PRO Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, Offers Legal Assistance for Permanent Restraining Orders in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Across Southern California
Permanent restraining orders (PROs) have a long-term impact on the lives of both the protected person and the restrained person. The restrictions these court orders impose can last for years, so it’s important to do everything in your power to influence the case so that it resolves in your favor. That means choosing a Los Angeles permanent restraining order lawyer at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney as your advocate.
With decades of experience handling all types of restraining order cases, we’re ready to manage the complications and overcome the challenges, fighting for an outcome that favors you. Contact us today for a free consultation, and find out how we can help you through the restraining order process.
Legal Help for Restraining Order Cases in Southern California
A restraining order is an order issued by a civil court judge. This order imposes specific restrictions on a person accused of abuse or harassment for the protection of a victim. Violating any conditions of a restraining order can result in criminal charges and, potentially, fines and jail time.
For parties on both sides of these legal issues, the stakes are high.
- For the victim, the outcome of the restraining order case determines whether they receive the protections that can help them feel safe again.
- For the restrained person, the restrictions imposed by the court order can impact who they can see and contact, where they can go, and other aspects of their life.
You aren’t required to have professional representation to petition for a restraining order or respond to a request for a restraining order against you, but skilled legal help provides important advantages throughout this process. At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we make every aspect of this legal process easier on our clients while working toward the resolution that benefits them the most.
Having an experienced PRO attorney in Los Angeles, CA, on your side provides peace of mind at every point, allowing you to get your questions answered, your concerns addressed, and your case on the path to the most favorable outcome possible.
What Is a Permanent Restraining Order?
Restraining orders can impose short-term or long-term restrictions. A permanent restraining order is the longest-lasting type of injunction.
In California, several types of permanent restraining orders—including domestic violence, civil harassment, elder abuse, and gun violence orders—can remain in place for up to five years. Workplace violence restraining orders and school violence restraining orders can last up to three years.
It’s also possible to extend a PRO that is already in place by requesting that the court renew the restraining order before it expires.
Types of Permanent Restraining Orders Our PRO Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, Can Assist With
Permanent restraining orders can be granted in a wide variety of situations. Our team assists both petitioners and respondents in cases that involve all types of court orders, including:
- Domestic violence restraining orders
- Repeat violence restraining orders
- Civil harassment restraining orders
- Elder abuse restraining orders
- Workplace violence restraining orders
- School violence restraining orders
Figuring out the nuances of restraining orders in California can be challenging. From determining what forms you need to file to achieve the protections you’re looking for to fighting back against unfair restrictions by presenting a strong case in a court hearing, we’re ready to assist you.
For Abuse Victims: Getting the Legal Protections of a Permanent Restraining Order
If you’re in a situation in which someone else’s conduct makes you feel unsafe, seeking a restraining order against the defendant can help protect you from further harm. A permanent restraining order can provide continuous protection from abuse, harassment, stalking, threats, and acts of violence.
The Protections a Permanent Restraining Order Can Provide
A restraining order essentially makes it illegal for the restrained person to engage in certain conduct that would otherwise not be against the law by imposing court-ordered restrictions on that person. While assault and battery are crimes regardless of whether there’s a restraining order in place, merely contacting or going near a person is not—but when you’ve been the victim of abuse, harassment, or stalking, this behavior can make you fear for your safety. When a court orders the restrained person not to engage in restricted behaviors, the victim gains legal protection. If the restrained person violates the court order, they can be charged with a crime and potentially sentenced to imprisonment, fines, and other penalties even if they don’t attempt to harm the victim.
Permanent protective order restrictions can include prohibitions against stalking, attacking, or communicating with the petitioner, among other conditions. No-contact orders generally apply to any communications attempted through any means, which may include phone calls, text messages, emails, letters, physical contact, and social media platforms. Stay-away orders can prohibit the restrained person from coming within a specified distance of the protected person and potentially their home, vehicle, school, workplace, children’s school, or other specified locations.
Sometimes, a petition for a restraining order may also seek protection for other persons, including the victim’s children, other family or household members, and friends of the protected person.
How to Apply for a Permanent Restraining Order
Obtaining a permanent restraining order is a multi-step process. Because the restrictions imposed by a PRO are long-lasting, California law requires a hearing before a court can grant your request. During this hearing, the person you’re seeking protection from has the chance to present their case and argue either that the restraining order itself or the specific protections you have requested are unreasonable or unnecessary.
To apply for a permanent restraining order, you first need to fill out and submit the relevant paperwork to a county court. In your petition for a restraining order, you will be required to explain the situation and why you need protection from the offender. As a person requesting a permanent restraining order, you will be known as a petitioner. You may have to pay a fee, although this fee can be waived in certain instances, including matters that involve domestic violence, stalking, or other forms of violent acts or threats.
Once a judge approves your application, you will be given a date for a court hearing, usually within 21 days. Because it can take a few weeks to get a PRO issued, you can also apply for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that provides short-term protection while you wait for your case to be heard. The judge will review the evidence submitted thus far to determine whether you should be granted a temporary restraining order. A TRO can be granted on an “ex parte” basis without a full court hearing, often on the same day you file your request or the next business day.
The restrained person must be notified of the restraining order petitioned against them, the date of the court hearing, and any restrictions imposed by a TRO. This requirement is met when someone else—not the petitioner—serves the restrained person with papers formally informing them of the legal matter.
As the hearing approaches, you need to prepare your case. To successfully get a permanent restraining order put in place, you need to convince the judge that the court order is necessary for your protection from your abuser.
What Proof Do You Need for a Restraining Order in California?
To get a permanent restraining order placed against someone, you need to be able to establish that this person has either harmed or threatened to harm you and that they represent a danger to you in the future. To make this argument successfully, you need evidence such as the following:
- A sworn statement: In a sworn statement, you describe under oath the specific abuse or harassment you have suffered and what you fear the offender might do to you in the future based on their past conduct and threats.
- Witness accounts: A witness confirms to the court that what you say is true. Your case is more robust when corroborated by a witness.
- Pictures and documents: Letters or text messages that refer to abuse or threats and pictures of your damaged car or home, destroyed personal possessions, or visible injuries can provide valuable evidence of the danger the defendant poses to you.
Gathering this evidence can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Your Los Angeles permanent restraining order lawyer can help you gather evidence that supports your case and, when the time comes, present all arguments in your favor at the court hearing.
How Hard Is It to Get a Permanent Restraining Order?
The process of securing a permanent restraining order can be complicated. The judge will weigh your need for protection against the defendant’s rights and whether the impact of the restrictions you’re seeking is reasonable. To succeed in getting a permanent restraining order, you need to convince the judge that restricting the activities of the defendant is necessary for your safety.
Because restraining order cases are so challenging, it’s worth retaining an attorney who can provide trusted legal advice, assist you in obtaining and organizing evidence that supports your case, and present your arguments during the court hearing.
For Respondents: Defending Against Unfair Restrictions by Fighting PROs
As the person against whom a restraining order is being sought, you are known as the respondent. After you have been served with notice that a restraining order has been petitioned against you, you have the right to respond in writing if desired. Whether or not you respond in writing, you have the right to present your case to the judge, who will decide whether or not to issue a restraining order during a court hearing.
The Impact a Restraining Order Can Have on Your Life
Being subjected to the restrictions of a restraining order has a much greater impact on your life than voluntarily leaving alone the person who has accused you of abuse, harassment, or threats.
A stay-away order, especially one that involves broad restrictions, can require you to stay a certain distance away from the protected person’s home, workplace, and school. These restrictions can impact you in ways both big and small, affecting your daily routine and your future opportunities.
You could potentially face consequences for violating a restraining order if you are closer to the alleged victim than the distance specified in the court order—even in public places and even if you don’t attempt to approach the protected person. This could mean having to leave public places and events unexpectedly to avoid facing criminal charges, all because the protected person happens to be there.
A restraining order can restrict your ability to purchase or possess firearms legally. This restriction may impact your ability to protect yourself from harm and potentially your professional opportunities.
Although you should—and, if subject to a court order, must—avoid contacting this person, a restraining order’s restrictions can further affect where you can go and what you can do. It’s important when you have been served notice of a restraining order petition that you fully understand the restrictions that have been requested and fight any unfair or unreasonable conditions.
How to Fight a Restraining Order to Protect Your Freedoms
Before a judge may issue a permanent restraining order against you, you will have the opportunity to present your case in court. If you can make a convincing argument that the restrictions requested aren’t necessary, the judge may deny the requested restraining order or specific restrictions the petitioner has asked for.
It’s in your best interests to treat this court hearing as a serious legal proceeding and retain an attorney to help you prepare and present your case. At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we work tirelessly to gather evidence of all kinds to support our clients’ cases and provide the most compelling arguments possible in your favor.
Defending Against Charges of Permanent Restraining Order Violations
If you have a restraining order against you, any violation of its restrictions could result in serious criminal charges. You don’t have to harm or attempt to harm the protected person to be charged with violating a restraining order. Your defense may be based on a number of different facts, including a lack of intent to violate the court order and other mitigating circumstances. A restraining order violation is a criminal offense punishable by fines and prison sentences, and it should be taken seriously.
How The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Can Help You Navigate Your Permanent Restraining Order Case
At our firm, we’re here for clients who are facing the challenges involved in restraining order cases. We address every aspect of the legal issue, from preparing and filing paperwork to gathering evidence and presenting our clients’ cases at court hearings. We help the abused understand what protections are available to them and help defendants figure out what they must do to comply with temporary and permanent restraining orders.
Why You Need an Experienced Restraining Order Attorney Fighting for You
There’s no requirement that you retain professional legal representation for a restraining order case, but trying to handle this matter on your own can be a big mistake. You deserve more than having to stumble through the legal process, trying to make sense of the different steps involved, and figuring out how to present your case to the judge. With The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney on your side, you’ll be prepared for everything ahead.
Having experienced legal representation means you have the support you need to file forms efficiently, gather evidence that proves your arguments, and present your case before the judge as effectively as possible.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney as Your Los Angeles Permanent Restraining Order Lawyer?
Legal guidance is valuable in cases involving PROs, but who you choose as your Los Angeles permanent restraining order lawyer matters. Throughout Southern California, clients turn to The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney for our extensive knowledge and record of success in restraining order cases, as well as our compassion, 24/7 availability, and courtroom skills.
Our team has earned a strong reputation as the top restraining order law firm in the region—not only because we handle more of these cases, but also because of the very high success rate we have achieved in getting our clients favorable outcomes in these matters. We understand these processes from every angle, and we know how to present the most effective cases possible for our clients.
We treat our clients with the utmost compassion and respect, recognizing that, whatever the circumstances, this matter can be as difficult for you emotionally and socially as it is from a legal perspective. Our team is available for you seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to ensure you have the guidance you need for urgent legal issues. With more than 100 years of combined experience in legal practice, our attorneys have strong courtroom skills that are invaluable when presenting your case to the judge in a restraining order hearing.
Contact a Los Angeles Permanent Restraining Order Lawyer at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Today for a Free Consultation
Determining how to move forward with getting or defending against a restraining order isn’t easy, but having skilled legal support can help you prepare for the process with confidence.
For help from a PRO attorney in Los Angeles, CA, contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call 818-330-5198 today.
