Every day in Louisiana, men, women and children are subjected to violence in the home. Domestic violence is a very real problem, and one that the state takes very seriously, as the long-term damage that results from abuse experienced in the home can be devastating. Those who are victims of domestic violence do have the ability to seek protection by filing for restraining orders.
Those who wish to obtain restraining orders — sometimes called protective orders — must file the appropriate petition in court. If the request is approved, the alleged abuser will not be permitted to contact or come near the petitioner. If the abuser fails to abide by the terms of a protective order, he or she will likely face criminal charges.
Orders of protection will either be granted on a temporary or long-term basis. Temporary restraining orders are granted immediately and will be enforced pending a court hearing at which both the petitioner and alleged abuser will be given the opportunity to address the court. It is after this hearing that it will be determined if a long-term protective order will be awarded or if the restraining order will be dropped. To learn more about restraining orders, such as who is eligible to receive one, how to petition the court for one, how long it will last and how an attorney may be able to help you achieve one, please take a moment and visit our firm’s website.
Restraining orders serve a very valuable purpose in that they help victims leave abusive situations without fear of retaliation. Unfortunately, long-term orders of protection are not always simple to obtain. If you are a victim of domestic violence, an experienced family law attorney can assist you in filing the appropriate petition and presenting your case in a Louisiana court.