Order of Protection Lawyer Lafayette County, MO
If you were served with a restraining order in Lafayette County, MO you need an experienced 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 highly successful defense solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Speak to an order of protection defense lawyer in Lafayette County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us through our website for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation. You can check out our defense victories here.
What Is an Order of Protection?
An order of protection, also known as a restraining order, is a essential legal instrument designed to ensure the safety of individuals who may be facing dangers, harassment, or violence from another party. It serves as a court-issued document–signed by a judge–that compels the alleged perpetrator to avoid 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 relative or someone who lives with them.
If a judge determines there is compelling rationale, they can provide an “ex parte order of protection,” which limits contact between the alleged victim and their alleged abuser. The ex parte order occurs before a hearing and remains in effect until a hearing. If a hearing doesn’t happen within 15 days, the immediate 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 Lafayette County, MO judge thinks you are.
At this crucial hearing you need your rights and interests protected by expert order of protection defense lawyers in Lafayette County, MO. If you were served with an order of protection in Lafayette County, MO, reach out to Combs Waterkotte right away 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 Lafayette County, MO
Missouri’s Domestic Violence Act provides two chief instances where someone can file an order of protection: abuse and stalking.
- Abuse — Abuse can be acts, attempts or threats involving:
- Mistreating a pet
- Assault, or putting another person in fear of physical harm
- Battery, or inflicting physical harm
- Coercion, or leveraging threats to pressure a person to act in a certain way
- Harassment, or engaging in a course of conduct that “alarms or causes distress to another person and serves no legitimate purpose”
- Sexual assault
- Kidnapping, or holding somebody somewhere against their will
- Stalking — Stalking implies purposefully engaging in an unwanted course of conduct that causes alarm.
- Alarm means to cause fear of physical harm
- Course of conduct means two or more acts that “serve no legitimate purpose” including following, monitoring, observing, surveilling, threatening, or communicating through any medium or device
Within such complicated and highly emotional scenarios, the guidance and representation of an order of protection defense lawyer in Lafayette County, MO can be all the difference in making sure that the legal process is followed correctly and that each individual’s rights are protected.
Combs Waterkotte: Your Lafayette County, MO Order of Protection Defense Lawyer
If you’re facing an order of protection in Lafayette County, MO, you need a defense lawyer with a thorough understanding of the details involved. Our team of knowledgeable attorneys is proficient in Lafayette County and Missouri order of protection law. As your Lafayette County, MO order of protection defense lawyer, we provide:
- Proven successes — Combs Waterkotte boasts a strong history of achieving the best possible outcomes for clients who received orders of protection and/or criminal charges in Lafayette County, MO. All of our clients are entitled to have their story presented in court.
- Expertise and experience — Our team consists of seasoned legal professionals with in-depth knowledge of order of protection laws, courtroom procedures and negotiation strategies. We leverage this expertise to design robust defenses tailored to your unique circumstances.
- Legal consultation — We extend an initial consultation without any fees to assess the specifics of your case, answer your questions, go over your legal options, and create a customized legal strategy.
- Evidence collection — Our team works in assembling and preserving vital evidence to strengthen your defense, making sure that no detail is missed and the court will hear the full version of both sides of the story.
- Court representation — We deliver steadfast representation in court proceedings, advocating for your rights and interests at each stage.
- Negotiation — Our skilled negotiators work to reach agreeable resolutions when possible, aiming to lessen the impact of an order of protection on your life.
By choosing Combs Waterkotte as your dedicated Lafayette County, MO order of protection defense lawyer, you can be confident that you are in trustworthy hands, benefiting from the support and advocacy you need throughout this tough time.
What to Do After Being Served With an Order of Protection
Immediate Actions
Whenever served with an order of protection in Lafayette County, MO, it is imperative to take immediate and deliberate steps to protect your rights and interests:
- Read the order thoroughly — Begin by thoroughly reading the order of protection document you received. Comprehend its terms and restrictions to make sure of compliance. While you may not agree with everything it says, understanding it and adhering to it until the hearing is in your long-term best interest.
- Do not violate the order — Comply closely to the stipulations outlined in the order of protection. Any violation can result in grave legal consequences, like criminal charges.
- Document all communication — Hold onto a comprehensive record of any communication, interactions or incidents concerning the other party. This log can serve as vital evidence in your defense.
- Contact an order of protection defense lawyer — Without delay, contact a knowledgeable attorney with a background in order of protection cases. Getting legal representation is essential to safeguard your rights and future most effectively.
- Notify your attorney — Provide all pertinent information with your attorney, like details of the situation that resulted in the order of protection. Candidness is key to forming a solid defense.
- Restrictions on possessions — If the order of protection includes restrictions on entering your home or possessions, comply with these restrictions to steer clear of further legal complications.
Taking these prompt steps will set the foundation for a solid defense and aid protect your rights during the Lafayette County, MO order of protection case. Bear in mind that legal representation, akin to that given by Combs Waterkotte’s Lafayette County, MO order of protection defense attorneys, is essential to direct you through this process.
The Legal Process
Upon taking prompt steps following being served an order of protection, it’s imperative to understand the legal process that will transpire:
- Filing a response — Your attorney will help you in drafting and filing a response to the order of protection. This response will detail your side of the story and the legal defenses you have.
- Court dates — Keep in mind the court dates and hearings related to your case. Attend all scheduled court appearances with your attorney to make sure your voice is acknowledged and the court does not side with the petitioner before you have your day in court. The hearing usually comprises:
- Presentation of evidence
- Witness testimony
- Cross-examination
- Legal arguments
- Approval or rejection of a protection order, including the duration and explanation of terms (if granted)
Consequences of an Order of Protection in Lafayette County, MO, Missouri
Confronting an order of protection can lead to a range of significant consequences that reach beyond the courtroom:
- Restrictions on contact — The most immediate consequence is the mandated restriction on reaching out to the protected party. This can disrupt 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, such as limitations on where you can go and who you can spend time with.
- Criminal charges — Infringing the terms of an order of protection can cause criminal charges, such as arrest and potential incarceration.
- Firearm restrictions — A respondent subject to an order of protection may be banned from having firearms according to federal law.
- Suspension of concealed carry permit — A concealed carry permit may be suspended if the holder becomes subject to a valid full order of protection.
- Immigration consequences — If you’re an alien, having an order of protection issued against you may have consequences. Violating an order of protection can also lead to immigration-related issues.
Considering the seriousness of the potential consequences, you must have seasoned and committed legal representation. Combs Waaterkotte knows the subtleties of order of protection cases in Lafayette County, MO and is committed to minimizing the impact of these orders on your life. Our knowledgeable attorneys are committed to protecting your rights, investigating legal options, and pursuing the best possible outcome for your case. Do not navigate the complications of an order of protection alone – have Combs Waterkotte be your champion and guide.
Other cases we take on in Lafayette County, MO include:
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- DWI Attorney
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
Call Combs Waterkotte’s Lafayette County, MO Order of Protection Defense Lawyer For a Free Consultation
If you are dealing with an order of protection or seek legal advice in such matters, we vigorously recommend you to set up a consultation with Combs Waterkotte. In this essential initial meeting, you will have the opportunity to go over the details of your case, convey your concerns, and obtain insights into the legal options open to you.
To begin the first step in the direction of securing your rights and future in an order of protection case in Lafayette County, MO, talk to an order of protection defense lawyer in Lafayette County, MO now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.
With Combs Waterkotte, we are committed to standing by your side throughout the legal journey, giving resolute support, legal skill, and advocacy. Don’t wait to reach out to us now to go over your order of protection case in Lafayette County, MO and take proactive steps towards defending your rights and future.
