Fort Worth Protective Order Attorney: Keeping You and Your Family Safe.
Youngblood Law, PLLC helps domestic violence victims obtain protective orders.
Order of Protection Lawyer in Fort Worth, TX
Your home should be a safe place that you share with people you love and trust. Sometimes, though, household members break the trust and become violent. Domestic violence is physically and emotionally shattering, and deciding your next steps can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t have to shoulder this burden alone. Youngblood Law, PLLC has helped numerous men and women break free from their abusers. Whether someone has threatened violence or engaged in it, you can file for a protective order.
Domestic violence can escalate quickly, so don’t delay. If someone has already been violent, they’ll likely do it again, and it could be even worse. Contact a Fort Worth protective order attorney today to get legal help.
Fort Worth Protective Orders Lawyer
If you or a loved one are currently suffering at the hands of an abusive family member or spouse in Fort Worth, TX, it is incredibly important that you take every possible step and immediate action to protect yourselves.
The very first step if you are currently being attacked or experiencing threatening or harassing behavior, is to call the emergency services or head to an emergency shelter.
If you are suffering ongoing abuse, you should also contact an attorney, one that can help you to implement a protective order that protects you and your family from the dangerous individual.
Here at Youngblood Law, PLLC, as a family law firm, we fight for the bright future of the families that come to us. Part of this is our extreme stance against domestic abuse and domestic violence. We promise to do everything within our power to protect you and your family and will fight tirelessly to ensure you remain safe.
Contact us today at 817-369-3970 to talk to one of our protective order attorneys.
Who Can File for Protective Orders?
You can obtain a protective order if:
- If you are or were in a romantic relationship with the abuser.
- Someone has been physically violent with you.
- Someone has threatened physical violence.
- The person is likely to hurt you again.
- The person is stalking you.
What Does A Protective Order Do?
Judges can use their discretion when setting the guidelines for protective orders. First, they will review the evidence and then determine the type of protection you require. Along with restricting communication and contact with you, the protective order can prevent the abuser from going near your children. The order can also stipulate that the abuser cannot own firearms and must go to counseling. In addition, the judge can address child support, visitation, and property in the protective order.
Your Fort Worth order of protection lawyer will present evidence that shows you are a victim of abuse and the abuser poses a continued threat. By providing ample evidence, the judge should understand the danger and act accordingly.
How Does A Protective Order Differ From A Restraining Order?
Often, individuals are confused about the differences between a restraining order and a protective order. The main differences are:
Restraining Orders
Of the two, restraining orders are usually easier to obtain and faster too. There is no burden of proof to prove that the individual has committed family violence in order to obtain a restraining order.
You won’t have to appear in court to testify either, which may be less triggering.
Restraining orders, however, are much less powerful than protective orders as they are only enforceable by the courts, not by the police.
Protective Orders
A protective order is an order issued by a court that is designed to protect victims of domestic violence and abuse. It is much stronger than a traditional restraining order, as it provides greater protection for the victim.
A protective order can order the abuser to stay a certain distance from all victims named within and can also limit contact with other family members. In certain circumstances, it may even require the abuser to surrender any dangerous weapons they own and restrain them from drinking or using drugs while on order.
Additionally, the court can issue a warrant for the abuser’s arrest if they violate the Texas protective order, which is not the case with a traditional restraining order. Overall, a Texas protective order is a much stronger form of protection for the victim of domestic violence or abuse than a restraining order or other similar court orders. It provides a greater level of protection and can be tailored to the individual situation, ensuring that the victim is fully protected.
What Can a Fort Worth, TX Protective Order Do?
The main use of a protective order is to prevent an individual from coming into contact with people they have abused and protects them from further violence. These orders can last for up to two years, and if they are violated, the police can arrest the individual.
A protective order can have many functions, including ordering an abuser to:
- Move out of the marital residence.
- Stay away from you, your home, school, and work.
- Stop abusing you or making threats against you.
- Not contact you, or communicate with you in any way.
- Not harass you, or threaten to harass someone you know.
- Not possess or control any firearms.
- Not go near the children’s daycare, school, or babysitter.
- Not harm the family pets.
- Not take your children away from you.
In order to seek a protective order, you will need to go to court, which can be a scary experience. However, your attorney will be with you every step of the way. After your abuser has been served, they will be expected to turn up in court to answer the allegations.
If they agree to stop the abuse, the court may issue an Agreed Protective Order. If they do not show up in court, you may receive the order automatically.
If they show up and deny the claims of violence, there will need to be a hearing. This is where the skill of your attorney will prove instrumental, as they will be responsible for putting together the case that you present to the Judge to prove you deserve the protective order.
Temporary Protective Orders
If you are in immediate danger, your Fort Worth protective order lawyer can help you apply for a temporary protective order. This order will go into effect immediately and last until the court hearing.
Then, the judge can issue a final protective order. Most protective orders last for up to two years, although the judge has complete discretion. Depending on the situation, the order can last for the rest of the abuser’s life.
Both Men And Women Are Victims Of Domestic Violence
There is a belief that only women are victims of domestic violence. However, this issue affects both genders. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 34.9 percent of the men in Texas will experience domestic violence during their lifetimes. In addition, 40.1 percent of Texas women will suffer at the hands of an abuser. Youngblood Law, PLLC helps both men and women obtain domestic violence protective orders against their abusers.
What are the Requirements for a Protective Order?
Family violence must have already occurred in order for a protective order to be issued. This is due to the strength and power that a protective order has on another person’s life.
In order to obtain a protective order in Texas, the victim must demonstrate that they are in imminent danger of becoming the victim of physical or emotional harm. The victim must also prove that the respondent has acted in a manner that is considered to be threatening, harassing, or violent.
The victim must provide evidence that the respondent has either threatened, harassed, or harmed the petitioner in the past or is likely to do so in the future. Often, the evidence used to show this will include police reports, medical records, witness statements, or any other evidence that supports the claim.
Once the petition is filed and the court has heard the case presented, they will consider the evidence and will decide whether to grant the protective order. The protective order will remain in effect until the court decides to either extend or terminate it.
How Long Do Protective Orders Last?
Ultimately, the courts have the full power to decide how long a protective order will stay in effect. Factors that may influence this include.
- Whether the abuse was physical, mental or financial.
- The severity of the injuries or abuse.
- The vulnerability of the abused. (children, animals, elderly etc).
- Whether or not an arrest was made.
In the majority of cases, a protective order will not last longer than two years from the date of issue.
Contact Youngblood Law, PLLC, Immediately
If you are worried that either you, or your family are in danger, call the emergency services immediately and get to a place of safety.
Once safe, contact our team here at Youngblood Law, PLLC and we can begin the process of applying for a protective order that will ensure your safety. We can also work with you to begin divorce proceedings if the abuser is your wife or husband. We will keep you safe until your proceedings are finalized and help you move into a brighter new future.
Contact us at 817-369-3970.
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