By: The Law Offices of Jed Silverman
No-contact orders are also known as protective orders. These are issued by the court to protect individuals from abusive partners or others who might try to harm them. There are two types of no-contact orders you need to be aware of—temporary and general protective orders.
Temporary protective orders prevent someone from contacting another person for up to 20 days. “Contacting” includes exclusion from a home, a place of work, or school. The order can also cover contacting minors and having custody of children. General no-contact orders can last up to 2 years. These are known as restraining orders.
Any member of the family, a prosecuting attorney, or a department of protective and regulatory services can file a no-contact order against an alleged offender. If the alleged offender violates a no-contact order in any way, he or she could face a fine of up to $4,000 and / or a jail sentence for up to 1 year. If violence occurs during the violation, the offender can be prosecuted for a misdemeanor or a felony, which carries a minimum jail sentence of 2 years. This punishment is added to any other crimes committed during the violation of the no-contact order.
If you’ve been issued a no-contact order by a member of your family or by a prosecutor, don’t hesitate to give our skilled Houston criminal defense attorneys a call. It is especially important to defend yourself against potential fines and jail time if you accidentally violate the no-contact order without being aware of the potential for harm.
The Law Offices of Jed Silverman can offer you award-winning criminal defense lawyers who are committed to protecting your rights, freedom, and future. We have decades of legal experience to offer your case, and our firm has successfully handled thousands of criminal cases. Our attorneys are also proud to offer close client communication, honest representation, and a fierce and dedicated work ethic. Let us see what we can do for you. Contact us as soon as possible. The sooner we learn about your circumstances, the more time we will have to create a strong case on your behalf.
Contact us at (713) 597-2221 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation with us today.