Protection orders can seem like a mild nuisance. Usually you just agree to stay away from and have no contact with a person for a certain period of time. It could initially feel like you took the high road, but that choice can have long-term consequences that you may not have anticipated. In this post, we’ll explain why it’s so important to confront protection orders before it can impact your life and career.
Protection Orders Are Easy To Obtain
Protection orders are designed to protect people from legitimate cases of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or a situation where someone feels they may be hurt by another individual. Temporary protection orders typically last for 14 days and don’t require two consenting parties. A final civil protection order typically lasts for one year and is issued by a court after a hearing with or without the “offending” party. If the judge finds “good cause” that the “offending party” aka “respondent” either committed or threatened to commit certain crimes against the petitioner, then she will grant the protection order.
The part many people fail to realize can be used against them is “consent.” For final civil protection orders, you can appear in court to consent in person or tacitly consent to the court order by not appearing. Many respondents consent to protective orders because they do not have to admit any wrongdoing. For many people, this seems like you’re simply saying, “Let’s agree to stay apart,” when you consent. However, the consequences can be the same regardless of an admission of wrongdoing.
Consequences of Civil Protection Orders
An alleged violation of a civil protection order can result in criminal charges. Say you’ve never even committed a crime or violated the protection order. It can still negatively impact your employment opportunities. A protection order can cause you to lose your job, lose your security clearance, and your professional license – eventually excluding you from certain career paths. If you don’t immediately lose your license, it could make it difficult to renew it. If your career has rewarded you with a certain kind of lifestyle, you may find that it’s no longer available to you, even if there was no wrongdoing on your part. And because these orders are public record, anyone can easily find it in the court system.
Taking Your Life Back
If you’re just learning all of this and was served with a temporary protection order or need to appear in court for a hearing, there is no need to panic. You have the power to contest the allegations made against you and clear your name. All of this isn’t to give you anxiety or fear but as a clear reminder that any time a legal issue is brought up, you don’t have to accept it at face value. Accusations are not an automatic indication of guilt.
Civil protection orders may not seem like a big deal, but their consequences can be long lasting. You have to take action to protect your rights, your career, and your lifestyle. You can feel empowered to contest any allegations head-on with our skilled team of legal professionals. At Griffith Law Group, we’ll work tirelessly to ensure that false allegations do not impact your future. If you’ve been served with a protection order, or are facing criminal allegations, call our office at (202) 499-5160 for a free 15-minute consultation.