Order of Protection Lawyer St. Louis, MO. If you were served with a restraining order in St. Louis, MO you need a skilled order of protection defense lawyer to ensure your rights and future stay intact. With a impressive track record of excellence, Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing effective defense solutions to help good people caught in bad situations. Speak to an order of protection defense lawyer in St. Louis, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us through our website for a no-cost consultation. You can check out our defense victories here.
Legal Videos
Can I get a restraining order removed from my record?
Can you get an order of protection or restraining order removed from your record in Missouri? Chris Combs and Steve Waterkotte discuss if a restraining order stays on your record permanently or if …
Potential for Emotional Manipulation in Missouri Order of Protection Cases
Order of protection cases in Missouri aim to safeguard individuals from harm, but there is potential for emotional manipulation that can complicate outcomes. Some may exaggerate or fabricate abuse …
Why You Need an Order of Protection Defense Lawyer in Missouri
Chris Combs from Combs Waterkotte Criminal Defense Law Firm discusses the importance of having an attorney for an Order of Protection defense. An Order of Protection (OP) is a legal measure to …
Challenges of Getting an Order of Protection Dismissed
What are the challenges of getting an order of Protection dismissed in Missouri? An Order of Protection (OP) is a legal measure to protect individuals from domestic violence or harassment in …
Do I Need a Lawyer For A Restraining Order?
Do you need a lawyer or attorney for a restraining order or an order of protection in Missouri? Chris Combs and Steve Waterkotte discuss why you should hire an attorney if you have been served with …
What To Do After Being Served With An Order of Protection
What should you do immediately after being served with an order of protection in Missouri? Chris Combs and Steve Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte Criminal Defense Law Firm discuss what you need to do …
Can I get a restraining order removed from my record?
Can you get an order of protection or restraining order removed from your record in Missouri? Chris Combs and Steve Waterkotte discuss if a restraining order stays on your record permanently or if …
Potential for Emotional Manipulation in Missouri Order of Protection Cases
Order of protection cases in Missouri aim to safeguard individuals from harm, but there is potential for emotional manipulation that can complicate outcomes. Some may exaggerate or fabricate abuse …
Why You Need an Order of Protection Defense Lawyer in Missouri
Chris Combs from Combs Waterkotte Criminal Defense Law Firm discusses the importance of having an attorney for an Order of Protection defense. An Order of Protection (OP) is a legal measure to …
Challenges of Getting an Order of Protection Dismissed
What are the challenges of getting an order of Protection dismissed in Missouri? An Order of Protection (OP) is a legal measure to protect individuals from domestic violence or harassment in …
Do I Need a Lawyer For A Restraining Order?
Do you need a lawyer or attorney for a restraining order or an order of protection in Missouri? Chris Combs and Steve Waterkotte discuss why you should hire an attorney if you have been served with …
What To Do After Being Served With An Order of Protection
What should you do immediately after being served with an order of protection in Missouri? Chris Combs and Steve Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte Criminal Defense Law Firm discuss what you need to do …
What Is an Order of Protection?
An order of protection, also known as a restraining order, is a critical legal measure designed to ensure the safety of individuals who may be confronting threats, harassment, or violence from another party. It is a court-issued directive–signed by a judge–that compels the accused to refrain from any form of contact with the petitioner.
Under Missouri Revised Statute §455.020, anybody who has suffered from domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault can file an order of protection alleging those actions against a current family member or someone who lives with them.
If a judge determines there is “good cause”, they can issue an “ex parte order of protection,” which limits contact between the petitioner and they person they say is a risk. The ex parte order is issued before a hearing and remains in effect until a hearing. If a hearing doesn’t take place within 15 days, the order of protection automatically expires. After the hearing, a judge can issue a full order that lasts between 180 days to up to two years, depending on how serious a threat the St. Louis, MO judge thinks you are.
At this crucial hearing you need your rights and future protected by expert order of protection defense lawyers in St. Louis, MO. If you were given an order of protection in St. Louis, MO, get in touch with Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP. We will endeavor to have your order of protection dismissed and obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
Common Situations Involving Orders of Protection in St. Louis, MO
Missouri’s Domestic Violence Act presents two primary instances where someone can file an order of protection: abuse and stalking.
- Abuse — Abuse can be acts, attempts or threats involving:
- Harming a pet
- Assault, or placing another person in fear of being physically injured
- Battery, or inflicting physical harm
- Coercion, or utilizing threats to force a person to follow a specific action
- Harassment, or taking part in a course of conduct that “alarms or causes distress to another person and serves no legitimate purpose”
- Sexual assault
- Unlawful imprisonment, or confining somebody somewhere against their will
- Stalking — Stalking means purposefully participating in an unwanted course of conduct that causes alarm.
- Alarm means to trigger fear of physical harm
- Course of conduct means two or more acts that “serve no legitimate purpose” such as tracking, monitoring, observing, surveilling, threatening, or communicating through any means or device
Within such complicated and intense scenarios, the guidance and representation of an order of protection defense lawyer in St. Louis, MO can be all the difference in guaranteeing that the legal process is adhered to appropriately and that all parties’ rights are protected.
Combs Waterkotte: Your St. Louis, MO Order of Protection Defense Lawyer
If you’re facing an order of protection in St. Louis, MO, you need a defense lawyer with a thorough understanding of the details involved. Our team of seasoned attorneys is proficient in St. Louis and Missouri order of protection law. As your St. Louis, MO order of protection defense lawyer, we offer:
- Proven successes — Combs Waterkotte has a consistent track record of achieving the best possible outcomes for clients dealing with orders of protection and/or criminal charges in St. Louis, MO. All of our clients deserve to have their story presented in court.
- Expertise and experience — Our team is made up of experienced legal professionals with thorough knowledge of order of protection laws, courtroom procedures and negotiation strategies. We tap into this expertise to formulate robust defenses tailored to your unique circumstances.
- Legal consultation — We offer an initial consultation without any fees to assess the specifics of your case, respond to your questions, review your legal options, and create a customized legal strategy.
- Evidence collection — Our team works in assembling and preserving crucial evidence to bolster your defense, ensuring that no detail is missed and the court will hear the full version of every angle of the story.
- Court representation — We deliver steadfast representation in court proceedings, standing up for your rights and future at each stage.
- Negotiation — Our adept negotiators endeavor to reach agreeable resolutions when possible, aiming to lessen the impact of an order of protection on your life.
With Combs Waterkotte as your dedicated St. Louis, MO order of protection defense lawyer, you can feel certain that you are in competent hands, getting the assistance and advocacy you deserve during this challenging time.
What to Do After Being Served With an Order of Protection
Immediate Actions
If served with an order of protection in St. Louis, MO, it is vital to take immediate and deliberate steps to protect your rights and interests:
- Read the order thoroughly — Start with carefully reading the order of protection document you received. Understand its terms and restrictions to guarantee compliance. While you may not concur with everything it says, understanding it and adhering to it until the hearing is in your best interest in the long run.
- Obey the order — Adhere strictly to the stipulations mandated in the order of protection. Any violation can result in grave legal consequences, such as arrest.
- Document all communication — Maintain a detailed record of any interactions, interactions or incidents involving the petitioner. This record can serve as essential evidence in your defense.
- Contact an order of protection defense lawyer — Without delay, reach out to a qualified attorney with expertise in order of protection cases. Getting legal representation is essential to defend your rights and future most effectively.
- Notify your attorney — Share all applicable information with your attorney, like details of the situation that led to the order of protection. Candidness is key to forming a robust defense.
- Restrictions on possessions — If the order of protection has restrictions on accessing your home or possessions, adhere to these restrictions to avoid further legal complications.
Taking these swift actions will lay the foundation for a solid defense and assist safeguard your rights through the St. Louis, MO order of protection case. Keep in mind that legal representation, like that offered by Combs Waterkotte’s St. Louis, MO order of protection defense attorneys, is essential to lead you through this process.
The Legal Process
Once taking prompt steps post being served an order of protection, it’s vital to understand the legal process that will transpire:
- Filing a response — Your attorney will aid you in crafting and filing a response to the order of protection. This response will detail your version of events and your defense strategy.
- Court dates — Stay informed of the court dates and hearings tied to your case. Be present at all scheduled court appearances with your attorney to guarantee your voice is heard and the court does not side with the petitioner before hearing your version of events. The hearing usually consists of:
- Presentation of evidence
- Witness testimony
- Cross-examination
- Legal arguments
- Issuance or denial of a protection order, along with the duration and explanation of terms (if granted)
Consequences of an Order of Protection in St. Louis, MO, Missouri
Encountering an order of protection can cause a spectrum of major consequences that extend beyond the courtroom:
- Restrictions on contact — The primary consequence is the enforced restriction on contacting the protected party. This can interfere with personal relationships, particularly if you share children, a residence, or other common interests.
- Impact on personal life — Orders of protection can lead to the loss of personal freedoms, including restrictions on where you can go and who you can be with.
- Criminal charges — Violating the terms of an order of protection can lead to criminal charges, like arrest and potential incarceration.
- Firearm restrictions — A respondent under an order of protection may be forbidden from possessing firearms under federal law.
- Suspension of concealed carry permit — A concealed carry permit may be suspended if the holder is affected by a valid full order of protection.
- Immigration consequences — If you’re an immigrant, having an order of protection imposed on you may have consequences. Breaking an order of protection can also lead to immigration-related issues.
Given the severity of the potential consequences, you need knowledgeable and devoted legal representation. Combs Waaterkotte knows the nuances of order of protection cases in St. Louis, MO and is committed to reducing the impact of these orders on your life. Our knowledgeable attorneys are focused on protecting your rights, investigating legal options, and pursuing the best possible outcome for your case. Don’t traverse the complexities of an order of protection alone – have Combs Waterkotte be your representative and guide.
Other cases we take on in St. Louis, MO include:
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Federal Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
Call Combs Waterkotte’s St. Louis, MO Order of Protection Defense Lawyer Today
If you are confronted with an order of protection or need legal advice in such matters, we strongly recommend you to arrange for a consultation with Combs Waterkotte. During this crucial initial meeting, you will have the occasion to go over the details of your case, voice your concerns, and obtain insights into the legal options open to you.
To take the preliminary step in the direction of ensuring your defense in an order of protection case in St. Louis, MO, reach out to an order of protection defense lawyer in St. Louis, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us through our website for a free consultation.
With Combs Waterkotte, we are committed to supporting you through the legal journey, providing resolute support, knowledge, and advocacy. Don’t delay to reach out to us today to go over your order of protection case in St. Louis, MO and take proactive steps towards protecting your rights and future.
