Restraining Order Lawyer in Virginia

Serving Individuals Seeking & Contesting Protective Orders in Fairfax, Prince William & Arlington Counties

Protective orders, also called “restraining orders,” are commonly issued in domestic violence cases. These orders are meant to do exactly what they say: to protect family and household members from threats of violence and actual violent acts committed against them in a domestic setting. The orders “restrain” the implicated/alleged abuser from making any contact with the protected person and his or her family and prohibit any further threats or violence against them. They may also include other restrictions and orders imposed by the court. Should the person named in the order violate any of its orders or restrictions, it can result in criminal charges. 

As an individual with a protective order issued against you, it can feel like your entire life has been turned upside down. For those who have been harmed or threatened by an abuser, such an order can be a form of relief. 

At King, Campbell, Poretz, and Mitchell, we understand both sides of this issue. 

• Protective Order Defense: We defend individuals accused of domestic violence in protective order hearings. 
• Protective Orders for Victims: We also represent individuals who need such orders to ensure their safety and that of their children. 

If you need legal help in a matter related to protective orders, you can count on the dedication, knowledge, and skills of our experienced team.  

Virginia Protective Orders

Virginia protective orders are extremely powerful legal tools. Three types of these orders exist, and Virginia law makes it relatively easy to obtain a temporary protective order.

Emergency Protective Orders

These are temporary orders issued as the result of an ex-parte hearing, meaning that the judge or magistrate hears only one side of the story from the allegedly abused person. It requires only a showing of probable cause. They typically contain severe conditions, such as no contact, no return to the shared residence, and temporary child custody given to the person seeking the order. They generally have an expiration date at the end of their third day after being issued or until the end of the next day that the court is in session. 

The person subject to the order loses his or her right to carry firearms. These can also have significant collateral consequences for certain types of employment since they can affect a person’s security clearance.

Preliminary Protective Orders

This order is the next step in the process. Once an emergency protective order is issued, a trial will be set within 15 days for the judge to decide whether to issue a permanent protective order. 

Final Protective Orders

This involves a full court hearing in which both parties are allowed to tell their side of the story and present evidence supporting their case before a judge. These orders can last up to two years and courts typically enter them for the maximum allowable time. 

Additional protections for the protected person can include:

• being granted possession of the home that is shared or being provided with alternative housing along with utilities
• being granted possession of a shared vehicle
• being granted child support
• being granted possession of a shared pet
• being granted use of or given a cell phone
• being given anything else the court deems necessary