When you’ve been victimized, filing a protection order is an act of courage. If you have received an order of protection based on a false accusation, fighting back is an act of courage. Whichever situation you’re in, a Spokane Valley domestic violence lawyer from Dellino Family Law is ready to join forces as your ally.
We have 180 years of combined experience and believe there is a solution for every problem. If you’ve been abused or falsely accused, we want to protect you. Connect with a protection orders lawyer in Spokane Valley to get peace of mind and aggressive advocacy.
How a Protection Order Can Affect Your Life
When you experience abuse, assault, or domestic violence, filing a protection order against the perpetrator can give you much-needed protection. It’s important to understand protection orders in Washington State, so you know which type meets your needs.
Those served with a protection orders also feel its effects. Protection orders can limit or prohibit contact with your accuser. If you have children and are divorcing or have divorced the other parent, a protection order could affect the time you spend with your kids. When you have been falsely accused, the effects of an order are particularly devastating.
Depending on your circumstances, our Spokane Valley family lawyers can help you get or fight a protection order. You need to know your rights. We can explain them to you and then fight to uphold them, working to keep your life and your relationships safe.
Types of Protection Orders in Washington
The Washington Court publication “Understanding Washington State Protection Orders and How They Can Help You” explains the 12 protection orders that exist for specific situations. Several situations are matters of family law. A Spokane Valley protection orders attorney can offer comprehensive information on the orders and their implications.
Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO)
A person can file when a family or household member or intimate partner harms them or threatens harm. Domestic violence can be physical or sexual, or occur when the abuser uses controlling behavior, called “coercive control,” to exert power over victims.
Petitioners can file for their own protection or on behalf of minors or vulnerable adults who are part of their families or households.
Abused Child Restraining Order (ACRO)
A child in your family may disclose abuse by their other parent, family or household member, or legal guardian. The ACRO attempts to minimize the child’s trauma by providing “the earliest intervention possible.”
Family Law Restraining Order (FLRO)
Matters of divorce and parentage can become contentious. The FLRO is designed to protect adults or children who have to deal with a high-conflict divorce or other related family law cases from abuse and harassment.
Domestic Violence No Contact Order (DVNCO)
You can only file a DVNCO if you have reported the abuser to the authorities and the authorities have issued domestic violence charges. The order is designed to keep you safe in the present and protect against future abuse or threats.
Additional Protection Orders
Additional orders exist for protection against sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and other offenses that occur outside of family, household, or intimate relationships. Still others help extend domestic violence or other protective orders issued from other states or territories or Canadian provinces.
How a Protection Orders Attorney in Spokane Valley Can Help You
A Spokane Valley protection orders lawyer can determine which type of order matches your situation or explain the terms of an order issued against you. If you are the victim of some form of family abuse, our goal is to keep you safe. At Dellino Family Law, we can help you report the abuse, file for the appropriate order of protection, and explain the next steps.
You might have received notice of a protection order filed against you. The first thing you should do after being served with a protection order is connect with an attorney. A lawyer can give a clear explanation of the restrictions and requirements the order demands of you. We can also tell you what not to do.
Do not contact the petitioner demanding explanations, offering apologies, issuing threats, or for any other reason. We understand your desire to get answers or express your frustration, especially if the accusation is false.
Still, acting on that desire could incur more penalties and consequences for you. If you’re facing criminal charges, you’ll need help from a criminal defense attorney.
How Protection Orders Affect Divorce Proceedings
Protection orders can have a major impact on parenting plans. These plans determine how much time a child lives or spends with each parent after a divorce, and each parent’s involvement in making decisions that affect the child’s life.
Per Chapter 10: Parenting Plans of the Washington Court’s manual on domestic violence, parenting plans must support the best interests of the child. A DVNCO can limit the accused’s contact with the child or prohibit it altogether. Even if the abuse was “only” against the ex-spouse, the court examines how a continued relationship with the abuser can affect the child’s emotional and cognitive well-being.
There are consequences to a DVPO even if there are no children. The Washington Court publication
states that the order can remove the accused from a “shared residence” and “grant essential possessions,” such as pets and vehicles, as the court sees fit. The court has the power to tailor the order to the specific situation.
Additional Consequences
If you have a protection order against you, the terms could require you to attend treatment or counseling. While you do not have to reveal the order to employers or future employers, some may have mandatory reporting standards in place, or they could find it as a matter of public record. Depending on company policy, you could face suspension or termination.
During the Toughest Times, We’re on Your Side
You deserve to be safe. Sometimes, safety requires a protection order. We can help you file it. If a protection order has been weaponized against you, you deserve to have the truth exposed.
We can help bring that truth to light. A Spokane Valley protection orders attorney from Dellino Family Law is here to help you through this difficult time. We are on your side.