Kitsap County Civil Protection Orders Attorneys

Bainbridge Island Lawyers for Restraining Orders & Civil Protective Orders

If you or a family member is being stalked, harassed, threatened, or abused, you can request a civil harassment restraining order. Unlike a domestic violence restraining order, this type of order cannot be issued against a spouse, ex-spouse, dating partner, or close relative.

Civil protective orders should be used if you are experiencing harassment from a:

• Friend
• Neighbor
• Roommate
• Family member more than two degrees removed (such as an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin)

For help requesting a civil protective restraining order, out team at Ramirez & Cooper, Inc. can help.

To speak with an experienced Kitsap County civil protection order lawyer, give us a call at (206) 222-7701 or contact us online today.

How a Protection Order Can Be Used Against You

If you’re the subject of a civil protection order, you have a lot to lose. You may be required to move out of your home, stay away from your children, or even lose your job. A civil protection order can also bar you from owning a firearm and may be used against you in a divorce or custody matter. Even if a protection order is in place for only a few weeks, the damage to your reputation can be permanent.

If you’ve been served with a protection order, it’s crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you have a lawyer on your side, the quicker they can begin building a strong defense and helping you avoid the serious consequences of a protection order.

What Is a Civil Protection Order in Washington?

A civil protection order, also known as a restraining order, is a court order that can protect a victim from abuse, harassment, or stalking. The order can be filed by anyone who has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The person filing the petition is known as the petitioner, and the person the order is filed against is known as the respondent.

In Washington, a protection order can be filed against anyone who is alleged to have committed an act of domestic violence. This includes current or former spouses, current or former domestic partners, people who have children together, people who live together, and people who are in a dating relationship.

Once a protection order is filed, a judge can issue a temporary order that will take effect immediately. The respondent does not need to be present for the temporary order to be issued. The temporary order will remain in effect until the date of the hearing, which is typically scheduled within two weeks.

At the hearing, the petitioner will have the opportunity to present evidence and argue why the order should be made permanent. The respondent will also have the opportunity to present evidence and argue why the order should not be made permanent. If the order is made permanent, it will be in effect for a minimum of one year, but can be extended for up to two years.

There are three types of civil protection orders in Washington:

• Domestic violence protection orders
• Sexual assault protection orders
• Anti-harassment protection orders

What Is Considered Domestic Violence?

In Washington, domestic violence is defined as a criminal act committed by one family or household member against another. This includes assault, reckless endangerment, stalking, harassment, property damage, and more. If you are accused of committing an act of domestic violence, you can be arrested and charged with a crime, even if the allegations are false.

What Is Considered Sexual Assault?

In Washington, sexual assault is defined as any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. This includes rape, molestation, and unwanted touching. If you are accused of sexual assault, you can be arrested and charged with a crime, even if the allegations are false.

What Is Considered Harassment?

In Washington, harassment is defined as a course of conduct that is intended to harass, intimidate, torment, or embarrass another person. This includes threats, stalking, and unwanted contact. If you are accused of harassment, you can be arrested and charged with a crime, even if the allegations are false.

Consequences of a Civil Protection Order

If you are the subject of a civil protection order, it is important to take the matter seriously. Even if the allegations are false, a protection order can still have serious consequences.

When an order is issued, you will be required to move out of your home and stay away from your children. You will also be required to stay away from the petitioner and avoid contact with them. Depending on the circumstances, this can make it difficult to go to work or perform everyday tasks.

A protection order can also be used against you in a divorce or custody matter. If you are going through a divorce, a protection order can be used to gain an advantage in the case. If you have children, a protection order can be used to limit your parenting time or require that all visits be supervised.

It is also important to note that a protection order can be used against you in a criminal case. If you are accused of violating the order, you can be charged with a crime. If you are convicted, you can face jail time and other serious penalties. A conviction can also make it difficult to find a job, go to school, or find a place to live.

How to Get a Civil Protection Order in Washington

A civil protection order can be obtained by filing a petition with the court. The petitioner must provide a sworn statement that supports the allegations, including specific examples of the abuse, harassment, or stalking. The petitioner must also provide information about the respondent, including their address and place of work.

Once the petition is filed, a judge will review the case and determine whether to issue a temporary order. If the judge finds that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner is a victim of abuse, harassment, or stalking, the temporary order will be issued. The temporary order will remain in effect until the date of the hearing, which is typically scheduled within two weeks.

What Is the Process for Getting a Civil Protection Order?

The civil protection order process begins when the petitioner files a petition with the court. The petition must include a sworn statement that supports the allegations, including specific examples of the abuse, harassment, or stalking. The petitioner must also provide information about the respondent, including their address and place of work.

Once the petition is filed, a judge will review the case and determine whether to issue a temporary order. If the judge finds that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner is a victim of abuse, harassment, or stalking, the temporary order will be issued. The temporary order will remain in effect until the date of the hearing, which is typically scheduled within two weeks.