RESTRAINING ORDERS
PRACTICE AREAS
BOSSIER CITY RESTRAINING ORDER ATTORNEY
Family Law & Criminal Defense Attorney for Restraining Orders in Northwest Louisiana
No one expects to face serious physical, emotional, or sexual abuse from someone within their home or family, but unfortunately, that is the reality for thousands of individuals in Louisiana every year. Not only that, but many people across the state are stalked or sexually abused by strangers or people they hardly know. That’s why Louisiana law allows victims to legally protect themselves and their families from people who have done them harm or threatened their wellbeing.
A restraining order can be an effective way to legally distance yourself from someone who has hurt you or your family and who may be a danger to you or your children’s well-being. If you are in a domestic violence situation in Bossier City, Shreveport, or the surrounding areas, North Louisiana family law attorney Michael J. Vergis can help you file for a protective order and ensure you and your family are safe from harm.
Not only can he help victims file their restraining orders, but he can also help defend against wrongful claims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and more. Call (318) 698-3724 to schedule your free initial case evaluation and discuss your case with a trained restraining order lawyer.
What is a Restraining Order?
A restraining order, also known as a protective order, is a legal document issued by a court to help protect an individual from harassment, assault, or abuse. In the context of family law, it’s often filed against another household member in situations involving things like domestic violence, stalking, or threats.
The order can set specific rules and limitations on the behavior of the person posing a threat, such as prohibiting contact with the victim, requiring them to maintain a certain distance, or refraining from certain actions.
This can affect a person’s family dynamics, including child custody, child support, and alimony. Protective orders can also affect an individual’s employment status and even their personal reputation. Not only that, but violating a restraining order can result in legal consequences, including criminal charges and their associated penalties.
Types of Restraining Orders in Louisiana
Under Louisiana law, there are a few different kinds of restraining orders that people can be granted. Below are the different types of protective orders a person can file against someone else.
- Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) – a temporary court order designed to protect a person from immediate danger.
- Emergency Temporary Restraining Order – a temporary court order designed to protect a person from immediate danger but is put into place faster than a TRO.
- Long-Term Protective Order – a long-term court order designed to protect a person from danger for an extended period of time.
TROs and emergency TROs are issued in extreme cases in which a person needs immediate protection from someone else. For example, in situations like divorce, one parent or spouse may become violent or threaten to become violent in response to a request for a divorce. In this case, a judge may grant the victim and their children with a temporary restraining order so that they can escape the situation. This can protect them from domestic violence and abuse in the days, weeks, or even months before their scheduled court hearing regarding the long-term protective order.
How To File a Restraining Order in Louisiana
In order to file a restraining order in Louisiana, you must:
- Gather information and legal documents
- Fill out and complete your petition
- Have your petition notarized
- File your petition in court
- Wait for confirmation that your temporary restraining order has been served
- Attend your court hearing
There are a number of different petition forms that you can fill out, depending on the nature and severity of your situation. LA lawyers who have experience with filing restraining orders can help determine which forms you need to complete and file for you and your situation.
When filing the petition, you should not have to pay any filing fees, but at the end of the process, you will likely need to pay court fees as well as any legal fees if you hired an attorney.
If you are looking to file a restraining order against someone in Bossier City, Attorney Michael J. Vergis can provide you with the legal resources you need to file the protective order. He’ll assist you through every step of the process and ensure you and your family are protected from harassment, domestic violence, and more.
In addition to Bossier Parish, Attorney Vergis provides legal services to the residents of both Caddo and Webster Parishes. Call our law office at (318) 698-3724 to speak with a legal professional regarding the matter–at no cost to you.
Do You Have To Prove Domestic Violence or Domestic Abuse To Be Granted a Restraining Order?
No, under the Louisiana Protective Order Registry (LPOR), you do not have to specifically be a victim of domestic abuse to file and obtain a protective order. If you are in a domestic violence situation, you can file for a protective order against a former spouse, partner, roommate, or family member to protect you and your family from abuse. However, you do not have to be a victim of domestic abuse to file one.
Victims of sexual assault or stalking can also file a protective order against the person who has abused or stalked them, whether they know this person or not. If someone has been sexually abused or stalked and they are incapable of filing their own petition due to mental or physical disability, someone close to them can file a protective order on their behalf.
How Long Does a Restraining Order Last in Louisiana?
Normally, restraining orders in Louisiana last 18 months, but victims can request for extension. In certain circumstances, protective orders can be extended indefinitely, but it’s up to the court to decide whether or not to grant an extension. Skilled family law attorneys can help ensure that a restraining order lasts as long as possible, especially in dire situations where a person’s life or safety is at risk.
Seeking a Restraining Order
The goal of a protective order is to legally prevent a threatening person from continuing their harmful behavior or from coming into close contact with their victim. Restraining orders are crucial in cases of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, where an individual feels threatened or fears for their safety.
Restraining orders can prevent an individual from coming onto a certain property or prevent them from coming within so many feet of a person or persons. They can also be sought to protect a person’s children from potential harm or to legally prevent an abusive or aggressive individual from coming close to their children.
If you or your child has been a victim of abuse, stalking, or harassment, North LA attorney Michael J. Vergis can help you file a restraining order against the perpetrator. With years of experience in family law and other related practice areas, he understands the legal frameworks and emotional dynamics involved in divorce cases, especially those involving domestic violence.
Bossier Parish attorney Michael Vergis will investigate your claims of abuse or harassment, walk you through the process, and can help you file for a protective order, ensuring you and your family are safe from harm.
Defending Against a Restraining Order
If a restraining order has been filed against you, you are legally entitled to defend yourself against the other person’s claims. Many people contest restraining orders when the accusations made against them are false, exaggerated, or taken out of context. Not only that, but a restraining order can have additional adverse consequences on a person’s life.
Restraining orders often come with accusations of domestic violence, sexual harassment, or sexual assault, all of which can damage a person’s reputation and professional standing. Additionally, a protective order can alter a person’s living situation or affect their child custody rights, leaving them homeless and/or unable to see their children.
If you have been accused of domestic abuse, sexual harassment, or any other action that would warrant a restraining order, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help defend against the allegations. They can help prevent the restraining order from taking effect, thus protecting your reputation, livelihood, and child custody rights.
Bossier City criminal defense attorney Michael J. Vergis has extensive experience with criminal defense work in Bossier, Shreveport, and beyond, making him a great choice when searching for a restraining order defense attorney near you. With his in-depth understanding of the Louisiana legal system, you can rest easy knowing he will provide you with the best restraining order defense possible.
Why Choose Michael J. Vergis as Your Bossier City Restraining Order Attorney
If you are dealing with a restraining order case in Bossier City, choosing the right attorney is crucial. Michael J. Vergis stands out as an exceptional choice due to his extensive experience in both family law and criminal defense.
This combination equips him with a comprehensive understanding of restraining order cases from all angles, giving him a unique advantage in both filing and defending against restraining orders. In addition to his knowledge of Louisiana law, he also understands the delicate nature of cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence. He approaches each client with empathy and discretion, ensuring that your story is heard and respected throughout the legal process, regardless of which side of the case you are on.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Shreveport-Bossier City Attorney Michael J. Vergis Today
Whether you need assistance filing a protective order or you are looking to defend yourself against one, Attorney Michael J. Vergis is here to help. With his experience in the Bossier Parish court system, he can guide you through the restraining order process to ensure you and your family are safe from harm. If you have had a restraining order filed against you, he can disprove any claims of harassment, violence, or domestic abuse and work to ensure that the restraining order does not take effect.
Call our law office at (318) 698-3724 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your case.
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