What can be Included in a Domestic Violence Order of Protection?
If you have been accused of domestic violence, you have likely already experienced several challenges in attempting to clear your name. Sometimes victims of an alleged domestic violence act will follow their legal charges with a request for a protective order. Protective orders can have serious consequences for the accused abuser, and it’s important that you hire an attorney to represent you before you lose important privileges and rights as a result of a protective order.
In Illinois, protective orders are only available to family or household members connected to an alleged abuser. There are many different ways that a protective order can be specified. Depending on what the individual requesting the order articulates, several different requirements may be put into the order, including:
- A prohibition from any further abuse (harassment or interference with personal liberty also come under this umbrella).
- A requirement for the alleged abuser to attend counseling courses
- Stipulations ordering the accused to stay away from the alleged victim
- Orders to give temporary custody to the alleged victim
- Orders to block the alleged abuser from accessing children’s records
- Orders to turn over any weapons in your possession to the police
As you can see, the consequences of an approved order of protection with these kinds of stipulations can have a serious- and immediate- impact on your life, particularly if you share children with the alleged victim. You might lose time spent with those children and temporary custody can even be awarded to the individual making these charges and claims.
If you have been accused of or charged with domestic violence and you believe the alleged victim will seek an order of protection against you, you need the services of a talented Illinois domestic violence criminal attorney. Do not let someone else decide your future for you; hire legal representation today.