Protective Orders – “A Guide for Victims”

Name: Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C.
Address: 28319 Southampton Pkwy, Courtland, VA, 23837, US
Telephone: 757-517-8956
Price range: Free Consultation

You and your family have the right to be safe from harm. Under Virginia law, if you have been physically harmed, an order of protection is an important step to protecting yourself and your family. If you have not been physically harmed and instead are suffering from mental or emotional abuse, there are resources in Virginia to help.

Protective orders are a legal means to stop the abuse. In the event of a divorce or custody dispute, they can be a useful means of proving the existence of domestic violence. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., our Virginia protective order attorneys have the experience and skill you need to guide you through this difficult time.

It should be noted that protective orders cannot necessarily protect you and your family from violence. There are other resources in addition to an order of protection. If you feel you are in danger, please use the resources listed here.

Protective orders

There are three types of protective orders:

Emergency Protective Orders, also known as EPOs
- Often, when the police are called to a domestic situation, an emergency protective order is issued by the judge or magistrate. The offending person is taken into custody but will be released within a few hours or days, depending on the circumstances. The EPO will provide legal protection from being contacted. You do not have to press charges for an EPO to be issued.
Permanent Protective Orders, POs
- POs need to be specifically requested. When you go before the judge, they will listen to your sworn statement and that of the offending party
- The PO can be extended up to two years, but there are no limits to how many times it can be extended
- Sometimes a judge will tie treatment, like counseling or other programs, to the PO
Preliminary Protective Orders, PPOs
- You do not have to have an emergency protective order in place to request a preliminary protective order, but there is a time frame. You must request a PPO within a short time after the abuse, violent act, or domestic assault.
- The judge will listen to your sworn statement, and if granted, it will last 15 days or until the date of the final PPO Hearing.
- A PPO can include;
  - No contact with the victim, victim’s family members, or household members
  - No violent acts, force, threats, or criminal offenses resulting in injury to person or property
  - The judge may impose other conditions if they deem it necessary
  - In family abuse cases, temporary possession of the house can be granted to the victim
  - Granting of the family vehicle

Why Have Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. by Your Side?

It is immensely beneficial to have a Virginia protective order attorney present to ensure your interests are made clear. If you are the victim of a sexual assault, violent act, or domestic violence, it will not be easy to retell the story of what happened. It will not be easy to face the person who harmed you in court, especially if there are children involved. Having a lawyer by your side can give you the support you need in court to face these difficult events. Also, a lawyer can help you clearly recount the violent acts to a judge in a concise and articulate manner.

The dedicated attorneys at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., have extensive experience in cases of domestic and family abuse, sexual assault, threats of violence, and other violent acts. When you need someone to look out for your best interests in the court of law, contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 757-742-6115.