A restraining order is a court order that protects an individual from being physically abused, threatened, stalked or harassed. When the court assigns a restraining order against someone, that person is not allowed, under the guidelines of the court order, to come into contact (or near a general area) with another person, place, or event.
Someone who violates a restraining order or injunction in the state of Washington is quite likely to face criminal prosecution. Regularly, violations of injunctions are dealt with as first degree misdemeanor infractions, however, in some cases, a person can be charged with the felony offense of aggravated stalking, that is if their case involves multiple violations of the same injunction in an attempt to threaten or harass the other party.
Restraining Order: Violations
An injunction is a court order, issued by a circuit court judge that places restrictions on an individual’s ability to have contact with another, specific person. People typically refer to this type of court order as a restraining order. Washington law is no different. When a temporary injunction is issued then served, or an injunction is made final, this fact is public record and can easily be viewed by the public.
Restraining Orders: Representation
A violation of a restraining order is treated as a serious matter by the county court and State Attorney’s Office. The underlying motivation for the intrusive treatment of these violations is built on the philosophy that the accused willfully disobeyed a direct court mandate. For this reason, having the assistance of an experienced Washington state criminal defense attorney is imperative.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve knowingly or accidentally violated a restraining order or feel you’ve been wrongly handed such an order, contact us today.Our knowledge of criminal law allows you to have the advantage, in court, when defending your rights. Let us show you how we earned our reputation. We want to protect and defend your rights. We can discuss the details of your case and take the first steps in mounting the best defense available.
For a free confidential consultation with one of our attorneys, contact us today via email, or call us at 206-621-0500.