Protective Order Violations Attorney in Denver, Colorado

When it comes to protecting yourself against accusations of violating a protective order, having the right legal representation is essential. The consequences associated with protective order violations are too severe to try and handle your case on your own. If you have been accused of violating a protective order, contact the Law Offices of Malcolm B. Seawell for legal help.  

Our criminal defense attorney in Denver, Colorado, helps clients fight these orders and defend themselves against accusations of violating a CPO. With an office in Greenwood Village, we serve clients across the Denver Metro area, including Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, Englewood, Golden, Arvada, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Brighton, and Littleton.  

Types of Protective Orders  

A protective order is a court-issued document that protects someone from another person’s behavior. It can be used to prevent harassment, abuse, contact with another person, and a variety of other actions. In Colorado, there are two types of orders: restraining orders and protective orders. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are actually different and serve different purposes.

1. A restraining order is a civil court action that usually prevents one party from having any contact with another party. It is issued by a judge after one party has requested it. 

2. A protective order is a criminal court action that usually requires one party to not have any contact with another party for a designated period of time. This type of order may be necessary if you have been charged with a crime and the prosecutor believes that your presence near the victim could put them at risk. 

Below are the different types of protective orders available in Colorado: 

• Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO)  

• Civil Harassment Protective Order (CHPO) 

• Stay Away/Court Protection Order (CPO)  

• Emergency Protective Order (EPO) 

• Workplace Violence Restraining Order (WVRO) 

• Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order (DAARO)  

Each comes with its own set of requirements for obtaining approval, prohibited actions, as well as details regarding how long each respective restraining order remains valid once issued by the court. Protective orders in Colorado are also divided into temporary and permanent orders. According to the website of the Colorado Judicial Branch, you cannot ask the court to dismiss a permanent protective order until after two years have passed from the date the court was issued or two years from the disposition of any prior motion. 

What Actions Are Prohibited?  

Actions that are prohibited by the protective order vary from one order to another. Even though every order is unique, below is a list of some of the most common ways you can violate a protective order in Colorado:  

• Coming too close to the protected person 

• Attempting to contact the protected person either directly or through third parties 

• Reaching out to the protected person via social media 

• Not moving out of the home (applies to Domestic Violence Protective Orders) 

• Visiting the protected person’s place of work or school 

• Purchasing or possessing a gun 

• Failing to pay certain bills 

Again, each protective order is unique, which is why you should check the terms of your order to know what actions you can and cannot take to avoid the ramifications of violating it.  

Additionally, it’s in your best interest to contact a protective order violations attorney for legal assistance from someone who understands that there are certain rights guaranteed by law when one is accused of any type of crime—including violations of a protective order—and will fight hard to protect these rights from being violated during the process. 

Consequences of Violating a CPO in Colorado 

Possible consequences of violating a protective order in Colorado depend on several factors, including the type of the order (civil vs. criminal) and whether it is your first or subsequent offense.  

Regardless of whether you are accused of violating a civil or criminal protective order, the consequences can be dire and may include time behind bars and hefty fines. That is why it is important to take accusations of protection order violations seriously and respond to them accordingly.  

If you have been accused of violating a CPO in Colorado, you might want to contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your best course of action to avoid or mitigate the penalties associated with violating a protective order.   

How a Reliable Attorney Can Help  

Not only will an experienced criminal defense attorney provide reliable advice throughout the entire process, but they will also work tirelessly to protect your rights and make sure that your case is heard properly. 

This includes researching all applicable laws, gathering evidence in your favor, preparing for trial if necessary, and negotiating for the best possible outcome for your case. Moreover, having an experienced attorney on your side can give you peace of mind during this difficult time as well.   

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, your defense attorney may be able to negotiate with prosecutors in order to reduce or even eliminate jail time altogether. They may also be able to argue that the violation was unintentional and therefore should not result in punishment. In any case, your lawyer’s primary goal will always be to get the charges dropped or reduced so that you don’t have to faceharsh punishments for violating your protective order.