Fighting To Secure A Protective Order For You
Nobody wants to be abused, assaulted or harassed. But if you’re living with or near an abuser, it can be difficult to avoid hurtful encounters. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to change your situation.
If you’re looking to obtain a protective order against your abuser, we can help. We are attorneys, Brent and Piper Morgan. We bring understanding and compassion to every case at The Morgan Law Office. With approximately 40 years of combined family law case experience, we can help you navigate the process of obtaining a protective order and will maintain timely communication with you to ensure you’re regularly updated on your case.
How Does A Protective Order Work?
Through a protective order, a judge orders the offender to stop abusing you. Specifically, the judge can compel the offender to:
- Stop doing anything that would harass or annoy you or your family
- Stop attempting to communicate (whether directly or indirectly) with you or your family
- Stay away from you, your family and places like the school your children go to, your workplace, etc.
- Surrender any firearms they have
The judge also has the discretion to prohibit the offender from doing any other action that could inflict future harm upon you and your household.
When Do You Need A Protective Order?
You would need a protective order in situations where you need legal protection from another due to various forms of abuse, harassment or threats. Those situations may include:
- Domestic violence: When a family member, partner or household member physically abuses, threatens or harms someone
- Child abuse: If there is evidence or suspicion that a parent or another adult is physically, sexually or emotionally abusing a child
- Elder abuse: Protecting older individuals from physical harm, neglect or financial exploitation by caregivers or family members
- Sexual assault: If a person has been sexually assaulted or there’s a threat of sexual assault
- Dating violence: Abuse or threats of harm by an individual with whom the victim has a dating relationship, which can include current or former dating partners.
- Stalking: If an individual is being followed, monitored or harassed repeatedly in a way that causes them to feel afraid or threatened
The specific circumstances and evidence required to obtain a protective order can vary, so it’s essential for those seeking protection to get legal advice tailored to their particular case.
What Are The Types Of Protective Orders?
In Texas, there are two main types of protective orders. They are:
- Temporary ex parte orders: These can be issued quickly without a hearing and without the alleged abuser being present. They are meant to provide immediate protection and typically last for up to 20 days, at which point a hearing is set to determine if a longer term order is necessary.
- Permanent protective orders: After a hearing in which both parties can present evidence, a court may grant a longer term protective order. These orders can last up to two years, and in certain circumstances, they can extend beyond that.
Texas law enforcement strictly imposes protective orders.
Learn How You Can Obtain A Protective Order Today
Call The Morgan Law Office today to learn how we can fight for your right to an order. We serve Midland and its surrounding communities with their family law needs. Give us a call at 432-307-6507 or message us through our online contact form for an initial consultation.