Orders of Protection Lawyer St. Louis, MO
Missouri Ex Parte Defense Attorneys
This content has been written and edited by professional legal writers and individually reviewed and verified by Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte, attorneys who have over 40 combined years in the criminal defense industry.
Orders of Protection Lawyers St. Louis, MO:
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Orders of Protection in St. Louis, MO
In Missouri, an Order of Protection prohibits anyone that has been served to contact the alleged victim. This includes communicating, threatening, abusing, or engaging in any way with the order’s petitioner. This is also known as an ex parte, or order of protection, or more commonly known as a restraint order.
We handle cases like your every day. Reach out to our St. Louis orders of protection lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP.
Orders of protection are usually attached to domestic violence and to safeguard any alleged victims from further violence (both physical and emotional).
Ex parte order of protection typically involves temporary restraining orders. This may mean that the accused party cannot return to a certain property, communicate with spouses or children, or come near the petitioner until the court, police, and lawyers become involved in the case.
A full order of protection can only be issued after a hearing on record when the notice has been served and the respondent responds.
Both orders of protection can be suspended by a judge or renewed for a longer period of time given the circumstances.
An order of protection can be filed and served if someone alleges that they have experienced abuse, harassment, physical harm, stalking, or some other type of dangerous behavior. There are various rules based on where you are located and where the case took place. In St. Louis, for example, you have to reside in the actual city or county and be served by the local court or a police officer.
Common Reasons for Orders of Protection in Missouri
Commonly known as a restraining order, the petitioner (alleged victim) of some criminal act will have to file with the court. Common instances of this may involve domestic violence, sexual encounters, emotional abuse, theft, and other crimes. You can learn more about county courts and how to file an order of protection here. It’s important to note that minors are also able to file restraining orders against adults. See below for common allegations that may lead to an order of protection:
Common Reasons for Restraining Orders in Missouri:
- Stalking
- Sexual Assault
- Harassment
- Domestic Violence
- Marital Asset Disputes
- Property Destruction
Being Served With an Order of Protection in St. Louis, MO
If you are the one being served, it will be so in person to ensure you received the proper documentation. There are various ways this can happen, but when it does the respondent should read the documentation and contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You can also call us here: (314) 900-HELP.
What Dictates an Order of Protection?
The laws behind restraining orders are vague for a reason. Whether or not the order of protection is approved, there are a few things a judge will look at:
- Substantial Evidence
- The Respondent’s History of Violence
- Threats (Physical and Digital)
- Case History
- Neglect to Respond
It’s also important for anyone filing an order of protection to abide by rules. For example, don’t text, call, or communicate with the defendant under any circumstances unless the court or your criminal defense lawyer says it’s OK to do so – usually, this would be for coordinating child care or other unique circumstances.
Criminal Defense Attorneys in St. Louis
If you or a loved one are looking for guidance about an Order of Protection or a restraining order, don’t wait to contact our firm now. Combs Waterkotte is recognized as a leader in criminal defense throughout the Great St. Louis area.
Helpful Links
For expert legal representation on an order of protection in St. Louis or anywhere else in Missouri, call the Combs Waterkotte criminal defense attorneys right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.
- Telling Your Side of the Story: Contesting an Order of Protection
- How to Get an Order of Protection Dismissed
- What to Do If You’ve Been Served
- Domestic Violence & Orders of Protection
- Common Defenses to Domestic Violence Charges
- Why Hiring a Domestic Violence Defense Attorney Early in Your Case is Crucial
- A Complete Guide to Missouri Domestic Violence Laws
- How to Remove an Order of Protection
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