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How to Avoid Order of Protection Violations

 Posted on January 22, 2025 in Domestic Violence & Orders of Protection

IL defense lawyerViolating an order of protection is a criminal offense. If you are subject to an order of protection, you must carefully abide by the restrictions listed in the order. It is very important to take the time to read through the entire order of protection so that you know what is expected of you. This means avoiding places where you know you are likely to encounter the protected party and avoiding any attempts at communicating with him or her. An experienced Arlington Heights, IL domestic violence attorney can provide specific guidance to help you avoid violating your order of protection or the conditions of your pretrial release if you are also facing criminal charges. Violating the court’s orders while you are out on bond after a domestic violence arrest can make defending your case significantly more difficult.

Avoid Directing Any Form of Communication to the Victim 

Orders of protection nearly always instruct the defendant not to contact the victim. If you have a genuine need to communicate with the protected party about a specific matter - for example, if you are co-parents and both have parenting time - you should speak with your attorney about how to approach this.

This means you cannot: 

  • Have others pass along messages - Do not ask mutual friends or family members to share information with the protected party on your behalf. 
  • Make targeted social media posts - Making posts on social media that are easily interpreted as being directed at the protected party can get you in legal trouble. This includes making posts that include phrases like, "You know who you are" or "to someone I love."
  • Like or follow - Do not interact with the protected party on social media in any way. This includes liking her posts, subscribing to her content, or following her on social media websites or apps. 

Avoiding Places Where You Are Likely to See The Protected Party

You will likely be specifically instructed to stay away from the victim’s home, workplace, or school. You should also avoid going to places where you know the victim spends time. If you see the protected party while you are out, you must leave, even if you were there first. If you and the protected party tend to frequent the same bars, coffee shops, or restaurants, you should strongly consider avoiding those places. It is better to completely avoid in-person encounters with the protected party if you can.

Contact an Arlington Heights, IL Domestic Violence Attorney 

Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law can help you navigate the constraints of your protection order. Experienced DuPage County, IL orders of protection attorney Scott Anderson will work to help you avoid a violation. Contact us at 847-253-3400 for a complimentary consultation.

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