Do you need to protect yourself, your children, or someone you love from potential harm? In Connecticut, restraining orders forbid an abusive person from approaching or contacting you. However, to successfully obtain a restraining order, you need the right strategy. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, we empower you to take the necessary steps to secure your safety, protect your rights, and create a healthy future for you and yours.
Alternatively, are you facing the daunting task of defending yourself against a false restraining order? In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, it’s not uncommon for misunderstandings and disputes to arise. Unfortunately, one consequence of these conflicts can be the issuance of false restraining orders. In some cases, vengeful partners even use restraining orders to attempt to secure an advantage in divorce or child custody matters. When you’ve been served with a petition for a restraining order, you must protect your rights and uncover the truth. From gathering evidence and presenting a strong defense, our restraining order attorneys have the knowledge and strategies necessary to navigate this challenging situation. Our goal is to empower you to reclaim your reputation, relationships with your children, and future.
A Connecticut restraining order lawyer can make your case for protection or defeat an improper request for a restraining order. Call a family attorney from Freed Marcroft when you are being harassed.
When To Get a Restraining Order
A restraining order can stop abusive or frightening behavior when someone is stalking, harassing, or threatening you, your children, or anyone in your household. You can learn more about the three main types of restraining orders in this blog.
You don’t need to be divorcing to get a restraining order. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-15, a family court judge can issue a restraining order against:
- A current or former romantic partner
- A current or former spouse
- A roommate or former roommate
- A parent, child, or sibling who lives with you
- Your child’s co-parent, even if you never married or lived together
Please contact the police if the person poses an immediate danger to you or your family. Once the immediate threat is over, you can work with our Connecticut lawyers to get the long-term protection of a restraining order. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 24/7 helpline that provides support, information, and resources for victims of domestic violence. They can connect you to local resources and provide assistance in finding safety. Remember, reaching out for help is an essential step towards breaking free from an abusive situation.
What a Restraining Order Can Do
A person seeking a restraining order is called the petitioner, and the other party is called the respondent. Whether you are seeking a restraining order or fighting one, you should understand its impact. The court can issue a restraining order tailored to the circumstances based on the relief the petitioner asked for.
Refrain From Harassment
Most restraining orders prohibit the respondent from threatening, assaulting, abusing, or harassing the petitioner, their children, and pets. It could ban contact by phone, text, email, or through third parties. The respondent may have to stay at least 100 yards away from the petitioner and their children.
Retrieval of Possessions and Pets
A restraining order typically allows the respondent to enter the home once (with police officers) to retrieve their belongings. If the petitioner lived in the respondent’s home, the order allows the petitioner to go with the police to get their things, including pets.
Child Custody
A petitioner can request temporary custody of any minor children shared with the respondent and have the judge grant or deny visitation rights.
Protect Petitioner’s Location
A petitioner who has moved can ask the judge to keep their location confidential. Court documents and other papers won’t include their address.
Restraining Order Procedures
When someone requests a restraining or protective order, the judge might grant a temporary order immediately and schedule a hearing within 14 days, or 7 days if the respondent possesses a gun. The judge might not grant a temporary order but will still set a hearing date to consider it. Regardless, the state marshal will serve papers on the respondent.
If you’re the respondent, immediately contact a Connecticut protective order attorney to defend yourself against the restraining order request. The judge will ask each side questions to get a complete picture of the situation. Having an attorney with you during the hearing can ensure the judge considers all the relevant facts.
Contact a Connecticut Restraining Order Attorney for Help in Protecting Your Family
Keeping yourself and your children from harm must be your priority. A Connecticut restraining order lawyer knows how you can get legal protection from physical or verbal abuse, threats, or other forms of harassment.
In addition, if a partner seeks a restraining order, you need aggressive legal assistance to protect your rights to be in your home and spend time with your children.
Don’t wait to get help. Contact Freed Marcroft today to get peace of mind.
