Just last week, I was in court for a protective order trial. The outcome? Case dismissed. Our client was thrilled. He told us, “I’m so glad I hired an attorney—everyone else had their protective orders granted.”
That kind of result doesn’t happen by accident.
Protective Orders Can Haunt You
If a protective order is granted against you, it’s not just a slap on the wrist. It can lead to criminal charges. A violation of the order—something as simple as sending a text or making a phone call—can result in an invasion of privacy charge. That starts as a misdemeanor, but repeat violations can be bumped up to a Level 6 felony. That’s a felony conviction that will follow you around for the rest of your life.
A protective order can also impact your ability to possess a firearm, hurt your employment opportunities, and cause a domino effect of legal consequences. And once that order is granted, it’s not easy to undo. If you received notice and just didn’t show up, there’s very little we can do after the fact.
Timing Is Everything
The earlier you get an attorney involved, the better your chances of avoiding disaster. We can review the petition against you, assess the allegations, and come up with a game plan. Sometimes we fight the claims head-on. Other times, the smarter move is to avoid putting you under oath and opening the door to criminal prosecution.
But these are decisions we make together, based on the facts and your circumstances. What we can’t do is go back in time. If you get notice and ignore it, your options are severely limited.
What If You Never Got Notice?
It happens more often than you’d think. Maybe you were living with the person who filed the protective order. Maybe you moved out, and the notice was sent to your old address. If you never received it, there’s a decent chance we can reopen the case. But once you’ve been properly notified, the clock starts ticking—and the window to fight it starts closing.
Make the Right Call
Whether the allegations are completely bogus or you think the order might be warranted, don’t go into that hearing alone. Talk to an attorney. Let us look at the paperwork, help you understand what you’re up against, and put together a strategy that works for you.
If you’ve got a hearing scheduled—or even just a notice—call the Marc Lopez Law Firm at 317-632-3642. And remember—always plead the 5th!
