets protective orders against her husband. 

In this case, the abused wife is the petitioner, and the abusive husband is the respondent.  Protective orders work across state lines. 

If you get a protective order in Maryland, it will be accepted and work in Virginia.

The Different Kinds of Protective Orders

Virginia has three different kinds of protective orders. 

These orders are Emergency Protective Orders (EPO), Preliminary Protective Orders (PPO), and Permanent Protective Orders (PO). 

These different protective orders have different time restraints and provide different levels of restraint on the respondent.

EPOs are the most short-lived of the three different protective orders.  EPOs only last for 72 hours or until the next time the parties are in court. 

Virginian EPOs will have the date and precise time that the order ends as a part of the order. 

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EPOs prohibit the respondent from contacting or attacking the petitioner. 

Additionally, EPOs give possession of any pets to the petitioner.  In cases of domestic abuse, EPOs give possession of the home to the petitioner.

PPOs are longer lived than EPOs, but still only last for 15 days.  Only judges can issue PPO, and they will decide to do so or not based on the sworn testimony of the petitioner. 

The respondent does not have to attend the PPO hearing.  You do not have to have an EPO to get a PPO. 

Virginia PPOs do everything an EPO can do, but they also require the respondent to maintain utilities for the family household in abuse cases. 

Furthermore, PPOs give the possession of jointly owned vehicles to the petitioner in domestic abuse cases.

POs are the most long-lived of Virginia’s protective orders.  APO lasts for up to 2 years, but it can be extended for an additional 2 years if there is sufficient need. 

At a PO hearing, the judge will listen to testimony from the petitioner and the respondent. 

POs can do everything a PPO can, but it can also require the respondent to seek counseling or therapy and places the minor children in the custody of the petitioner.

If you have questions about what else Protective Order Lawyers in Virginia can do to keep you safe, call the attorneys at American Lawyers Group.

When a Protective Order Is Violated?

Protective orders will have very specific and clearly expressed rules and guidelines that cannot be violated. 

Violation of the Protective order is at its least severe a class 1 misdemeanor with a fine of $2,500 and up to a year in jail. 

Repeat violations will result in felony charges.  Felonies are more severe and will impact the respondent’s rights in a much more profound way. 

If you have any questions about the penalties of violations of a Protective Order Lawyer in Virginia, call the attorneys at American Lawyers Group.

Why You Need a Protective Order Lawyer in Virginia?

Having a lawyer when you are getting a protective order is always a good idea. 

This is especially true if the respondent has a lawyer who will challenge your efforts to get a protective order. 

Cases of abuse can be very difficult to escape, but working with the Virginia protective order attorneys at American Lawyers Group can help you stay safe and escape an abusive relationship. 

Protective orders can help people who are under legitimate fears of violence by imposing strict penalties on those who violate the terms of the orders, and they mandate that the respondent support the petitioner in many ways. 

If you are seeking a protective order, call the Protective Order Lawyer in Virginia at American Lawyers Group.

Experienced Strong Defense Protective Order Lawyer in Virginia

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