Protective Orders
Protective Orders
There are several types of Protective Orders. We deal with Magistrates Order of Emergency Protection (MOEP) , Sexual Assault Protective Order and the 2 Year Protective Orders.
Magistrates Order of Emergency Protection (MOEP)
A Magistrate's Order for Emergency Protection may be issued at the time of a defendant's appearance before a magistrate after arrest for an offense involving family violence or a sexual assault. The order for emergency protection may be issued on the magistrate's own motion or on the request of:
- the victim;
- guardian of the victim;
- a peace officer; or
- the attorney representing the State.
A Magistrate's Order for Emergency Protection may prohibit the arrested offender from committing any further acts of family violence, communicating with a member of the family or household or the person named in the order, or making any threats or going near the place of employment, household or business of a member of the household or of the person named. The offender may also be restricted from going near a school or day care facility. The victim does not have to be present in court when the order is issued.
A violation of this order may be punishable by a fine of as much as $4,000 or by confinement in jail for up to one year or both.
The M.O.E.P. shall be in effect for a minimum of 31 days, and a maximum of 61 days, unless a weapon was used. If a weapon was used, the M.O.E.P., shall be issued for a minimum of 61 days and a maximum of 91 days. The M.O.E.P. is mandatory if a weapon was exhibited or there was serious bodily injury sustained during the assault
Remember, if someone has physically assaulted or threatened you, contact your local police department or sheriff 's office to press charges against that person. Even if you are ineligible for a protective order, you may be able to have the person arrested for assault, criminal trespass, or stalking.
2 Year Protective Order
A protective order is a civil court order issued to prevent continuing acts of family violence. Family violence is basically defined as any act by one member of a family or household intended to physically harm another member, a serious threat of physical harm, or the abuse of a child. Family includes blood relatives or relatives by marriage, former spouses, parents (married or not) of the same child, foster parents and foster children, or any member or former member of a household (people living in the same house, related or not). How Can a Protective Order Help?
A protective order may prohibit the offender from:
- committing further acts of family violence
- harassing or threatening the victim, either directly or indirectly by communicating the threat through another person
- going to or near a school or day-care center that a child protected under the order attends
Who is Eligible for a Protective Order?
If the court finds that family violence has occurred and is likely to occur again, a court shall render a protective order. To obtain a protective order, the victim and the offender must be (1) related by blood or marriage, (2) living together, or previously lived together, or (3) have a child together.
When you apply for a protective order, you must supply the following information: 1. The name of each applicant (victim) and the county where each applicant (victim) resides; 2. the name, address, and county of residence of each individual who has committed family violence; 3. the relationship between the victim(s) and the offender; 4. a request for one or more protective orders. The victim should file for the order as soon after the incident has occurred as possible. Additionally, if other incidents of family violence have occurred, the victim needs to provide this information to the attorney who files the protective order application. What Happens if the Protective Order is Violated?
Call the police immediately!! Remember, protective orders do not offer complete protection. No piece of paper can protect you from all instances of violence. Law enforcement agencies are notified of all protective orders issued in their area and they are required to maintain a list of those orders. If an offender violates the order and law enforcement is notified, officials will act to arrest the offender and seek to have charges filed. If a person violates the protective order in the presence of law enforcement, the offender must be arrested immediately. In cases involving the violation of a protective order, including an ex parte order, the offender may be punished for contempt of court by a fine of as much as $500 or up to six months in jail or both. In cases of violation, excluding ex parte orders, the offender may be punished by a fine of as much as $4,000 or jail for up to one year or both.