Safety Above All Else

Are you a victim of family violence in need of immediate help? If you are eligible, a family violence protective order can provide you some peace of mind by prohibiting your abuser from committing further acts of family violence, from going to or near you and from harassing or threatening you. Sugar Land family law attorney Chikeersha Puvvada will strive to help you obtain a protective order against your abuser. If you have been wrongly accused of family violence and your accuser is seeking a protective order against you, Chikeersha Puvvada can help you defend yourself in court.

Protective Order FAQs

What is a protective order?

A protective order is a court order that prohibits an individual from committing acts of family violence or dating violence against one or more other individuals.

Who can a protective order protect?

A protective order can protect: 1) a person related by blood or marriage to the alleged abuser, 2) a person living with or who used to live with the alleged abuser, 3) a person who has a child with the alleged abuser, 4) a person who has or had a romantic relationship with the alleged abuser, or 5) a person who has or had a romantic or marital relationship with a person who has or had a romantic or martial relationship with the alleged abuser.

Who can apply for a protective order?

The following people can apply for a protective order: 1) an adult for themselves or on behalf of another member of their family or household, 2) a person who is dating the alleged abuser, 3) any adult on behalf of a child, 4) any prosecutor, and 5) The Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.

What can a protective order do?

A protective order can prohibit the alleged abuser from: 1) committing family violence, 2) committing dating violence, 3) communicating directly in a threatening or harassing manner with a protected person or a member of the protected person's family or household, 4) using a third party to communicate a threat to a protected person or a member of the protected person's family or household, 5) going to or near the residence or place of employment or business of a protected person or a member of the protected person's family or household, 6) going to or near the residence, child-care facility, or school of a protected child, 7) acting in a way that is likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass a protected person, including stalking, and 8) possessing a firearm.

Where can I file for a protective order?

In the county where you live or where the alleged abuser lives.

How quickly can I get a protective order?

The Court must hear an application for a protective order within 14 days of the filing of the application unless the applicant requests a later date or the county in which the application is filed has a population greater than 1.5 million. A temporary ex-parte protective order can be granted at the time the application is filed.

How long does a protective order last?

A temporary ex-parte protective order lasts for 20 days. A final protective order lasts for 2 years.

What happens if a protective order is violated?

Law enforcement will arrest the violator and will likely file criminal charges against the violator. Penalties for violating a protective order include jail for up to year, a fine of no more than $4,000.00, or both.

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