Violating a Protection Order is often charged in connection with a ongoing domestic violence cases in Fort Collins and Larimer County. The burden of a protection order falls on only one side. If the protected party reaches out, there are no consequences. However, if the restricted party responds, then new criminal charges can be filed.
Larimer County Violation of a Protection Order: What are Protection / Restraining Orders?
A restraining / protection order is a formal order from the Larimer County Court stating that the restrained party is not to have contact with the alleged victim or party requesting the order. These orders can prohibit all contact or can be modified to limit the type of contact allowed. Maybe electronic contact, but not in person contact, for example. There are two ways that protection / restraining orders come about:
- A protection order can be automatically entered in certain criminal cases; or
- A request for a civil protection / restraining order can be filed with the court and a judge or magistrate will hold a hearing to decide if the order is entered.
For Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County Domestic Violence cases, a mandatory protection order is always entered immediately preventing the accused from having contact with the alleged victim. These orders are entered even when the underlying crime is not violent or even any type of a contact offense.
Fort Collins Violation of Protection Orders Lawyer: What is the Definition of Protection Order Violations?
The Colorado law definition of Violation of a Protection Order – C.R.S. 18-6-803.5 – is:
(a) Contacts, harasses, injures, intimidates, molests, threatens, or touches the protected person or protected property, including an animal, identified in the protection order or enters or remains on premises or comes within a specified distance of the protected person;
(b) Except as permitted pursuant to section 18-13-126 (1) (b), hires, employs, or otherwise contracts with another person to locate or assist in the location of the protected person; or
(c) Violates a civil protection order issued pursuant to section 13-14-105.5, C.R.S., or pursuant to section 18-1-1001 (9)
As a class 2 misdemeanor in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Violation of a Protection Order is punishable by 3 to 12 months in the Larimer County Jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Violation of a Protection Order, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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