Domestic violence allegations in Georgetown can often result in a protective order, also known as a protection order, order of protection or restraining order, against the alleged offender. Protective orders are often issued after the court has heard testimony from one or both parties and the judge has determined that family violence or dating violence has occurred and will likely occur in the future. Protective orders are usually between household or family members and can occasionally arise from false accusations or allegations.
Violations of protective orders can result in serious consequences and additional criminal penalties. If you have been accused of violating the terms of your protective order, it is essential to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Georgetown who will make every effort to identify your best legal defense.
Georgetown Violation of Protective Order Lawyer
If you have been charged with violating a protective order in Georgetown, or any of the surrounding areas in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Belton or Harker Heights, contact Price & Twine, PLLC
Michael J. Price is an aggressive domestic violence attorney in Georgetown will make every effort to fight the allegations against you. Call Price & Twine, PLLC for a free consultation at (512) 354-1880 about your alleged violation of a protective order.
Georgetown Protective Order Terms
Terms commonly associated with family violence and protective orders are defined in the Texas Family Code as follows:
Petitioner – Also known as the complainant or applicant, this is the person who has requested the protective order, or the protected individual.
Respondent – Also known as the defendant, thisis the person who the protective order was put in place against, or the individual who is the alleged offender.
Family Violence – Also known as domestic violence, domestic abuse or dating violence, this involves an intentional act by one family member against another in order to cause physical harm or bodily injury.
Dating Violence – This involves an intentional act by a person in a dating relationship against another person currently or previously in a dating relationship that causes physical or bodily harm.
Family Member – This is anyone related by blood, marriage, a former marriage, parents of the same child, foster parents or step-parents.
Household Member – This is anyone who resides or has previously resided in the same home, such as roommates.
Georgetown Violation of a Protective Order
According to Tex. Penal Code § 25.07, an individual can be charged with violating a protective order if they knowingly or intentionally:
- Commit family violence or an act in furtherance of a sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault or stalking;
- Communicate with a protected individual or their family members in a threatening or harassing way, threaten a protected individual or their family members, or communicate with a protected person or their family members in any way that is prohibited by the protective order;
- Possesses a firearm; or
- Goes to or near the protected individual’s residence or place of employment, or any school or child care facility where a child protected by the order resides or attends.
Common Protective Order Requirements in Georgetown
According to sections 85.021 and 85.022 of the Texas Family Code, the respondent to a protective order must follow certain requirements and is prohibited from engaging in certain activities, which can include, but are not limited to the following:
- A restraint against committing any act of family violence;
- A restraint against communicating in a threatening or harassing manner directly with a person protected by the order or a member of the family or household of a person protected by the order;
- A restraint against communicating a threat through any person to a person protected by an order or a member of the family or household protected by the order;
- A restraint against communicating in any manner with a person protected by an order or a member of the family or household of a person protected by an order, except through an attorney;
- A restraint against going to or near the residence of the protected individual;
- A restraint against going to or near the place of employment or business of the protected individual;
- A restraint against going to or near the residence, child-care facility or school of a protected child;
- A restraint against possessing a firearm;
- Temporarily give parental rights to the protected individual;
- Ordered to give up the use and possession of community property or jointly owned or leased property; and/or
- Ordered to pay financial support to the protected individual or other family or household members.
Penalties for Violating a Protective Order in Georgetown
A violation of protective order can result in a class A misdemeanor conviction, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $4,000.
However, a violation of a protective order can result in a felony of the third degree conviction, which is punishable by two to ten years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000, if the alleged offender has previously been convicted of two or more violations, or violates the protective order by committing assault or stalking.
A violation of a protective order can also negatively impact future employment, admission to college or graduate school programs, applications for public housing, scholarship applications, and certain types of financial aid.
Price & Twine, PLLC | Round Rock Protective Order Violation Attorney
Contact Price & Twine, PLLC today for a consultation about your alleged protective order violation throughout Williamson County in Texas. Michael J. Price is an experienced Georgetown criminal defense lawyer who will make every effort to help you achieve the most desirable outcome for your particular situation.
Contact Price & Twine, PLLC at (512) 354-1880 for a consultation about your protective order violation allegations throughout Williamson County and Bell County in Texas.